Hey y’all, I’m more than a little self-conscious, so I was wondering if anyone would be able to help me figure out how I might fare in the college app pool for my two reach schools, Notre Dame and Vanderbilt. I have yet to visit either but have plans established to visit both in the coming months. I’m currently a junior and more than a little scared by the whole process, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Some things about me:
GPA (unweighted): 3.89
IB Coursework + AP US History
National Merit Semifinalist (probably-- my PSAT score was a 234 in Kansas so I’m fairly safe there)
Have yet to take ACT but my practice tests have been 30-32
3 years of Cross Country (Junior year varsity)
3 years of Track (Hopefully varsity junior year)
NHS Junior and Senior Year
Participation in School Musicals for three years
Thespian
Eagle Scout
Service work at local hospital over the summer junior year (medicine is my passion)
Worked two jobs in the summer of junior year
Good writing skills so the essay shouldn’t be too horrendous.
That’s about it. I appreciate whatever feedback you have, and thanks for viewing this post!
Oh also my ACT back when I took it in seventh grade for the Duke TIP was a 29 (more than a bit of luck there), so I should be more than capable of improving on that, I think.
you can get in certainly. do something to stand out. low reach
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18051255#Comment_18051255
Hey y’all I got a 33 on my ACT. Not sure if that makes much of a difference from your perspective or not
I think ND is more of a low match than a reach for you. I’m not as familiar with Vanderbilt (I just know it’s very selective!), but if your weighted GPA is good (4.3+) and your essays are too then you should be confident. If you apply REA (ND) or ED (Vandy) then you have a great shot at getting into one of the two, if not both. 
overall, you seem like a strong candidate for both!
You are a strong candidate and I think that you will get into both; though applying ED to one would definitely help secure that. Good luck!
I most definitely wouldn’t go as far as to call ND a low match for you, but I wouldn’t say it was a low match for anyone with an IQ under 300 who hasn’t cured Cancer, AIDS, Malaria and reversed global warming. Notre Dame is an EXTREMELY prestigious and storied institution with the admissions to match, as well as Vanderbilt for that matter. That being said, you are quite the extraordinary applicant anyways! Your awards and ECs are outstanding and your ACT is competitive at both schools. As a fellow Eagle Scout I know what a bargaining chip that is and colleges will take heed as well. You have a competitive unweighted GPA but you don’t have a weighted one listed. Does your school not weight? I was just asking because it is worth noting that an admissions counsellor from Vanderbilt told me that they more closely at the weighted rather than the unweighted if both are provided. I do not have nearly as much experience with ND but c’est la vie. I would say it is safe to call you a competitive applicant to both schools and I would be surprised if you weren’t admitted to at least one, and if you favor one over the other I would apply to that one (ED for Vandy/EA for ND) early to further increase your chances. Good Luck!
Take a look at my thread if you have the time, I could use a few chances as well!
@Hertzog yeah, sorry for not specifying, my school does not weight. It would be nice if they did but I have a feeling most college admissions officers would understand.
Hey I hate to do this but bump
Y’all have been very helpful I just want a few more opinions
I think you’ve got a great application to be honest. That UW GPA is certainly amazing and even your ACT score is great; your ECs add up to the profile really well. Since, you being a well rounded student, I’d say you have a pretty good chance for both. Best of luck, bruh.
Thanks much my man! And best of luck to you too! UCLA would be lucky to have you!
Also, my decision will be based to a fair extent on the financial aid I get to attend these schools, because my sister will be attending college two years after me and while she is very bright she probably won’t receive much financial aid; should this deter me from applying ED? I’d rather not be bound to a school if it means I graduate with a huge amount of debt, especially since I’m looking at medical school after college
Just a few more answers y’all thanks love you much
You’re certainly a strong applicant, but you’ll have to keep in mind that both of these schools are rather selective and becoming increasingly selective. I wouldn’t say you can bank on acceptance to either, really, just based on the nature of applying to very selective schools.With that being said, however, you have a good shot and will be competitive in admissions. Keep up your EC’s and grades in the coming year, and start early on essays for the applications when the time comes, so you get adequate time to make them really really great and to edit them thoroughly. I don’t know if you’re planning on taking any more standardized tests, but from your PSAT score, it seems you could have some luck with the SAT and subject tests if you so desired. (But a 33 is a very good score regardless.) Good luck with your applications next year!