<p>@TransferFall14 Let us know what they say in response to your email!</p>
<p>To answer a few of your questions…
2) I used to be pre-med, but decided to go to pre-law instead (big jump, I know!)
3) I think my most compelling EC’s are 600+ hours of community service, part/full time job (~20 hours during the school year, 40 during breaks), and that I am currently studying abroad.
4) I had three recommendations written for me
5) Outside of my application the only thing I wrote to explain was that I was studying abroad and wasn’t sure whether to submit certain materials via regular mail or if email was appropriate. While I wasn’t writing to highlight myself and I had legitimate questions, I’m sure they’ll remember now that I’m abroad :). Other than that I didn’t really have any special circumstances to explain.</p>
I want to go to law school after my bachelor’s. My ideal job would be working for the Department of Education, but I think I would be happy teaching high school and/or practicing law at some point in my life as well.
I wanted to be pre-law, but there aren’t any actual “pre-law” classes besides logic and such. I’m not technically pre-law, but I guess I will be following a pre-law track of sorts.
For my ECs, I used all 10 and then wrote additional information about my other activities. My main ones were I was Key Club President and led my club to be named one of ten Distinguished Clubs in both Missouri and Arkansas (which had only ever happened one other time in my high school), I am currently a part of Circle K International (like Key Club), I am an ambassador for education at Mizzou with the Missouri Scholars Foundation, I volunteer 2-3 hours per week for a program called the Moving Ahead Program, which provides tutoring and counseling for low-income students. It’s sort of like Big Brothers, Big Sisters. I was also an all-conference and all-district member of the Academic Team in high school (all four years, plus captain all four years as well), I went to nationals in FBLA for Business Law, I was Vice President of SADD and the Foreign Culture Club, and I was also a committee head of NHS. I also volunteered 50+ of free tutoring to a seventh grade science class my senior year spring semester, working a part time job a local restaurant for three years, worked a full time job for 2.5 months before college, and was recently named to the College of Education’s Honors Dean’s List here at Mizzou for fall semester. My extra curricular essay was about Key Club, which literally changed my life. No cliche intended.
I have four letters of recommendation: one from my Honors Ancient World professor (hopefully pretty good. I got an A- in her class with the second highest grade of 93. The highest grade was a 95.), one from my Spanish professor (he asked me specifically what I would like him to focus on in the essay, so I feel like it’s pretty good), one from my Key Club advisor/family friend (this one is seriously really good in my opinion. She wrote a letter of recommendation when I applied for a Mizzou scholarship and it was phenomenal, so hopefully the same holds true.), and one from my high school English teacher who also taught College Speech and College American Literature at a local college, which I took with her.)
I emailed mine last week and explained that I appreciated his help with all of my questions these past few months. I also explained that while my statistics may not be as high as others, I hope that my sincere interest in Vanderbilt is considered in the decision. I don’t know how much good it’ll do me, but hopefully it works.</p>
<p>Other possible hooks for my application:
-I am the first in my family to go to college. None of my aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, parents, stepparents, etc. have attended post-secondary institutions.
-I’m currently a Flagship Scholar at Mizzou, which means I was one of like 10 incoming freshmen to be given a full ride. I feel like this is a hook because it shows that even though Mizzou isn’t a Top 20, I am still competent enough to do well, I think.
-I come from a small town where no one goes to college. Literally half of my graduation class didn’t go to college. Only 8-10 went to a four-year university.
-I’m a male going into education (is that a hook? lol)</p>
<p>@BB37240 Haha, I’m not really an expert or anything. I’m just nosy and I look at this thing constantly and I’ve looked at last year’s thread a lot. But I think you have a really good shot at getting in. You’re clearly competent enough to go to Cornell, so plus. Your low GPA might be a problem, but you’ve clearly shown that it’s just that one class. So hopefully it’ll be overlooked. One thing I notice is you’re not super involved in extra curriculars in college, which is what they look at a lot. Not that I am by any means, but I feel like just the psychology lab and the summer internship that you haven’t done yet will be enough.
However, I honestly legitimately feel like you have a really good shot! As long as you’ve presented your app in a positive light, I’m sure you’ll get in. :)</p>
<p>@CaptTShannan once again you put us all to shame with your stats . But I must say that I am incredibly impressed at your achievements as a first generation college student. Not to say that not going to college is a bad thing (It just isn’t the right fit for some people. My father never went and my mother got her bachelors and masters at Vanderbilt). You get some major props for all that you have achieved. I would be astonished if you weren’t accepted. </p>
<p>@BB37240 Your stats look good! Yes the GPA is a ding, but if you explained it in your application it has a good chance of being overlooked. Most importantly, you did the midterm report which shows them that you are a dedicated student and that your GPA was just that class and is not a reflection of your commitment as a student. I wouldn’t worry about it too much! Looking at the other forums, I’ve seen people who are captain of the universe all season number one girl scout animal trainer life saving volunteer firefighters get denied, and others with fairly average stats get accepted. We’ll probably never understand the inner workings of the system, but I guess you don’t get to be a top 20 school if you don’t know what you’re doing .</p>
<p>@jfcampos haha, I honestly don’t see how you think my stats are that good. They’re average, I suppose, but most of the people who post on here have better stats than me, you included. But thanks for the kind words!</p>
<p>Guys,
My counselor is out of the office until the 14th of April. I am very nervous with admissions decisions. Can I get some feedback on my stats? </p>
<p>Currently a Freshman, Applying for Fall '14 Transfer
First Generation College Student/ Asian American
HS GPA: 3.6/4.0 (NYC private-prep school)
College Cumulative GPA (First Semester): 3.57/4.00
SAT: 1990
EC-HS
Speech & Debate - State level competitor, Graduation Award for Outstanding Senior
Captain of Breakdancing Club
Volunteer at Numerous Schools as TA
-College- EC
Fraternity - Chapter Secretary/Rush Chair
Campus Politics Journal - Editor
Career Oriented
2x. United Nations Internships
NY Times Freelancer/Video Featured/Profile
Recommendation: 1. Seminar Prof. 2. Head of Politics Department Prof. </p>
<p>@Lyle76 I don’t think it matters that your counselor is out of the office, mine is until May 5th but I can’t imagine that will delay my decision as I sent my application in a while ago. so no need to worry about that!</p>
<p>@Lyle76 Haha, well thanks. I’m honestly counting a rejection just because the rest of you guys are all equally, if not more, talented. I wish you guys the best of luck!</p>
<p>Finished my freshman year at a competitive liberal arts college (a NESCAC school) in New England, but chose to take the semester off for various reasons.
GPA: Has always been a B+/A- throughout high school (competitive private school) and college.
ECs: many leadership positions, good work experience, dean’s list, and community service.
ACT: 28
APs: 7 APs, three 5s, one 4s, and didn’t report the rest
Recs: Alright. Two from professors and one from an employer
Pros: Hook? Latino, international (have always lived abroad).
Cons: ACT score. I think my essay was way too personal, which could be a turn off? And Vandy would technically be the third school I’ll be attending. Oh, and I’ll be needing FinAid.</p>
<p>Hmm so I just thought about it and I realized that the last round, emails were sent on Friday and decisions made available on Saturday…so probably Saturday guys :(. </p>
. But I must say that I am incredibly impressed at your achievements as a first generation college student. Not to say that not going to college is a bad thing (It just isn’t the right fit for some people. My father never went and my mother got her bachelors and masters at Vanderbilt). You get some major props for all that you have achieved. I would be astonished if you weren’t accepted. </p>
.</p>
You have really decent stats!</p>