Chance me Please

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

<p>This is a general chance post. I am 16 now and a junior. I will put "potential" next to things that are likely b/c of my work and the other stuff has happened. Please, give me an idea of where I stand in terms of chances of getting into Vanderbilt. Remember, the acceptance rate is 12% for regular decision and probably going to be 10% when I apply next admissions season. </p>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<p>Ethnicity: South Asian American (Pakistani)</p>

<p>Age: 17</p>

<p>Schools: Large Public in IN (9)
Small Private in TN (10-11)
Medium Public in TN (12)</p>

<p>Family: MD (Dad), Master's (Mom), 2 younger siblings, 180K income (for financial aid)</p>

<p>Recs (Potential- I've talked to the teachers about what they will write): AP Euro History Teacher, AP Bio Teacher, Community College Professor (Very Good-They talked about mow I found motivation and became a role model.)</p>

<p>Essays (Potential) : One on being an agnostic Pakistani Democrat in Tennessee, One on how I went through three years of high school without a passion and then found a love for math and science which inspired me to learn about them in very great detail and partake in the national competitions that I will. </p>

<p>Intended Major: Physics or Chemistry (Solid)</p>

<p>Objective:</p>

<p>Grades (9-11): 50% A- 50% B Range in All Honors Classes at Standard Pace and 2 AP Classes: AP Chemistry and AP Calculus BC</p>

<p>Senior Course Load and Grades (Potential): All A's (97% or better) in AP Biology, AP European History, AP English Literature, AP US Government, AP Macroeconomics, and AP Psychology at School and A's in Organic Chemistry with Lab and Calculus 3 at a local community college</p>

<p>GPA/Class Rank (Potential): 4.05 Ranked in Top 25% in 300 Students</p>

<p>SAT: 2400 ACT: 36 SAT Chemistry: 800 SAT Math II: 800</p>

<p>AP Exam Scores (Self-Studying for all besides Chem and Calc BC) (Potential):</p>

<p>5's in AP Chemistry, AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C-Mechanics, AP Physics C-Electricity and Magnetism, AP Computer Science A, AP English Language, AP US History, AP World History</p>

<p>Extra-Cirricular Activities:</p>

<p>Speech and Debate (10-12): State 2nd Place (10), 350 Tournament Points</p>

<p>Piano (9, 11-12): Gold Star Rating in Region (9), Did Well in Regional Festival (12-Potential)</p>

<p>Mock Trial (11): Lawyer- 2nd Place in Region</p>

<p>Young Democrats (10-11): VP (11)</p>

<p>NHS and Mu Alpha Theta Member (10-12)</p>

<p>Community Service (10-12): 200 Hours in Mosque and Science Center; Mathcounts Coach (12-Potential)</p>

<p>Math Club (9, 12): President (12-Potential)</p>

<p>Student Newspaper Member (12-Potential)</p>

<p>Cross Country JV (12-Potential)</p>

<p>Research (12-Potential): Work in Chemistry Lab with Community College Professor</p>

<p>Other Awards/Distinctions: Regional Math Test Top 5 (9, 10), National Merit Commended Scholar (12), National AP Scholar (12-Potential), Published Article in Local Chemistry Journal (12-Potential), State Math Problem Solving Test Top 10 (12-Potential)</p>

<p>Awards to be sent after initial submission of application (all potential): </p>

<p>Intel STS Semi-Finalist in Chemistry (Sent in Late January)</p>

<p>USA Physics Olympiad Semi-Finalist and AMC 12 Top 1% (Mid-February)</p>

<p>USA Chem Olympiad Top in Region and USA Biology Olympiad Semi-Finalist (Early March)</p>

2

<p>EDIT: I think I want to apply for Early Decision II to have an idea of the aid I’d get at Vandy, know about whether or not I can live home and attend Vandy, and finally to maximize my chances of getting in with 24% early decision acceptance rate seems much better than the 12% regular decision acceptance rate.</p>

3

<p>What’s your UW GPA and is your highschool highly ranked? Top 25% isn’t exactly impressive. Without all these “potential” things, your application is decent, particularly the scores/debate awards. If all these “potential” items became reality, you’d have an extremely good shot.</p>

4

<p>One question colleges will have that you may need to be able to answer is: With your SAT and ACT scores and 11 AP scores of 5, why are you not ranked in the top 1% of your class? If you have a good answer to that question you will be fine.</p>

5

<p>BTW, I think that it would be rather inconvenient for me to apply in Early Decision 2 next fall. I think I’ll apply in December via regular decision. First of all, with my mediocre grades but superb “other-stuff,” do I have a good chance of getting in through the regular decision path (pretty competitive because it’s already at 12% acceptance), or should I just go through early decision? Also, what is the Tenn Scholarship, and could I get it if I have very high senior grades in a bunch of AP classes, am in the top 20% of my class, have prefect test scores, and win a few state/national math/science competitions?</p>

6

<p>BUMP…Please respond to LATEST post.</p>

7

<p>Your “other stuff” isn’t superb unless you’re considering all your potential achievements.</p>

<p>Its too hard to tell what your chances are when you throw in all these “potential items.” You need to ask later when you have a better understanding of what you have.will accomplish.</p>

<p>Go ED if Vandy is your #1. It will increase your chances. If it’s not your #1, apply RD.</p>