<p>Does WashU care about that sort of thing? Because I’m planning to name it as my first-choice if I get that National Merit finalist thing, and I’ll also visit the college sometime soon. Would that make my chances better?</p>
<p>And what would you say my current chances are?</p>
<p>Chinese male in Colorado (Born in Sichuan China, moved to Israel 1997 and then US 2001) soon-to-be-senior</p>
<p>SAT- 2180 (720 V, 740 M, 720 W)
ACT- 35 (36 E, 35 M, 36 R, 34 S)
Unweighted Cumulative GPA-3.918
Weighted - 3.998 (weird weighting system, and school has no Honors)
Freshman GPA- 3.75
Sophomore GPA - 4.0 (1 AP class + 1 “Pre-AP”)
Current GPA - 4.0 (4 AP Classes + 1 “Pre-AP” )
Rank: about 25-40 / 600</p>
<p>SAT IIs:
Chinese - 800
World History - 800
Math II - 760
Chemistry - 690</p>
<p>APs:
Statistics - 5
Human Geography - 5
US history - 5
World History (self study) -5
European History - 5
Macroeconomics -5
Microeconomics - 5
English Language(self study) - 4 </p>
<p>Next year’s classes:
AP Physics B
Cell Biology
AP English Lit
AP Government (both)
AP Calc BC
AP Psychology (online)
Computer Programming in CSU</p>
<p>ECs:
Competing for Future Business Leaders of America
Officer for Math, Engineering, Science Club
International Club Officer
NHS tutor
Studying Chinese and history privately (continously for the last 6 years or so)
200+ hourse volunteering in Public Library
150-200 hours doing experiments in Colorado State University (on plant genetics)</p>
<p>I don’t know if those are guaranteed best ways of showing interest, but WashU definitely cares more about that than some other schools; hence the large amount of seemingly qualified candidates that end up on the waitlist.</p>
<p>Yes, typically at WashU showing interest will help. Three kids applied to WashU from my school, and none of them showed that much interest, but I showed a lot of interest and got accepted while the others were wait-listed.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t immediately declare it your first choice for National Merit. Wait until you hear your other offers; stay undecided for now. It’s much easier, with NM, to go from undecided to decided than the other way around. Plus, there are better ways to show interest: do an alumni interview, go to all the info sessions at your school or in your area, and visit the campus.</p>
<p>I never expected to get many credits from the AP classes. I just wanted to make up for my lack of ECs.</p>
<p>About NM, the schools I like more than WUSTL don’t really give a crap about it, and can’t you change the choice anytime before April or something?</p>
<p>I am also interested in Wash U, and am wondering on some related advice. </p>
<p>I will not be able to visit (cause of distance) so what are some other ways to show interest. How did those of you who got accepted show interest?</p>
<p>I agree with Achil. The ONLY interest my D showed was to apply for the Lien scholarship. They weren’t at her school nor did she hear of any reps visiting the area. We’re on the west coast and she wasn’t able to visit.</p>
<p>As far as changing your first choice, it’s not hard at all. You just send in a single piece of paper. I didn’t change mine to Washu until after April, so that won’t be much of a problem.</p>
<p>Also, NM is a one-time award, but Washu offered to give me the same amount the other years too!</p>
<p>My D loves WashU. We have already visited the school. I am again asking a stupid question—How do you show interest. She is not NM to name WashU as first choice. Any ideas?</p>
<p>visit campus and do an interview, visit information sessions at school or near home, request an alumni interview, email someone to get on the mailing list (even if you already are on it), apply for scholarships</p>