Chance me ED for Vanderbilt please (international)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

I am a South Asian international student aiming for a STEM major (CS most probably)
What are my chances at Vanderbilt ED-II? Stats are:

Academics:

  • Top 5% of class at really competitive school (huge class size)
  • A-level / IB / AP not available/affordable in country
  • SAT 1500, subject tests expecting 750+
  • Honors: Scholarship for lower secondary leaving exam and top 1% performance at international assessment test

ECAs: (~1000 hours listed on Common App)

  • National championship some $$$ (not anything compared to college costs) but probably shouldn't be mentioned for aid (?)
  • 2 Club leadership roles throughout high school, involved in technical work
  • Voluntary software development but insignificant
  • Freelancing

Rec letters: Should be really good; really close with counselor and teachers

PS: Need full aid, no other way affordable.

2

From Vandy’s website:

“Vanderbilt is need aware for international citizens. Should an international citizen apply for financial assistance, the financial aid application and the amount of financial aid required may be a factor in a final admissions decision. Based upon an evaluation of academic qualities, financial need, and availability of resources, an international student may be considered for financial assistance.”

Translation: your need for substantial financial aid is going to count against you when Vandy considers your application. Add that onto the fact that Vandy has a single digit admission rate and your SAT scores are below median, and I don’t think that your chances are great. Sorry, but that’s my honest assessment.

3

Only Harvard, Yale, Princeton, MIT and Amherst are need-blind for international students. It’s impossible for me to get into those, so financial aid is a drawback no matter where I apply. Does it help in any way that Vanderbilt has 20% acceptance rate on Early Decision? They fill 47% seats with ED applicants. Do you suggest that I ED-2 to somewhere else? I’m worried that if I don’t make it through ED then I’ll be in greater trouble because most colleges have much lower RD rates :frowning:

4

I’m sorry if I sound stupid

5

wjg8301 - ED will probably help. However, I would take that 20% figure with a grain of salt since a lot of kids with hooks get in ED (Vandy is an SEC school with lots of recruited athletes). Also, I believe Vandy’s admission rate is lower than Amherst’s rate. The bottom line is, it’s very difficult to get into schools like Vandy without a hook no matter how good your stats are. All you can do is apply and hope for the best. If you don’t get into Vandy and still want to go to school in the US needing substantial aid, I would recommend looking at less competitive schools that would be willing to give financial aid and/or merit scholarships to someone with your stats. Good luck.

6

Thanks, thanks a lot for the advice :slight_smile:

7

@TheBigChef, I looked up Tufts, and it seemed to be much less competitive (especially for ED I think), and better suited to me. It has a good Computer science dept too. It also seems more liberal and could be less biased against a mozlem (me). (Sorry, but I’ve heard that some colleges really are biased against certain groups)

Do you recommend?

8

Generally speaking aid for IS is hard to find at most US universities. While U’s claim they want more international diversity they really want wealthy IS who are able to pay the full COA.