<p>Alright so let me preface this by saying I attend a school that sends over 30% of their students every year to Ivy's and is generally ranked in the top 10-15 prep schools in the country so please take that into consideration when looking at this. Avg weighted GPA accepted from my school ED to Vandy is a 3.82 for the past 5 years. School is pretty insanely hard and thankfully colleges take that into account.</p>
<p>Gender: Male</p>
<p>Intended Major: Economics/HOD (unsure if I'll apply to CAS or Peabody)</p>
<p>Total AP's and Honors Taken by Graduation:
11</p>
<p>Senior Year Courses:
AP Calculus BC
AP Economics Micro/Macro
AP English Lang
French Literature Honors (Post AP Class. Highest level offered.)
Cinema Studies
Business and Entrepreneurship</p>
<p>Honors: National Merit Commended, French Honors Society, Honor Roll every year</p>
<p>EC's:
Television and Film Analysis Club Founder
Varsity Golf (was JV Freshman year)
Co-Founder/Business Development Officer of a 501c3 non-profit
Internship doing Marketing and Data Analysis with startup company
Student Ambassador Senior Leader (student tour guides)</p>
<p>Paid Work:
Local Bookstore summer before 10th grade</p>
<p>Ethnicity:
White</p>
<p>I know my ACT score will really help me and my GPA I'm not TOO worried about although I know it could hurt. I'm just worried my EC's are lacking. They show interested in my potential major and so does my coursework, which I know could be a big plus. My Uncle is also a very well known producer in the film industry and has contacted a film professor at Vandy about coming to speak to his classes if I'm accepted. I know it's risky and could either really help or blow up in my face but who knows! </p>
<p>You should be proud of yourself for making good use of attending a highly functional prep school. With your grades and subtests, I highly recommend full disclosure of your AP scores on your Common App and on your Guidance Counselor’s cover sheet if there are still places for scores to be filled in. Our son graduated in '13, so times change. However he went with full disclosure on all subtests and he had a 34 ACT overall. I see zero reason to parse anything. The adcoms can see in a glance that you can do rote learning very well. As you should be able to do coming from a school with good instruction. There is nothing wrong with a 4! I would not recommend using any relations to directly assist with admissions! If you are personally interested in a career in the media industry, and you haven’t finished your essays, you can reference anyone who has influenced you. You might study this link and related links: <a href=“Vanderbilt Student Media Hall of Fame 2014 class named | Vanderbilt University”>http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2014/07/vu-student-media-hof/</a> to become acquainted with various Vanderbilt graduates working in the industry. Vandy also has a Vandy in LA program for internships.
During my son’s years at Vanderbilt he worked for the Vanderbilt grad running CNN Washington DC, and got to know the late John Seigenthaler a bit as well while interning at the First Amendment center named for him on the Vandy campus. The Hustler always needs strong writers. It is all about just getting on campus and contributing. The Director of CNN DC was the chief editor for the Hustler back in the day.</p>
<p>Thanks to both of you guys
Faline I’m more worried about SAT Subject Tests scores. I don’t really want to send in scores that won’t compare very well with other people taking them. I actually had food poisoning when I took the Subject Tests the first time and ended up with the 740 and 780. I was really hoping for the 800 in Math 2 and I know the Physics curve was huge. I just don’t know if they’re worth submitting because I may look weaker compared with other applicants. I’m not 100% sure I want something in media or business yet, although maybe a combination of both would be ideal? I’ll definitely check that out though. My dad actually told me this morning my uncle wasn’t planning on sending the email until I sent my application out, so I guess I’ll tell him not to send it at all. Thanks for the advice!</p>
<p>Send the Subject test scores. There is no need to talk about your health with scores that excellent. (altho I believe you that you were weakened --and I think it is terrible that you kids have to jump thru this many hoops…coming from an excellent high school only makes it more likely you must aim high in scores and you succeeded). There are two intangibles that I am going to opine about here that are true for all applicants. Nothing shines like Integrity and good character in an application. Also, nothing is more of a quiet turn off more than an Anxiety Driven 17-18 year old (speaking as a parent of kids who appeared for Symphony at Zero Block at 7:15 am before school started and did homework till midnight often aargggh!). Don’t let the anxiety in this (granted) crazy thing called applying to a highly selective school break your good spirits and make you do “crazy” stuff like feel bad about a 740 or a 780 on subject exams. All colleges are looking for well balanced people who can kick it out of high school, find their freedom and dig in and try new avenues of living and learning. Find your mojo and write your best essays and let your light shine. Schools are looking for good energy and future contributors. You do not have to be “perfect” in any way.</p>
<p>My son was waitlisted RD with scores and grades like yours, but is attending and doing well. I am not sure how unique your proposed major is. My sense is each one is popular on its own and the combo not uncommon. I think if you talk about it, you will need to be specific in how you will apply your degree.</p>
<p>I am also confused about the uncle thing and agree with Faline. It seems a little manipulative since it is conditional on you being accepted. As a professor, if I got that email, I don’t know what I would do. What if the professor is not a fan of your uncle’s films? What if he or she is turned off by the nature of the request? I mean, really, do you think you are more deserving of admission than someone whose uncle is not famous? You are not the film producer, your uncle is. It seems like that sort of thing that could get an eye roll from an admissions counselor if the professor forwards the email on. Definitely NOT what you want.</p>
<ol>
<li> Yes, they know students from top prep schools have more competition, more academic opportunities, and resources. GC’s at top prep schools should have good data on how students from your HS shake out in the college admissions game.<br></li>
<li> They also have a good idea where your 3.48 stands in your class. In general they like to see your grades (effort) match your test scores (ability).<br></li>
<li> Your subject tests are great so send them they will not hurt.</li>
<li> Your EC’s with TV club and non-profit depend on what you did with those opportunities. If you sat in your basement and had a beer with your BFF and little brother they will look like “filler” on your application. On the other hand if you produced films and raised lots of $$$$$ in your non profit they will look excellent on your application.</li>
<li> Agree with above comments about your uncle.</li>
</ol>
