<p>I'm a Junior right now from Minnesota and I was wondering what my chances are of getting into any of these schools: Vanderbilt (ED probably), UNC, UVA. These are my top three right now.
GPA: around 4.1 or 4.2 weighted and 3.85 unweighted (I also go to one of the best high schools in the state)
ACT: 29 (this is low but I only took it once without studying so I'm going for a 32)
SAT: Not taking it as of right now
I went to a French immersion school and I'm completely fluent in French and am in the process of learning Spanish as well. (I got a 5 on the AP French Test)
Essays: Will write them this summer but writing is my forte so they'll be good
ECs: President of the French Club, President of Drama Club Freshman year, very competitive national level soccer team (all-year round), French tutor, Created a French Summer Camp for elementary school students, Member of 212 Leadership Team, JV Lacrosse freshman year, Track and Field as a freshman, Varsity soccer, planning on doing a lot of volunteering this summer</p>
<p>What do you guys think? Also, any advice to make me a more competitive applicant is greatly appreciated because I still have some time until I apply.</p>
<p>All of this looks really great. Keep it up.
My advice depends on you area of interest in college. If you plan on doing something in French or sports-related, then you have a great application. However, if not I would definitely add some EC’s that highlight your area of interest. For example, you mentioned drama. If that is your interest, get involved in your local theater or help out at an acting class for elementary kids. If it’s something else, you get the idea.
But really, this is a great resume. Nice job and keep it up!</p>
<p>I only say these are reaches based on the ACT score, which is comparatively low for these schools’ standards. UVa is likely as or more prestigious than UNC, but is somewhat easier to get into OOS (unless you’re a 6’10" basketball player). Vandy has been doing really well in the rankings recently, so their competitiveness is going to continue to increase, especially in regard to test scores. </p>
<p>Good job overall though, you aren’t far off the mark imo.</p>
<p>Also, I just found out that I am doing an internship (communications, which is what I want to major in) with the governor of Minnesota. I am hoping to get a letter of rec. from him. Does this boost my app?</p>
<p>Possibly. The internship will definitely help. But my advice is that you not get a rec. letter from him unless you get to know him well and are positive he would have a lot to say about you. Otherwise, it will just look like a big ploy.</p>
<p>Being from MN will help a bit at Vandy; it draws a lot more applicants from the south, especially Caucasians from private schools. They’ve been on a mission the past few years to really diversify their student body and dispel that “rich, white, southern university”, so northerners and URMS are doing quite well from what I’ve observed. </p>
<p>The acceptance rate at UVA and UNC for OOS students is 24% and 22% respectively, I believe (last years stats). Yes, UNC has a smaller number of spots for OOS students, hence the discrepancy. </p>
<p>Provided you don’t qualify for FA, Vandy will definitely be the most expensive. However, if you do qualify, they’ll likely be the most generous. </p>
<p>The last thing I would recommend is to try to get your ACT up to a 33 or above to be competitive. Our D applied to all 3 last year as well (OOS for UVa and UNC). She has been very happy as a Wahoo.</p>