<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>