<p>I am currently a senior in high school and only want to go to UW but I really doubt that I will. My ACT is a 23, my GPA is a 3.2, a class rank of 50, and I don’t have a incredible amount of ECs. The only thing that they may consider is my mothers death in my freshman year. Do I have any chance at all and what can I do to help me get into UW. If it matters, I would like to major in either aero engineering or computer science and minor in Japanese.</p>
<p>Your stats aren’t impressive, but that certainly doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. UW takes a holistic perspective on applying students, including the rigor of courses and other personal qualities. Even if your EC’s aren’t incredibly high, that doesn’t mean you can’t present them in a way that would impress admissions. Even if you only have a bit of volunteer experience, if it’s made an impression on you and you show that in your essay, it can really stand out. Also, I would advise you to not play up your mom’s death. I don’t mean to be insensitive at all, but it’s just that admissions wouldn’t take that into perspective except for maybe looking at grade trend if you wrote about it on your essay. One of my other friends has a similar life story and I read her essay, which was very negative and just described her circumstances in detail. I told her she needed to leave the reader impressed with her accomplishments despite her setbacks, not feeling sorry for her sad childhood. I think this could apply to you as well. Good luck, you do have a chance!</p>
<p>I’d apply anyways, but prepare to go to a community college and transfer after getting an AA. It’s best to have your bases covered. Going to community college is like getting a second chance. And you can fly through it fairly quickly if you don’t have other time obligations.</p>
<p>@h1ddden
You are certainly right. I tried to make my essay sound as positive as possible. My main theme is that although my mom was really close to me and I was really affected by her death, I am better off from it now. I also mentioned the responsibilities that came with having to take care of my younger siblings due to it as well. How would you augment that to make it sound better or does it look OK now? I appreciate your optimism as well.</p>
<p>@travelgirl
I am fully prepared to go to community college but I just don’t want to. If I do end up doing so, I will have a few friends at the UW who can help make sure that I am prepared well enough to enter being up to speed with everyone else. </p>
<p>I appreciate all of your help.</p>