Chances at Vanderbilt?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Ok so this might be long but I’d really appreciate help especially if you are or know someone who got into Vanderbilt because I realized I really want to go there!
So first off, I’m a sophomore in high school so I still have 2 years but I really want to be prepared now. My biggest issue is grades. Before o explain why there not so good, let me just show you what they are.
Freshman year: 1 C in honors class, 1 A in honors class, 1 B in AP class, 2 B’s in honors class
Sophomore year: 2 Cs one honors one AP, 1 B in honors class, 1 A in honors class, 1 B in AP class

So as you can tell, I don’t have the most stellar grades but I did take all the highest level classes possible offered. That being said, I unfortunately didn’t get good grades and I’m really disappointed and worried about this because I know freshman and sophomore year are just as important as junior and senior year. My weighted gpa with all of my classes is 4.4 and unweighted is 3.6. Just my core classes unweighted is 2.9, but I hope to improve that in the next two years. Just looking at grades, how bad are my chances? I know I will try to get all As next year taking 2 APs and a couple honors classes and same with senior year but will they reject based on “laziness” the first two years? FYI I was not lazy I worked really hard but those were hard classes. My ACT is currently a 26 being a sophomore but I want to improve that a ton and I think I can do that because I’m a good test taker.
As far as extracurriculars, here’s what I have.
French club, HOSA club, Medical Academy, Summer hospital internship, School hospital internship, Multiple honors societies ( national, English, social studies), job shadowing, work experience, hope to do sga senate next year and try out for ambassadors senior year assuming that I get into that. I plan on taking up officer positions junior and senior year for the clubs I’m in and I’m also in church youth group being an officer.

So I know many people might say you have a low chance of getting and I understand that but what can I do to raise my chances?? Is it too late to improve grades because other than that, I think I can improve my ACT and EQ’s easily.

2

It’s too early to give an accurate chance. Your grades are looking quite poor so far and your ACT is really low. But you’re just a sophomore so you have plenty of time to improve. You need to get straight A’s junior year. That would be a significant upward trend and would look good to colleges. It would also improve your GPA. Also, aim for a 33+ on the ACT during your Junior year.

3

@outlooker Ok thanks! I agree that there’s time to improve but my only concern is that when they look at my transcript I would come off as lazy freshman and sophomore year, even though I myself know that’s not true. I just hope I can get all As these next two years. As far as ACT goes, I’ve only taken it twice so thankfully I have plenty of time for improvement and I actually think I can get that score. Thanks for the advice though!

4

Try to get as close to as all As as possible. Try to improve your ACT to the 30-33+ range (and don’t worry it will improve-- your just a sophomore now and an extra 1-2 years of learning makes all the difference for a normed test). Make sure your challenging yourself in AP/honors classes. And apply ED if Vandy is your first choice still in a year and a half. You have good ECs. The main thing is grades-- you just can’t get any more Cs from here on out. It’ll be hard and the odds are against you but at the same time I wouldn’t let it scare you and get to your head. Make sure your strategically signed up for classes you know you have a chance to succeed in. Good luck!