2015-2016 Washington University in St. Louis Application Thread

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nholaday said:
I'm still waiting from mid September! Hopefully they'll continue calling people next week and we'll hear back
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From what Dean Ratts said on interview day, their timing didn't sound super systematic so I wouldn't worry too much yet everyone. Who knows, maybe it just has to do with interviewer schedules etc.
 
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Anyone know if the admissions office will be working at least part of next week?
 
When I was there last week the office employees were saying they only got a couple days off for Christmas. I doubt any meetings or admissions decisions will occur, but I'd imagine they have someone there to answer a phone call through Wednesday...
 
zedsdead said:
I won't be at my home address for a few weeks, does the acceptance letter have anything time sensitive? e.g. "sign and mail this back within _ weeks" or something similar?
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There's a form you have to sign (it's their "intent to matriculate" form, but as I'm sure you know it's absolutely not binding!) and return within two weeks of the date of the letter. I'd go ahead and drop a line via their WUMSCOA email address to let them know you intend to hold your spot and that you will send the form when you return.
 
When is the earliest we could be hearing about being waitlisted?
 
My guess is they are asking for permission to publish your name as admitted student to to other admitted students.
 
texasvandy said:
My guess is they are asking for permission to publish your name as admitted student to to other admitted students.
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yeah like maybe creating a packet of information for orientation about like "here are your classmates!" with basic information and such
 
to those accepted: if you're willing to share, what's your self-assessment of your Wash U interview? Curious as to how Wash U might weigh the interview vs. other application materials in admissions decisions, particularly for those admitted early. Not that interviewees are always the best judge of their own performance, of course...
 
I thought my interview was average for all of the ones I've been to, both of the interviewers liked me well enough and asked me a lot about my research but it's not like I meshed with them super well or anything. I do have pretty high stats which I know they like and I'd say I'm a decently normal human being and I have a good friend that goes there which they seemed to like so I think it was more fit than a stellar interview. Oh I also bonded over not premed stuff like food and hiking and talked with both my interviewers about their personal lives and families a bit. They were both pretty long interviews maybe 45-1 hour. Ok in retrospect I guess it was a pretty good interview but I didn't leave thinking I nailed it which is the point I'm trying to make.

Tldr: decent interview but think I was more just the type of applicant they're looking for

ohnotornadooo said:
to those accepted, what's your self-assessment of your Wash U interview? Curious as to how Wash U might weigh the interview vs. other application materials in admissions decisions, particularly for those admitted early. Not that interviewees are always the best judge of their own performance, of course...
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thought my
 
ohnotornadooo said:
to those accepted: if you're willing to share, what's your self-assessment of your Wash U interview? Curious as to how Wash U might weigh the interview vs. other application materials in admissions decisions, particularly for those admitted early. Not that interviewees are always the best judge of their own performance, of course...
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I agree with dreamer. While I did feel like I had pretty good rapport with my interviewer, I didn't leave feeling awesome. It was one interview, very short (~30m), and I was kind of nervous (one of my first interviews). Our conversation was mostly about factual things like lab experience (no tough questions) and they seemed interested in how my research would fit into an area they are trying to expand at Wash U. My stats are above their average LizzyM and I have also spent time in St Louis so I get the feeling that fit was a factor.
 
dreamer659 said:
I thought my interview was average for all of the ones I've been to, both of the interviewers liked me well enough and asked me a lot about my research but it's not like I meshed with them super well or anything. I do have pretty high stats which I know they like and I'd say I'm a decently normal human being and I have a good friend that goes there which they seemed to like so I think it was more fit than a stellar interview. Oh I also bonded over not premed stuff like food and hiking and talked with both my interviewers about their personal lives and families a bit. They were both pretty long interviews maybe 45-1 hour. Ok in retrospect I guess it was a pretty good interview but I didn't leave thinking I nailed it which is the point I'm trying to make.

