<p>The idea that Wash U likes ED and kids that show a real interest is confirmed at S and D's hs. Competitive, suburban Chicago hs with a lot of kids applying to Wash U. ED seem to always get admitted, everyone else, waitlisted</p>
<p>I'm not sure I agree that you must show that much interest and contact. D applied (and applied for the scholarships), did not visit (we're on the west coast) and made no other contacts. She got in.</p>
<p>that would suck... having a school that says you couldn't apply somewhere. Why is this school so well known as an ivyleague backup?</p>
<p>Hazmat, of course my school knows the difference between EA and ED; it's their policy, not the colleges. Oh I ALSO forgot to mention another benefit:
When a student applies EA to a college, my school lets them know of our policy, so the college will know that the applicant will definitely attend, which makes that students app turn into ED essentially.</p>
<p>I don't know why people have a problem with WashU mailings. In the real world it is known as marketing - just look in your mailbox. I received mailings from 100s of schools after the PSAT. By the end of my senior year I had collected several large boxes of college mailings. At no time did I assume that any mailing would result in automatic admitance.</p>
<p>As for demonstrated interest - I never visited prior to application and applied RD. I did apply for merit aid and will be attending on full scholarship (merit aid). My first visit was for scholarship interviews. As for all RD applicants being WL - obviously that is not true. But I did have top stats, athletics and many ECs with leadership positions. </p>
<p>Most of next years freshmen that I have met are highly qualified and many turned down Ivys - Duke - and other top schools to attend WashU. This was true in my case where I turned down several of the previous (with similair merit aid) for WashU. Once I visited, I knew it was the place for me. This may not be valid for everyone, but I felt it gave me everything I wanted in a college. </p>
<p>It almost sounds that much of the WashU bashing is a result of people assuming they would be admited and then being WL or rejected. As with all schools, you should visit before deciding. Get to know the campus and students that will be part of your life for the next four years. Good luck to everyone wherever they end up and spend your time building a positive life instead of wasting time on negatives.</p>