<p>I am currently a senior, graduating in 2013, and am seriously considering WashU as my school to apply ED to. I plan on visiting and interviewing in mid-October, during which time I will meet the baseball coach (I am a recruited baseball player living in Canada).
My question is, what types of people are generally admitted to WashU, and what specific traits do WashU admissions look for (i.e. in your essays, rec letters, etc.?)</p>
<p>I know that we were told WashU looks for genuinely nice kids. I’m not sure how that comes accross in an essay (probably more in recs).</p>
<p>Also, the niceness factor may be important and, from what we have seen, the school does an excellent job finding these students. However, academics, test scores and extracurriculars are without a doubt still critically important.</p>
<p>You should try to do an overnight when you visit. My son isn’t playing baseball at school but his roommate is and they have already hosted a couple of baseball recruits for overnights this year.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>As I’m not an admissions officer, I can’t say this with any certainty, but I don’t believe there is any one quality that washu is looking for (besides the obvious stuff which all colleges want: hardworking, intelligent, responsible, kind etc.).</p>
<p>I recently toured WashU with my s and when he went in for the interview, I like most of the other parents stayed outside the building on the benches overlooking the campus. Half an hour later, the admissions rep and my s came out and she asked if I had any questions. I asked the non- threatening, " what does Wash U look for in a candidate?" ( I would love to have asked " why don’t you release the Common Data Set- is it because of the high number of waitlists?- but thought better of it) Her response was that they were looking for candidates who could do the academic work and would be a good fit for the community so that dovetails with what GClaw wrote.
I</p>
<p>@GClawmom
I will be doing an overnight visit, staying with one of the baseball players in a dorm when I do. Any idea what kind of pull athletic teams have with admissions at WashU?</p>
<p>@Jandjdad
Thanks for the info! What was the format of the interview like and what was talked about?</p>
<p>Also, does anybody know whether the fact that I am an international student from Canada hurts or helps my chances?
Since WashU does not require subject tests (or any standardized tests), would it be a big knock against me if I did not send sat 2 scores, or possibly just math 2? I have not written them yet, but much of the content of these tests isn’t covered in the Canadian curriculum.</p>
<p>Bump bump bump</p>
<p>I have no idea about athletic pull. My son had two serious baseball injuries (and surgeries) in high school and decided not to play in college. I know his roommate thought it helped a bit but he also had excellent stats. I’m sure, like at any school, it helps to have a coach that wants you pulling for you. I doubt that will make up for lacking grades or test scores. </p>
<p>Maybe you’ll wind up staying with my son on your overnight. The two recruits they have hosted so far loved the school.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what you mean when you say WashU doesn’t require any standardized tests. I assume you are referring to the SAT. My son never did well on any college board tests. He took the SAT and several subject tests but with a superscore of 34 on the ACT (WashU superscores the ACT), he never submitted his SAT. Also, his AP scores were not the best and it didn’t seem to hurt him with admissions.</p>
<p>"( I would love to have asked " why don’t you release the Common Data Set- is it because of the high number of waitlists?- but thought better of it)"</p>
<p>HAHAHA that would have been soooooo much win.</p>
<p>@GCLawmom
Yes, by standardized testing I mean SAT, ACT, etc. For the sake reference, would you mind posting some of your son’s stats, notable EC’s, etc.? What scores was he getting on the SAT/Subject tests that he considered too low?
Also, does WashU accept SAT scores from the November writing?</p>
<p>^that is, for early decision</p>
<p>Hey, I’m a current WashU student and I have two things to say about the question of fit. </p>
<p>Yes, WashU looks for nice people. Just about everyone here is genuinely nice. However, fit goes a lot deeper than whether you hold doors open for people you don’t know or pick up trash when you see it. Not everyone here is even nice in the same way. If I were you (and I was in your position not that long ago) I wouldn’t worry about fit. Ask yourself and answer honestly, if finding out what WashU looks for at all changes the chances you’ll apply. If not, don’t worry about it. Just be. </p>
<p>Also, this question is slightly irrelevant because you aren’t going to change yourself in the months between when you read this and when you apply, are you? Be yourself and let who you are show in your application and that’s all you can do. I wouldn’t stress about it.</p>
<p>Baseball,
Re the interview, he said it was pretty low key and mostly about what he had done last summer, traveling internationally and how that played into his choice of a major international business/minor in Hebrew. He asked about track as he could possibly run at D3 level if his times improve a little bit more…
He had filled out the pre-application so they had a file opened and the preliminary information but he said it was the most informal of the few interviews he’s had. None of the “what was the last book you read?” type questions.</p>
<p>You should submit some standardize test score (International, SAT or ACT). I would also suggest two Subject test - use the Math 2 you mentioned and look for one more - biology isn’t hard. </p>
<p>WashU states the athletics don’t play a factor. I would guess it helps a little.</p>
<p>Not sure if being from Canada helps (I think it could). </p>
<p>For ECs, I think they like to see a long term commitment to the EC and some leadership in the EC. Quality over quantity.</p>