Chances in Chemistry or Creative Writing

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

<p>Asian Female looking for some feedback. Not sure where my numbers/ECs/etc. put me...</p>

<p>Small, very competitive high school. Typically places students at top colleges.</p>

<p>GPA (UW) - 3.90/4.0 unweighted
GPA (W) - 4.4/4.0 weighted.</p>

<p>Class Rank - Top 15%. (One B and you're out of the top 10%)</p>

<p>SAT
Critical Reading - 770
Math - 710
Writing - 770 (12/12 on the essay)</p>

<p>SAT II
Chemistry - 750
Math I - 670</p>

<p>ACT - 31</p>

<p>Extracurricular Activities
Newspaper - News editor (11th), Co-Managing editor (12th)
Literary Magazine - Editor (12th), Staff and Contributor (9th, 10th, 11th)
Tae Kwon Do (high blue belt)
National Honor Society (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th) (does this even matter?)
State Science Fair (12th) (Got 4th place in 8th grade and Won States in 5th grade - should I even mention those? They were great wins but irrelevant to high school. But the were great wins! Sad...)
Latin Forum (9th, 10th, 11th)
Journalism Conference (11th and 12th)</p>

<p>Community Service - 100 hours
- Library - Conducted children's summer reading program
- Thrift Store - Organized merchandise, cashier
- Church - Ran booths at carnivals for church fund raisers</p>

<p>Talents and Awards
- National Merit Scholarship Qualifier (Anticipated Finalist based on last year's scores)
- Journalism awards (several 1st place awards for team and individual layout and writing)
- National Latin Exam - Cum Laude
- Latin awards - Several 1st and 2nd place awards at Latin Forums
- Writing - Won countywide Short Story competition
- Art - Won 1st place nationally in DAR stamp design contest</p>

<p>Other
- Duke TIP Program (I figure a lot of people have this)
- Attended the Duke Young Writers Camp</p>

<p>AP Coursework
- US History (3 on AP exam)
- Chemistry and Lab (4 on AP exam)
- English Composition (5 on AP exam)
- Psychology (12th)
- English Literature (12th)
(Our school doesn't offer a lot of AP courses.)</p>

<p>Essay - Writing in my strength. It's shaping up nicely.</p>

<p>References - I expect very strong references from my chemistry and journalism teachers.</p>

<p>ECs - I couldn't care less about spreading myself across every activity in the school, but I have great depth in Journalism and Lit Mag that I can put on the application.</p>

<p>So here's my question...</p>

<p>My strength is writing. Would I have a better change getting into Vandy pursuing writing?</p>

2

<p>Vanderbilt does not even look at your SAT writing scores or your essay score. I’d think based on your outside the top 10 rank and your test scores, you’ll be waitlisted.</p>

3

<p>I think you have a shot. A good writer equals good essays…my sons’ essays were clearly factors in all admissions. </p>

<p>My advice? Take the SAT2 exams again with more prep…they are not as strong as your SATs…and they clearly could be. They are only one hour tests and kids go into them underprepared all the time. Do the two exams in the books and time yourself and study your errors. SAT2s in my opinion matter.</p>

4

<p>i don’t see why you’d retake the SAT2’s, as vandy doesn’t require them, so the 750 will only help your application and your 670 will neither help nor hurt it.</p>

<p>honestly, i think you’re in. but don’t apply in one major just to get in–if you’d prefer chemistry, do that; if you prefer writing, do that.</p>

5

<p>I was rushing…I agree with karabee that the SAT Chem stands but she could take the Math again more prepped …to see if it bumps up…it only takes an hour and could be a plus re her SAT math, too. SATIIs should be assets. She has score choice…perhaps she should take another SATII instead in a strong area like Literature.
I also agree with karabee and with the OP…that she should remain true to herself and should stay focused on writing well as her chief high school activity…and as one reason she wants to be at VAndy…is that the community is a very creative place. There are always people majoring in science who are concert pianists and people who love the arts taking engineering at Vanderbilt…
I think the school would be a good fit for you and you are likely to get in. One thing we like about Vandy is the diversity of thought in the publications…not everyone is alike…there are clashes of opinions everywhere on campus…and in campus publications there are many voices…</p>

<p>It doesn’t matter if you want to major in Sciences and still write…that is a plus not a minus or vice versa. </p>

<p>Get an alum interview, and seek a reference from someone who reads your writing.</p>

<p>good luck! I think you would like it at Vandy.</p>

6

<p>Our school is really small. You get 1 B and you’re out of the top 10%. So the ranking may be a little misleading if you’re used to looking at schools with 500 people in a class (we’re more like 110-115).</p>

<p>I will consider retaking the math (2C has been suggested) and may take AP Lit as well.</p>

7

<p>I’m surprised Vanderbilt doesn’t look at the SAT writing section. Most colleges are these days and there are published studies that indicate that the writing section is the best indicator of college success.</p>

8

<p>I would not submit your ACT since your SAT scores are better. My daughter had a nearly identical SAT M &R as yours and the same ACT. I told her not to send in her ACT and she didn’t. I think you still have a very good chance since you are an Asian female and Vandy is trying to increase its diversity. It is improving in that respect despite the fact that some people don’t think so. I have been on campus for 6 years now and I can definitely see a change in demographics.
Good luck</p>

9

<p>Thank you Hope4! That’s good advice regarding the ACT. I was debating NOT sending in the ACT (since, as you said, my SAT scores are better) or even re-taking the ACT, but I’m pretty pleased with my SATs. (Although I may take one last time to raise my Math. Which, IMO, isn’t terrible at 710.)</p>

10

<p>I agree to try one last time to squeak out an extra 20 points on your math as that will give you a 1500 M&R which would help you even more. 710 is still a good score, but I think what looks really good is to have your M&R be more evenly scored. It just makes you look balanced.
Don’t waste any more time or money on the ACT. My daughter took it 3 times and even though she got a 36 on the English section, her other scores were 30,31,32,etc on the other parts of the test.
If Vandy is your top choice, then by all means apply ED1. That will give you an admissions boost too.</p>

11

<p>

If Vandy is as holistic as they claim to be, the definitely do not waitlist people on test scores and class rank alone.</p>

<p>

I think Asians are an ORM here, just from looking around on campus. I could be wrong, though.</p>

12

<p>Considering the strength of my high school, anyone with a single B is outside the top 10%.</p>

<p>Literally.</p>

<p>So if I’m going to be waitlisted by a school on the basis of being that shortsighted and superficial, then that is absolutely not the school for me and I appreciate them showing their true colors relatively early in the process.</p>

<p>As for Vandy, it’s still a consideration.</p>