<p>I'm really torn about whether or not I should apply early decision. I live in St. Louis and I would prefer to stay in town but still want to go to a really good school so I really would like to go to Washington University. Also, my mom works for them so my tuition is free. I know if I got in I would definitely go but I don't know if I should apply early decision to up my chances or take the semester to get my GPA up and do regular application. Right now I have around a 4.18 GPA. I have a 33 ACT and 2180 SAT but so my scores don't really worry me but my GPA does. I have a good extracurricular list with a couple of leadership positions as well as a few pretty prestigious honors (science fair, writing contests, selective summer program, ect). I had a really bad semester sophomore year that really brought down my GPA. So, based on my qualifications, should I do early decision or wait? I know I can get my cumulative GPA up to about a 4.4 if all goes as planned this semester. Any other insight on this topic would be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>If your mom didn’t work there, I might suggest ED. However, I think you might have a slight advantage since you are a child of an employee. That will cover any stats that may be a bit off. Al least, that’s my opinion of the situation. You are pretty solid anyway!</p>
<p>What’s your UW GPA? You already know what a great school WUSTL is. Applying ED is the best way to demonstrate interest, and free tuition is an absolute bonus that most people
would love to have.</p>
<p>Do the math! How much could your GPA possibly go up in a semester? Not much, I reckon.</p>
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<p>That says it all. Apply early. If WUSTL wants to see your senior-fall grades, they’ll defer you.</p>
<p>Best of luck.</p>
<p>I would definitely apply early decision, and considering all your stats plus the fact your mom works there I think you have a really great chance 
At the worst you can get deferred or wait-listed so why not! Good luck !</p>
<p>Deferred, not wait listed. Wait listed is different. Deferred happens only after early admissions; they postpone making a decision about your application until regular decision. Wait listed happens only after regular decision; they don’t admit you, but if you accept a spot on the wait list, they might take you if space opens up.</p>
<p>And it’s actually not the worst thing that can happen to an Early Decision applicant. An ED application can be denied outright. But if they do that, you weren’t going to get in RD either.</p>
<p>So my advice to the original poster doesn’t change. Apply early! And good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the advice! I talked to my counselor today and she suggested early decision as well. I feel a lot better about it now.</p>