Tldr: decent interview but think I was more just the type of applicant they're looking for


thought my
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p0gono said:
I agree with dreamer. While I did feel like I had pretty good rapport with my interviewer, I didn't leave feeling awesome. It was one interview, very short (~30m), and I was kind of nervous (one of my first interviews). Our conversation was mostly about factual things like lab experience (no tough questions) and they seemed interested in how my research would fit into an area they are trying to expand at Wash U. My stats are above their average LizzyM and I have also spent time in St Louis so I get the feeling that fit was a factor.
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Thank you both!! These are very comforting data points : ) left my interview feeling it could have gone better, so glad to hear to admission is possible without a perfect 10/10
 
So my impression thus far is that acceptances have sort of just been trickling out to a few applicants here or there. Does anyone know from past experience if there is a time that WashU starts to really ramp up acceptances in batches? I interviewed three months ago now and kinda want to know how many more months I should expect to wait before hearing something haha
 
panda16 said:
So my impression thus far is that acceptances have sort of just been trickling out to a few applicants here or there. Does anyone know from past experience if there is a time that WashU starts to really ramp up acceptances in batches? I interviewed three months ago now and kinda want to know how many more months I should expect to wait before hearing something haha
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Patience, Daniel-san.

You'll find out when you find out. There is zero way to gauge when YOU specifically will receive notification if they choose to accept you, so no use in worrying about it at all.
 
NotWayneBrady said:
Patience, Daniel-san.

You'll find out when you find out. There is zero way to gauge when YOU specifically will receive notification if they choose to accept you, so no use in worrying about it at all.
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Hah if there's one personal value that has been nearly exhausted by the application process, it is patience. Thanks for the friendly reminder tho. 🙂 haha it's a lot more difficult when you're on break and have nothing to distract you...
 
panda16 said:
Hah if there's one personal value that has been nearly exhausted by the application process, it is patience. Thanks for the friendly reminder tho. 🙂 haha it's a lot more difficult when you're on break and have nothing to distract you...
Click to expand...

Sooooo true
 
panda16 said:
Hah if there's one personal value that has been nearly exhausted by the application process, it is patience. Thanks for the friendly reminder tho. 🙂 haha it's a lot more difficult when you're on break and have nothing to distract you...
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I keep sitting here thinking, my stats didn't really give me a good reason to be blessed with an interview here. We all know I have virtually no shot at getting in, so let's cut the chase early...but then I think, hell no! I'd give my left @&! to go here, so let's keep the hope burning!
 
panda16 said:
Hah if there's one personal value that has been nearly exhausted by the application process, it is patience. Thanks for the friendly reminder tho. 🙂 haha it's a lot more difficult when you're on break and have nothing to distract you...
Click to expand...

Useful counters for "have nothing to distract you":

Physical Activity / Outdoors
Hiking (If weather permits.)
Run until you stop thinking about it.
Pushups until you stop thinking about it.
Ride a bike until you stop thinking about it.
Swim laps until you stop thinking about it.

Skills
Learn origami.
Learn home-row typing.
Learn how to cook something.
Learn some fancy cocktails (>21yo only of course).
Learn how to build a computer (<- I just did this one, it was a blast).
Learn how to sew, fix all your beat up old clothes if you have them.
Learn about investing strategies.
Practice a foreign language.

Productivity
Clean until you stop thinking about it.
Volunteer opportunities are everywhere!

Entertainment
I think the steam sale is still going, right? I recommend these:
  • Dark Souls 2
  • Fallout 3 / New Vegas
  • Portal 2
  • Bioshock (any)
  • Ori and the Blind Forest
  • Child of Light
  • Borderlands 2
  • Mass Effect 1/2/3
  • Bastion (<-- My personal favorite)
  • Witcher 3 (Thanks BphysDoc)
  • Metal Gear Solid - Not sure if the whole series is on steam... but my favorites are Guns of the Patriots and Sons of Liberty. (Thanks BphysDoc).
  • Battle Block Theater, and TONS of other things for as low as 3 bucks.

Reading
Zen Mind: Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
Quantum and the Lotus by Matthieu Ricard
Stiff by Mary Roach
Death's Acre by Bill Bass/Jon Jefferson
Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin

Edit: This is a hard one but I've always wanted to try it: teach yourself how to lucid dream.
 
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NotWayneBrady said:
Useful counters for "have nothing to distract you":

Physical Activity / Outdoors
Hiking (If weather permits.)
Run until you stop thinking about it.
Pushups until you stop thinking about it.
Ride a bike until you stop thinking about it.
Swim laps until you stop thinking about it.

