Chances at Vanderbilt, UT- Austin, Illinois- Urbana, and Belmont?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>I am a white female who attends a somewhat competitive public school in Texas.
My GPA (as of the end of junior year) is 3.7.
The last time we were given ranks (at the end of the fall semester), I was ranked 41/290. However, my GPA has improved drastically since then, so I'm pretty sure I went up in rank. </p>

<p>On May 1, I took the SAT for the first time without studying prior to the exam and got received the following scores: CR- 560, Math- 560, Writing- 650</p>

<p>I have a rigorous study plan set up and should be able to bring my score up when I retake the test in October. I have not gotten my ACT scores yet.</p>

<p>ACADEMICS-
FRESHMAN YEAR-
Pre-AP English I
Pre-AP Biology I
World Geography
Algebra I</p>

<p>SOPHOMORE YEAR-
Pre-AP English II
Chemistry
Pre-AP World History
Geometry</p>

<p>JUNIOR YEAR-
AP English III
Physics
AP US History
AP European History
Algebra II</p>

<p>SENIOR YEAR-
AP English IV
AP Environmental Science
Dual Credit Government
AP Economics
Pre-Cal</p>

<p>VOLUNTEER WORK/EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES-
FRESHMAN YEAR-
Yearbook Staff (head photographer)
Volunteer Organization (trustee)
National Junior Honor Society
Piano Lessons (National Piano Guild)</p>

<p>SOPHOMORE YEAR-
Volunteer Organization
Piano Lessons (National Piano Guild)</p>

<p>JUNIOR YEAR-
Newspaper Staff
Journalism Team
2 Volunteer Organizations (one in school, the other outside of school. For the one outside of school, I was the manager)
Piano Lessons (National Piano Guild)
Future Career and Community Leaders of America</p>

<p>SENIOR YEAR-
Newspaper Staff (editor-in-chief)
Yearbook Staff (section editor)
Journalism Team (captain)
2 Volunteer Organizations (same as junior year, but different officer position for outside of school one)
Piano Lessons (National Piano Guild)
Future Career Community Leaders of America
National Honor Society (maybe, there's been some confusion with the sponsors)</p>

<p>AWARDS/HONORS-
FRESHMAN YEAR-
President's Award for Outstanding Academic Excellence
Chosen for National Junior Honor Society</p>

<p>JUNIOR YEAR-
Various journalism awards at the state, regional, and district levels
Temple Sweetheart (volunteer award)
Chosen as an All-American Scholar
Washington Journalism and Media Conference: National Youth Press Correspondent nominee
National Student Leadership Conference: program nominee
National Young Leaders Conference: program nominee
People to People: leadership program nominee
United States Achievement Academy: English Award
Chosen as a published author in the Creative Communications essay and poetry contests
National Society of High School Scholars</p>

2

<p>I have a few things to add. </p>

<p>I’ve been the head of several community service committees. The most successful ones were organizing a garage sale to benefit victims of the earthquake in Haiti and fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk. I was the top fundraiser for my team in the Memory Walk and the third-highest fundraiser for the event.)</p>

<p>I also volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance.</p>

3

<p>I’d really like some input- positive or negative.
Please feel free to let me know your honest opinion.
I really want to know my chances of getting in.</p>

4

<p>Anybody? Anyone?</p>

5

<p>Bump? I don’t know if that’s appropriate here, but it is on other forums I’ve been on.</p>

<p>I’d really like some opinions.</p>

6

<p>your GPA is decent for the schools you have listed, but certainly not going to set you apart. As you probably know, your SAT scores need work. You shoud increase your score to 2000+ to give yourself a solid chance. Also, if your new class rank is somewhere around the top 10%, your chance of admission at these schools will increase as well.</p>

7

<p>Vandy is a high reach and UT Austin is a match since you’re in-state. Your GPA is decent as Cornel said, but your SAT score is low. It would be helpful if you included your AP grades.</p>

8

<p>I don’t know if this will impact anyone’s decisions, but I’m applying ED to Vandy.</p>

9

<p>Anyone else? I’m also considering applying to UGA.</p>

10

<p>UT-Austin only accepts the top 8% of students in Texas. As you are not quite there, I am confident is saying that it is unlikely you will gain admission.</p>

<p>BUT!</p>

<p>Your credentials are fantastic! You could get into a more prestigious school than that-besides, UT is so huge. Their classes are 800+ in a lecture. You have a good shot at Vandy-a great school, in a great city.</p>

11

<p>Really!? I wasn’t expecting that response. Haha:)</p>

<p>Does anyone have suggestions for schools I would be a good fit for?</p>

12

<p>Only freshmen survey courses are 800+ at UT Austin. Most classes are around 30 people in size. Besides, there are specialized “study groups” (I can’t remember what they called them when I visited) which are comprised of about 15 students and a teacher each to eliminate the Big School delusion. </p>

<p>UT Austin is a wonderful school, and it’s wonderfully well-kept and managed for a school of such colossal size.</p>

13

<p>Hang on… I was doing some research and I THINK the way it goes at UT is that they guarantee admissions to the top 8%. They’ll accept students that aren’t in the top 8%, but it isn’t as easy for them because they have to compete against kids from other states and athletes. </p>

<p>I’m not 100% sure, though. That has always confused me.</p>

14

<p>They do offer a sliver of spots to students not in the top 8%, but it’s really, really, really hard. I had a number of friends with wonderful SAT scores and extrac’s but couldn’t get in because of the 8% rule.</p>

15

<p>UT’s 8% rule (formerly 10%) dictates that any high school student in Texas in the top 10% of his class is guaranteed admission. However, 10% Texas students comprised about 90% of the freshman class in recent years, making it extremely difficult for out-of-state students to get in. For the graduating class of 2011, however, the rule was changed to the top 7.5-8%. This will lower the percentage of in-state automatic admits to about 70-75%, meaning it will be easier for out of state students to get in than in years past. Considering the freshman class at UT is between 15,000 and 20,000 people in size, that’s quite significant.</p>

16

<p>Hmm… that’s slightly disappointing. I was kind of planning on going to UT, because I know my chances of getting into VU are slim. Bummer.</p>

17

<p>Bump? Haha:)
Sorry for this, but I really want a few more opinions.</p>

18

<p>Hellooooo? Is anybody out there?
Bump!</p>

19

<p>Bump…</p>

20

<p>I’m probably annoying everyone at this point, but I’d really like some more opinions.</p>

<p>Bump.</p>