Chance me, Please. I will respond constructively. HELP NEEDED, VANDY

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

Alright I’m a junior in high school that goes to a relatively underfunded school that focuses mostly on athletics and I’m looking to get into Vanderbilt. It’s in West Tennessee (do colleges accept more people from within their region/state?). My school doesn’t offer much, and any chance of starting academic clubs is largely futile because the student population doesn’t really care. I want to apply to Early Decision. Here’s what I have.

GPA: 4.0 (All A’s, right before Christmas it was a 100.375 numerical average, but I highly bet it’s gone up since then because I’ve been getting some 104s and 105s. 4 AP classes: APUSH, AP Lang and Comp, AP Chem, AP Computer Science Principles.)

Class Rank: 5th, obviously subject to change. Most of the kids higher than me have easier classes.

Class list besides APs I mentioned: Hon Reading, Hon Bio II, Theatre Arts I, Computer Apps, Hon English I, Hon Geometry, PE, World History (I know this isn’t honors, they put me into the class and I didn’t ask for it); Hon French I, Hon Alg II, Hon Chem I, Wellness, Hon English II, Hon French II, Hon Bio II, Personal Finance; besides the junior year APs, I have Hon French III/IV and Dual Enrollment College Algebra.

ACT: I have not taken it yet, but I took a practice and got a 34 and plan to study heavily and take it Feb 10; I will continue taking it unless otherwise advised until I get a 34 and maybe try higher than that. Taking writing too. So let’s assume that I have a 34 or higher (dividing your predictions between them).

AP: I haven’t taken any AP classes yet, but I am strongly expecting a 5 in APUSH and AP Lang and nothing else lower than a 3. I study a lot for them. Maybe a 4 in CompSciPrin and a 3 in Chem.

Clubs: I am president of the French Club. I am secretary of the military club. Next year, I will be the president of the military club. I am also a member of the math club and science club. I am a member of the Speech and Debate team, where I do Public Forum Debate (2nd place last time but our school has 2 members and doesn’t enjoy a massive network of coordinating students like the larger schools that win state) and I did Extemporaneous Speaking last year. I am joining FBLA soon. I was on the bass fishing team last year but could not do it because I couldn’t afford the equipment. I am also a member of the history club (not an officer, though maybe next year, and MANY of the history club have their eyes on me and a friend as the shining members. Our school is the one to beat at tournaments, and I have two history tournaments coming up soon in World history.)

Volunteering: I am working on this; it’s my weakest area. I am shooting towards 80 hours of volunteering since that’s a big benchmark in TN and it gets you some extra awards when you graduate. I have volunteering setting up speech tournaments for a total of 12 hours; over the winter break, I helped the IT team install new internet cables to all the computer labs, 16 hours. There aren’t a lot of opportunities here. I plan at trying to volunteer at the Heritage Center, which is a place in my town dedicated to its history. I also got in contact with my City Manager to discuss administration experience/volunteering and general community service.

Work Experience: Over the summer, I worked in a Mexican restaurant (picked up some Spanish, worked well in a multicultural and fast-paced environment). Simultaneously, I started a car detailing business and a lawn care business (everyone and their brother says that about lawn care, yes, but I had a regular set of customers to whom I had no personal connection and I consider it such).

Awards: 1st Place Murray State University French language showcase; I did a presentation in French about Charles Martel, who stopped an invading Moorish army at Poitier, France in the 8th century A.D. 2nd place Collierville Regional PFD Tourney. Top 7 Award for my Sophomore Year. Top 10% Award in my Freshman Year. Top 10 in both Sophomore and Junior year. I have recently entered an essay contest to boost this category.

Next year: Taking as much AP as possible. We are supposed to be getting AP World and AP Euro, which I will likely take instead of AP Bio and AP Cal/Physics because the humanities are my future career field and my absolute passion. I will, however, not do this if you can prove it will hurt my chances.

I also plan on starting a general historical association for my county, dedicated to historical/philosophical/political knowledge and community service. I want to get into tutoring as well, but like I said, my school sucks and that doesn’t really exist. Also, I am self studying to take the SAT subject tests for AT LEAST World and American his. I may also look at Literature, Math, Physics, and possibly Biology. I also want to take the AP tests for World History and European History.

Do you think I have a chance at Vandy? What do you think if all, some, or none of these possibilities (SAT subject, ACT 34, historical association etc) that I have previously mentioned go through? What advice do you have? What other colleges would I be a fit for? Do you think I could get into Early Decision for Vandy? If I get accepted, I will hopefully get an NROTC scholarship for the USMC. Where do I need to improve? Do I need to keep my infrequent, yet interest-based volunteering or spread out and go to animal shelters/hospitals too? I will take any advice whatsoever. Please help me. I’m an atheist and have prayed to a god, if any, to get into this school. I want to be a history and philosophy (maybe instead of Phil do physics or math) double major, and then go to law school after my military. For the love of God, help me. What can I expand? Do you have any resource recommendations for more extracurriculars? I don’t want to have a career; I want to excel in my passion.

