will WashU really be harder than NU for me?

<p>My college counselor told me it'd be harder for me to get into WashU than to Northwestern.
There has been a history of not many students being accepted from our school... (there weren't as many who applied to WashU as to NU, tho).
but really? is it gonna be harder for me, you think?</p>

<p>here's my profile. plz chance me..</p>

<p>Asian American female</p>

<p>Intended major: film and art
GPA: 3.8 (uw)
SAT: 650V, 730M, 680W. 2060 (<-waiting for results. pretty sure it improved a lot)
ACT: 30</p>

<p>AP classes: US history, Art history, physics, BC calc, Stats
Honor/Recognition:
3 Head of School list
1 Honor roll
5+ Academic Performance List</p>

<p>I had emphasis in art courses throughout high school -> about 10 courses (including four independent studies)</p>

<p>Activities:
Arts Concentration (which include 6 hrs of studio afterschool each week, three exhibitions...)
President of the Arts Committee
2 Rock bands
Zine Club (founder, president)
Lit. Mag
Stagecrew
Church Youth group
Soccer
Own an online shop (for handmade stuff)</p>

<p>Volunteer:
Summer work camp
Museum of Contemporary Art (Chicago)</p>

<p>Internship/work:
Japanese restaurant
The Art Center</p>

<p>one more Question ,,
does the acceptance chance vary depending on which school in WashU i apply to? Say, will it be harder if i applied to the Art school than to Arts and Science?</p>

<p>Hellostranger, there is some truth to what your guidance counselor has told you, however, it has nothing to do with you, personally. It really has to do with the sheer numbers of students who apply for the number of spaces there are in the freshman class at Wash U. The acceptance rates this past year at Wash U and Northwestern were 17.3% and 26.8%, respectively, according to the 2009 U.S. News and World Report College Rankings Report here: </p>

<p>National</a> Universities Rankings - Best Colleges - Education - US News and World Report. </p>

<p>Also, if you would like to figure out the different enrollment rates for each school at Wash U (Art,Arts & Sciences, etc..),that information is all here in a table of facts put out by Wash U online. </p>

<p>Washington</a> University in St. Louis :: FACTS 2007</p>

<p>Just keep in mind that they give the # of students applied and the # enrolled. They do not tell you the # who were accepted who did not choose to attend. However, you can still see from this data that there appear to be some significant differences in the admission/enrollment numbers between some of the different schools. I am sure that you will find this all very interesting, as we did last year, when my daughter applied as an art major. My advice would be though to apply for what interests you the most, as your application will be most sincere. And by all means, if you really like Wash U, go visit/tour the campus if you can, meet with visiting reps and "show them the love". They really want students who REALLY want to be THERE. Good luck!</p>

<p>WashUStL waitlists a lot of applicants.</p>

<p>thank you, ollump, for the FACTS link! </p>

<p>did your daughter get accepted? where did she end up going?</p>

<p>Yes, she applied early decision, was deferred, but then got accepted and invited to fly out to visit again (on Wash U's tab) a week before official notifications were out. The only thing we can think of that explains the complete turn-around was that Wash U was waiting for my daughter to bring up one of her fall quarter AP grades before accepting her. She is an art major and possibly a dual psych major. She just absolutely loves it there, but is finding it very challenging. She has her first midterms tomorrow and Friday and has never studied so much in her entire life.</p>

<p>Both schools (NU & WUSTL) are going to be somewhat of a reach given your 1380 SAT and 30 ACT scores (unless the art schools are somewhat less selective score-wise if someone's art portfolio is otherwise amazing). 2007-08 scores: WUSTL midrange SAT 1370-1530; NU midrange SAT 1320-1500. </p>

<p>Got this info from another thread: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/563455-most-selective-colleges-based-sats.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/563455-most-selective-colleges-based-sats.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>The above post is slightly incorrect with respect to Northwestern's mid-range SAT I scores which were 1350-1520 for the high school class of 2007 (NU class of 2011). These are the most recent scores reported to USNews. Northwestern's SAT I scores are actually a bit higher now.</p>

<p>Palmalk, I can tell you that, at least at Wash U, applicants to the art school have to meet the same academic standards as applicants to all other schools/majors there because approximately 30% of art majors also double major in something unrelated to art altogether. For example, my D, in addition to her art portfolio, had an ACT composite of 33, which would have placed her solidly within the upper 75%ile of students in the university as a whole. Art students' academic profiles fall within the same range as given for the general university. Of course, there is some variability within that range to some degree, which might be bolstered by a great art portfolio.</p>

<p>hmm, so at this stage for me, unless i have a great portfolio, i don't have a good chance?</p>

<p>No, not necessarily. You have a solid GPA, lots of APs, terrific extracurriculars and creative art involvement. It looks like you are very strong in math and probably science, if you took AP physics. I might suggest to you that you also consider retaking the ACT exam, since you are strong in math and science. That is a test that plays to those strengths.A 30 is a good first score. Keep in mind that Wash U superscores the ACT as well. I think you have alot of potential on paper, especially if you show alot of interest in the school by visiting, etc...</p>

<p>Ollump's advice is really sound! Take the ACT again!</p>

<p>unfortunately 30 isn't my first score, but my second AND third... so i am not taking it again. BUT. I did take the SAT again and im expecting a decent rise in scores. so i guess we'll see</p>

<p>Hellostranger, an ACT of 30 was still within Wash U's 25%ile, at least in the past few years, and is still a very decent score. Good luck on getting your new SAT's. My daughter didn't have as good a GPA as you do. It's not ALWAYS about having certain #s or scores. I think you are "close enough to the ballpark" to be a viable candidate to the art school. Of course, a portfolio will also help. As I've said before, a sincere show of interest can REALLY tip that scale in your favor big-time. If Wash U still interests you, after everything you've heard, DON'T give up on it. My daughter got deferred ED, but never gave up and continued to provide them with updates, etc. I think it really helped her to ultimately get in.</p>

<p>FWIW, our D1, who is a JR Vis Comm major, had stats nearly identical to yours and was admitted ED. Her "hook" was that the summer before her SR year in HS she attended, and did well at, the WU summer art program (Portfolio Plus). You need to express strong interest in WU, perhaps by attending portfolio day at WU, although this event may have occurred already.</p>

<p>oh... i see. then i assume her portfolio was pretty decent. I actually have no idea how my portfolio compares to others'. I definitely haven't been doing traditional stuff, or anything that intensively to prepare a portfolio. I have some conceptual works and my works kinda bounce around in different subjects and media.</p>

<p>yay! i scored 1420 on my SAT. 2120 Total. so some improvement there</p>

<p>Don't forget WUSTL superscores (adds up the top scores from each sitting) - so you may be even above 2120!!??? Good job!</p>

<p>That's very good news! Go for it! But remember to show LOTS of interest in Wash U; I can't emphasize that point enough. Good luck!</p>

<p>how exactly do i show LOTS of interest? I met the rep. who came to my school and filled out one of those cards. and.. i don't know if i can visit the campus (i'd love to tho).
what are other ways?</p>

<p>Well, that's good that you met the rep and signed in. If there are any other local info sessions, go to those too. If you are unable to visit the campus or apply ED, applying for a merit scholarship shows more than just a casual interest as well, since those usually require additional essay(s). After your application is submitted, notify the admissions office and your regional rep of any additional awards, changes in work status, etc. These are just a few ideas. Anyone else have any others?</p>