Skills
Learn origami.
Learn home-row typing.
Learn how to cook something.
Learn some fancy cocktails (>21yo only of course).
Learn how to build a computer (<- I just did this one, it was a blast).
Learn how to sew, fix all your beat up old clothes if you have them.
Learn about investing strategies.
Practice a foreign language.

Productivity
Clean until you stop thinking about it.
Volunteer opportunities are everywhere!

Entertainment
I think the steam sale is still going, right? I recommend these:
  • Dark Souls 2
  • Fallout 3 / New Vegas
  • Portal 2
  • Bioshock (any)
  • Ori and the Blind Forest
  • Child of Light
  • Borderlands 2
  • Mass Effect 1/2/3
  • Bastion (<-- My personal favorite)
  • Battle Block Theater, and TONS of other things for as low as 3 bucks.

Reading
Zen Mind: Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
Quantum and the Lotus by Matthieu Ricard
Stiff by Mary Roach
Death's Acre by Bill Bass/Jon Jefferson
Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin
Click to expand...



No Witcher 3/ Fifa or MGS ?!!
 
NotWayneBrady said:
Useful counters for "have nothing to distract you":

Physical Activity / Outdoors
Hiking (If weather permits.)
Run until you stop thinking about it.
Pushups until you stop thinking about it.
Ride a bike until you stop thinking about it.
Swim laps until you stop thinking about it.

Skills
Learn origami.
Learn home-row typing.
Learn how to cook something.
Learn some fancy cocktails (>21yo only of course).
Learn how to build a computer (<- I just did this one, it was a blast).
Learn how to sew, fix all your beat up old clothes if you have them.
Learn about investing strategies.
Practice a foreign language.

Productivity
Clean until you stop thinking about it.
Volunteer opportunities are everywhere!

Entertainment
I think the steam sale is still going, right? I recommend these:
  • Dark Souls 2
  • Fallout 3 / New Vegas
  • Portal 2
  • Bioshock (any)
  • Ori and the Blind Forest
  • Child of Light
  • Borderlands 2
  • Mass Effect 1/2/3
  • Bastion (<-- My personal favorite)
  • Witcher 3 (Thanks BphysDoc)
  • Metal Gear Solid - Not sure if the whole series is on steam... but my favorites are Guns of the Patriots and Sons of Liberty. (Thanks BphysDoc).
  • Battle Block Theater, and TONS of other things for as low as 3 bucks.

Reading
Zen Mind: Beginners Mind by Shunryu Suzuki
Quantum and the Lotus by Matthieu Ricard
Stiff by Mary Roach
Death's Acre by Bill Bass/Jon Jefferson
Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin

Edit: This is a hard one but I've always wanted to try it: teach yourself how to lucid dream.
Click to expand...

The cocktail one has been very, very fun to do this break haha. And the fitness one. I tried to ramp up lucid dreaming a couple of years ago, it never worked haha.

Oh also watching House Of Cards has been wonderful
 
padfootmd said:
Is WashU known for rejecting post-interview?
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Odd question. Everyone rejects some people post-interview. "Known for" is a difficult thing to pin down. Closest thing you have to go off of is interviewed vs. matriculated numbers, and those can be difficult to find (not to mention it's like reading tea-leaves, so it's pretty much useless for judging your chances).
 
Hi all!

So I have an interview coming up and I decided to stay an extra day in St. Louis to explore the city. I was wondering if anyone knows where I should stay! Is there a younger neighborhood I can wander around in or grab a bite/drink? Thanks for the help!
 
Anyone know when final decisions for WashU comes out? Just trying to update an excel file so I know what's happening where 🙂
 
just_another_sarah said:
Hi all!

