<p>High school junior, considering applying Vandy as ED/reach school. I'm a female by the way.</p>
<p>GPA: estimated GPA 3.5
Prospective ACT score: 24-28 (not taking SATs, don't do as well)
Rank: Top half (borderline top quarter though, so could fall there)
Race: African American
Religion: Muslim
I'll be first generation college student.</p>
<p>ECs:
Secretary of community service club
Academic world quest
Photography club
Editor in school newspaper
Secretary of school congress
domestic violence prevention club</p>
<p>No special summer activities. Family can't afford them, been invited to a quite a bit of them though. </p>
<p>Honors
None really. Could possibly get student of the month (if that even counts) and maybe place 3rd place in school science fair.</p>
<p>APs I am taking/will take (haven't actually taken an AP exam yet, so no scores)
AP bio
APUSH
AP euro
AP chem
Ap english lang
community college eco/gov since we don't have AP
AP environmental (maybe)</p>
<p>Prospective Major:
Chem
Bio engineering
Molecular bio
(all those /premed)</p>
<p>I realize this is a long shot but if I don't have the slightest chance in the world I'll take my ED elsewhere.</p>
<p>No one wants to take a guess even if it’s mean, but honest answer? 
That’s all I’m looking for! Honesty. :)</p>
<p>(p.s I forgot to add I forgot to add the ec ‘freshmen network support team’)</p>
<p>Everyone should always give it a shot if it’s their dream school since you never know. Go for it, but if you get a 24, maybe not.</p>
<p>Thanks! And yeah, that’s what I was thinking too. :(</p>
<p>You will find that you will be surrounded with LOTS of highly accomplished classmates. Competition for pre-med will be steep. Are you up for that? It might be a good idea to consider going to a less competitive school to be pre-med. There, it might be easier to stand above the crowd for grades and medical school admission. I would say that to anyone…LOTS of kids start as pre-med at Vanderbilt, but the number dwindles to a small percentage of that by senior year. If you’re up for the challenge, go for it, but it’s tough for everyone there. My son, who was in engineering, said that he thought he was smart until he went to Vanderbilt - there he felt he was average. That worked out for him and he has a good job now. Just consider all the possibilities, as you have time to do that. Good luck.</p>
<p>That’s a good point too, and I’ve thought about going to less competitive schools, but still decent (Penn state, syracuse, uconn)</p>
<p>And just going to Vanderbilt (or another top) for grad school or med school.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>you mentioned bio engineering? The competition for that is enormous (in application round). Your stats are good (only considering the APs you have taken) but I would agree with the others in that you should try going to a less competitive but still good school for a better chance at med school. However, you should apply …you never know, but if admitted be careful to consider your college environment (that’s a key to being successful).</p>
<p>I think you have a shot at least with the higher ACT. And please ignore swimmer, he’s the most pretentious and holierthanthou poster I’ve seen in the Vandy boards. Just enjoys being a jerk, on every topic.
-Sincerely,
someone who actually got accepted ED</p>
<p>Actually, I do know a lot about the school! I am a graduate of the engineering school. Two of my kids graduated from there and I’ve sat on the Parents Council…I do have a good sense of the place. My daughter is now on the hospital faculty at Vanderbilt Hospital. Do you think my resume supports some of my comments now???</p>
<p>My youngest child has chosen Cornell, because she wants something different and didn’t want a Greek life-dominated social scene. We are sad about that because Vanderbilt is such a great school, but she got in ED and we’re looking forward to Ithaca, NY.</p>
<p>That doesn’t change anything. How are you qualified to make judgments on 2010/11 admissions? And the last post is totally unnecessary, and rather arrogant. But I concede, lacking the energy for any sort of argument.</p>
<p>Since I’m an adult, I should know better than to reply. However, I never meant to be arrogant of holierthanthough…just wanted to help. I’ve had a boy and girl go through recently. Don’t know much about admissions, but do know a lot about what admissions comes up with - last kid graduated in May. I’ve seen the up’s and down’s - mostly up’s. It’s a challenging, but exciting place. Wish I were going to be there with the last kid.</p>
<p>I hope you enjoy it. By the way, lighten up! You’ve been given a wonderful opportunity at a great institution. Be patient, be tolerant, be happy and you’ll do well there. Don’t make such snap judgments about people. give them time and give them a voice. Don’t prejudge their motivations.</p>
<p>^ sometimes words can be a lot harsher than voicing out the comment by oneself. I think what OP should expect are honest ppl who can either say the negative or positive. We just tell it like it is. However, I like how the vandy applicants are positive (KUDOS <3)
My stats aren’t stellar either but I would like to hear harsh comments (albeit some applicants who might just be deterring me from applying lol). It helps me realize that I need to knit a safer home at another community just in case.</p>
<p>Seriously? His attitude was in no way holierthanthou, in fact I found it very informative. Swimmer obviously has a lot of experience with the university and a great deal more than you, enjolias.
Anyways, a 24-28 on the ACT most likely won’t cut it for Vanderbilt. Get it up to a 30+, preferably 32 or higher and you will have a good shot. Also, you’re African American ethnicity and Muslim religion will work to you’re benefit. If however you don’t score so well, I would look at the other universities you mentioned. They are still great schools. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Your* African American ethnicity</p>
<p>I apologize, bitter mood past couple of days. It’s tough to gauge tone from writing, both ways</p>