<p>I'm a student from a somewhat competitive high school in the top 5 percent applying to Johns Hopkins ED, but I just found out someone from my school is also applying ED. Her GPA is significantly higher than mine and she's probably in the top 1-2%. Will this hurt my chances because I was also considering applying to WUSTL ED because I like it just as much as hopkins, but I figured id have a better shot at Hopkins. Does this change things and should I apply to WUSTL instead?</p>
<p>It’s possible either one of you will get in, or both, or none. Admissions is more than test scores and GPA, once you’re past a certain point, other factors start to come into play, although those with lower stats will have to bring more non-academic factors in to make it.</p>
<p>I assure you, it won’t hurt your chances in the least. It changes nothing. Write a KILLER essay, and that will matter much more. </p>
<p>It will hurt you. I’d apply to washu if it really is your #1 choice equally.</p>
<p>^^And what evidence do you have of that?</p>
<p>If JHU is looking at two students from the same school, they’re going to pick the one that best fits their need for a balanced, interesting class. That may be one, both, or neither. Test scores do matter, but they aren’t everything. My daughter and a good friend both applied to the same school a couple of years ago. The friend was valedictorian. My daughter was salutatorian. Their GPAs were several tenths apart. (I know this because it’s a small school and Naviance is a very revealing tool!). My daughter’s SAT scores were 60 points higher. My daughter wrote an excellent essay. The friend wrote a brilliant essay. Both girls were legacies. The other girl, who really did belong at this school, got in. My daughter did not. You really cannot tell what will matter to the admissions people, so if you want to go there, apply!</p>