<p>@ND Congratulations!!! I’m a little confused with the interviewing process. Since I already scheduled my tour and info session, should I contact the admissions office and ask for an on campus interview? Is it not too soon for that considering I’m a junior?</p>
<p>You can interview anytime! Usually it’s done when you visit campus - you should just be able to call admissions to arrange it.</p>
<p>Ahh I get really nervous with these kinds of things. Do you know what kind of questions are asked? Is it like casual (just to try and get to know me?)</p>
<p>satanonymous, I got in ED this year without an interview. I didn’t even know that interviewing was common/possible when I visited last summer (obviously didn’t do my research haha). But if you do arrange an interview, don’t be nervous. I’ve heard that they are very informal and only used to indicate interest on your part.
Also, I’m an average student too and I definitely don’t think I would’ve been accepted in the RD round (33 act, 4.0 UW but only took 6 AP classes, good/varied extracurriculars but not that many and nothing insanely impressive). I think your best bet, if you know you really want to go to washu, would be to apply early. There are so many kids that got rejected/waitlisted in the RD rounds this year who are way smarter than me, and I’m incredibly thankful I decided to apply ED haha.</p>
<p>also, @ravnzcroft thank you for your detailed answer!! I guess that’s what I was expecting. I just need to have faith that I was accepted for a reason and that I can succeed if I keep working hard. 
Is it true though that med schools look at the rigor of your undergraduate pre med program? Because I heard that they actually don’t care where you went, as long as you got a 3.8 or higher. Which to me, is incredibly unfair, because a 4.0 at a place like Michigan State or something does not equal a 4.0 at any of the rigorous top 20 schools…</p>
<p>Interviews are generally quite casual in the sense that you have a nice conversation with a current student or alum. Having an interview also helps by demonstrating that you are interested in the school.</p>
<p>However, make no mistake–no matter how casual or insignificant the interviews may seem, you are being scrutinized by your interviewer. When you leave, they fill out a form and indicate what they liked, what they didn’t like, etc. They write specific comments about your personality and will not be afraid to make note of any weaknesses you may have demonstrated. This may come as a surprise to some because the interviews tend to seem so casual, but all interviewers are told by the school exactly what they should be looking for and what to report back.</p>
<p>In other words, go for an interview if you’re confident in your ability to do well. If you have any doubts about your ability to make your interviewer walk away with a very good impression, an interview might not be your best option. There are certainly other ways that you can demonstrate interest. I’m not trying to scare anyone here, just trying to inform.</p>
<p>Source: Helped facilitate off-campus interviews for prospective students.</p>
<p>Christine, I can’t answer that with any certainty because I’m not pre-med and I don’t want to mislead you. But I can’t possibly imagine they don’t consider your undergraduate program. There would be no point at all of going to a great undergraduate institution like Wash U if all you needed to get into a great med school was a 4.0 from any college.</p>
<p>@Christine
Med schools are looking for 3.5 and above in your premed courses.
There are situations of WashU students getting accepted to med school with 3.4 GPAs.
There is a risk go to WashU if you are set on med school - if you end up with a 3.2 in the premed courses. </p>
<p>The reason top students go to WashU for premed are 1) because they love the school 2) they have a better chance of getting in a top med school if they have a 3.5+ from WashU.</p>
<p>Some suggestions to help your Premed GPA:
Take Calc I even if you qualify out from your AP score.
Take Organic Chem in the summer (this is expensive).
If you take Org Chem at another college med schools will include it in their calculation of your premed GPA (as long as it is a good college). WashU will not include it in your GPA. You would send both colleges’ transcript with your med school applications.</p>
<p>onecot59- would it really help the GPA that much? I’m confident I could get an A again in calc 1, so maybe I’ll do that. Do you think it’d be frowned upon?</p>
<p>Personally, I’d advise against it. Calc 1 is harder than Calc 2 or Calc 3 because they give you very challenging problems to really make sure you know how to differentiate and integrate. Besides, getting an A vs. a B in a 3-credit course, when averaged out over your entire pre-med career, only results in a difference of a few hundredths of a GPA point.</p>
<p>okay, thanks.
