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I'm thinking about applying to Wash U. early decision next year. I was wondering how much that will help my chances at admission. Also, if two other people in my class are applying and their ranks are a bit higher but my test scores are better and I have a lot more going for me, what do you think will happen? I know it's not a lot of information that I'm giving, but what are your thoughts? Aside from better test scores, I also have a lot more going for me outside of academics than they do. Would a school like Wash U. ever take three people from a class early decision?

By Mafmaf22 (Mafmaf22) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 10:48 am: Edit

It is definitely possible for them to take 3 ppl from one school ED. i don't think they limit how many ppl from a school get accepted ED. also, applying ED definitely helps somewhat, i'm not sure how much, but as a whole for both ed and rd, they seem to like to acept people who genuinely are interested in going to washU over ppl who are just applying as a second-choice/backup and show no interest whatsoever. so applying ed definitely shows your interest

By Running124 (Running124) on Friday, June 04, 2004 - 06:39 pm: Edit

You should definately apply early decision I. I applied Early Decision II, which was stupid because I think that is the reason why I am starting in January. Anyways, there were 2 kids who applied Early Decision I. Both were accepted. One ranks in the top 5% and was a National Merit Finalist, an excellent writer and a decent list of extracurriculars. The other student accepted was in the top 20-30%, National Merit Commended, 1550 SAT and also a relatively decent list of extracurriculars. I myself, was in the top 6% at the time of applications, not a good SAT score, but probably the best list of extracurriculars from any of the 9 applicants from my school. Regardless, Wash U accepted a total 4 of us.

By Wini514 (Wini514) on Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 11:53 am: Edit

Well for starters, congratulations. And thanks for that post. It really helped. How many are there in your grade? My problem is my rank, I think. I'm 17/161 with a 4.1 gpa. My ECs are great and my recommendations and essays shoud be good as well. i also plan on getting a letter from an alumni. And both my sats and my ecs are better than the other two probably applying. Plus, I want to go into education and theatre. I know one of the others wants to go into medicine, which from what i gather is more competitive.
Also, what do you consider "not a good SAT score"?

By Trebleclef829 (Trebleclef829) on Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 04:00 pm: Edit

I would definitely apply early decision I if you think that Wash U is your first choice school. I was waitlisted at four schools (Wash U, Haverford, Georgetown, and Swarthmore), but I was accepted to Wash U later off of the waitlist. Applying early decision often improves your chance. Wash U also seems to have so many extremely qualified applicants that expressing great interest (applying ED-declaring them your first and only choice) will probably improve your chances. If I had applied ED I think I would have been accepted the first time around. There number of applications is amazingly high and is getting larger.
My Stats:
2/47 4.0 uw GPA, 4.32 w
1440 SAT 730V 710M
720 Lit 710 MathIC 700 Writing
6 AP classes (rest all honors)
Salutatorian
Founder of a community service organization for kids
Choral and Orchestral soloist
5 honor societies
National Merit Commended
Student Council Executive Board
Coca Cola Scholars Finalist

It's rough to predict who gets in based on any statistics. I've given up trying to predict. Good luck in your application process.