Please Chance an Asian Male for WashU Psychology! [Dream School]

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

Hi everyone! I’m a really stressed senior worrying about whether or not I’ll get into my dream school and I was really hoping you could shed some light on what my chances might be. I’ve given all my stats below, if you would like any additional info lmk and all advice is appreciated!!

Demographics: Asian, male, 300k+ family income, idt we’ll get any aid

School: Attend one of the top schools in the country, nationally recognized, WashU acceptance rate at my school is around 50%, but not many people apply.

Academics:
GPA (weighted): 3.97 (Major low-point in my application, but I have extenuating circumstances: a family member was diagnosed with a really serious illness and it took a toll on my sophomore year grades a lot. My junior year was much better (4.3 GPA for that year) and I’m sending my senior year grades in after 1st Q (4.5 GPA this year) and I have all As and a B in multivariable calculus)
GPA (uw): 3.55
ACT: 36 (not superscored, first try)
PSAT: 1510 (NMS)
SATII: Chem 730, Math II 790 (idk why I did so bad on these, but since I took these courses in school in my sophomore year, I’m including them cuz I got like a C in school lol and I think these scores are better than that)

Courseload/APs: Macro (5), Micro (5), Psych (5), BC (5), APUSH (3 lol should I submit this?), Biology (4)
Post-APs: Multiple post-ap biology courses and I’m taking Multivariable Calc this year.

ECs:
-Cancer Research Club officer at my school
-Tutor for middle schoolers in math (just started senior year though)
-Cancer Research Internship at T25 university, 5% acceptance rate into program
-Varsity XC/Track, MVP, D3 level recruit but WashU is really fast so I’d probably only walk-on, I’ve talked to their coach about this.
-Volunteer coach at youth track club
-Volunteer at local temple

Demonstrated Interest:
-Visited WashU as part of a track recruiting visit, which is where I spoke with the coach
-Emailed my admissions officer multiple times and met her twice, haven’t done an interview, but I think she knows my name by face now
-Been to 2 information sessions about WashU in my area
-Been to the admission officer’s information session at my school
-Signed up on email list

Essays:
-I think my common app is pretty strong, my AP Lang teacher went to Oxford and has a Ph.D in writing and she said it was a really good essay and even used it as an example in class so hopefully…
-My supplemental isn’t that bad either, maybe 7-8/10?

Recs:
Teacher ones are just average, don’t think they’ll hurt me but can’t rely on them getting me in. I do have a really strong peer rec from a very close friend on my track team though, he’s known my determination and perseverance better than almost anyone and writes pretty well.

If there’s anything I’m missing, please let me know, thanks so much in advance!

2

As far as I know, WashU does not accept peer recommendations.

Although the GPA is low, test scores are good and if you’re being possibly recruited for track and have the support of the head coach, that’s a good sign.

Chances might be better ED1/ED2And go ahead and sign up for an interview on the WashU website.

3

You write that acceptance to WashU from your school is 50%. What is the acceptance rate for kids in your GPA and SAT range? According to their CDS, only 15% of the students accepted had UW GPAs under 3.75. Considering that they only accepted 15% of the kids who applied, it’s likely that the acceptance rate for kids with GPAs in your range is far lower, and related to legacy status and recruited athletes.

On the other hand, if your counselor writes about your drop in GPA during sophomore year as the result of family circumstances, and the GPA from other years is much higher, they may consider this. I don’t know but it’s worth a shot.

4

50% acceptance rate to WashU from a single high school seems high. What state is this?

My sons’s school (Silicon Valley pressure cooker recognized as a Top 250 national high school) doesn’t even have that type of WashU acceptance rate. Closer to the 15% overall acceptance rate (typically 60-70 apply).

5

My school is ranked Top 5 nationally, we send typically over 10% of each class to ivies.

6

It’s not that far off 50, around 20-30% for ED, WashU isn’t usually where the best kids in my school apply just because they’re all aiming for ivies. Also maybe I forgot to mention I’m doing ED1, which should help my chances right?

7

It’s not that far off 50, around 20-30% for ED, WashU isn’t usually where the best kids in my school apply just because they’re all aiming for ivies. Also maybe I forgot to mention I’m doing ED1, which should help my chances right?

8

They allow for Peer Recommendations to be submitted on the Common App, so might as well as one right? Does it deduct from my chances or anything?

9

That’s closer to the acceptance rate I would expect, but still nowhere near 50%.

ED1 with track, even as a walk-on might make for better chances.

10

Our public high school, which we also think is top 5 in the nation, :slight_smile: has had six accepted out of 37 the last three years (16%). Of those six, two have enrolled. Two were accepted with mid-1300s SATs and 4.1-4.2 weighted GPAs. About 1/3 of applicants were waitlisted and it appears they all applied RD. Some were denied in RD with 1500+ SAT and 4.5+ GPAs.

Do you really want to run track in college? Athletes are very committed members of the university community.

11

I know RD for WashU is extremely selective, so those statistics make sense. It’s actually a bit surprising that scores in the 1300s were admitted. And I’d definitely love to run in college; running is my sport and I’m very committed to it, and the vibe I got during my recruiting visit to the school really matched what I’m looking for.

I’ve found out GPA really doesn’t mean much as the number doesn’t take into account course rigor very well, or the opportunities presented to take higher level courses in high school. But, regardless, I know my GPA is really low, mainly due to my circumstances, but I have a strong upward trend I think, 3.7 gpa for my sophomore year, 4.3 for my junior year, 4.57 for my senior year. Overall, it’s a 4.015, unfortunately. Usually those admitted/enrolled in WashU can have anywhere from a 4 to a 4.3 at my school.

12

Agree that 1300 SAT WUSTL acceptance is rare given that the school is in the Top 5 based on standardized SAT scores.

High scoring students will get rejected though if they don’t show demonstrated interest as it’s perceived that they are using the school as a hedge against Ivy/Top-10 rejection (similar to Tufts Syndrome).

But it’s possible for low standardized test students who are not URM to be accepted-son’s school (Top 25 in CA) had a student with a 3.6 UW/1800 old 3 part SAT accepted/attending-but that student was legacy.

13

Most of our Ivy+ enrollees were top athletes and scholars. Or athlete, top 10 student and significant leader. Vandy, Michigan and Northwestern are top comps to Wash U. Less nerd factor compared with Rice.

14

Submitting the APUSH, that’s a good question, actually. Might make you seem not quite well-rounded?

But I bet you get in. Please let us know.

15

Hey guys, I was just rejected by them :frowning: idk I thought I stood a really good chance and I think I deserved to go there because I have a 4.61 weighted GPA this year, I’m doing really well after my brother’s recovery but I guess they didn’t really care. I’m thinking of doing Emory ED2, any suggestions or thoughts would be greatly appreciated, as well as any tips on how to convey my current aptitude rather than get them stuck up on how bad I did in my sophomore year. Thanks, everyone.

16

Case Western and Rochester might be schools to consider as well.