Am I out of my mind?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey everyone! I would really appreciate some honest feedback on my stats and what you think my chances are of getting in at these schools. Am I out of my mind or realistic? Thanks so much!!</p>

<p>Location: Smryna, TN
Race: White
Sex: Female
Class:Rising Senior
Class Rank: 5/375
GPA: 3.976 unweighted/ 4.5 W
First Generation
Widowed single parent family
Younger siblings
Classes:</p>

<p>Freshman: Span I - A
Physical Science - A
World History H - A 1st sem, but when I moved B (by 1 pt!) 2nd semester
Eng I - A
Alg I H - A
Wellness - A</p>

<p>Sophmore: Span II H - A
Engl II - A
Biology - A
Driver's Ed - A
Nutrition and Food - A
Alg II H - A
Prin of Business - A</p>

<p>Junior: Chem I H+ - A
Geometry H - A
Eng III - A
Virtual Enterprise - A
Drama I - A
US History - A</p>

<p>Senior - Physics AP
Chem II AP
Prec Calc H
Eng III H
Goverment/Anatomy
Drama II</p>

<p>(I will do everything in my power to make all A's Sr. yr. -- if I do, I will be Salutatorian)
(Also note: Junior yr lowest grade is 97 [only made that low once].. not sure if that counts for something)
This gives me a total of 10 Honors or above honors courses.</p>

<p>Will have a total of 5 sciences and 4 maths by end of next yr.</p>

<p>Varsity Swimming three yrs... a school record was won.</p>

<p>Job over summer and Sr yr</p>

<p>TN Governor's School 2006 (I completed two college level courses. History of Tennessee (HIST 2030) and Historical Geology (GEOL 1050) and recieved an A in both.)
TN Volunteer Girls State Delegate (won and elected a Senator's position [only 20 awarded out of 500+ girls])
Clubs by end of next yr will include: Mu Alpha Theta, National Honors Society, Student Council, Historical Society, Thesbian, Spanish, Science, Interact, Beta, Beta Epsilon </p>

<p>ACT score: First time = 27, Second time = 27 too! Everything went up several points but science, which for some reason plumated. Hopefully a 30 in Oct. I'mma get a ACT tutor and study like no other.</p>

<p>In addition, I got the lead role in a theatre preformance in Drama, and am hoping to be equally as lucky in the upcoming Musical this year.</p>

<p>Volunteer at a Nursing Home, but not the typical 100+ hours yet... I'm working on it. So little time anymore.</p>

<p>I'm good at essays, so counting on essay to be good.
Student of Month twice, Soph & Junior academic award, etc.
Major: I want to go pre-med, w/ a major of Chemistry and a minor in Psychology.</p>

<p>I'm hoping to apply EDI to Vanderbilt and EDII to John Hopkins if Vandy lets me down... is that crazy or doable?</p>

<p>Also looking strongly at:
Boston U
Tulane
Northeastern
U Chicago
U North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Although I do think I have a decent shot here)
and I have UTK (a state school) as a safty, of course.. but these are my ultimate goals. Do I have a shot?? </p>

<p>Any perspective would be greatly appreciated.</p>

2

<p>
[quote]
I'mma get a ACT tutor and study like no other.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>VandyHopeful,</p>

<p>I believe you! :) </p>

<p>What you have done, you have done very well; however, there are some obvious weaknesses to your profile. Your ACT test score is a significant weakness to an otherwise strong list of considerations for your admission to Vanderbilt. You stand out very well in your GPA and your EC's. Also, comparatively, your courseload does not appear to be as rigorous as many other applicants of high caliber. For instance, your Math during your senior year will be Pre-Calc, a course many students take as freshmen/sophomores. I don't know whether or not your H.S. offers many AP/Honors classes, but there appears to be an indifference to academic rigor. Your low test score (putting you at about the 25th percentile for Vandy's enrolled freshman class) and lack of comparative academic challenge are the two weaknesses in your background. BTW, I'm uncertain as to what Vandy's requirements are, but I see only 2 years of a foreign language -- do you know what Vandy's requirements are? Often, selective schools recommend 4 years and want to see at least 3 years. Check with your H.S. Guidance Counselor .. and also check with Vandy's Admissions Dept.</p>

