<p>Thanks... that's probably the most hopeful thing I've heard. You've really lifted my spirits. Not that I don't still want a 30+, but still...</p>
<p>I got in ED with a 30 composite. I only took the ACT once and decided I was happy enough with my score to stick with it.</p>
<p>I know what you mean, I would definetly aim for 30+ but it's good to know that even 28's can get in.</p>
<p>I got a 35. What percent of 35's do you think are accepted regular decision barring all other variables? But for the record I am like top 4% and have decent EC's.</p>
<p>it is still fairly high, but i do know of two people who got waitlisted with a 35. good luck and you should be fine.</p>
<p>whodunnit</p>
<p>Was there anything strikingly bad about the applications of the people with the 35s?</p>
<p>Yes, I did just hear today from someone who got into Vanderbilt that if the application was bad, or the application essays, then they were waitlisted or not excepted etc.</p>
<p>s'vrone, not particularly. if you have someone with a 35 on the act, then you would assume that with effort they would be near the top of one's class(at a normal school) and their grades did not necessarily correlate with this(top 20-30%). Who knows really, maybe they didn't do enough on the application or whatever, either way they're still going to good schools and everyone's happy. </p>
<p>vandyhopeful - your statement could be said for any school, good or bad.</p>
<p>I got a 33 on my ACT,</p>
<p>I got a 33 and accepted ED. Didn't get any money from Vanderbilt other than need-based either. It seems consistent from everything I've heard that ED applicants did not get merit-based money.</p>
<p>ED applicants are not offered any merit money, since Vandy has no need to try to pull them in (persuade them to choose Vandy over the other schools)...they are already bound to go there. (Having a little bit of regret about applying ED myself....). So, if you think that you'll need the merit money, maybe ED isn't the way to go.</p>
<p>you can have the best stats in the world-- and you come pretty close, congratulations--but the essay becomes very important and your recs will weigh heavily also. ECs will also be a factor.</p>
<p>Make sure you ask your teachers--i really want to go to Vandy and I need a rec that will wow/win the adcom. If the teacher can't give you assurance, find another. You would be shocked how many teachers are oblivious to the rec and its importance. Do not let them just fill the form with check marks! They have to write an insightful rec about you!!! I've seen teachers of extremely bright kids sink an applicant because of their lukewarm, dull or boring recs--which they didn't mean to harm the kid but they don't know the competition.</p>
<p>Essays need to be succinct and interesting! You have to market yourself and you are in competition. Grab the readers eye! That means you have two sentences--maybe even one-- to capture the attention of the reader. Avoid the cliches talking about grampa inspiring you, building homes for the poor over spring break. Give some interesting tidbit about yourself that can't be captured by just looking at your stats. Have your parents/teachers read it! Tell them to be candid and rip it. Tighten it up! Write like Hemingway/journalism style. That means that most people write essays with sentences that ramble. Your sentences should be crisp and express one thought per sentence. There is a huge difference between writing an English paper and writing a journalism article.</p>
<p>ECs--just do them. Try to focus on a particular passion you have. Don't spread them too thin. General rules. They're looking for community contributions.</p>
<p>Assuming you have all those tipping points, don't forget you are competing against 10000 plus other kids. You may win, you may lose--but you have to give it your best shot. Many bright, well rounded kids lose out to the narrowly focused passionate kid. If you don't get into Vandy you will certainly get in elsewhere, just pick your alternates wisely. If you do get in, it is an awesome school. Good luck.</p>
<p>It will be interesting to see if trends develop this coming year that will be different than what Shain was doing. The head of admissions is moving to an LAC in upstate Maine (I think). He was very big on what a candidate could do to build the Vandy community.</p>
<p>LnkinPrk777,</p>
<p>I don't think a 33 will get you merit money anyways.
I had one along with strong ECs, athletics, leadership, top 1% of hs ect and got no money RD.</p>
<p>That sounds like the case then...your stats are same as mine (I was valedictorian, president of stuff, etc). If you didn't get any RD, no wonder I didn't get any ED, haha.</p>