Don't lose hope. My son is a freshman this year and was admitted from the waitlist in May. We know a 2023 graduate, who was also admitted from the waitlist.

My son was an A/B student in public middle school and scored an 80 on the HSPT. He's an athlete but wasn't recruited. He worked hard very hard on his essay and sent a follow up interest email after he was waitlisted. He loves Gonzaga and we're very happy with our decision to send him there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No sure what the applicant pool was but my DS coming from K-8 catholic, he is catholic, A student high HSPT Math bit lower for reading good essay and WL. Very surprised. From Classmates 8 boys applied from his school only 1 got in but they have a sibling already at Gonzaga. Hope we get off the WL

That's very disheartening to hear. I have a DS who will apply next year, all 90+ grades but doesn't test well and will most likely be in the 60-70 HSPT range. Even coming from a K-8 now I worry he's got no shot.

I am extrapolating from a sample of one but my sense is that Gonzaga places less weight on HSPT and grades than other schools. Relatively more important is a pattern of extra-curricular activities that demonstrate a commitment to Gonzaga values and which provide leadership and community service opportunities. The activities our son was doing throughout middle school made him a great fit for the school and this helped him overcome weaknesses in the rest of his packet.

Anonymous wrote:No sure what the applicant pool was but my DS coming from K-8 catholic, he is catholic, A student high HSPT Math bit lower for reading good essay and WL. Very surprised. From Classmates 8 boys applied from his school only 1 got in but they have a sibling already at Gonzaga. Hope we get off the WL

That's very disheartening to hear. I have a DS who will apply next year, all 90+ grades but doesn't test well and will most likely be in the 60-70 HSPT range. Even coming from a K-8 now I worry he's got no shot.

Anonymous wrote:DS is a recent Gonzaga grad -- played rugby for 2 years. He loves the sport, fun group of guys and continues to play intramural in college. However, a lot of guys play freshman year. Playing time may be limited. It is a product of its success and a successful program with national championships. After the first year it is competitive. Go in eyes wide open.....attend the summer camp to get exposure to basic skills

Agree. My DS plays rugby at Gonzaga and it's uber competitive. And add the disappointment of not being invited to the international rugby tour. And as you know, there's 2 Varsity teams but even then, both are only the best of the best - 2nd and 3rd string aren't going to play in the high profile matches, e.g. St. Johns or DeMatha.

And for those boys who want to up their rugby skills in hopes to play varsity at Gonzaga, rugby summer 7s teams are benefical. Minutemen in Bethesda and Alexandria Rugby are both good choices for the DMV.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No sure what the applicant pool was but my DS coming from K-8 catholic, he is catholic, A student high HSPT Math bit lower for reading good essay and WL. Very surprised. From Classmates 8 boys applied from his school only 1 got in but they have a sibling already at Gonzaga. Hope we get off the WL

I’m sorry to hear this. DS’s k-8 had a tough year a few cycles ago but 4 of 12 were accepted — 2 siblings and 2 95+HSPT/all As. One boy did get off the waitlist. I’d definitely have DS write a short letter if he’s still interested.

Already had to write an essay. Not writing any begging letter.

You can’t hope to get off the WL and then refuse to do the one thing that will help you get in. If they know for certain you will accept if offered, that is a huge plus.

This and I’m envisioning a very short, 2-3 sentence email expressing his (written by DS) continued desire to attend. Not a whole new essay at all.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No sure what the applicant pool was but my DS coming from K-8 catholic, he is catholic, A student high HSPT Math bit lower for reading good essay and WL. Very surprised. From Classmates 8 boys applied from his school only 1 got in but they have a sibling already at Gonzaga. Hope we get off the WL

I’m sorry to hear this. DS’s k-8 had a tough year a few cycles ago but 4 of 12 were accepted — 2 siblings and 2 95+HSPT/all As. One boy did get off the waitlist. I’d definitely have DS write a short letter if he’s still interested.

Already had to write an essay. Not writing any begging letter.

You can’t hope to get off the WL and then refuse to do the one thing that will help you get in. If they know for certain you will accept if offered, that is a huge plus.

