Great non-academics enough?

Colleges & Universities Washington University in St. Louis
1

<p>I’m posting this for a friend who is trying to decide where she should apply:</p>

<p>I was thinking she might have a chance at schools like Vanderbilt, Duke, Emory, Wake Forest, etc Just because of her circumstances – she is low-income and is basically looking for the best school where she can get into and go to for free (good need-based aid) so if you know of any schools that might work please let me know!</p>

<p>I know her stats aren’t great, but was thinking that her non-academics might make up for it:</p>

<p>African-American Female
From a rural & poor town in SC: school sends kids to top schools once every 5 or so years
3 sport varsity athlete: Volleyball, Basketball, and Track (though probably not good enough to be recruited)
Works 35+ hours per week
Unweighted GPA: 3.8
Weighted GPA: 4.2
SAT: (what kind of score would she need to be competitive?) What if she had: Math 600, CR 600, W 600?<br>
Rank: 35 out of 350</p>

2

<p>600, 600, 600 would not be competitive at all for any of those schools. I would go for at least 700, 700, 700 for a URM although preferably higher.</p>

3

<p>Considering that she works 35 hours a week, I say she should shoot for the stars.</p>

4

<p>I’m attending Wash U (2014) and didn’t have amazing ECs or academics. </p>

<p>I think my stats were something like (it’s amazing how little these things matter once you get into college):</p>

<p>3.75 gpa UW
ACT: 30, both times
SAT: 1910 composite (dont remember individuals, i did score highest in critical reading)</p>

<p>Freshman mentoring program, 1yr
Class vice prez, 3 yrs
3.75 cumulative GPA</p>

<p>If she works that much she could have a chance. They really look at potential (and likelihood of reaching that potential) and personality. Your friend should apply for the Ervin scholars program.</p>

5

<p>[Which</a> Colleges Claim to Meet Students’ Full Financial Need? - US News and World Report](<a href=“http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2011/02/16/which-colleges-claim-to-meet-students-full-financial-need]Which”>http://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/2011/02/16/which-colleges-claim-to-meet-students-full-financial-need)</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.kiplinger.com/tools/privatecolleges/[/url]”>Kiplinger | Personal Finance News, Investing Advice, Business Forecasts;

<p>Above are two lists, US News 63 colleges that claim to meet 100% of need and Kiplinger’s Best Value in Colleges.</p>

<p>Look for some schools that aren’t Ivy or “New Ivy” (like WUSTL) that might be more eager to grant admission to a student with good grades and good test scores. Try the ACT as well as SAT. Some people do better on one test vs. the other.</p>

<p>At a WUSTL presentation we attended they stressed the importance of the academic record – GPA as well as the academic rigor of the high school and the student’s class selection (honors, AP classes, etc. to show the student will push herself).</p>

6

<p>Her ‘stats’ do not qualify her for preferential treatment for top notch schools. There are many students who are minorities, work full time, are from impoverished areas, etc yet their grades and scores are where they need to be - not saying it’s easy but these are the students who deserve the spots at top schools. </p>

<p>Going to a top school where you got in because of something other than academics will do no favors for your friend when she cannot compete academically with the other students. While I admire her for wanting to succeed and a good school can certainly open doors, it seems reality has not set in based on her scores and the schools you’ve listed. I’d recommend going to a good school where she qualifies and either transfer when she’s proven her grades are up to par or go to a great graduate school.</p>