Should I apply to Vanderbilt ED2 or WashU ED2?

College Search & Selection
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I am torn between applying to Washu ED2 and Vandy Peabody ED2. Just out of curiosity, which one would be easier to get into with a low GPA and no test scores but a really good EC hook paired with a great set of extracurriculars showing my passions? I also think I have a good essay and probably mediocre letters of rec

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Are your ECs and hook in music?

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Not in music

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I think it all depends on how low “low” is. Both of these schools are stats driven. Unfortunately, ECs and passion will not be enough to overcome a dreadfully low gpa at either.

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At least in my region, Vandy seems to LOVE high scores, high GPA, high class rank and seems willing to forgive modest EC’s in order to get the high scores. Don’t know what your naviance results show. Low GPA and no scores- that EC gotta be over the moon, especially if your teachers aren’t writing that you are a passionate intellect who is a joy to teach…

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OP how low is the GPA?

Vandy is the same in our region(Though they did reject a Val with perfect scores but low rigor and possibly questionable recs). Only one kid on naviance has been admitted that did not fit that picture of high scores and GPA.
WashU has been known to take a broader range around here: recently the #2 and 3 kid with great rigor got in, but also not-great rigor, with good not great GPA (bottom of second decile), test optional full-pay student . That one was mildly surprising because that is not typical.

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I’ve got a 3.5 UW and I’m also full pay

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Also, my school doesn’t rank

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I would choose a more likely ED2 school. Both those schools really value test scores, and a 3.5 GPA is well below their average GPA. What proportion of you core courses were honors/APs?

Both Vandy and WashU are need blind, so not applying for FA is unlikely to help.

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No score WUSTL. But a 3.5 UW ……you likely wouldn’t even get into the next tier diwn like Wake or BU ….but a Tulane would give you a better chance.

But if you really want one, apply to both…one ED and one RD.

Just make sure you have matches and safety’s.

ECs are important but unless you are curing cancer they won’t make up for academics.

We don’t know your rigor since you gave us little info but I’ll assume it’s not off the charts.nonetheless it doesn’t hurt to try. Good luck.

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Unfortunately WashU is Need Blind now(was need-aware through last year’s cycle). I think the unweighted GPA is tough for both schools but likely easier for WashU, so go with that one.

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I’ve taken a total of 12 AP’s so far

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12 AP classes in total

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So 12 AP so I assume you’ve mostly gotten Bs…maybe a C or two on them.

So sounds like your rigor is good.

I still don’t think you’d get in but perhaps the next level down you’d have a shot (a Wake, BC, etc.).

That said, as long as you are assured of a school that you’d be happy to attend - let’s say your safety is Mizzou or UTK - then let the ED fly and apply to the other RD - because you’ll never know if you don’t try.

Just make sure you have a safety…if you like that mid-size private, it might be a Denver or a Butler, etc.

As long as you’ve got an affordable school that you’d be happy at in the bag - then assuming you can pay the app fees and do the extra work, there is no harm in applying to extra colleges, including reaches.

I’d still go WUSTL first for the best shot at admission - but in the end, if you loved Vandy more, than you should go there. EIther way it’s a reach - but you never know!!

Good luck to you.