(sorry for all the questions) but am I pretty much screwed if I get a bad gpa, and don’t get into med school as a biology major? There aren’t many more options are there…</p>
<p>I honestly feel like it’s too soon for an on campus interview. Would I be able to make an off campus interview later in the year? I’m sure I’d make a good impression, as I’m pretty charismatic if I do say so myself haha… And I’d probably do a good job in expressing my interest in the school.</p>
<p>A strong art portfolio is no question for me, but as far as grades go I’m not too sure… I’m projecting a 2100~2200 SAT score and a 3.7/3.8 GPA. I think my extracurriculars are pretty strong as well. My guidance counselor said WashU would be a reach though, and I should try applying to just the art school. Thanks for helping me out guys!!!</p>
<p>Not sure that Calc I is harder than Calc II. I took Calc II and my friend on my floor took Calc I. We compared and thought Calc II was harder. I had a 5 on AP Calc AB and a 760 on SAT Math II. I got a B in Calc II last semester. You can ask your Advisor before scheduling your classes (you can’t schedule your classes before you meet with Advisor any way). </p>
<p>Another suggestion for Soph year - take Statistics as your second math course instead of Calc 3. That is what I am going to do.</p>
<p>I think there are 35 credits required for Premed (chem/chem lab 10, org chem 4, bio 8, physics 4, math 6, english 3). I could be off here. You could convert that to 12 three credit courses. So each 3 credit course makes up 8% of your Premed GPA. If you can get a letter grade higher in two math courses (Calc I and Stat) and Org Chem (take in the summer 4 credits). That would be 10 out of the 35 credits impacted. </p>
<p>I plan to do the second two.</p>
<p>I’m so excited to be accepted! </p>
<p>How is Christian Life/Fellowship on campus?</p>
<p>Med schools certainly look at undergraduate institution when determining acceptances/rejections. As a washu undergraduate, you’ll get a couple tenths of GPA over an “average” med school applicant.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t recommend taking Calc I if you test out of it and feel confident in it. It might be an “easy” A, but arguably Calc II might be easier and definitely looks better on an app. Taking orgo over the summer is an option - it’s usually easier, but med schools do know that and generally prefer you take it during regular semester.</p>
<p>It’s true that career prospects for biology are somewhat low outside of medicine, but there are some options. Hopefully you have other interests which you can also pursue in college - I’m majoring in mathematics along with biology. Therefore, if I get rejected from med school, I can go into a mathematics field.</p>
<p>If you aren’t ready for an interview, then obviously it wouldn’t help to have one. They do offer off-campus interviews (I believe), but not everywhere. It might be best to make sure there is somebody near you if you wish to pursue that option. (If you’re in any metropolis, that shouldn’t be a worry)</p>
<p>I believe both semesters of orgo and physics are required, not just one of each. Additionally, there are quite a few med schools with additional requirements. Additionally, all math/science courses you take are included in your pre-med GPA, not just the basic requirements. Thus an easier A in a couple classes won’t make that much of a difference.</p>
<p>Well considering I live in new york, an off-campus interview should be no problem right? It’s not that I’m not ready, but i just feel like that might be something I want to do during the summer or in september. Thanks ryan!</p>
<p>@onecot - that’s a great strategy! 
I think it gives me some hope</p>
<p>@satanonymous - You sort of remind me of myself. I’m from New York, and my SAT was 2180 (within the range you specified) and my GPA was 3.8 unweighted. I think you have a decent shot. I was accepted. I think the key lies in showing genuine interest. Although I never did have an interview, WashU did send a representative to my school to do an info session, which I attended. Overall, my counselor said WashU was more of a low reach, based on my stats and numerous extracurricular involvements. I think you have a chance! Hopefully that helps!</p>
<p>@dreams Ahhh thank you!! Gives me a lot of hope Also kind of counting on a few other factors to help me out</p>
<ul>
<li>first generation for college in my family</li>
<li>first generation american</li>
<li>i’m hispanic and asian (two very distinct and culturally rich ethnicities in which i plan to write my college essay about)</li>
<li>would applying as a minor in art maybe give me some leeway for academics???</li>
</ul>
<p>Satanonymous- my son got into WUSTL for 2013. His ACT score was only 30 (32 superscored), but he really showed interest in the school- attended a local info session and an on campus interview (it helped that my brother lives in STL) and also arranged a tour with a Professor of Classics. He also updated his application a few times, with added honors and accomplishments. Demonstrated interest does help but will not guarantee an admission. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>I don’t have my four year course plan in front of me. I believe Ryan is correct about the full year of orgo and physics. </p>
<p>I don’t think taking orgo in the summer will hurt your application. </p>
<p>I also think a few As will help you get to the 3.5 goal. Mathematically two As vs two Bs will rise your premed course GPA 0.14. So it brings a 3.36 to a 3.50.</p>