<p>I joined CC just so I could post one of these. Please, in all honesty, chance me! Vanderbilt is my 1st choice university and I would really like to calm my nerves until April 1st. </p>
<p>SAT I (breakdown): Didn't take
ACT: 33 (M: 33, E: 30, S:35, R: 33)
SAT II: Didn't take because I took ACT
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): about 3.5 with a strong upward trend; 4.03 weighted.
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Psychology: 5
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: IB History Higher Level, IB English Higher Level, Independent Study Accelerated (I conducted my own psychology experiment), AP Statistics, IB Math Studies
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semi-Finalist</p>
<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Founder and President of Psychology Club, member of LGBT (and a few other clubs, but no positions held).
Job/Work Experience: Tutor; Camp counselor during summers
Volunteer/Community service: Various activities, 145 hours, 100 of which are from working with preschool children.
Summer Activities: 1 summer as a camp counselor, 1 summer I took classes at Georgetown University (received an A in both, but they were not for credit).
Essays: Very good - my common app essay elaborates upon my bad start to high school (grade wise) and explains why I have such a love for psychology.
Teacher Recommendation: Glowing
Counselor Rec: Glowing
Additional Rec: None
Interview: Eligible, haven't contacted the Alum yet. </p>
<p>State (if domestic applicant): FL
Country (if international applicant): US
Intended major(s): Human Development in Peabody College
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: Hispanic
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 70K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None</p>
<p>I think you have a somewhat decent chance. Your ACT is average, but your GPA is a bit low. Also, your ECs are okay, but nothing incredible. </p>
<p>I have two questions. Did you apply RD or ED/ED2? Did you take the writing portion of the ACT? You didn’t post your writing score, but since the writing portion is required at Vandy, I’m assuming you took it. </p>
<p>I applied RD due to financial reasons. My writing was a 9, and English/writing combo was a 29. </p>
<p>My ECs and background mirror my major and are tailored to Peabody’s characteristics. I really hope this helps. I had a very… unique upbringing, to say the least. This has influenced my major and, more importantly, goals in life.</p>
<p>I too think that you have a good chance. I disagree with Cbatarseh; I think your ECs are very strong and definitely “flesh out” your application. Best of luck!</p>
<p>Being Hispanic puts you in an under-represented group at Vandy, which should help your chances. Combine that with the fact that your statistics are already in the ballpark and I think you have an excellent chance. Best of luck!</p>
<p>IMHO your strengths are the ACT and being a Hispanic NMSF. Weakness is your GPA. Adcoms don’t like to see a student with top 1% ACT score with a class rank outside the top 20%. AP/IB load is average but it depends on what your school offers. It is a great idea to explain the test score/GPA disconnect in your essay and to show improvement in your junior and senior year. EC’s are so-so. It seems like every student from a private HS is told to “start a club” today. Is the psy club a large active club or does it have 3 members: you, your BF and your little brother? The bigger, more involved, more active the better. You have a good chance, well above the RD 12% admit rate. Good Luck.</p>
<p>My essay explains why my GPA and ACT score do not mirror each other; my family life was very turbulent during my freshman and sophomore years and it greatly impacted my grades. The same event, however, is what influenced my future career and major. I don’t use my negative past as “college bait” - I mention them because they have greatly impacted many of my later actions, i.e. creating the psychology club and working with children. Thank you so much for your input!!</p>