WashU states on their site “When reviewing your application, we will look for signs of interest in Washington University, so a visit to campus is one way to let us know that you are really interested in WashU”. My son has not visited yet, but yesterday he did have an alumni interview. Would this interview be a comparable ‘sign of interest’, or would a campus visit still be wise? My original plan was to wait until admission decisions were out and then take him (if accepted). But now I’m thinking that we should go earlier (mid-Feb). To take this thought a step further, are ‘signs of interest’ like campus visits important in selecting finalists for the Honors Program scholarships? If so, instead of waiting for mid-Feb (after finalists are announced), maybe we skip a day of school and go next week. Probably something only an admissions person would know, but I thought I would throw this out for comments. Thank you!
I would schedule the visit. We attended the information session, tour, and then my son interviewed. He also highly recommends having lunch with current students – honestly, that was what sealed the deal. He had the best time and it really gave him a feel for the students and campus life.
If the school states it is important then I would do it if at all possible. Good luck!
Thanks for the reply. Part of my apprehension on visiting elites BEFORE acceptance/aid decisions is that we simply can’t afford it without HUGE scholarships. Since we did a good job with retirement savings, early mortgage pay-off, and have the younger siblings remaining parochial school costs in CD’s, we look like we can afford more than we truly can. Our college savings wouldn’t even cover 1 year for 1 kid an an elite school at full price. I’m sure a trip like this can ‘seal the deal’ in the students mind, but then there is the disappointment if the scholarships don’t pan out and I have to pull the rug out from under them. Oh well, this is part of growing up. I just need to set expectations before we go. It would be worse if we didn’t show enough interest and miss out on an unknown opportunity just because we were afraid. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”. I think we will head out for a visit next week!
How far away are you? Is it possible to drive since that would be less expensive?
I guess you need to ask your son where the school falls on his list. If it is his top choice, then go. If it is lower, maybe wait? I can tell you that as an alumni and now a future WU parent that the school is amazing and worth the visit.
I just called and at this point of the year they recommend seniors wait to visit after decisions are made. Luckily his alumni interview last weekend was a sufficient show of interest. I’m thinking now it is probably better when a student has one TOP school in mind, but also has several alternates lined up as well as the safe state school backup. That allows you to choose one ED and take the time to visit early (before Senior year). My son didn’t start with a specific ‘dream school’ so we did everything RD on elites and only visited schools in easy driving range. We saved elite visits only for accepted/affordable replies. I’ve read ED has a better chance for that. Anyway, that ship has sailed (lesson learned for child #2 in a few years). We hear great things about WashU and hope we end up needing to visit in April !!!
Wash U is a school were they carefully monitor interest. Too many Ivy candidates throw them in as a match/safety, and they want to protect their yield. If they’ve given him a portal, he should log in regularly. If he has any new accomplishments since he submitted the app, he should email them to admissions and reiterate his interest.
I got in regular decision last year and I only did an alumni interview.
Did you go to any of their info sessions?
No
We (me and my parents) picked several top tier public schools that had my science major and where scholarships based on performance were likely and the cost of attending was lower to begin with. We visited WashU for sports camp and then also for a school visit in junior and senior year and I loved everything about it. I wasn’t going to apply to 10 different elite schools but I did decide to apply to WashU ED, which was a family decision because the state schools that had already accepted me gave me very nice scholarships. We knew that unless I got some merit based aid it would cost 5 times what it would cost to go to other really good but not elite schools. So now I’m in. No need based aid but I will go to WashU regardless. It will just be really financially painful with no merit aid. Hard to say in 10 years if I will be glad we spent so much money on undergrad but I guess my parents feel like we can swing it and I am really excited about college and my parents are supporting my choice. If no aid meant I couldn’t have gone to WashU we’d have probably done things a lot differently.
This could be a difficult decision. My son is already accepted to a VERY good state university. WashU without scholarship/aid is 9 times the price, that’s a non-starter. But if scholarship/aid brings it down to 2 or 3 times the cost, I could consider weighing the merits. It isn’t all dollars and cents, I want him to love his choice, but there is a point where $ matter.
I have not had the opportunity to visit WashU nor have an interview, however, both my father and my grandfather attended the school. Is that comparable to demonstrated interest or should I try to sign up for an interview?
I think you need to do more. Visit, or interview, or go to a local meet & greet if they have one. If you can’t do that, get on their mailing list, and try to find things on their website that make your essays appealing to them. Check your portal regularly after applying. Just being a legacy isn’t much of a boost. They need to know you are actually interested and likely to attend if they accept you.