Currently a Senior from Maryland and wondering how good of a shot I have for early decision acceptance at Vanderbilt???
-35 ACT (35 English, 35 Science, 36 Reading, 33 Math) 1900 SAT (ACT is my stronger test)
-3.7 weighted GPA, 3.3 unweighted GPA
-Class Rank about 188 out of 530
-AP Classes with an A = Calc AB (5 on exam), Lang (5 on exam), Physics (3 on exam )
-Current AP Classes - Calc BC, Chem, Literature, and Human Geography
Honors PLTW (Nationally recognized engineering-prep) classes - Engineering Design and Development, Principles of Engineering, Intro to Engineering Design, Civil Engineering, and Digital Electronics
-Eagle Scout, SPL, ASM, (heavily involved in scouting, my big EC)
-SGA Secretary, Class Officer all 4 years
-Varsity Indoor and Varsity Outdoor Track, 2 years
-NHS member
-NROTC
-A couple of smaller clubs I have founded
-Just a little explanation, my GPA my freshman/sophomore year was terrible because I was super unmotivated and my mom was going through Chemo/Radiation for breast cancer and my dad wasnāt around so I had a lot to handle (may use this in my essay as an explanation of sort), but my Junior year GPA was a 4.4 weighted and a 3.8 unweighted. Is an upward trend enough in this case or am I out of luck at this elite schools?? Vandy is my absolute dream school, love it so much, can anyone give me some insight? Much appreciated
Very impressive āresumeā. My son is applying to Vandy with similar credentials, but a 34 ACT and 4.9 weighted GPA. Heās also NROTC, NHS, Varsity Hockey Captain, Boys State and quite a few leadership awards. No Scouts, but he has a lot of service hours, works as a caddie and an umpire in the summer. Youāre both impressive young men and the US Navy and Vandy should be honored to have you. Vandy is his top too, but I think heād be fine with some other schools as well. Are you relying on NROTC to pay for school? Iām sure you know this, but thereās no guarantee youāll get the NROTC scholarship for the school you want to go to. Good luck!
Iām sorry to be a downer, but your chances are very slim considering your class rank and your UW GPA of 3.3. While your ACT is amazing, a 4 hour test wonāt make up for a relatively mediocre GPA (compared to the GPA of other Vanderbilt applicants) that was achieved over 4 years.
Itās feasible my family could pay for it, but not ideal (or so my pops says) and if I do have to take out loans, the ROI for Vanderbilt is probably worth it. If I qualify for the ROTC scholarship I will use it, of course.
Also, ED admit rates jump from 11% to 25%, so I think that should help a little if I explain why I did poorly (not blaming anyone else, though.) Maybe Iām too optimistic, but you canāt get in if you donāt toss your name in the hat haha
Get you GC to write about Grade 9, if possible noting that the school/your teachers are impressed with how well you have been able to get back on track after that year.
Make sure to write a supplemental common app essay about your GPA and Family Situation. If Admission reads it, theyāll understand and your AP scores + ACT should carry you through. Iād definitely apply ED
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