Please Read-advice From Accepted/current Students

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

<p>instead of asking for my chances, i am requesting advice because I know my chances. So, wise Washu people, please tell me what it is i need to help me get in next year. I know it is a reach for me but here are some of my stats:</p>

<p>-junior in hs
rank: unknown: approx 5-6 of 116
gpa: 98ish
classes: ap american, ap english language, ap physics, all honors classes
sat: 1970
satIIs: embarassingly low in bio and math
act: i have yet to take; aiming high to make up for my bad sats
extra curriculars: science research at st john's university (E Coli acid/heat stress), math team co-captain, debate team, vars tennis, vars track, chorus (and select choir), orchestra (Chamber, and Pit) , key club, SPARC VP, SADD exec board member, Math Honor Soc, National Honor Soc, Spanish Honor Soc, school newspaper reporter, Diversity Club, Culture Vultures,</p>

<p>Awards: AMC 10 winner, science fairs</p>

<p>-Who's Who, National Youth LEadership Forum on Medicine, National Hnors Convocation, 2006 Lead American Conference, Congressional Student Leadership Conference, National Society of High School Scholars, National Honor Roll.(Are these scams or will they really help my admissions?)</p>

<p>So basically, I am a typical student with no earthshaking accomplishments, just many basic and simple clubs and stuff. what is it that sets "amazing" students apart from the average? I am also into music (violin, piano, guitar-violin at the concert performance level I am in the Long Island Youth Orchestra) and am picking up an interest in photography (again nothing amazing). The only big thing I can account for is my science research, thats about it. Should i like go to Africa to teach kids english or something, I don't really know what to do. please offer advice!!!! thanks =)</p>

2

<p>I feel what you are saying. My advice to you would be to take as many aps as you can next year, try to get to know your teachers for next year (if at all possible) forge better relationships with your current teachers and become your counselors best friend. Also, show WashU are interested. What would pretty much annoy a normal person (in terms of emails and calling) really shows WashU that you like them. Go on an official visit if at all possible and make sure people in the office know ur name. I was in your sure, I don't think I was any type of superstar student but I had great recs, good essay and I showed WashU that I needed them and they needed me. </p>

<p>Also, WashU has the best financial aid policy around so start looking for scholarships and things like that too!</p>

3

<p>thanks jeffwun! i appreciate your advice and I'll try to do what you advised. What should I call WashU for though? Like to ask about admissions and such?</p>

4

<p>Well, i think emailing them and letting them know about your interest is a good way. Call and ask about visiting (I think they still give out travel grants) and sometimes little things go a long way like sending the admissions staff cards during the holiday seasons and things like that.</p>

5

<p>"Who's Who, National Youth LEadership Forum on Medicine, National Hnors Convocation, 2006 Lead American Conference, Congressional Student Leadership Conference, National Society of High School Scholars, National Honor Roll.(Are these scams or will they really help my admissions?)"</p>

<p>Who's Who is a scam. National Honor Roll is a scam. National Society of High School Scholars is, I'm pretty sure, a scam as well. </p>

<p>As for the summer programs you listed...are you going to attend them or did you just receive an invitation? because they send those to a lot of people. I suppose it couldn't hurt to put it on your application if you decide to go, but again, having to pay $3000+ for one of those deals would not help your chances.</p>

6

<p>The reality is we have no idea why we got in. No one here is an admissions officer from Wash U. There are plenty of books out there with great advice. Also try asking college counselors who do this for a living.
One thing my counselors told me which I really appreciated was to be myself. They said admission officers can tell when you're just doing things to fill up your resume- it won't match with picture your application creates of you. For many of these places- (I heard this while I was touring, and also the dean of admissions at Harvard wrote an article on this) the most important thing is to have an application that creates a real and vivid picture of who you are, and if you're within range of the academic accomplishment (which you certainly are) wanted, the picture because the most important.</p>

<p>(Again, I stress, I'm a high school student. Take everything I say, and anyone else here says, with a pinch of salt.)</p>