Please Chance Me, Poor Student.

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

Okay, so upfront, I’m gonna say this: I’m poor. Hella. I know this isn’t ideal for Wustl, but my application sort of uses it as… leverage, I guess. Check it out.

College of Arts and Sciences, English Major.

ACT: C33 E36 M28 R36 S31 (One sitting)

GPA: 4.0 UW

Rank: 16/300

I took the hardest classes my school has to offer. Even though I’m more of a fan of English, that meant taking heavy math and science that even some of my engineering buddies stayed away from.

ECs

  • Head writer for school newspaper for 3 years.
    Member of Creative Writing club for 3 years.
    *National Art Honor Society - 4 years.
    *    **Online Freelance Writer for 2 years.
  • Founder of school’s first STEM club, and engineering team. (ironically enough.)

Honors
*Washington (D.C.) Youth Tour Representative - Earned through a state wide essay contest. Basically just an all expense paid trip to the capital, but it filled an otherwise empty spot.

Essays: I mainly focused on my freelance writing. See, I’ve grown up rather poor since I live with my mom and she’s disabled, and one summer 2 years ago, it was particularly bad. The electric bill was sky high, and our only car stopped working. I called every place in our small town and filled out applications, but no one was hiring. That’s when I took matters into my own hands. Within a month, I had enough to pay off our bills and fix the car, and within two months of that, I had enough to buy a car of my own. I still work online, though I take it down a notch during school months. Basically, the essay focused on how I’ve learned that I am not limited by the opportunities available to me, but by my own willingness to seize opportunity, and work hard to wring it out for all it’s worth.

Recommendation letters: I got one from my Pre Cal teacher, and then one from my Journalism teacher. My journalism teacher is an absolute ray of sunshine, and she loved me. My Pre Cal teacher seemed to have a begrudging respect, if that makes any sense. She made me fight for complements, but she made sure I knew she thought I was going places.

Interviews: I can’t afford a trip, and there weren’t any local interviewers where I live out in the sticks. I’ve tried my best to let them know I was interested by opening every email within an hour of getting it and putting them at the top of my ACT score send list, but those seem way too subtle.

Additional Information: I explained that my lack of school related ECs is not because of a lack of ambition, but because of a lack of transportation. Until just recently, I didn’t have a way to drive to school. I have an 1.5 hour bus ride every morning and afternoon. Poverty in the south doesn’t play, lol. In fact, I’ve only taken the ACT 2 times because that’s how many wavers the state gives out. I couldn’t apply ED because I needed the extra month to make sure I got a decent score.

PS, Should I email them and explain why I couldn’t interview? Or would it seem desperate/whiney? I’ve always tried to not use my poverty as a crutch, and I don’t want them to think that’s what I’m about, because it’s not, ya know?

2

I would DEFINITELY write your regional rep(the admissions rep assigned to your state you can find this info on website) and explain your continued interest in the school and explain to him why you weren’t able to interview /some of your obstacles but it also sounds like that came SHINING THROUGH in your personal statements. I think Wash Univ and many schools understand when a student comes from a poor HS… did any admissions rep come to your HS? if not you wont be penalized for this. Yes wash univ is a school that cares about demonstrated interest but I think they also understand their are circumstances that prevent people from showing demonstrated interest. Not everyone can fly out/drive to their school. Trust me you sound terrific. YOur stand testing and grades sounds terrific and wow without fancy test prep that kids with money can afford. I think Wash Univ will be impressed with this. If Wash univ doesn’t take you another lucky school will. I am assuming you will get great FA package. Are you first generation? are you an URM? these things can help as well. Did you apply for Questbridge?

3

We didn’t have any reps come from any schools, actually. The only thing my school made sure to do is have me sign up for the local community college. We didn’t even offer AP courses my Junior and Senior year because, out of a class of 300, myself and 6 others were the only ones interested, and there wasn’t enough to make a class.

I will definitely drop my regional rep a line and sort of explain the things that weren’t as apparent in my app.

My mother has a Master’s degree, but she was injured and can no longer work. It sucks, because I don’t have the hooks most other kids in my situation would have. Plus, I’m white, so no URM status.

Thanks for the kind words and advice!

4

First of all, major kudos to you. For what it’s worth, I greatly respect you not only as a student, but also (and especially so) as a person. Obviously you’ve gone through a lot to get to where you are (much more than the average WashU candidate probably) and the I would first like to say that your combination of work ethic, determination, and talent will definitely pay off throughout your life, no matter what school you go to or what job you end up taking. Seriously, your story is amazing.

But I’m sure you didn’t post to hear all that. So anyway, yeah I agree: def email your admissions counselor and also you should explain that did really want to get an interview but it wasn’t possible given the cost and the fact that there are no alums near you (something out of your control). I would also say something if you’re the sole/main source of income in your family?? That’s just an inference based on your mom’s condition and the fact that you don’t mention anyone else. I would stress your reason for not applying ED but say you’re enthralled with the idea of coming to WashU next fall and you would have definitely applied ED if it was possible for you.

Something else to think about: I’m not sure if they encourage or even really want this, but I emailed my admissions counselor and wrote a short paragraph that was basically an answer to a “Why WashU?” prompt. I told them that I noticed this was absent from the CommonApp and I felt that my application simply wouldn’t be complete if I wasn’t able to say exactly why I felt this school was right for me and why I would be right for the school. The lady said it would be filed with my application, and every bit helps I guess.

Good luck and keep your chin up :slight_smile: Everything will be okay in the end, I truly believe in people like you

5

The “Why WashU” paragraph thing is brilliant!

Thanks for the kind words, and good luck to you too!

6

@Bigmish agree with all said above. by the way I think you will get into Wash Univ. They won’t penalize you for not taking AP courses if your HS doesn’t have them. If you don’t get into Wash Univ. you will still succeed but I hope you do!