So I have an interview coming up and I decided to stay an extra day in St. Louis to explore the city. I was wondering if anyone knows where I should stay! Is there a younger neighborhood I can wander around in or grab a bite/drink? Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...
Do you mean staying an additional night and leaving the next day in the evening? Because I did that by staying an extra night in Olin and it was super cheap, like 50 dollars.
 
panda16 said:
Do you mean staying an additional night and leaving the next day in the evening? Because I did that by staying an extra night in Olin and it was super cheap, like 50 dollars.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I meant an additional night after the interview. Ok, that sounds awesome! I wanted to find a hotel in a pretty central location but then I realized I don't know anything about St. Louis or its neighborhoods haha. Thanks!
 
just_another_sarah said:
Yeah, I meant an additional night after the interview. Ok, that sounds awesome! I wanted to find a hotel in a pretty central location but then I realized I don't know anything about St. Louis or its neighborhoods haha. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Use AirBNB! I always use it when I'm traveling. And if you want excellent dinner (and a great treat) try Blood and Sand downtown, exclusive restaurant, but they will fit you in if you're traveling. Also, Pappy's Smokehouse is superb (and much less expensive)
 
NotWayneBrady said:
Odd question. Everyone rejects some people post-interview. "Known for" is a difficult thing to pin down. Closest thing you have to go off of is interviewed vs. matriculated numbers, and those can be difficult to find (not to mention it's like reading tea-leaves, so it's pretty much useless for judging your chances).
Click to expand...

It's actually a valid question. We tend to not reject many people post-interview. I knew it used to be "25-50-25" for the ratio of accept-waitlist-reject, but I think recently those rejects are ending up waitlisted. Very few people seem to be rejected post-interview.

just_another_sarah said:
Hi all!

So I have an interview coming up and I decided to stay an extra day in St. Louis to explore the city. I was wondering if anyone knows where I should stay! Is there a younger neighborhood I can wander around in or grab a bite/drink? Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

Definitely spend a day if you can. The Central West End (where WUSM is) is a fairly vibrant young professional neighborhood with good food/drink options. And you can easily catch the metro to downtown if you want to check out the Arch or do other sightseeing.

bearintraining said:
Anyone know when final decisions for WashU comes out? Just trying to update an excel file so I know what's happening where 🙂
Click to expand...

Pretty much any time between now and March. There is no real set date like other schools.
 
Amba said:
It's actually a valid question. We tend to not reject many people post-interview. I knew it used to be "25-50-25" for the ratio of accept-waitlist-reject, but I think recently those rejects are ending up waitlisted. Very few people seem to be rejected post-interview.
Click to expand...

Yep my bad, I misread it the first time through. Apologies @padfootmd .
 
just_another_sarah said:
Yeah, I meant an additional night after the interview. Ok, that sounds awesome! I wanted to find a hotel in a pretty central location but then I realized I don't know anything about St. Louis or its neighborhoods haha. Thanks!
Click to expand...
Would definitely reccomend just staying in Olin an extra night because it's cheap lol. The metrolink can get you to other places in St. Louis iirc.
 
spartan25 said:
Check out Urban Chestnut brewery if you like craft beer.
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Went there after my interview day! Lots of space, a huge bar, and great selection. Tried both of the IPAs they had on tap and they were fantastic.
 
NotWayneBrady said:
Odd question. Everyone rejects some people post-interview. "Known for" is a difficult thing to pin down. Closest thing you have to go off of is interviewed vs. matriculated numbers, and those can be difficult to find (not to mention it's like reading tea-leaves, so it's pretty much useless for judging your chances).
Click to expand...


I think s/he means do they reject around the same time they accept people from your interview date or are they silent until April or so.
 
NYCPremed333 said:
I think s/he means do they reject around the same time they accept people from your interview date or are they silent until April or so.
Click to expand...

Amba said:
It's actually a valid question. We tend to not reject many people post-interview. I knew it used to be "25-50-25" for the ratio of accept-waitlist-reject, but I think recently those rejects are ending up waitlisted. Very few people seem to be rejected post-interview.
Click to expand...

NotWayneBrady said:
Yep my bad, I misread it the first time through. Apologies @padfootmd .
Click to expand...
 
NYCPremed333 said:
I think s/he means do they reject around the same time they accept people from your interview date or are they silent until April or so.
Click to expand...

Also they said that they'd notify you as soon as any decision was made, so I think that means they'd tell you right away if you were waitlisted, rejected, etc as opposed to just deferring your application.
 
belieber500 said:
Also they said that they'd notify you as soon as any decision was made, so I think that means they'd tell you right away if you were waitlisted, rejected, etc as opposed to just deferring your application.
Click to expand...

Unless Dean Ratts has changed something, this is not true. All waitlist notifications (and rejections) have traditionally come out in March. Acceptances come out sporadically before then.
 
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