<p>Hi, I'm a Korean American in Korea (attend an international school here) applying to Vanderbilt ED1 (my definite first choice). I think I'd really like Nashville, and since my relatives live in Tennesse, it's a definite plus. I'm interested in studying economics, philosophy, and religion. </p>
<p>GPA unweighed: 3.3
SAT: taking in Oct., aiming for 2100+
SATII's in January - math level 2, u.s. history
ap: u.s. history - 4, ap english language - 4
current ap's: english lit, psychology, european history</p>
<p>E.C's
-bronze medalist in Korean national junior squash champs
-3rd place in squash for Seoul provincials
-competed in many pro tournaments
-rainbow youth select orchestra, principal cellist (8 yrs)
-200 hours of volunteer
-church orchestra, principal cellist
-Model UN (international conference in beijing, etc.)</p>
<p>Factors:
-I'm a Seventh Day Adventist, and I turned down several ivy squash recruitments down because i can't play on saturdays - this is my essay topic for common app.
-top 5 U19 junior squash player in Korea (national recognition i guess, albeit non-academic)
-I'm probably the only person applying ED to Vanderbilt from Korea and possibly East Asia (my assumption). I'm sure I'm the only one applying to Vandy from my school - thus some geographical advantage?<br>
-my school has an excellent tracking record for sending kids to Vandy
-great recommendations
-vandy my first choice </p>
<p>Worries: low gpa for top school like Vandy</p>
<p>Although i'm afraid to go to a college where its population is largely caucasian, i definitely love white people and would like to hang around with everyone - of course if caucasians would hang around with me :)</p>
<p>I believe the Vandy International Admission rep will be in Asia during the next few weeks. I would encourage you to make contact and see if you can meet and talk with her.</p>
<p>My advice is to stay in close contact with the admissions office, get your SAT test score as high as possible and continue to show constant interest at Vanderbilt, maybe email a professor in an area you're interested in. Your international background should help as well as your school already having an ongoing relationship with Vandy. Your HS guidance counselor is a wealth of information, let him/her help you out. Meet your deadlines! Last but not least.....apply to more than one school so that you increase your chances of being admitted to somewhere that you would like to attend. Good luck.</p>
<p>I'm also a Korean American. I've lived in the US for more than 10 years and I'm studying econ right now @ vandy. You will be happy to know minorities (like asians) are given a pretty decent advantage. And since you're from an international school, they will definitely want you to diversify this university. I think you have a decent chance. Just make sure you point out your diversity to them in your essay. Essays are important for vandy.</p>
<p>thanks zip86 - im not too clear on what you meant diversity by ethnicity (pretty latent without me having to write this on essay) or personal uniquness, but I will try my best to write a essay indicative of how im different from others. im actually very interested in life for koreans there at vanderbilt - could you possibly expand on this more? My school actually has a couple of students there at vanderbilt now, including aileen cho. are you a sophomore at vandy? again thanks for your advice, and hopefully i will be admitted and see you on campus someday.</p>
<p>You know Aileen? That's cool. I'm a freshmen here. It's not a very big Korean community but it's alright. There are a lot of parties here (usually frat party) but not many "asian parties" like you may find at a college with a larger korean community. There are a few different asian niches like anywhere else and I'm sure you'll find one that fits you. Good luck.</p>