I know it's a reach school, but...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Washington University in St. Louis
1

<p>Hey everyone! WashU is probably the biggest or at least one of the biggest reach schools that I am applying to, and I'm wondering how much of a chance (if any) I have. I've posted my "stats" below and I would absolutely love it if a few people would be willing to look at what I've posted and give me some candid opinions. Thank you!</p>

<p>White Female from Maine</p>

<p>ACT: 32
AP Scores: Eng-5, US-5 Bio-4</p>

<p>Rank: 6/215
Grades: 3.83/4 UW</p>

<p>9
Honors English 9 A
Honors History 10 A+
Honors Geometry A-
Honors Physics 1 A+
Honors Biology A
PhysEd (req.) A+
Computer Science (req.) A
French 1 A-</p>

<p>10
Honors English 10 A<br>
Honors History 10 A+
Honors Algebra 2 B+
Honors Chemistry A
Art (req.) A
French 2 A+
French 3 A</p>

<p>11
AP English Lit A
AP Biology B+
AP History A-
Honors Pre-Calc B+
French 4 B+
Creative Writing A+
Art 2 A</p>

<p>12
AP Calculus A-
AP Psychology A+
AP Macroeconomics A+
AP U.S. Government A+
Honors Physics 2 A-
AP English Lang next semester
Art 3 next semester</p>

<p>Extra Curricular Activities:
These are strong, but not outstanding. I’ve held several leadership positions, and shown commitment/passion to a few areas in particular. I’m a member of NHS like most applicants… I’m very involved in community service (I’ll probably graduate with 300-400 hours of documented service). I’ve held a steady job (15hrs/week school, 40 hrs/week summer) all throughout high school. I play sports—captain of my team… etc. etc. </p>

<p>In short, I doubt my ECs won’t get me in, but they shouldn’t keep me out. </p>

<p>Essays/Recs:
I think I will have one very good rec, one “good”, possibly generic, rec. I think my counselor rec will be pretty strong. I worked hard on my essays and expect them to have a positive influence on my apps (I’ve gotten good feedback), but ya never know! =)</p>

<p>Thank You!</p>

2

<p>I think you’ve actually got a pretty decent chance. I wouldn’t call it a reach even…maybe a semi-reach at most. Good luck!</p>

3

<p>Your test scores are certainly within their range. Your GPA/rank are fairly good as well, and based off of your description, your E.C.'s seem solid as well. WashU really likes applicants that show interest, so if you could go visit/do an overnight stay/something of that sort, I think it should give you other edge.</p>

<p>But even if you don’t, I’d still say you’re a very competitive applicant to WashU.</p>

4

<p>I’d love to visit! But, unfortunately, I’d have to take a plane and my parents don’t want me paying that much to visit a college. I’m a little worried though because since WashU is so competitive, I can’t imagine them accepted more than one (at most) applicant from my school and there is a guy at my school who has a slightly better rank and (I think) and SAT score that is higher than my 32 ACT. His ECs are different from mine obviously, and possibly “better”. He has also visited. I don’t see how I could possibly be competitive in a pool with him. </p>

<p>Thoughts? Do you think WashU would take 2 kids from a relatively small school when one is obviously better than the other? I can’t see it happening, but it would be absolutely awesome if we could both get in!</p>

5

<p>^^similar scenario two years ago here…
the lower ranked student/never visited was admitted, higher (better) ranked student visited/had relationship w admissions rep etc: waitlisted…very similar stats/ very different but both very strong EC’s…(can’t speak to essays though…)
go figure…point is don’t even attempt to second guess WashU admissions…you’ll get a headache…</p>

6

<p>Weird, ha. I don’t know if the randomness of that event makes me feel better or worse about my chances, lol. I guess I’ll just keep my fingers crossed. It is SUCH a wonderful school.</p>

7

<p>Hopeful - Wash U sometimes pays for students to visit. I think if you called an adcomm and explained that Wash U was your first choice based on academics but that you would need the airfare paid to be able to come, they might agree to do so. They do have a budget for that. Alternatively, I don’t know how far you are from Boston, but with some advance planning you can go round trip to St. Louis for as little as about $200 on Southwest. Then you would stay with a student while there, and they would cover most of your meals too I think, if you asked. Seems like a pretty cheap investment to make sure you want to be at a place where they might be spending over $200,000. Not to mention that then you could talk to the admissions office and make a strong impression of how much you wanted to be there.</p>

<p>I also don’t think it makes much difference about the other person in your school, especially since you are from Maine. They probably don’t get a ton from Maine, so it shouldn’t work against you. They want diversity of all sorts, but I don’t think they get quite that picky.</p>

8

<p>I’m actually betting on the randomness of WashU to get me in as rodney described. I am definitely NOT in the competitive pool with my fellow classmates applying ED, stats-wise. But I definitely think you have chance at WashU! I’d say you’re like a lowlow reach? You’re well within range if that makes you feel any better.</p>

9

<p>Oh man, I’m sure WashU isn’t a low, low reach for me. I was thinking more like a high, super high reach, ha. I feel like WashU is just as competitive, if not more competitive, than some of the ivies, no?</p>

<p>But thanks for the boost of confidence! :slight_smile: Best of luck to you! Did you apply ED?</p>

10

<p>Oh I’m sorry. You’re actually like not even a reach; you’re like dream school can’t touch this status. :slight_smile: Yeup, I applied ED. 13 more days!!!</p>

11

<p>huh? lol </p>

<p>Good luck! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you! :)</p>

12

<p>13 looooooong days. hahaha</p>

13

<p>lol Thanks! You, too! :)</p>

14

<p>Oh, and superscored my ACT is a 33. Will this make much of a difference? Or is the difference pretty minimal?</p>

15

<p>33 > 32. WashU superscores everything so that is what they will see. You have a good chance. Like mentioned before up there, WashU is pretty random so just apply and see how you do!</p>

16

<p>Okay, thanks! Awesome!</p>

17

<p>H_U, I see you have posted two AP scores, but you’ve taken many more than that. Reason for the discrepancy? Other than that, you look good…(40% chance?</p>

18

<p>Thanks! I’ve only taken three AP tests and I posted all three: two 5s and a 4. I’m taking several more this year but I won’t take the AP tests until May.</p>