A Chance at Vanderbilt?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

<p>I know these get a little redundant but I was hoping that some of you could just look at what’s below and could help me. Such as anything I should include or anything I should not include on the application and any thoughts about my chances of getting into Vanderbilt.</p>

<p>Profile:
White Male
From Chevy Chase, MD
Public High School
Graduating Class Size: 455
School does not Rank</p>

<p>Academics:
Unweighted GPA: 3.60
Weighted GPA: 4.28
ACT: 33
SAT Math: 740
SAT CR: 690
SAT Writing: 660 (at the Info Session at Vanderbilt they said they don’t consider Writing so I am not worried about that)</p>

<p>SAT II Math 2: 770
SAT II Chemistry: 790</p>

<p>APs:
AP U.S. Government: 5
AP Language and Composition: 4
AP Calculus BC: 5
AP World History: 5
AP Chemistry: 5</p>

<p>Senior Courses:
AP Literature
AP Biology
AP Physics C
AP Economics Macro/Micro
Latin I
Multivariable Calculus</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Montgomery County Science Fair freshman year (3rd Place in category Medicine and Health, United States Army 1st Award Recipient)
Montgomery County Science Fair sophomore year (1st Place in category Medicine and Health, Runner-Up to Intel International Science Fair out of over 300 participants)
Poster Presentation at the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Conference in November 2009 (was only high schooler to present a poster at this conference, everybody else were post-graduates or doctors with PHDs or Doctorates) – I sequenced a gene from malaria called CelTOS that is a very important vaccine candidate and it is very helpful to the U.S. army</p>

<p>Athletics:
Varsity Football since Sophomore year (one of only 3 sophomores on the varsity team, Will be Co-Captain this year) (30 weeks per year, 15 hours per week)
Varsity Swimming since Freshman Year</p>

<p>Work Experience:
Internship at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research every summer since freshman year (so 3 summers)
(8 weeks during the Summer for 40 hours a week) Called the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – I have developed assays and protocols for malaria, Rickettsia, and dengue fever that have helped the U.S. Army</p>

<p>Have been on Honor Roll since Freshman year.</p>

<p>So basically I have been very involved in science and research since 9th grade and that is my passion. I feel like my extracurriculars are fine because I have been committed to scientific research for the Army for 4 years. That shows my passion and commitment. And I am also committed to football since high school and being a co-captain. </p>

<p>If anyone could just give me a rough idea of how I would do with the Vanderbilt Admissions. I am definitely applying to Early Decision I and to the school of Engineering and the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering major. I feel like this would help me as well. I also have been in contact with the admissions officer from Maryland and have spoken with him several times so he knows who I am. I also know the head of the Divinity School who said he would put in a word for me to the Undergrad Admissions office. This will also help me I hope. </p>

<p>Thank you so much for anyone who could help me out. I really appreciate it. I loved Vanderbilt when I visited there and it is definitely my first choice for schools. Please</p>

2

<p>I have two children at Vandy, one in the school of engineering. Your resume looks great and I would think you have a very good chance particularly with ED. Vandy has been wonderful for my children. The only advise would be to make sure you apply to other great schools as the top colleges have become extremely selective and harder to predict. Best of luck.</p>

3

<p>Solid match. Nice resume.</p>

4

<p>If you really want to go to Vanderbilt, you’re right to apply early decision. Your GPA is good, not spectacular. A 3.6 UW shows you’ve gotten a decent number of B’s. A 1430 SAT isn’t great, I’d send in the ACT score. And while you do have extracurriculars, everyone that applies to Vandy can put together a similar list. Being a white male won’t help. You’ll probably get in early decision 1, but have backups.</p>

5

<p>Cool. Thank you guys so much. I really do appreciate it. Vanderbilt is my #1 right now but I will apply to other schools just in case. But I do have one question. At what percentage can someone put down that they are Hispanic or equivalent? I am 25%(my grandfather is fully Mexican) but I do not look like it at all. That is why I put white. If anyone knows, that would be great. Thank you so much again.</p>

6

<p>I think it is incredibly racist that it will help, but that being said, it will help. Might as well take advantage of it. 25% is enough to put Hispanic. Definitely put it on the application, that will make you almost a lock to get in ED1.</p>

7

<p>The 25% qualifies you as hispanic. While it may be unfair, this will help you get into almost every school you apply to. The 3.6 UW on its own is neither negarive or positive. The admissions staff have a good handle on what that number will mean for your school (some schools this is excellent and other shools it may be at the low end of Vandy standards). Like I said before I think your resume looks very good and with ED and now being a URM your chances are excellent.</p>

8

<p>I think your internships stand out.</p>

9

<p>Montgomery is noted nation wide for top high schools so they will factor that in re your lower GPA. My son’s grades were much higher but his high school was underperforming…they get these distinctions.
ESSAYS matter…they have many people with your stats and will not admit all of them. Apply to a college with less selectivity if you are deferred…and best wishes and best of luck.
Send in your ACT and your SATIIs. Is my advice…don’t send in your SAT. Take the ACT again in October…you never know! why not. if you really love Vandy…can’t hurt, not that a 33 is anything but super.</p>

10

<p>Faline,
Thanks so much for your advice. My high school is #3 in the state and #63 in the country. Hopefully that will help. Appreciate it.</p>