I never intended on applying to Vanderbilt. Now, in the fall of my senior year, when it’s too late to change anything, it has caught my eye and I can’t stop thinking about it It is so far out of my reach. I know I have no chance based on test scores, but could stellar essays compensate for that?
My highest ACT composite is a 28, featuring a 30 in Reading and a 34 in English. (I made a 27 before that which included a 34 in Reading, but they will only look at the highest composite.) I am in the top 10% of my class, with an unweighted GPA of 3.78 and a weighted GPA above 4.0. I have taken all but 2 advanced/honors/AP courses offered to me. I am captain of two different ecs of the 9 that I’ve been consistently involved in since my freshman year, and am in several honor societies. I am a two time region champion in speech and placed at 4th and 2nd at state, and I also qualified for state in track. I am the co-founder and was first president of a philanthropic group for teenage girls in my state. I made a perfect score on the state writing test, and am very gifted in communications, which is the major I am applying as. If I use my writing skills to write two stellar, jaw dropping essays, could that give me the slightest glimmer of a chance at being accepted?
Are you a minority? Communications shouldn’t be TOO competitive. If you really work hard then who knows. I’m also applying to Vandy so CC custom would be for me to discourage you from applying but if you work hard on your app and give them a reason to admit you it isn’t completely unreasonable. Try NYU as well for communications, i hear the program is also great and it should be more of a match for you.
Haha NYU is actually my dream school of all dream schools, but not an option with the price. The only reason Vandy is even an option financially is because of their generosity when it comes to grants and such. Also, definitely not a minority. Just your standard white girl. I try to keep reminding myself that even if the middle 50% is in the 30s, that means that there has to be admittance with scores in the 20s.
You’re right, but most of those low scorers are hooked, and you’re not. But if you can pay for the application, there’s little reason not to try.
A kid at my school got accepted to Vanderbilt with a 28 last year, but he had a fantastic essay and was a minority. It’s possible. Good luck!