I LOVE WashU...but I'm not sure if I'll get in ED!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Washington University in St. Louis
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<p>Hey guys, </p>

<p>So I doubt any of you will remember this, but I posted here a while go about my ideas about where I wanted to apply early decision (Rice, WashU, or Emory). Well since then, I have gone and visited both Rice and Washington University. I went to Discovery Weekend this year for Washington University (not close by by any means :)), and to be honest I don't think it could have went better than expected. Not only do I understand a lot about the culture and academics at the college, I also got an interview that went pretty well, and talked with the admissions officer who is reading my essay for a while. </p>

<p>So I guess the big question is, what are my chances ED?</p>

<p>I am most likely going to do Biochemistry (Pre-Med Track)</p>

<p>GPA: 3.67 (UW), 4.24 (W) ~ Moved to Maryland from another school which "ruined" GPA, I have had a large upward trend however going from mostly B's to a 4.71 this year.</p>

<p>JUNIOR SCHEDULE: AP Bio (DP), AP USH, AP Lang, Honors Chemistry, Honors Algebra 2 (Stupid old school), Spanish 4 - All As both semesters except for stupid Lang teacher giving me B's</p>

<p>APs: Government, Biology, Language, U.S History (All 5s) - Planning to take Chem (DP) and Lit next year (can't take any more because of graduation requirements )</p>

<p>SAT I: 2270 - 800 W, 740 M, 730 CR
SAT 2: 730 Bio M 740 USH</p>

<p>SIGNIFICANT EXTRA CURRICULARS:</p>

<ul>
<li>Varsity Tennis for 3 years: Varsity Captain junior and senior year, 1 doubles, regional semifinalist, team won state championship (while I was captain), undefeated record junior year (swept county and division championships), All-County First Team</li>
<li>Leadership Roles in Ambassadors Program at school (helped plan events for incoming freshmen and back to school night, etc.) and another Club (DNAcademy)</li>
<li>In NHS this year, also do Model U.N and went to JHUMUNC 2010</li>
<li>Work experience as tennis instructor for young children</li>
</ul>

<p>INTERNSHIP: This past summer I did an internship in India for 6 weeks. It was at Fortis Hospitals, the largest healthcare chain in Asia, and I did a lot of interesting things there. I went around with clinicians and saw a variety of specialties including Pulmonology, cardiology, Neurology - And saw treatments and procedures first hand (such as Angiography and Bracheoscopy). This is also the topic for my short answer, which I think separates me from a lot of applicants.</p>

<p>COLLEGE (COMMON APP ESSAY): Very good I think. One of the better ones I have written; heartfelt commentary on my struggle with being Indian-American and ties into speaking with patients at the Hospital as well. Generally very good feedback.</p>

<p>Thanks for reading, and if anyone wants a chance back let me know!</p>

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<p>Kuriouscat- I’m just “kurious”- why would you think you wouldn’t get in? Is there something else that you are not putting on here? And, along the same lines, if you were chancing someone who wrote exactly what you wrote, what would you say? Just asking since you are offering to chance someone in your request and based on what you wrote about yourself it seems so obvious that you would get in so it makes me wonder why you would feel comfortable chancing someone else if you can’t chance yourself.</p>

<p>I think people should not post all the obvious good things about themselves in their chance requests and should instead just summarize why they are concerned about their chances- otherwise it just sounds like you are tooting your own horn.</p>

<p>Anyway, based on what you posted I think you sound great, and can’t think of any reason that you should be concerned. What did the admissions person say? And the only thing I would add is just be careful about what you say about your old school when you talk to admissions people- it sort of sounds like you are not taking responsibility for your own grades and that you are blaming them and that is never a good thing- let your record speak for itself.</p>

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<p>Hey 2flipper2,</p>

<p>Thanks for responding. The only reason why I don’t know about my ED chances are that my GPA is quite low for their standards, and judging from a lot of other “Chance” threads I’ve seen people seem to be fretting about much higher GPA’s, slightly better SAT2s, and some good extracurriculars. Obviously, CollegeConfidential tends to have a much better average in scores and other things simply due to the face that this forum is mostly populated by smarter kids. And that’s true, I shouldn’t try to blame my school because, after all, I was the one who didn’t do that well! </p>

<p>I can also definitely see why you would think I’m trying to brag, and obviously on the Internet one’s personality can’t really show as well. I’m really not trying to brag about my chances; if someone else said the same things as I did I would probably estimate maybe a 60% chance? </p>

<p>P.S - I don’t know how I spelled “Kurious” like “Kuricous”. It makes it hard to log in, that’s for sure!</p>

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<p>If your trend is going up, then you shouldn’t worry. Admission officers will note this. Your chances are quite excellent in my opinion.</p>

5

<p>I sure hope so! It has gone up from around a 3.6 -> 4.24 weighted, with a 4.71 last year. However, since my school is so competitive, I don’t think I’m very high in class rank (probably around top 25% or maybe a bit lower). How do you like WashU, and what are you majoring in?</p>

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<p>I think you have a pretty good shot; my GPA & SAT’s were lower than yours, and I got in RD, although I was a legacy. In addition, my school didn’t rank, but I’m fairly confident I was also below the top 25% mark.</p>

<p>Regardless of what anyone says about your chances, though, the college admissions process is one big crap shoot. If you get lucky, you get lucky. If not, oh well. You WILL find a school that works best for you. Looking back, I realize getting chanced is nothing more than a temporary ego boost/deflation that lasts for a few days (of course, a negative reply will stick in your mind a lot more than a positive one will…prospect theory). Please don’t get your hopes up too high for any one school; it’s a great feeling if you get in, but if you don’t and you were really hopeful, you’ll feel crushed. </p>

<p>Wait to fall in love with a school AFTER you get accepted to it. Think of every college you apply to as a potential mate, if you will. There’s no point in obsessing over a school who will not accept you as you are. Once you know you are welcomed, however, you can begin to be selective yourself, picking out the best choice that suits you and your goals. Life is too short to dwell on what might have been. Keep your eyes forward and your head up – you’ll be just fine :)</p>