Washington University - St. Louis

blueslipper · 10-18-2012, 03:41 PM

Wash U is my daughter's #1 school choice. We are considering it a reach school because we know so many smart, talented kids get accepted and there are only so many spots.
She has a 33 ACT and 4.9+ GPA - all rigorous coursework, fairly well rounded activities in music, a club sport and some leadership this senior year.
Her application is almost complete - just waiting for the transcripts to be sent from her HS.
For those of you who have kids who attend Wash U (or anyone else who has good information) - is there anything else we should be doing regarding preparing for scholarship opportunities? She is not applying ED - because she will be relying on scholarship as part of her college decision.
I know the school publishes when they send acceptance letters - but does that sometimes happen earlier in the process if applying RD?
Would love to hear any opinions or information.

seniormom2015 · 10-18-2012, 06:42 PM

My son is a sophomore there and it has been a wonderful place for him. I can't say enough positive about the school. If it really is her first choice, she needs to apply ED. With her stats, she would mostly likely get in. The scholarships there are pretty hard to get because there aren't many, so thinking of applying RD for that reason would be a big mistake. Everyone who gets accepted has high stats so don't expect much in the way of academic money. However, if you qualify for financial aid, they are very helpful. We didn't, but I have to say, they tried very hard to make the numbers come in. I remember thinking that if there was a way, they would have found it. My son's freshman roommate got more financial help from Washu than what was offered to him from Northwestern. I think there is often the misconception that ED doesn't get financial aid so don't apply if you need aid because the contract is binding. This is also incorrect. My son's gf is attending an Ivy for 5K a year, having applied ED and getting all but a Stafford loan covered. And, if it isn't doable financially, the contract isn't binding.
Lastly, go visit, and also attend and fill out a card at your local college fair or when Washu visits your area. Request admission materials, ask a question, etc. They track all that stuff and see it as demonstrated interest.

blueslipper · 10-18-2012, 10:58 PM

Thanks for the information. I didn't think you should apply anywhere ED if you were reliant on Financial Aid coming through. Is she eligible for different scholarships if she applies ED? If she's already submitted her app RD, could she go back and change to ED?
We visited over the summer - and immediately moved to 1st choice.

wis75 · 10-19-2012, 12:04 AM

Different state relatives with similar academic credentials there and getting good educations. Both kids got merit aid- not ED. Every college has its strengths. Many premed students there. Not as many different intro calculus, chemistry or physics courses as our flagship. A lot depends on your choices and future plans.

mamabear1234 · 10-19-2012, 10:16 AM

They don't publish their common data set, but I read in a Kiplinger's article that 20% of Wash U students get merit aid; it listed an average of about $7000. If you are dependent on scholarships, that may not be enough. They invite scholarship candidates for a weekend the end of March, so if you are invited to that, I guess it would mean you are accepted! From last year's acceptance thread, it was March 9 when decisions were out.

martharap · 10-19-2012, 10:30 AM

My son graduated from WUSTL several years ago, so I don't know if this has changed. When he applied for admission he also applied by separate application for merit scholarships, so you should check to see if that is still the case.

mamabear1234 · 10-19-2012, 10:59 AM

Yes, it is still a separate application, due 1/15

seniormom2015 · 10-20-2012, 04:06 PM

I just went on their website and ED kids can apply for the scholarships. As Mamabear noted, it's an additional ap to return. I will also look for the card of the woman in their business office that worked so hard to get us aid as retirees and send you a private message. She can probably look at your income, assets, etc. and estimate what they might be able to do. I remember she said equity in your home and any retirement accounts didn't count against you, but despite the big drop in income, our other assets were considered sources that could be tapped. And, we had saved quite a bit of money for his college...all big no no's when aid is considered. We were hoping to get help with the difference in costs between UCLA being public and Wash U being private. It didn't happen, but we are thankful he chose Wash U anyway. Aside from being a safe and wonderful education, he has met a group of amazing friends, and the dorms and food are also pretty great. I'm certain UCLA would have been, too, but I only can comment on what he chose.
I bet if you call admissions, she might be able to change the ap to ED, since you are within the timeline. If not, they will see you called and tried, which can only show how committed she is.

seniormom2015 · 10-21-2012, 01:25 PM

Of course. My point is that she may get financial aid that could make WashU affordable, even if she doesn't get the merit aid. Since many of the scholarships are earmarked for a particular major or for URMs, need based might actually be easier to get, if they qualify.

wis75 · 10-21-2012, 02:51 PM

Merit aid is independent of financial circumstances. It differs from need based aid.

limabeans · 10-22-2012, 12:54 PM

My son, a junior, attends Washington University (WUSTL) and absolutely loves it there. He had been accepted at many other top level schools, most with amazing scholarships, and he still chose WashU. One aspect that makes a huge decision in their process is learning which student like the school and which ones love it. That's one reason why applying ED shows that kind of "love". The more you know about the school, the better your feel for what it offers and why you've decided it's the right fit. Call them, ask for brochures. Ask for an interview. Best of all: go visit. My son knew very little about the school, until he went there for a weekend. Immediately he smitten.

As a parent, I can't say enough either. I personally appreciate the letters the Dean of Student writes to inform us of what the class is doing and highlighting some key events. Now that my son is gearing up towards what to do past college, the school is gearing up too and guiding him so he's ready.

The scholarship application is very important. There's also one to look for now, called The Danforth Scholarship (due in the fall of your senior year and written by her GC). There are merit-based scholarships that your daughter would apply for (due 1/15), but also separately the FAFSA/CSS scholarships. I strongly urge you to call the school to investigate whether she should apply now for ED so you can make an informed decision. Feel free to PM if you have any other questions.

martharap · 10-22-2012, 02:09 PM

I don't know if this is still the case, but for National Merit finalists WUSTL awarded $2500 for subsequent years after the one-time award--a nice plus.

Umav69 · 12-15-2012, 08:39 AM

Thank you , am really interested in this school .

nugraddad · 12-15-2012, 09:18 AM

OP - Thre is a separate Wash U Thread on this board - repost your original post there and you should get even more responses. Look in the Top Colleges thread.

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/...sity-st-louis/

Good luck