Chance Me ED

Coursework -

4.00 UW, 4.6 W, took as many AP’s as I could fit (14). Also taking Vector Calc at a CC this fall. Duel enrollment classes are Spanish IV, Spanish V, and a literature class.

Testing -

1550 (750/800) SAT, one take
800 Math II
770 USH
750 Bio E
33 ACT (not reporting)

5’s: Lit, USH, AB, BC, Micro, Psych
4’s: US Gov, Macro, Lang, Bio, Phys C Mech (not a science guy if you couldn’t tell)

NMF status: Yes

Extracurriculars (listed important ones):

  1. Play piano a ton, local but not state recognition
  2. Full-time finance internship at a commodity trading firm (middle office; competitive application process)
  3. Church youth group (student leader)
  4. Soccer referee
  5. A lot of volunteering: includes soup kitchens, NHS, playing piano at hospital and small charity concerts, service trip
  6. Various band extracurriculars like solo contest, marching band, pep band
  7. Played club and high school soccer the first two years before quitting due to medical reasons (see bottom)

Other info:

White male from Washington State
Middle income
Majoring in economics with second option political science
Letters of rec: “best student in class” for one (9/10), “always asking questions and trying to understand others’ viewpoints” for the other (7/10). Additional letter of rec from internship supervisor (8/10).
Essay should be strong but not amazing (7.5/10).

Extenuating circumstances: I have had medical issues all throughout high school. One required me getting shots that basically debilitated me for one day out of every week (it was all i could do to get an hour of homework in after school that day), which went on for two years. The other was a torn rotator cuff/surgery, plus 2-3 hours of PT every week for a year and a half.

you have done a wonderful job in high school. Keeping in mind that your stats are pretty much standard admission stats at Vandy and its peer institutions. For your mental health game, you need a very positive strategy. The most important piece of this gambit is to become very happy with your Match institution (financial match, and Quite Likely to be Admitted) match. Then you are free to apply to Reach colleges (where you are obviously qualified to attend but the vast numbers are the issue). Reach college applications are things you do with great focus, recognizing odds are not in your favor but you absolutely could do beautifully at any of them if admitted.

First of all financial intelligence come first. Strong students like yourself often go on to get graduate educations. Some pathways are reasonable in cost. Some pathways are very steep in costs. Merit dollars are limited in graduate school but there for certain pathways like doctorates in hard sciences or discounts for very high LSAT scores in some law schools.

Get a strong sense with your math skills now on your parent’s required ballpark contribution at colleges like Vandy who give need aid out based on their calculations of your EFC estimated financial contribution. Do your family FAFSA and CSS profile. Now discuss with your parents.

Regarding your high school health issues, discuss with your guidance counselor on if relevant to applications in essays or her/his reference. Do not put identifying information about yourself here. Keep this place safe for your dreams and wishes and for conversations as things shake out. It is fine that you may be interested in several places. You owe no school your loyalty now and favorites will shift. You do not have to make sense on blogs but you do need online privacy.

Your stats will get you into many top state flagships where frankly many of the smartest kids will choose to go to save the bucks and debts for grad school. Look at those costs. Your stats might get you into some merit money territory where your income is not considered. (these merit offers are pretty rare…but still in the possibility realms).

Schools swamped with great stats students look for students who will show up on campus and light up. By that I mean they will contribute while present, be proactive, try out lots of things offered on campus, and they will enter their majors and minors with great enthusiasm making top use of Vandy’s resources. You need a way to speak about how you will USE College X, College Y and College Z. Your essays therefore should have understanding of each unique institution and how you would nobly make use of what it has to offer. You do not have to promise lifetime fealty or your first born child. But sincerely give each reach college great thought and envision yourself there. Share that vision.

Read Henry Bauld’s small book on college essays. Do the exercises. Once you have a list of Match and Reach colleges that hang together and make sense, seek your reference letters. Teachers respect students with plans that include a Likely to be Admitted School that is also affordable. They will also do their best for you in your reach college apps. Get to them as early as you can and make it easy for them by having a succinct presentation of your plan for applications.

best wishes

@Faline2 tysm for the advice