<p>Hey guys I have a question for all you Washington U'ers out there. So I know this university tracks interest. And I am an interested student. I do not want to come off looking like I just applied to this school for the name or because of the infamous (but not true for this school) Tuft's syndrome. So I went to my college fair where I filled out an information sheet but I feel like that is not enough. My family does not have the money to fly me out half way across the country to visit the school. So how should I show my interest in this school? Thanks!</p>
<p>Ummm i guess displaying interest can be done thru many different ways. I hav been accepted to wustl and honestly speaking, i didnt demonstrate that much interest. The only thing that ive done is signing up for their mailing list since like sophomore year. Ive gotten loads and loads of packets and brochures from them. Aside from that, i didnt really do anything. If u really want to go to wustl, try emailing professors and see if u can get an internship. I guess thats the best way of showing interest unless u wanna attend every college info session they hold LOL</p>
<p>Email questions (ones that aren’t stupid).</p>
<p>Great question; when we asked this of our state’s admission rep at Wash U they said, “apply ED”</p>
<p>Honestly, I wouldn’t kill yourself…they defer kids Ed and waitlist in RD many, many students who have demonstrated interest, visited campus, attended local info sessions etc…</p>
<p>And they have admitted others who did not demonstrate at all…</p>
<p>My son was accepted without making extra effort to show interest. He didn’t visit (couldn’t afford it), and there were no local WUSTL events to attend. He’s a great student, but it’s not like there aren’t thousands of those applying to all the top schools. As it turns out, it’s looks like WashU is on the very short list and he may well attend in the fall.</p>
<p>Another thing you could do is apply for a merit scholarship during your Senior year. I did so and got accepted, though understand that correlation does not necessarily equate to causation.</p>
<p>As others have said, I’m not sure how much the “demonstrated interest” factor really comes into play for WashU or any other top 20 school. My S showed virtually no interest in WashU and was accepted (he did sign up for an interview and had a local one with a parent of a current student). However, he went to a summer program at Vanderbilt, had a letter of rec. from a Dean and has a job there this summer and was rejected. He visited Michigan twice and was deferred and he had ZERO contact with William and Mary and was accepted.</p>
<p>I have come to believe that college admissions in this realm are quite arbitrary (once you meet the basic requirements of great GPA, Tests and EC’s).</p>
<p>Happy to say we have put down a deposit at WashU and he is very proud and excited to be attending this fall. Good Luck and try to have some fun your senior year. The college admissions process can really take its toll.</p>
<p>It does help, but you can be rejected or waitlisted even with a lot of interest. I would recommend
- visiting campus and taking a tour
- doing an interview
- do an overnight
- generally seem interested / email non-dumb questions
- apply ED</p>