I agree with @DadTwoGirls. Especially for a student interested in the biological sciences, Washington would be a great choice. It has been among the top departments in this area (and related areas such as genetics, genomics, bioinformatics and biostatistics) for a long time:
@bestmom888 “Diversity program” isn’t a separate category of admission, like ED and RD. You stated that as if there are three pathways: ED, RD, and “diversity program.” They do consider demographics, but you don’t apply through a “diversity program.” If you are a URM, you apply ED or RD like everyone else.
3.98 UW and 34 are competitive everywhere, and certainly you weren’t foolish to apply. But more high-stats kids are rejected than accepted at all of those reach schools, so while it seems brutal and is in some aspects, it is not uncommon.
You were smart to apply to your flagship (UW-Seattle), which is an outstanding school with academic quality in a lot of fields, a thriving sports and social scene, and a setting that combines picturesque mountain and ocean views with city opportunities. You are set, even if Cornell and Vanderbilt say “no”.
If one or both say(s) yes, well, that would be frosting on an already nice cake.
@chubbypanda, you clearly are a great student. UW is not a safety anymore for anyone in state. I was thrilled when my D got accepted, and relieved. Several of her friends were either waitlisted or rejected. It’s stunning, actually. So, you are one of many feeling sad about not getting into your top choices. BUT (but, but, but) you are an excellent student and will be going to an excellent university. Pick yourself up, give yourself a HUGE hug, and GO HUSKIES! You’ll do great!!
I know one kid with higher hard stats who got rejected from every college except for UCSD, where he did great and already got his dream job. This also shall pass. It was watching this kid’s experience and others around me which made me make sure my kid applied to several schools as safeties and matches and to just one reach college. I didn’t want to watch my kid get denied from so many reach schools.
brantly, I think some diversity programs are a different pool of applicants. I don’t how Questbridge does it but Posse, has a set number who will be accepted unrelated to the regular pool of applicants. For instance, a school will agree with possee to have 10 students from the Miami area who will get to go to one college as a group. It’s not to say it isn’t competitive, as I believe Posse had a 5% acceptance rate to get into the program, usually leading to a full ride.
If I remember correct from the info session at Middlebury, they set aside 30 such spots each year, not sure the breakdown from which programs.
Many colleges will also let the URM not in Questbridge or Possee know before the other applicants, ( a week or two ) at least thats what I remember form following the Skidmore and Smith threads.
@Akqj10 Your list really are not matches because to be competitive to a high quality instate flagship like UW (either one), you have to get a really big merit award (1/2 tuition+). That requirement puts them in the reach category.
@brantly you may be right, idk. All I know is that they made it seem like they have 3 programs, with all the URM kids receiving their acceptances on a date that is different than non URM kids – at my dd’s high school. And like someone else said, these kids have lower stats v. both the EA and RD kids, again, at my dd’s school.
Hi @ChubbyPanda - my daughter auditioned to 16 BFA Acting programs and got into her 2 least-wanted. She was also devastated. She’s now a freshman majoring in theater at a non-BFA college and surprised me by saying she didn’t want to reaudition anywhere this past fall! Guess what?! She LOVES her current school.
I know it is impossible to believe right now, but I predict that a year from now you will also be happy at one of your “safeties.” (AND, if not, you can apply to transfer, which often is a much easier admit than as an incoming freshman.)
You KNOW you are very bright and well-educated. You also know you reached, and like all college-bound high school seniors, you hoped! Try not to let the rejection letters sting too badly. You very likely have a bright, successful future ahead of you!
These sayings may seem trite at the moment, but -
Life is GOOD
Time heals all wounds.
(maybe post back in about a year and let us know how you’re doing - your perspective before and after might help next years’ seniors!)
OP, you are an amazingly motivated and accomplished student. Your 34 ACT, GPA and 11 APs are outstanding. you will be successful no matter where you go. You sound so mature in this thread.
I can understand your disappointment. But I am very very glad for you that you were smart enough to apply to a safety, and it happens to be that yours is top notch.
“Not trying to bash you. I do wonder why this is so common. It’s either safties, or the very most difficult to get into, with nothing in between. If anyone reading this learns one thing from your post, it should be to apply to a few match schools”
USC is a definite match for this applicant, she’s above the 75% ACT band (31-33), and their competitive majors are engineering and comp sci. The one thing about USC is that they love, really love, full-pay international student (25% of the 2017 class). Its possible they went more in that direction this year. And for stem, Geogetown with her stats is a low match, or whatever they call that. Their toughest majors are in their SFS school and government /history at their arts and science school. And UW is a match school for her major. So I see three match schools, one safety, a few reaches, seems reasonable. You don’t want someone to feel guilt because the admissions committee made mistakes, which they did with this applicant.
Hey everyone! Thank you so much for all the kind comments (: I forgot to check back for a month but I honestly appreciate all the encouragement. I’ve had the time to reflect on the outcome and although the occasional bitterness may be unavoidable, I am honestly very grateful to be attending UW! I think this is the best option for me anyway, since it’ll save my parents a lot of money and possibly save myself some money if I decide to go on to medical school.
As of now, I’m planning on studying biology/physiology on a pre-med track with a minor in art history! However, my interests are pretty much all over the place, so I will take this time to explore and solidify what I really want to do in the future. (But if anyone has advice for a pre-med at UW please let me know!)
Thank you all again for your reassuring comments! Wish me luck on my last AP exams ~
@ChubbyPanda , best of luck to you! UW is a great school, and makes the best economics sense for you and your family. You will find your niche at UW and do well.
My son will be attending UW as well. He did get admitted to USC and got off the waiting list of Swarthmore, but he turned them down anyway. After he made up his mind about UW, he immersed himself in all things UW. He went to the admitted student event, department event, Greek discovery day, etc. He bought all kinds of UW merchandise, presumably from the money he saved us from not going to an expensive private school. He met many other students, including several of his childhood friends who he had lost contact after we moved. He has found two other roommates and applied to a 3-person dorm. He’s happy about his decision and ready to start college right now … just need to finish the AP tests the next couple weeks.
@ChubbyPanda, here are some resources for pre-meds at the UW (who benefit from having the UW Medical Center and UW School of Medicine right on campus):
Some advice if you want to be a successful premed: do not rush/join Greek life (it is a huge time sink); join a supportive living learning community (honors, quiet floor, healthy living, or science-based); use AP credit wisely; do NOT take all three weedout classes first semester: take calculus 1 and Biology1 OR chemistry1+ lab*; keep in mind this is a marathon, not a sprint, therefore you ought to preserve your strengths rather than attempt an early mad dash - med schools aren’t “impressed” with a crazy schedule, they’re impressed with students who know how to balance their schedulesand their lives because it’s an essential skill for med school; look into various “health related” clubs but also leadership and volunteering opportunities.
a good first year would look like this:
Fall: Calculus 1 or 2, Chemistry1+Lab, English/Freshman Composition/Honors seminar, art/art history
Spring: biostatistics (or calculus2 if it's required and you've not taken it yet), Chemistry2+lab, Biology1+lab, Sociology - and, ONLY if you managed all A's first semester, one more class (art/art history since it's your minor)
Summer: Biology2+Lab.