<p>On the plus side, about 16% of admitted students are from Tennessee. You have some factors that may be considered, e.g., first generation college status plus oldest sibling of a single-parent family. If you write brilliant essays that bring out your personal life and the impact of your family role, I think it will help. Vandy will be a slight REACH, despite your excellent GPA and EC's. I wish you every success!</p>

<p>Reference: <a href="http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/freshman%20profile.htm%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/freshman%20profile.htm&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>ALSO:</p>

<p>Boston U - MATCH
Tulane - MATCH
Northeastern - MATCH to SAFETY
U Chicago - REACH
U North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Slight REACH</p>

3

<p>i think vandy's adcom is more holistic than just looking at dry stats. First, what is the breakdown on your ACT subsections. Look at the 25-75% ratios contained in their common data set for english and math (it is quite possible that vandy has its own equivalency table for the sat just using the english and math subsections and not using the composite).
Essays and recs will play a substantial part in the review process and you will need to capture the adcom's attention very quickly. Think in terms of what you can contribute to the Vandy community--that is probably the most important thing to emphasize.</p>

<p>I can't speak for the other schools but remember that chapel hill can only admit (iirc) 15% from out of state--very, very tough.</p>

4

<p>NorCalDad,</p>

<p>Thanks so much for responding! I really hope your right and those schools are matches... that would be ideal. Yes, the ACT is really hurting me at this point. I'm going to also take the SAT once this year just to see how I do, but I'm expecting the ACT to be my better score. However, like I said - I'll do everything humanely possible to try and raise my pathetic score that currently stands. As far as academic rigor is concerned, I was very worried about that as well. However, our school does not offer very many honors or AP classes. I believe we offer about 5 AP's, and I'm only taking two. However, some of them I couldn't take. As you can see, I'm really trying to load up my courses for the upcoming Senior year. As far as math is concerned, no one is more upset than me. I'm pretty sure the highest our school offeres in Calc - one yr above what I am currently, but it shouldn't be that way. You see, my mom likes to move a lot... on average once a year. I did 8th in Smyrna and then moved to a different city for 9th. I had already taken Alg I my 8th grade year, but my transcript was lost and I was forced to take it over again in 9th. Then, I moved halfway in the yr of 9th back to Smyrna, and obviously my transcript was there, but half of the yr had gone by and there was nothing I could do. :\
Vanderbilt does not require 3 foreign languages, but does suggest 4. I meet or exceed all of the other suggestions, but our school does not offer a 3rd yr of foreign lang because not enough people ever sign up. I have attempted to take it though.</p>

<p>Musictoad - Thanks for responding as well!! I have not been able to find that indepth of a discription of the ACT avg for Vanderbilt, as far as broken down. Only the middle 50% composite. However, mine the first time was E-29 M-23 R-29 S-26 and 2nd time E-31 M-26 R-29 S-22... Very sad.... Essays are what I am working on now. To be honest I'm not really worried about Recs. I get along extremely well with my teachers, and one of them had me last yr and I was the top student in class, and will have me again this year for two classes (Physics AP and Chem AP) etc. However, the essays aren't going as well as I'd have liked.. I have one sad paragraph written right now of only one of the three required for Vandy. I'm just so nervous, I guess. But I'm trying. I'll be sure to emphasize what I contribute.. thanks. Oh, and no.. I didn't know that about Chapel Hill... oops.</p>

<p>Thanks again guys!! Anyone else have anything to add?</p>

5

<p>VandyHopeful, I suspected that there might be extenuating circumstances to your background, and your life as a "transient student" and your role as oldest sibling may be aspects of your life that may form a theme of interest in one of your essays. Adcoms will want to hear about how you have overcome obstacles and adversity to get to where you are today. The fact that you have met the challenge -- any challenge -- that has been placed in front of you is a sure sign of a successful individual. If you can communicate something to this effect in an essay, you will further catch the adcom's attention. The fact is that you will catch their attention anyway, because of the apparent disparity between your GPA/EC's and your test scores/academic rigor. </p>