Also, I was a Governor’s School alternate last year and will likely be attending this year.

Side note: I’m also looking at W&L, Rice, Duke, Rhodes, etc. But those are WAY behind Vandy.

2

Yes, VU (and most other top U’s) take more students from their home state. VU is about 15% from TN.

Yes, students from weak high schools are at a disadvantage in the college application process but if you are in the top 5% of your class and can manage a 34 ACT your are are a competitive applicant.
Yes, VU is a reach school for everyone.
Yes, apply ED if it is your first choice AND the numbers work for you and your family. The acceptance rate is twice as high as the RD acceptance rate.
EC’s, depth trumps breath. Pick your favorite EC and run with it.
Write a great essay.
Talk to teachers who can write you wonderful letters.
Volunteer work: Use a strength you have to make your community better.
Yes, I think it may help a little if you are applying as a history/philosophy major. They need to fill those classes.
It’s interesting an atheist did a presentation on Charles “the Hammer” Martel who preserved christianity for western civilization. Yes, it can’t help to pick as many God’s as you can find and say a prayer to get in…haha

3

Do you think what I have so far is a good start at getting in? And once all my plans are completed, I’ll really have a good shot? I just talked to a guy that got in with a 31 due to ECs.

4

You are a competitive candidate. Sounds like you’ll become even more competitive. Great advice above re depth of ECs. Don’t spread yourself too thin. It demonstrates the objective of building a resume vs. enjoying the activity. Focus on your passion and develop leaderships skills within that passion.

I caution you from having a singular focus on Vandy. Yes it is a GREAT school. Yes it would be amazing to go there. but there are many other great schools that would also be amazing. I say this only because admission to the elites is very, very, VERY subjective. There will be many kids with perfect scores and grades who get rejected or deferred. It’s just a matter of space available. Impossible to know where you stand on the subjective items (essays, LORs, ECs, etc.) You have other great schools listed (of course add a safety or two and some matches ) Duke, Rice, Vandy, etc. are reaches for everyone. Don’t set yourself up for heartache should it not work out.

My S had a “dream school” . He was deferred (sad), than after another 2 month wait, was rejected (very sad). Fortunately he had a good list of other schools and was accepted to a few high on his list. Fast forward and he couldn’t imagine going anywhere than his current school. It all works out.

5

Start looking at their essays and see how you can showcase yourself.

6

@FranciscoPizarro I totally agree with @rickle1 in that you are a very competitive candidate and that you should not get singularly focused on Vanderbilt. If you continue to do well and grow your admissions portfolio I promise you that you are going to get so many good offers from great schools that in the end you might not think Vanderbilt is the best option even if you do get in. For instance, if you received a full scholarship offer from a slightly less selective school, you would be a fool to pay a bunch of money for Vandy. Students of your caliber usually end up doing a graduate program of some sort and the status/reputation of that graduate school will be more important to your career anyways.

7

No SAT/ACT, Subject test? What was your PSAT scores? Math/RW?

8

Yeah I won’t deny I’m probably irrationally attached to Vandy. Who wouldn’t to a dream school an hour and a half away? Also does anyone know if Vanderbilt is conservative friendly? I am thinking about joining a conservative youth group or something like that but wouldn’t want to rub any of the admissions people the wrong way.

9

I like to tell students how it is without sugar-coating anything. Grades are excellent! Keep it up. Of course you’ll need to take the SAT/ACT. You’ll want to score a 33 or 34 on the ACT or 1500 on the SAT. Tall order, but that’s the average for the Prepscholar website. Now, this school has an 11% acceptance rate, chances are, even if you’re highly competitive, you’ll still likely be turned down, simply because of the number of slots they have available. You never want to put your hopes and dreams on one school, or even a group of selective schools. You’re the one who’s supposed to be selective, because this school needs to match your personality, interests, and career goals without creating unreasonable financial burdens on yourself or parents. Heavily research a variety of schools based on your interests. Look for who is offering scholarships. Tour them, then decide what’s best for you.

10

Vandy is definitely conservative friendly, as a school. I mean, it’s in the South. However, the admissions board may be a completely different kettle of fish. While some on the board may think it’s good to stand up for what you believe in, especially since at a young age, being conservative is the minority. That said, there are a lot of conservatives that go to Vanderbilt, so you won’t be very different in that sense, and you won’t stand out. Others may just straight up not like that you joined a conservative group. It’s a slippery slope to go down, in my opinion. I suggest that the safest option is not joining. However, if you do want to join, nobody can really stop you.