Dilemma...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

<p>I'm a National Merit Scholar, and Vanderbilt was my first choice (both for the purpose of declaring my NM first choice and for me personally). I got waitlisted at Vanderbilt, and I intended to be placed on the waitlist. However, I found out today that I must declare my state school (which I'm 95% sure I'm going to if I don't go to Vandy) as my first choice by May 1st in order to get my NM scholarship there. Even without it, everything except about half my room and board is paid for at this state school.</p>

<p>Does anyone have any experience/insight into what I should do?</p>

2

<p>Posting Stats if this might help
Stats:
National Merit Scholar
ACT: 34
WGPA: 4.17
UGPA: 3.79
SAT Subject tests: 780 on US History, 740 on Math I, 760 French
Class Rank: top 10% out of 410</p>

<p>EC’s/Clubs
Tennis 9-12 (JV 9-10, Varsity 11-12), co-captain 11
Varsity Cross Country 10-12 (captain 11, 12), went to state meet 11
National Honor Society
75 hours of community service every year (soup kitchen, camp counselor, mostly)
Debate Team 10-12 (Extemporaneous Speaking- won various awards)</p>

<p>Other:
French student of the year (9 & 11)
English student of the year (10 & 11)
History student of the year (11)
Worked part time at tennis club summer before senior year</p>

<p>Classes:
9th: Honors Geometry, Honors Biology, Honors English, Honors History, PE, Computer, French I
10th: Honors Algebra II, Honors English, Chemistry, Honors History, French II, Debate, Health/Finance
11th: AP English, AP US History, AP Psychology, Physics, Pre-Calculus, Debate, French III
12th: AP English, AP Gov/Econ, AP Environmental, AP European, Calculus, Business Law, Creative Writing</p>

<p>I received all A’s in the 3rd quarter, which might be something to add to the information regarding my academics and such for Vandy. I also placed very well in my first speaking contest at a well-regarded Speech/Debate Tournament. In addition, I decided on my major and feel very strongly about it.</p>

3

<p>Well you need to tell us which state school</p>

4

<p>Will Vandy have any National Merit money left for waitlisted students? If not , you lose nothing by changing your designation.</p>

5

<p>I’m not worried so much about the National Merit money. It’s more that I’ve been advised that the first-choice thing is a bargaining tool of sorts…is there even any truth to this?</p>

<p>And the other school is Alabama.</p>