<p>I took the Sat again, got a 2310. 800 Critical reading, 780 Math, 730 Writing. </p>
<p>Do I need to visit the place to show interest or will my stats be enough of a pull? I know it can’t hurt but my mom is fairly stingy with money and isn’t easy to convince.</p>
<p>Edit: Wow, I really messed up the thread title. Stressed out from touching up some Ohio State scholarship essays.</p>
<p>Don’t assume that SAT scores and grades are enough for automatic admission. Even if you can’t make a trip, you should be contacting them to obtain information about specific programs they have. Read the website pages closely in all the academic areas you might be interested in and look into all the clubs and activities that you might see yourself joining. You can write a supplemental essay explaining that you were unable to visit but express exactly why you think Washu is a fit for you, academically and socially. </p>
<p>Having looked at your link, I would say that your lack of ECs means that the adcom at WashU will not view you as a candidate likely to be admitted at an Ivy-league rival so you would be able to be convincing when expressing a strong interest in going to Washu. Merit aid scholarships tend to be awarded to those with exemplary records of EC participation and community service so if you’re looking for merit aid, then Denison and the others in your link are a better bet. </p>
<p>If your family needs merit aid to afford private college, there’s a thread at the top of the Parents Forum you should read through — colleges good for merit aid. Your high scores and grades will be attractive to many colleges, but the most selective, such as WashU, Vanderbilt, etc that offer merit aid are looking for qualifications beyond the test scores. </p>
<p>You are unfortunately going to be applying to college as one of the most competitive applicant pools in history and you’re competing with top students all over the world, not just the U.S. No one is considered a shoo-in at a top 20 college on the basis of SAT scores and grades alone.</p>
<p>I guess I am getting repetitive, but the kids seem to be missing the point of the search experience. You guys keep asking how to LOOK like a good, interested candidate instead of how to BE one. </p>
<p>The purpose of the visit isn’t to impress the admissions office; the purpose is to learn about the school. If you are seriously interested, you will WANT to visit so you can learn more. The admissions office can tell the difference.</p>
<p>Relax. Quit trying to be something you are not. Enjoy the process. There are a thousand good colleges out there (well, maybe not a thousand, but hundreds for sure). You will wind up someplace you love. Go find it! Don’t try to fit in someone else’s box; create your own!</p>
<p>I’ve heard that Wash U can reject people that it thinks are using it as a safety school. They want to keep their yield up by rejecting people that may not attend. The best way to show interest is to visit. They may offer you a free trip to visit? I don’t know, maybe call admissions and tell them you’d like to visit but don’t have the money.</p>