Is it even possible?

My dream school is Vanderbilt. I will be applying there next year. I have been looking at all the people accepted/wait listed/rejected stats on the forum, and it just makes me feel so discouraged for next year. It seems like the people who got accepted did something practically impossible, like being nationally recognized for some feat and taking instrument classes since age five. Getting accepted just seems so rare that it’s unreachable.

I mean I have done plenty of great things (national merit finalist, class president for 2 years, starting a service learning project, 34 ACT, and 11 top average awards, just to name a few), but I haven’t discovered a new element or something crazy like that.

Thoughts? Is it as unattainable as it seems? Is getting into the engineering school any easier than the CAS?

I got accepted as a transfer this year from a top LAC with a 3.9GPA. My ECs weren’t really amazing. They were just some standard random clubs, and my HS record was a bit worse than what I would assume your record is. It’s definitely possible!

Trust me man, dont be discouraged.

I am certainly not you’re “discovered an element and is nationally recognized” type yet I got accepted. Just show a very unshakable passion for what you want to do and convince them, you are already halfway there

Start thinking about who will write your letters of recommendation. They do carry a lot of weight. Also if it is your top choice and finances is not an issue, apply early decision.

Thanks so much for the advice, but unfortunately funding is an issue. I have a 529K, but it would only cover a little more than a year including room and board. If Vandy decides my “demonstrated need” is less than my definition, I could be in trouble.

Many have reported that Vandy’s net price calculator is accurate unless your family has a complex financial situation. Have your parent’s run the numbers to see what it would cost.

They provide a financial aid estimate with early decision as well. The net price calculator is pretty accurate.

My son was accepted with 35 ACT, 99.6 GPA and very few extracurriculars (due to sports commitment) Other top schools must have disliked the lack of EC’s but Vandy accepted him. Our package came out close to, if not better, than the Net price calculator