<p>I was wondering what my chances were of gaining admission to Vanderbilt. By the time I graduate I would have taken 6 AP courses and the rest honors classes. My UW GPA is 4.0 so I figure my weighted is much higher. I've only taken the SAT once and have already registered for a second test and am practicing hard to raise my scores, which I am confident can happen, but for now I have 560 critical (very low i know), 640 math, 630 writing. I have never been a great test taker but my transcript certainly places me in the top 10 students of 350 at a demanding private school. </p>
<p>Additonally, I really am one of the most involved students in my school. I am an active member of SADD, ProLife, Social Concerns, Youth Group, and an advanced academic program in which I tutored inner-city kids in hopes of them attaining higher learning opportunities. I have also been a Homeroom Representative for four years and a Student Council member for my entire high school career. On student council I am even on the executive board and have served as recording secretary and executive vice president. I was also a Model UN delegate, and have worked at the RI State House as a Senate Page for over a year. </p>
<p>Furthermore, I am sure my essays and recommendations will be adequate and strengthened by my rising junior and senior summers in which I volunteered at my Church, went on the Global Young Leaders Conference, and attended a week of HOBY training. I have even volunteered at Bryant University in the health services department, which will support my desire to go PreMed. </p>
<p>I know my test scores need work, but I feel as if I have a very strong transcript to send Vanderbilt. (I have also won many awards involving honors, NHS,Spanish Placement, leadership, student of the month (4 times!), etc.)However, when it comes to applying to college I always feel as if I am second guessing myself. Do I have a shot at getting in to the university, what are my chances, and if they are not high is it a waste to apply? I am really looking for honest opinions and any suggestions at all would be so helpful. Thank you!</p>
<p>Thank you for your interest in such a great school, academy09. As you may have guessed, your credentials will make you a viable candidate for admission to Vanderbilt. It is crucial however, academy09, that you remember to continue working hard and raising the bar ever higher. Certain factors for admission are all weighed highly, academy09, so remember to focus super duper hard on essays, standardized tests, and overall character. Good luck in the college search academy09 and best of luck.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt is pretty holistic but your test scores are way too low. My advice to you would be to abandon the SAT, and start practicing the ACT.</p>
<p>I agree. Try the ACT as many times as you can before you apply. Then only send the highest test score ( either SAT or ACT). I would also re-take the SAT. You really need to bring up those scores.</p>
<p>That's good advice. Those SAT scores are really low for a top-flight school, but a lot of people who don't do well on the SAT have much better ACT scores.</p>
<p>I don't think you're in bad shape. Just work on the test scores, and try out the ACT. Everything else looks really good.</p>
<p>it is unfortunate that the standard tests count for as much as they do in the admissions process; it doesn't tell a lot about a person. that may be why there are a lot of unqualified people at vanderbilt...you've got a good shot but to be safe when playing by their rules you should probably take the tests again.</p>
<p>and to above, it doesn't matter which sat score you send, they superscore them (i.e. they take the highest of each score). also, if you try to send a newer score without the older score, the old one will still show up</p>
<p>Vandy superscores? We were told they did not? Do you know this 100% positively?</p>
<p>You should definitely take the act. I took it on a whim, only buying the practice book 1 week before the exam and I got a 33. My guidance counselor said that the sat is a better test for kids who are good test takers, and that the act is a better test for kids who are good students.</p>
<p>^^your counselor is giving bad advice. I know plenty of "good students" who aced the SAT. Statistically, most kids do equally well (or poorly) on both tests, but some do much better on one or the other (which is why colleges don't have a preference).</p>
<p>The tests are just different -- the SAT has more reasoning problems, which tests a different type of intelligence (there are multiple types). Offering only a few reasoning-style math problems, the ACT is more straightforward, but requires speed. While the so-called science section also offers reasoning, it requires (almost) zero science knowledge, just the ability to speed read graphs and tables. Thus, you need to be more than a "good student" -- you need to be good and FAST.</p>
<p>Concur with your recommendation to the OP. Pick up the ACT redbook and take a practice test at home. Or, standby next Saturday. With score choice, you have nothing to lose (except $40 + 3 hours).</p>
<p>i am fairly certain; i'll check on it again</p>
<p>Vandy superscores the SAT (and will continue to do so when the SAT score reporting service changes in March 2009). They do NOT superscore the ACT- they only take the highest composite score.</p>