<p>Musictoad is correct in that Vanderbilt will evaluate your application on a comprehensive level. If it were just your test scores alone that is a weakness, I think you would have a stronger chance. Or if it were just academic rigor alone (notwithstanding your high school's lack of offerings), the disparity would be more easily forgiven. The two concerns will be weighed against your the outstanding academic achievement you have and the adverse circumstances of your existence -- which, again, you will need to bring out in your essays. Obviously, you don't want to sound as if you're making excuses, but you've done very well for yourself despite hardships that many others at Vanderbilt have never faced. Have a trusted teacher read and help you edit your drafts for your essays. Again, good luck!</p>

<p>Reference this link (Vanderbilt University - Common Data Set):
<a href="http://virg.vanderbilt.edu/VIRG/Nav_options/menu_cds.asp?expand_id=1%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://virg.vanderbilt.edu/VIRG/Nav_options/menu_cds.asp?expand_id=1&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

6

<p>Boston U - Safety/Match
Tulane - Safety
Northeastern - Safety
U Chicago - Reach
U North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Match</p>

7

<p>Thanks again NorCalDad, you have been extremely helpful! I am going to try my hardest to bring up my test scores and leave only the academic schedule against me -- and hopefully that will be somewhat forgiven because of what is offered at my school. As far as the essay is concerned, I was actually thinking of writing one to that effect, but I sort of decided against it. I mean... I dunno... I don't feel bad for what I've had to go through. If anything it made me stronger at a younger age and that is a good thing. I just don't want to seem as if I'm trying to pull some kind of sympathy card or something, ya know?</p>

<p>UofCMan,
Thanks so much! I really hope your right!!</p>

8

<p>Two more schools to add.... </p>

<p>Case Western
Tufts (Possibly EDII if I can ever find out if JHU has an EDII or not)</p>

9

<p>Tufts would a match for someone with your stats, provided you have taken at least 3 years of a foreign language. It is their requirement.</p>

10

<p>Thanks. Perhaps I could call.. I mean what if your school doesn't offer? Hmm. And thanks again.. I appreciate it!</p>

11

<p>Actually, I was accepted this year to Tufts ED I with only two years of foreign language, so it is possible. :)</p>

12

<p>I think Vandy is definitely doable, looking at your stats. I've had friends get accepted/attend, and your app is fairly solid in comparison to theirs. Explain your situation regarding the level of your classes, pull up the ACT scores, perhaps find some more time for community service to round yourself out in that area a little more. Nursing home work, while admirable, is pretty commonplace among applicants. Johns Hopkins, even EDII, will be a reach though. So will Uchicago. You should have no problem getting into Northeastern though, and the others are good matches.</p>

13

<p>You're not out of your mind, but I think it's going to be a challenge getting to Vandy. Work on those test scores! Maybe take the SATs if you're having difficulties with the ACT.</p>

<p>Oh and History of Tennessee??? Ewwww....</p>

14

<p>
[quote]
Oh and History of Tennessee??? Ewwww....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Oh and People degrading someone elses heritage??? Ewwww......</p>

15

<p>With JHU, Tufts, Vanderbilt - my concerns would be: </p>

<ul>
<li>The ACT score - it's on the low side. </li>
<li>You have nice EC's, but is there a real passion behind them -- will the admissions committee be able to see a true area of interest that you have excelled greatly in, or whether you're just going to be another good student applying who has done a bunch of stuff in many different areas (of course, the Governor's school bit could make up for that, but i'm not too familiar with them). </li>
</ul>

<p>Keep in mind, that if your tests are weakish, that's only ONE portion of the entire package -- if you're great somewhere else, that can make up for it. So, I wouldn't worry too too much about getting a perfect score (although it doesn't hurt to make them better). But focus on the essays now.</p>

16

<p>If you do ED at Hopkins, you can't do it anywhere else. You can do EA at other schools though.</p>

17

<p>Oh and People degrading someone elses heritage??? Ewwww......</p>

<p>Degrading heritage? Righttttt. Nevermind the concept of humor, how does expressing disdain at an academic subject that is only slightly more interesting than the history of polkadots "degrading someone else's heritage"?</p>

<p>Are you the type of person who walks out of the room when hearing racial jokes in South Park?</p>

18

<p>No, I have South Park on my Tivo. But if someone has an interest in a subject it sounds disrespectful to criticize them for exploring these interests esp. when the OP is from TN.</p>