<p>Received my finalist letter yesterday!
To whoever wanted to know stats:
SAT: 2250
SATII: 740 MathII, 700 Chemistry, 700 US History
GPA: 3.86U/4.31W
Rank: top 5%, probably 7/152
ECs/Leadership: started a club, officer position in a few others; varsity athlete (won’t play in college); over 700 volunteer hours probably
I have a job, if that counts?
I had 2 teacher recs; I know that one was really great from a teacher I’ve known for years, the other one is probably pretty good too
I’m a NMSF, probably finalist in the coming weeks
My essay was decent…not wonderful or anything though.</p>
<p>I feel like I’m on the lower end of these stats compared to everyone else who posted? From here on out, will they still compare us by scores and grades and ECs, or does it all come down to the interview now?
Good luck to everyone else, hope to see you in March!</p>
<p>Sodiapointed, did you ask them to reconsider regarding the Financial Aid? They might stretch a little if they really want you to enroll. If you can’t afford it with just the loans and didn’t qualify for the Johnson, you should ask to be released from binding ED. They have students withdraw every year for this reason.</p>
<p>lunaAndAberforth, the interview and your behavior during the competition are a huge part of what makes you a finalist. There will be collaborative work too, so don’t think it is a cutthroat competition. The interviewers will be very familiar with your essays, so go back & look at what you wrote & be ready to expand on that. Your job is to convey some specific things about W&L that you love, ask a good (& sincere) question about something you are truly interested that is not easily answered on the website, be as charming as you can manage (eye contact, firm handshake, thank you notes) & stay out of trouble (you can go to a party if you want, but don’t do anything stupid).</p>
<p>Your host will also give feedback on you, so fold your used towels & bedding and don’t leave your half-empty soda can on their desk. Do leave a small, inexpensive hostess gift (can be a bag of m&m’s you pick up at the bookstore with a note wishing your host well on an upcoming test/paper/game, whatever they mention). The point is showing appreciation for the fact that hosting you is taking some time & effort. </p>
<p>^^Great advice. There are group and individual interviews, so W&L gets a good picture of you. The year my D went, the group had to write a haiku on the spot! Second the part about watching your behavior. Treat whole time as though you were on interview, not visiting friends. Looks like they’ve shifted the days from the past so that johnsons aren’t there Wed night (party night). Be warned…they have put kids back on a plane for getting in trouble…save the partying for another time. But relax and have fun…D met her best friends at the johnson competition.</p>
<p>I just got my letter yesterday! I can’t wait to meet everybody in March! I really didn’t think I was going to get it, so this really makes me more excited about W&L. </p>
<p>I was wondering, what should girls wear for the interviews and just around campus?</p>
<p>My d wore a nice sweater & skirt w/tights & boots (or flats, can’t remember) for interview day. She traveled in nice jeans and sweater. Yoga pants or pj’s for hanging out in dorm & sleeping (you’ll likely have hall bath). Aim for a polished look; minimal makeup, neat nails, hair in ponytail, pearl stud earrings. Think J Crew (you need not spend anywhere near that kind of money, but that “look” is popular). Avoid wearing a bracelet or other jewelry you might “fiddle with” if nervous. You’ll be outside walking a lot, so dressing comfy & warm is key. W&L students tend to dress up for class more than at many other schools (you would never see pajamas in class). Some of the hosts will have towels, sleeping bags, & pillows so you might not need to bring those. Hosts will email or FB message their “prospies” the week before the competition so you’ll know. You’ll be staying in a first-year dorm but not necessarily with a Johnson scholar.</p>
<p>sodisappointed, Were you be able to back out? We didn’t apply for ED. We have two full tuition waiver offers from other schools. WL is off our list now.</p>
<p>Regarding dress…students do not dress up as much as some people think but yaupon is correct that you won’t see pajamas (but yes to yoga pants at times!). I think part of the competition is on a Monday. W&L Girls will be more dressed up on that day because that is day for sorority chapter meetings which requires nicer dress. Tuesday will give you a better idea of what students usually wear. But definitely dress for interviews. This may be obvious but boots with skirt or dress should be nice - not cowboy boots or Uggs (which are popular looks at other times). Dress or riding style boots are good.</p>
<p>Good catch, scmom12! Yes to riding boots, no to cowboy boots & Uggs for interview day. Flats are much easier to pack, but boots can give you that butt-kicking feeling of confidence that is helpful in an interview situation (and they’re warmer, too. March weather in Lex could be rainy, snowy, or sunny 70’s!)</p>
<p>My daughter signed up to be a host. She is really excited! Last year, she did wear a skirted suit for the panel interview, and a sweater with dress pants for class. She wore a dress with a blazer for the second interview (which was in a small group…be prepared to pipe up and contribute). Her host did not contact her ahead of time…some will, some won’t. Her host had a couch to sleep on, which was nice, but she did bring her own sleeping bag and pillow. Don’t plan on college students having extras. She took 2 checked bags (W&L paid) and a carry on. She actually took an air mattress, because I thought the stakes were too high to risk not sleeping well for 2 nights on someone’s floor, but she didn’t use it. She brought a popular treat from home for her host, and she said her host really liked that – she lit up with a big smile when she gave it to her. So, a small treat from your home state would probably go over well as a thank you gift. My daughter struck up a bond with one of the professors who interviewed her. He took us out for coffee when we visited, she had him for a class this past fall, and we’ve exchanged some e-mails. This semester, she has the professor whose class she sat in on last year!</p>
<p>Because I live on a non-Oahu Hawaiian island, it would have been impossible to receive it on a Saturday. That means I still have a chance to get it on Monday…</p>
<p>Congrats to those that will be heading to Lexington. </p>
<p>You are off on a great adventure. My daugther got the nod last year and was successful. Note that the interview process was a great experience. Be smart. She witnessed a few participants that shot themselves in the foot as soon as they got on campus. </p>
<p>Also note that W&L was very accomodating to DD. She deferred her Johnson to the fall of "13 so that she could spend the year in Santiago, Chile on a Rotary exchange program.</p>
<p>Nonfinalist Letter – 91 percent of you will be receiving this letter. We were blessed with a very strong and diverse applicant pool of over 2300 applications, and we are limited in the number of scholarships we can award. I know that it is hard not to take our decision personally, but please don’t. We were unable to name as Finalists many superbly qualified and interesting applicants, and we hope that you will continue to consider Washington and Lee as an option for the fall.</p>
<p>My DD was accepted ED1. We have been looking for the mailman since Saturday. Glad I found this board to realize we should have been looking for FedEX. No matter, I guess the rejection letter will come snail mail. We are all still super excited about W & L , at any rate!It is a tough level of competition and we knew it would be a stretch for her but she really wanted to go to the competition. Oh well, still we are blessed!</p>