<p>In response to picklechips… Wash U doesn’t want Ivy Rejects? Among some other top schools, my son got into Columbia and into Wash U… Disregarding what everyone one else thought he should do, he choose Berkeley because he truly isn’t pretentious.</p>
<p>I personally think it’s a myth that WUSTL doesn’t let in people because they are “too smart”… I’m 6/481 with a 2280 and I got in, the valedictorian of my class got in with a 2360. So I couldn’t tell you all why you didn’t get in but I doubt it’s because you’re “too smart”.</p>
<p>@caolila: “moving on” doesn’t mean simply get rid of all interests in Wash U. What I mean is that people need to be realistic. I did accept the waitlist spot, and I really want to attend WUSTL, but do I really think I’ll get in? No. All I’m saying is, do not cling to waitlist as you will have minimal probability of getting accepted, and look for other options.</p>
<p>I think it’s obvious WashU cares about the numbers, including an artificially low admittance rate. Everyone who gets in is certainly qualified, but WashU does not even have supplemental essays so admit based on a relatively objective standard. They also have an interest in making WashU a desirable school, meaning low admittance rates so students who are well qualified but do not show considerable interest indicate an applicant who would likely forego a WashU acceptance. Therefore, they get waitlisted. </p>
<p>Plus, Columbia isn’t all that hard to get into.</p>
<p>Wash U games the system like no other. They’ve been doing it for years. One way is to waitlist higher qualified students. Its a huge win for them. Only the top students that need to come push the point, and the others increase their yield and therefore lower their acceptance rate. And all over the country students at other schools sat “I got into Brown but was waitlisted at washU” so it makes them seem more selective.</p>
<p>Hi, A quick question: your son choose Berkeley over Columbia because you does not pay high money, Are you in California</p>
<p>^^ slipper1234,</p>
<p>Well I got into WashU and I know I certainly was qualified. And by my numbers, scores, and activities, I might even be elitist enough to say I’m ‘higher qualified.’ I was also a top student at my high school and accepted WashU over Cornell. So really, I’m not sure what you mean when you say WashU waitlists ‘overqualified’ students. And I certainly know my friends at WashU, who were 2250-2300+ SATI leaders and 4.0/valedictorians in high school, would certainly not understand your assertion. All I know is that WashU accepts high school students of top caliber.</p>
<p>Bccdhppy, Yes, we are from California, but no, his choice to attend Cal wasn’t because of money. He had the option of going whereever he wanted… and luckily, he had some fabulous choices (including Columbia)… He simply decided that he didn’t like the east coast vibe as much as he liked the laid back atmosphere here on the west coast… I am originally from the east coast so I didn’t agree with his decision, but as it turns out, it is the the right one for him. </p>
<p>Picklechips - Columbia had a 5% admit rate the year my son turned it down - I think that made getting accepted there pretty “hard” to do. Don’t be rude. Given that this is a Wash U thread, I’d like to add that this year my daughter was also accepted to Wash U - and is thrilled. The school isn’t turning away bright kids, they just can’t accept all 25,000 applicants for only approx 1,500 openings - with numbers like that, it makes sense to wait-list good applicants than to reject them because not all will attend (like my son). All schools do this!</p>