<p>WUSTL is an amazing school with amazing people, academics, professors, etc. It's my #1 choice university and has been for about 10 years now because I live in St. Louis. I've been contemplating on applying Early Decision, but I want to keep my options open at the same time. My counselor last year told me that I have a great chance regarding my credentials, but I still feel a bit worried considering my ACT scores. I scored a 24, which is way below average for WUSTL. Has anyone else felt that their test scores/GPA could hinder their application? Some days, I feel so inadequate and confused. :(</p>
<p>unfortunately, I think a 24 is low enough that it would make admission very, very difficult. Unless of course you have some extraordinary circumstance</p>
<p>Their mid 50%ACT is 32-34- a score of 24 is going to make it unbelievably difficult for you to get in. I don’t see how a GC can advise you that you have a good chance at getting in via ED.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, your guidance counselor is delusional; you won’t get in with a 24 unless you cure cancer. Definitely retake the ACT and try the SAT, if possible.</p>
<p>I have a feeling that your guidance counselor is trying to keep your hopes up even though you scored a below average ACT Score. Just retake it! I got a 28 because i got hesitant on reading and I bombed that section. xD Just never give up and hope for that 32+.</p>
<p>Take the ACT again in the fall. What are your grades like? Your chances are slim unless you have something special to offer. What basis is your guidance counselor using to form his/her opinion on this – past performance using services like naviance for your school? Are they sure they are looking at WUSTL stats or confused with other schools like e.g. University of Washington, Washington State, George Washington U, etc.</p>
<p>I don’t know what your guidance counselor is doing but your not going to get into Wash U with a 24 ACT, even if you apply early decision. Sorry, but that’s the cold hard truth. Your ACT is just too low. If you need some suggestions on how to improve your ACT score, I can give you some tips.</p>
<p>Sure, when I applied, 24 ACT was good enough for WashU. I went to college in the mid-west ;). Perhaps this counselor is my age and lives under the rocks all these years. These days, I am sorry to say that my state schools turn down boatloads of student with this score, let alone WashU. Take SAT to see if you could do better. Also, if you’re an academically strong student, take 2 subject SATs as well. Although WashU is not required them, it helps if you score high, like in the 750 range (again, this the subject tests I am talking about, not regular SAT).</p>
<p>Disagreeing with the advice in the above post. With a 24 ACT, don’t bother with SAT Subject tests. Instead, focus your effort on an ACT re-take and try to raise that score. All colleges care about SAT or ACT score, and only a very few care about Subject tests. </p>
<p>With a 24 ACT, your odds of acceptance at WashU are very low, since it is well below the 25th percentile of students. So, make sure you apply to other, less selective colleges also (perhaps Truman State?)</p>