RD chance?

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

<p>ACT Composite: 33 (Not sure of superscore)
GPA: 3.6 (More on this later)
AP's: Euro History, Biology, Psychology, English Lang./Comp., US History
Rank: Top 4%
Senior Year Courses: Calc AB, AP Physics B, AP Econ, Microbiology, Broadcasting, Fitness and Performance, AP Literature</p>

<p>AP Scholar, Honor Roll, State Achievement Exam Accolades, Top Documentary for School Radio Program of 50 years, Finalist for American Cancer Society Research Grant/Intership</p>

<p>EC's:
National Honor Society
Key Club
DECA (Business Club): First Place Sectional Competition, State Competitor
Friends of Rachel
School Radio Station News Director/ Administrative Manager (Heavy involvement; big EC for me)
Kiva: microfinance for small businesses in the Third World
Community service :150+ hours at Cancer Support Center, St. Baldricks (Cancer)
Scholastic Bowl
Cross Country(JV, Varsity)- 3 Years
Lacrosse(Varsity Captain)- 3 Years
State Psychology Bowl- 2nd Place
Tutoring Hours: 100+ at School</p>

<p>I'm Caucasian, come from a large (750 in my class) public highschool in the Southside Chicago that is mostly African American. We're a working class family (80,000/year).</p>

<p>The reason that my GPA is so low is that I have had recurring medical issues (Kidney stones, Cancer) that have kept me in and out of school for most of my highschool career. Also, my father suffered a serious car accident in my Freshman year that detrimented us financially when he could not work (in coma, then unable to work due to traumatic brain injury) and mentally when his injury affected his personality (normal vasillating to psychotically enraged)- something that we've struggled to cope with.</p>

<p>So, I don't want this to be a sob-story, I just want this inordinately selective school to look at what I have been through and then weight it hopefully as good life experience; a pipe-dream I know.</p>

2

<p>I think you’ve got a good shot if you can explain what you have above to Washu. You’ve accomplished alot based on your circumstances</p>

3

<p>My plan was to allow my counselor and teachers to make mention of the medical issues in their letters to give that “he took it silently and plowed forward” sort of air. Bad idea?</p>

4

<p>Tip: Include a letter from a doctor. And your counselor and teachers should mention it (or at least be allowed to mention it).</p>

5

<p>Doctor, eh? I’ve sent my app, so who should I send that to?</p>

6

<p>I’m worried that not applying ED might have shot my chances at Wash U. Am I being melodramatic or is there cause for concern?</p>

7

<p>You’re definitely being melodramatic. ED might give a slightly better chance, but they still accept over 2/3 of their students ED.</p>

8

<p>Hmmm…I think RyanMK meant to say that they accept over 2/3 of the class RD, not ED.</p>

<p>“Every year, the University chooses nearly 30 percent of the freshman class from the ED round.”</p>

<p>From: [Admissions</a> sticks with early decision | Student Life](<a href=“http://www.studlife.com/news/2010/11/19/early-decision-applications/]Admissions”>Admissions sticks with early decision - Student Life)</p>

9

<p>Whoops, sorry. My bad. What he said ^</p>

10

<p>Does Wash U know where I applied ED? I understand that I would have to inform them if I were accepted ED to Duke (reach, so I needed the boost), but do they know at this time that I applied there? Wash U is definitely a tie for my top choice, but I figured I’d need the boost of ED so the slightly more selective Duke.</p>

11

<p>Wash U will not know that you applied ED to Duke.
I think it is hard for anyone to predict if you will get accepted because of your special circumstances. I am sure Wash U reviewers to into consideration special situations - to what degree we don’t know.</p>

<p>GL. I hope you get in. I am sure you will get in a good college.</p>