Anonymous wrote:I know a few private school kids got off the waitlist in the last 72 hours. I agree with all of the previous comments...it's selective and seemingly getting more so. Their USNWR rank took a hit when the rankings methodology started to include FGLI metrics. It's expensive, very country club-ish vibe for better or worse. But, as someone pointed out above, it's a bit of a unicorn in combining smaller classes, D1 sports (though certainly not as good now as it once was) and an outstanding business school (I think ranked 15 by Poets and Quants).

Football team had a great season last year after a few bad ones, making it to a bowl, and winning. Agree that basketball team, a historical strength, seems a lost cause. Soccer (both genders), field hockey, and baseball always contenders. Wake also has really strong club teams, with one or two going to nationals each year, probably because so many of the kids were high school athletes. It’s definitely a school for the well rounded, as opposed to spiky, kid.

Anonymous wrote:Also curious about their ED- if apply early can you hear before other schools ED1 deadline?

For ED1, you will get result at the end of the month following the month that your complete application is filed, so kids can hear as early as the end of September or October. Over the last few cycles, have seen Wake deferring more EF1 kids to RD, especially this past fall.

I know a few private school kids got off the waitlist in the last 72 hours. I agree with all of the previous comments...it's selective and seemingly getting more so. Their USNWR rank took a hit when the rankings methodology started to include FGLI metrics. It's expensive, very country club-ish vibe for better or worse. But, as someone pointed out above, it's a bit of a unicorn in combining smaller classes, D1 sports (though certainly not as good now as it once was) and an outstanding business school (I think ranked 15 by Poets and Quants).

It sounds like your guidance counselor is saying Wake continues to increase in competitiveness and that is correct. This year saw another increase in applications, and the acceptance rate fell a few points to 18 percent. Wake has the unicorn medium size with really small class sizes, professors that not only teach but are interested in mentoring students, fun spectator sports and a very social, pre-professional student body.

Anonymous wrote:The have an ED0 or some sort of alternative early round where you hear before Nov 1st. It is not even close to the stats of Duke or Emory.

At our academically rigorous private, Emory takes from the same part of the class as Wake, guesstimate top 20-40 percent of class. Wake remains far more popular than Emory due to sports culture and perceived better social scene, Duke is obviously much more competitive.

Anonymous wrote:Our counselor told us it is a high reach and the next "Emory, Duke etc." and we thought based on the ranks it was more attainable. Curious about experience applying. A was surprised a few kids who applied from our public school did not get in but maybe the waitlist will move?

Possibly true at your school but not true in general.

Since Wake has been test optional for well over a decade, they have a big preference for schools they know are academically rigorous. That is why admissions appears “easier” from top privates. That said, they are trying to increase economic diversity and first gen, although that focus seems to be strongest for North Carolina public schools. Applying early decision is definitely an advantage and they do take some kids from the wait list every year as they do not yield protect in RD.

Anonymous wrote:Yes - I think they have a very early rolling ED round so you can be in very early - not sure if it is before other ED deadlines though.

yes, one girl at our private school (standard student, not recruited athlete) got her ED acceptance by end-September. she was studying "entrepreneurial studies".

The have an ED0 or some sort of alternative early round where you hear before Nov 1st. It is not even close to the stats of Duke or Emory.

Yes - I think they have a very early rolling ED round so you can be in very early - not sure if it is before other ED deadlines though.

Also curious about their ED- if apply early can you hear before other schools ED1 deadline?

Our fairly small private gets a few kids in a year. Not sure of their metrics but they seem like smart kids but not the elite.

I think it is fine. If someone is hoping for Duke lite they will be underwhelmed. Nice, smart kids but not the depth of intellect as top schools. Much bigger influence from frats than I expected - it seemed very binary between Greek and non-Greek. Plenty of kids working hard but quite a few who were coasting.

Our public has not had much success with Wake. One admit in the last three years. Probably 40 total applicants. ED and class president. Strong grades but SAT scores weren't the greatest. Probably went TO.

Anonymous wrote:Our counselor told us it is a high reach and the next "Emory, Duke etc." and we thought based on the ranks it was more attainable. Curious about experience applying. A was surprised a few kids who applied from our public school did not get in but maybe the waitlist will move?

No, not even close at our private (outside DMV). It's not Elon, but it's definitely a few tiers below Duke in terms of how hard it is to get in. Students who enrol at Wake at our school do not even apply to Duke, or if they do, they don't even get waitlisted unless legacy. It's a comparable admit to Tulane at our HS, especially if you do ED.

Note: You do need to show clear, demonstrated interest! And there's numerous ways you can do that - EA or ED, visit, do the summer program, virtual events, meet the rep in your school/area, write essays carefully, ask to attend a class, interact with admissions, etc.

Our counselor told us it is a high reach and the next "Emory, Duke etc." and we thought based on the ranks it was more attainable. Curious about experience applying. A was surprised a few kids who applied from our public school did not get in but maybe the waitlist will move?