Just recieved an invitation to attend Discovery Weekend at WashU in September - all expenses paid, including air fare. I’m really excited, as the school is currently one of my top choices.
Anyone planning on attending? Does anyone have any experience with the program? I think I read on this forum that the students given travel grants are often awarded merit scholarships in the spring… Any truth to that?
Thanks!
Congratulations. I am not sure about the scholarships but it is indication of your admission prospects at the school. How did you get picked?
@texaspg I actually have no idea. I get mail and emails from WashU all the time, and I did attend an info session of theirs near where I live. I think I’ve signed up for their mailing list and requested info and all that, but besides that I definitely didn’t apply for this. Just got a letter and brochure in the mail.
Very happy 
Is that how you got this scholarship and such? Or did you apply for the aid and airfare?
@codemachine I didn’t apply for anything. I also wouldn’t qualify for anything need based.
I would guess I was chosen because of high PSAT/SAT scores, some demonstrated interest in the school, and maybe my URM status.
Interesting. Normally schools ask you to apply for the trip with some personal info, transcript etc. in order to qualify.
I was accepted to Discovery Weekend too! I’m also URM and I did show a bit more interest – WashU sent me a form that I filled out which asked about my stats and what classes I’m taking next year. My understanding is that WashU has no application, they only send out invites.
I’m super excited to go!
I’m headed there as well. A school rep told me over the phone that their invitation was based on my prospects for the Rodriguez Scholars Program, and that I would be interviewed.
@halex44 they told me the same thing! Congrats to you and @apricotgirl
I am confused about the scholarship interview. Would this be during the Discovery Weekend? I know a kiddo who has been invited as well but was just told that they were a good candidate for the Rodriquez scholarship but nothing about being interviewed during the weekend.
How could they interview for Rodriquez if they haven’t turned in the essay? Or maybe those that already have turned in the essay will be interviewed during the fly in?
They will not interview you in discovery weekend for a scholarship. You can still be invited to discovery and not get the scholarship. You will only do an interview for the scholarship after you submit your essays/college application and after they have selected you for an interview. Going to discovery weekend will play no role in you getting a scholarship.
Ok, thanks. It just seems that from some of the above posts that they were accepted to the fly in and were told that they were to be interviewed for Rodriquez while there. But I guess not.
Pretty sure the interview is just the standard admissions interview for all applicants, and that they scheduled it for when I’m there so that it’s convenient.
Rodriguez Scholar finalists have to interview again in March.
Ok, thanks for the clarification. That makes perfect sense. Good luck to all of you! Please keep us posted on the outcomes.
Do you guys think it’d be bad if I signed up, even if I wasn’t invited? I’ve received many brochures from them but did not get an invitation. (At least I don’t think I did…)
You can always sign up for the Discovery Weekend from their website. Why would that be a bad thing? The invitation means that your travel expenses are taken care of. Do you mean signing yourself up for the travel grant? I don’t know how that would work. Perhaps you can call them and ask? I’m not sure the etiquette of that.
Hey! Just booked my flight! Is there anybody that’s been to Discovery Weekend and wants to tell us more about it?
hey! I’m a freshman at wustl and I attended Discovery Weekend last year and I plan on hosting a student this year. Here’s some info:
Has anybody received their confirmation packet yet? I registered more than a week ago and I was wondering when the it would arrive. I live in California.
Ended up getting confirmation packet…
Does anyone know if we are supposed to be contacted by our host beforehand or are just assigned to one when we get there?