WashU advice

crazycurls · 07-05-2008, 06:02 PM

I am going to be a sophomore in High School and I am VERY interested in WashU for college because it provides an excellent education and will allow me to stay very close to my family, which is important to me because I have a young brother and many family members in the STL immediate area.

I was wondering if anyone could give me advice on how to build and continue building a WashU record.

Some background:
-I skipped a grade and recently took the ACT at 14 yrs. My score was a 30, and I have three years to raise it, so ACT scores will probably not be an issue.

-I've played classical violin since I was 2 years old, have achieved state level of competition, etc.

-I am pretty fluent and VERY passionate about German. (My parents speak it and I am in college credit German 4, but do a lot of supplemental work with my teacher)

-I am a VERY active member in debate and public speaking through my school and the National Forensics League. I do policy debate and Foreign Extemperaneous Speaking, and am competing at the champ level next year as a sophomore.

-I also participate in Mock Trial with the Missouri Barr Association and went to state.

That is a pretty basic summary. I also have extremely varied interests in architecture, literature, art, philosophy, cooking, etc.

Any advice/comments would be great! Thanks!

Fooby · 07-05-2008, 07:29 PM

Your extracurriculars are well-rounded and your future test scores are promising. As long as you're getting good grades with a highly rigorous course load (APs and honors if your school offers them), you should have no problem getting accepted. Showing interest is also a huge plus, so consider having an interview when you eventually apply.

School performance is judged based on its context - for instance, are you taking more APs than most people? If your school ranks, are you in the top 10%? Basically, are you an exceptional student given your resources and opportunities?

Don't worry about this now, but you're going to be writing your essays eventually too. Schools want to see what makes you a unique thinker/doer, so keep that in mind.

Also, this is just my own opinion, but unless you need to stay near your family due to personal/financial reasons, keep an open mind about schools further away from home. Between my sophomore and senior years, I went from looking for an academically-centered social life to a more well-rounded one. Likewise, you may find yourself wanting to explore different parts of the country outside of the St. Louis/Missouri area.

You have a bright future so long as you keep it up. Good luck with your college search!

crazycurls · 07-05-2008, 11:11 PM

Freshman year, I was enrolled in three college credit classes and the others were all honors. I'm starting with my APs next year, and am ranked 1st in my class.

Thanks for your advice.

hookem168 · 07-05-2008, 11:56 PM

NFLs!! Were you in Vegas this year?! I got 18th in Oratory, it was so fun lol

crazycurls · 07-06-2008, 01:48 PM

Congrats! Not this year, I was a novice. I went really far at districts, but policy is my game and so it just wasn't my time, lol. I am going to a really intense policy camp with my partner (who will be a senior) and next year, the prospects are very favorable.

What state are you from?

hookem168 · 07-06-2008, 02:01 PM

Texas! I'm a weird forensicator lol. I've done OO, Impromptu, FX, and DX, but also DI, Duo, and Prose and Poetry haha. I do a little of everything except hardcore debate.
I was a novice this year too! A junior, but still a novice

srunni · 07-06-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

I've played classical violin since I was 2 years old

I didn't know it was physically possible to play a violin at that age ;/

EmilySpinach · 07-07-2008, 12:02 PM

Go early decision!

HartinGA · 07-07-2008, 12:25 PM

srunni, they come in all sizes. The smallest are less than a foot from tip to tip. With nanotechnology, it is only a matter of time before they have the "in utero" models.

crazycurls · 07-07-2008, 01:28 PM

hookem168- That's cool. I'm actually going to Austin for debate camp. Major props on going to nats as a novice... Yeah... I'm mainly a hardcore policy kid.

srunni- It's called the Suzuki Method. It originated in Japan and if you take it to the full extent as my family did, the children focus on strong ear development and technique and learn to actually read the music later. Violins are made small, and the first pieces you are to learn are actually played for you even before birth. I actually got my first violin when I was two, but my real training began long before that.

srunni · 07-07-2008, 02:15 PM

Quote:

srunni, they come in all sizes. The smallest are less than a foot from tip to tip. With nanotechnology, it is only a matter of time before they have the "in utero" models.

Quote:

srunni- It's called the Suzuki Method. It originated in Japan and if you take it to the full extent as my family did, the children focus on strong ear development and technique and learn to actually read the music later. Violins are made small, and the first pieces you are to learn are actually played for you even before birth. I actually got my first violin when I was two, but my real training began long before that.

Ah, didn't know that. I suck at playing musical instruments ;/ Though I do like listening to music

inthemistylight · 07-07-2008, 08:51 PM

i've heard of that suzuki thing!

i used the books on and off for five years. they were fun-er than my exercise books =/

MidwestParent · 07-07-2008, 10:30 PM

ahhh, crazycurls....................this has nothing to do with this thread, but you brought back such memories bringing up the Suzuki Method!! Both of my D's started piano at the age of 3. Their little legs sticking straight out on the piano bench. My MIL found the cutest 3/4 size PIANO that they used in the beginning. I also played music to both of them "in utero". Before they could start lessons I was required to read Suzuki's books. Learning music through love - a wonderful program!
What is Suzuki Method?

crazycurls · 07-09-2008, 07:05 PM

MidwestParent- That's awesome! Tiny instruments are SO cute! I still have my first violin. My 4 year old bro plays the Cello and it brings back such memories...

Do they have a group class concept for piano? For strings, you have group class once a week in addition to your private lessons...

MidwestParent · 07-09-2008, 09:36 PM

There is nothing cuter than those 1/4 size violins!

My daughters are 19 and 22 now! They both started playing when they were 3 and continued for ten or twelve years. No, there were no group lessons for piano. Just weekly private lessons, a theory class, and a monthly recital. Of course all recital pieces had to be done from memory. My younger D decided to play the violin in the school orchestra starting in the 6th grade. Around here, the schools start orchestra in the 4th grade, so she was behind. Believe it or not, we got her a private teacher who used both conventional and Suzuki method and she caught up two years of learning in about TWO MONTHS! I attribute that to her piano Suzuki training. She went on to be concermistress of her high school orchestra, the only member of the orchestra to be selected all three years she was eligible for the state orchestra and she was 3rd chair in the state orchestra her senior year. She played in both the chamber and symphony orchestras at WashU last year and loved it! And to think, it all started with "Mississippi Catfish" (not sure if that is what they call that first song in violin instruction!)!