Curious

Colleges & Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

<p>Hey, I'm a sophomore (going to be a junior this upcoming year) and I was wondering if I'm on the right track for Vanderbilt since it seems that it's gotten really competitive lately</p>

<p>RACE/GENDER: African-American/Male</p>

<p>GPA: 3.75 Un-Weighted, 4.55 Weighted</p>

<p>RANK: 15/442 Un-Weighted, 7/442 Weighted (Top 5%)</p>

<p>EXTRACURRICULAR:
Youth Action Council School Representative
Finalist in National Seat Belt Campaign "Click it. That's the ticket!"
Freshman Leadership Council
Outstanding Freshman Class Service Award
Sophomore Class Secretary
Significant Hours Award
Junior Class Secretary (for upcoming year)
Scholars Symposium
South Carolina Business Week
Clemson's Challenge for Academically Talented Students
Underclassmen Mentor</p>

<p>AWARDS:
Scholars Academy
Outstanding Academic Achievement in Freshman Social Studies Award
Scholars Academy Representative at Community Forum
Whose Who Among American High School Students
National Honor Roll
National Society of High School Scholars
National Senior Beta Club
National French Honor Society
National Art Honor Society
School Winner for National History Day
Certificate of Achievement for Regional Level of National History Day</p>

<p>JUNIOR YEAR SCHEDULE:
Algebra 3 Honors
Chemistry 1 Honors
AP English Language and Composition
AP United States History
AP Art History
Introduction to Philosophy Seminar (Honors)
Global Issues Seminar (Honors)
French 4 Honors</p>

<p>I'm just really worried about the fact that my grade in AP European History is not too good (first quarter-96, second quarter-88, midterm-55, first semester-84 [a C], third quarter-90). I'm confident that I can get a 3 on the exam in May but it's just those few grades. One of my teachers said that colleges will only see the final year grade, which I'm sure will be a B.</p>

2

<p>I think you're on target. Keep up the good work! Don't worry about the history grade. I don't know how your school works, but on most transcripts, the semester grades will appear, not just the year-end. Fortunately, at most schools, I would think an 84 is a solid B so you will probably be okay. However, FYI, colleges are definitely not impressed with "3's" on the AP exams, and you won't get credit for the course at most places with a "3". So, you might want to reconsider even taking the exam unless you are confident it will be good enought to help you on your stats. Just taking AP level courses is a big plus.</p>

3

<p>Hey! You seem like an ambitious person and you would probably succeed academically at Vandy or a similar caliber institution. However, looking at your stats, I don't see a lot that really sticks out as uniqiue or focused. Do you play sports or an instrument? Do you volunteer or work? </p>

<p>Perhaps leadership is your "thing"? I would reccomend that you capitalize on your leadership abilites and keep finding opportunities to take active roles in your school's or community's clubs. With increasing competition in the admissions market, it's pretty important to have a focused, defined, purpose or hook in an application to stand out amongst others with a laundry list resume of random activities, and it seems like leadership is the most solid one for you right now. </p>

<p>People will probably be able to give you a more accurate assessment once you get SAT's out of the way, just because they're standardized and provide an easy gauge, and once you start fleshing out your extra curriculars and possible career interests in the next year or two. </p>

<p>Also, I'm pretty sure that Vandy doesn't require applicants to send in AP scores until they get accepted. So, if you don't get a satisfactory score on a test, you can probably withhold the score. (fyi Vandy usually only accepts 4s or 5s on APs for satisfying course requirements.)</p>

<p>Another thing- Who's Who, Ntl Honor Roll, and NSHSS are not very legitimate awards, and putting them on your application may actually harm you if the adcom sees them as filler awards. You don't want to come across as naive :)</p>

<p>For now, remember not to worry <em>too</em> much about college- don't obsess about what will look good for your apps; just continue to further your participation in stuff that you are passionate about. If you working at the same level you are now, I think you'd be a competitive applicant!</p>

<p>Make sure to visit the school and see if the 'fit' is right. You might be good enough for Vandy, but is it good enough for you? Class size, greek scene, major offerings, etc- do your research and make sure Vandy offers everything you're looking for when you're looking for coleges in junior year. Have you been on campus? If not, do an overnight, visit once or twice while the students are there, check out the weather...it's important to check out the campus since it can make all the decision in the world. I can name several schools that I was looking at until I visited and decided they weren't for me. </p>

<p>I hope this helps a bit. Good luck with everything!</p>

4

<p>One more thing- the summer is a great time to do things that the school schedule normally won't allow- if you like, science, look for research opportunities. If you're interested in government or politics, try to find work with a state or local elected official. If you like languages, consider some time abroad. There are countless summer schools that cater to a lot of different interests, so make sure you look into them!</p>

5

<p>That seems like an impressive resume...do you have any test scores? If you haven't started testing, you might want to think about taking the ACT soon...you only send the scores you want from the ACT, so it can't hurt to take it soon. I would say don't worry about the AP History grade...just keep trying your hardest and try to get that year end B (or, if you can, set your goal higher). Take the AP exam. No question. If you do well (4 or 5), then that is great! That shows that you clearly mastered the material. However, if you don't do well (1,2,3), then you don't need to worry. Many don't know that for $10.00 (yes, ten), you can cover up an AP score. Collegeboard will actually remove the test from your AP file, send a copy of the file, then put the score back in the file. Collegeboard does not offer this for SAT or SAT 2...just APs. So take the exam...if you do well, wonderful. if not, then its only $10.</p>

6

<p>Ditto on the ACT idea.
Taking it multiple times has two positives. First, by taking it over and over you get better at it. I took it 3 times and improved each time. Second, once you get a decent score it will take the pressure off you. Then, if you choose, you can take it again without any stress becuase you already have a good score in the bag. And like taw 19 said, unlike the SAT, you choose which scores get sent and where, so if you score poorly no one will ever have to know.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for responses! I'm definitely doing things during the summer. This summer I'm doing a program at Clemson University and a program with the Chamber of Commerce. Next year I hope to do the Governor's School of South Carolina and be a page. Plus, I'm also looking for work :)</p>