DS is a recent Gonzaga grad -- played rugby for 2 years. He loves the sport, fun group of guys and continues to play intramural in college. However, a lot of guys play freshman year. Playing time may be limited. It is a product of its success and a successful program with national championships. After the first year it is competitive. Go in eyes wide open.....attend the summer camp to get exposure to basic skills

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No sure what the applicant pool was but my DS coming from K-8 catholic, he is catholic, A student high HSPT Math bit lower for reading good essay and WL. Very surprised. From Classmates 8 boys applied from his school only 1 got in but they have a sibling already at Gonzaga. Hope we get off the WL

I’m sorry to hear this. DS’s k-8 had a tough year a few cycles ago but 4 of 12 were accepted — 2 siblings and 2 95+HSPT/all As. One boy did get off the waitlist. I’d definitely have DS write a short letter if he’s still interested.

Already had to write an essay. Not writing any begging letter.

For college, it's called a 'letter of continued interest' and if you truly want to be considered you write it. It's become very common in the college landscape with deferrals and waitlisting happening at much much higher rates. This is when you suck up your pride and have the kid write it if it is truly his first choice.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No sure what the applicant pool was but my DS coming from K-8 catholic, he is catholic, A student high HSPT Math bit lower for reading good essay and WL. Very surprised. From Classmates 8 boys applied from his school only 1 got in but they have a sibling already at Gonzaga. Hope we get off the WL

I’m sorry to hear this. DS’s k-8 had a tough year a few cycles ago but 4 of 12 were accepted — 2 siblings and 2 95+HSPT/all As. One boy did get off the waitlist. I’d definitely have DS write a short letter if he’s still interested.

Already had to write an essay. Not writing any begging letter.

Well there's your answer. I'm sure he'll find his place.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No sure what the applicant pool was but my DS coming from K-8 catholic, he is catholic, A student high HSPT Math bit lower for reading good essay and WL. Very surprised. From Classmates 8 boys applied from his school only 1 got in but they have a sibling already at Gonzaga. Hope we get off the WL

I’m sorry to hear this. DS’s k-8 had a tough year a few cycles ago but 4 of 12 were accepted — 2 siblings and 2 95+HSPT/all As. One boy did get off the waitlist. I’d definitely have DS write a short letter if he’s still interested.

Already had to write an essay. Not writing any begging letter.

Anonymous wrote:No sure what the applicant pool was but my DS coming from K-8 catholic, he is catholic, A student high HSPT Math bit lower for reading good essay and WL. Very surprised. From Classmates 8 boys applied from his school only 1 got in but they have a sibling already at Gonzaga. Hope we get off the WL

I’m sorry to hear this. DS’s k-8 had a tough year a few cycles ago but 4 of 12 were accepted — 2 siblings and 2 95+HSPT/all As. One boy did get off the waitlist. I’d definitely have DS write a short letter if he’s still interested.

Anonymous wrote:No sure what the applicant pool was but my DS coming from K-8 catholic, he is catholic, A student high HSPT Math bit lower for reading good essay and WL. Very surprised. From Classmates 8 boys applied from his school only 1 got in but they have a sibling already at Gonzaga. Hope we get off the WL

This is not a common result if you are at a feeder school.

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone with sons at Gonzaga talk about the experience for a kid who is not sporty, or who's sports-curious but not an experienced player. Are there teams or clubs that might be welcoming to someone with little prior organized athletic experience?

Rugby
Cross country

Anonymous wrote:No sure what the applicant pool was but my DS coming from K-8 catholic, he is catholic, A student high HSPT Math bit lower for reading good essay and WL. Very surprised. From Classmates 8 boys applied from his school only 1 got in but they have a sibling already at Gonzaga. Hope we get off the WL

I believe that from my kids catholic feeder school, just about every boy applied (20ish?), 9 accepted, with a couple of WL. I think only 1 accepted is not going there.

Anonymous wrote:No sure what the applicant pool was but my DS coming from K-8 catholic, he is catholic, A student high HSPT Math bit lower for reading good essay and WL. Very surprised. From Classmates 8 boys applied from his school only 1 got in but they have a sibling already at Gonzaga. Hope we get off the WL

Sorry to hear that. Applicant pool was big. 800.