So I applied RD on January 6. I didn’t know that ED2 deadline was January 6 as well, otherwise I would have applied ED2 (as I’ve heard the ED pool is less competitive). So, my question is, should I email them to switch from RD to ED2? (I know it’s unusual but I read that it’s possible.)
But here’s the thing. I’m not really sure about the CS department. It’s too small, and is not highly ranked. The placement seems to be [url=<a href=“http://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/docs/VUSE-Class-of-2016-Placement-Summary.pdf%5D%5Bu%5Dgood%5B/u%5D%5B/url”>http://engineering.vanderbilt.edu/docs/VUSE-Class-of-2016-Placement-Summary.pdf]good[/url] but that’s mostly for domestic students (I’m an international applicant). It says that “international students mostly seek work in their home country”, but I would like to work at least three years in US on OPT.
Brown is still my first choice (and the only other “top” school that I’ve applied to) but I think I will be rejected there so I didn’t apply ED there. Vandy, on the other hand, is more holistic in their admissions and is more generous with their aid, so I probably have a better chance here.
I’m stuck.
Here are my stats, to offer a bit more context about why I think I’m a weak applicant (especially since I’m asking for aid), although my essays and recs are strong.
School: 92% (9th), 95% (10th ICSE), 84% (11th)
New SAT: 1460 (680 ERW + 780 M)
SAT subject tests: 800 (Math II) and 790 (Physics)
ECs (very condensed): built games and applications in multiple programming languages, worked on a tech blog, did well at Cyber Olympiads; also district level football; 5 years of guitar
If you aren’t applying to anywhere else ED 2 go ahead. Otherwise, do RD and focus on your other ED II school. Though your extracurriculares are fine, Vandy seems to obsess a little on test scores and 750+ on each section would be the most safe. Right now your GPA and SAT reading score are looking wayyy too low but never hurts to give it a shot, your extracurriculares might push you in.
@Mamapa2
My GPA is not really “low”. Indian schools deflate HS marks to prepare us for the national board exams taken at the end of 10th and 12th grades, where we score higher ([See here](Are Indian board exam (CBSE) marks required for US colleges? - International Students - College Confidential Forums)). Moreover, I’ve already been accepted at U Alabama, and according to them, I have a 4.0 GPA.
My SAT ERW is very low, which is why I feel I will be rejected, but I read that Vandy is more holistic than others (I even saw someone with 1410 get accepted ED1).
The problem here is - I’m not sure of Vandy’s CS department. It’s not as strong as is expected from a top school, which is what makes it a not-so-compelling ED choice.
I’m leaning towards sticking to RD as I don’t want any regrets later. I would much rather pick Brown or even UTD over Vandy because of their respective CS departments (provided of course that I get aid).
But then again, I hear there is not much difference in undergraduate CS education at different colleges.
Ok, but even with 4.0 GPA and 1460 SAT, your SAT should be around 1550 for you to have a good chance (Based on my school’s naviance, the lowest SAT accepted was 2150, which converts to a 1490 new SAT with 15 accepted students who had higher SATs) (Our school gets several into Vandy every year). So even though Vandy is holistic, it does emphasize test scores and might even be somewhat less holistic than Brown. Right now, it is too late to take the SAT, but if you assume that everything else on your application is strong (Your ECs sound pretty interesting), go for Vandy ED II! Make sure you have matches and safeties too besides UTD (Georgia Tech, UIUC, Purdue, and UMass are all fine CS schools) Good Luck and tell me if you get in!
@Mamapa2
I have decided not to switch. As great as Vandy is, it is not a fit for me, which Brown is. I’ll take my chances with RD.
And I have applied to a dozen different colleges, including matches and safeties. I’ll let you know how it turns out.