<p>Ok I'd like to start off by saying I applied back in September but I forgot all about Vandy. I didn't even do the alumni interview they sent me an e-mail about. And I bet it would have helped me since I'm a URM applicant with considerably weaker standardized test scores than the HS seniors who get into Vanderbilt. So anyway, here's my stats and tell me if you think I have a legitimate shot to get in:</p>
<p>19 year old Hispanic American Male
From New Jersey
English Major</p>
<p>HS Stats (although probably not necessary I'll post them one more time)
3.4 GPA UW, SATs (Taken 10/2007) CR-600/Math-580/Writing-720
ECs- Nothing spectacular. Same with my college ECs.</p>
<p>College Stats
Wagner College (2008-2009) Fall GPA- 3.4, Spring GPA- 3.8, Cum. GPA- 3.6
NJ Community College (2009-2010) Fall GPA- 3.7 (B- in General Chemistry, really not scientificially/mathematically inclined at all), Spring GPA- TBD, hopefully 4.0
Recommendations: Amazing
Essays: Ok, but probably should have taken more time to write them. Literally sat down and wrote away for 30 minutes. But I did well to accentuate my broken family dynamic and unique situation that placed me at my local community college.
I will have completed 58 credits by the end of this semester and almost all of my general education requirements for BC will have been completed </p>
<p>I'd also like to explain that my only "bad" grades were a B in Political Philosophy (Fall 2008), the B- in General Chemistry last semester, a B+ in my Reflective Tutorial class (Fall 2008; now you can see why I got a 3.4!) and a B+ in my Honors Macroeconomics class in Spring 2009. I've gotten A-'s or better in all of my other classes.</p>
<p>My guess: no.</p>
<p>No ECs in either HS or past university?
No good essays?
What’s going to stand out to the committee? Why would they think you would be a good fit for Vanderbilt?</p>
<p>I’m also a transfer (made it into Vandy last year). But my GPA at my past university was 4.0 and I complained throughout my application how easy my last university was. [/snobbery]</p>
<p>Seriously though, good luck. It doesn’t sound like Vandy is/was your first choice anyway.</p>
<p>I do have ECs, I filled my application with the maximum amount of ECs, but I think they’re just average and my essays were good in my opinion, but I could have taken a bit more time with them and written about something other than my financial woes and family problems. </p>
<p>I was hoping I could show them that I’m different from the average applicant in that I’ve had to deal with a lot of adversity away from school. I’m glad my professors wrote me those flawless recommendations, maybe they’ll have some weight on the admissions committee’s decision?</p>
<p>And thank you for replying.</p>
<p>I applied to Vandy as a senior and was denied, but I’m applying as a transfer applicant (I’m a freshman at a private 4 year university, with a pretty good reputation)</p>
<p>I have a 3.82 GPA from last semester and this semester I am taking 28 credits! and so far I have 5 A’s and 1 B+, and all of my teachers signed off on my ‘midterm’ report.
My SATs were Reading: 630 Math: 680 and Writing: 690
I have a lot of extra curricular activities both in high school and college. In college, I am a tour guide and writing for the school newspaper, among many others.
I have two great teacher recs (in classes I received A’s in last semester.)
I’ve never been in trouble in college and I think that’s it.</p>
<p>I know there is no way to predict an acceptance/rejection, but what do people who have had experience with transfering think? </p>
<p>Thanks and I appreciate any honest answers!</p>
<p>w/ a 3.82, you should get in. i got in with like a 3.7 and i met a few other transfers that had 3.4 and 3.5s.</p>
<p>Hey guys, I’m in the same boat as everyone else was. I’m applying for the Fall '12 term as a Freshman. What are my chances??</p>
<p>-Freshman @ Loyola University Maryland
-First Semester GPA: 3.941 (18 credits)
-First Semester Class Rank: 15/1055
-Mid-Second Semester GPA: 3.71 (19 credits)
-Major: Biology
-ACT: 28
Extracurriculars in college:
-Jamaican Experience Immersion Program (they accepted 2 freshman, 2 sophomores, 2 juniors and 1 senior
-Liturgical Ministry
-“Homeless Hookups” coordinated by well-known Jesuit - feed inner-city homeless people once a week
-Desk Assistant (Paid Job)</p>
<p>-High School GPA: 3.61
-43/214 Class Rank</p>
<p>I highly doubt anyone will reply but I would like your opinion:</p>
<p>So I finished my transfer app a few weeks ago and submitted everything on time. I am an American citizen but I lived most of my life abroad and did not receive my education in English. I am fluent in 3 languages and traveled around quite a bit. I lived through a ton of drama in Syria before moving back to the USA. My high school GPA is equivalent to 4.0 (please note it is a different grading system) and I was in the top 1% of my class. I believe I have very solid essays. I attended two years of university in Syria and had a 3.86 GPA. I currently attend my local community college in Virginia with 40 credits and a 4.0 GPA. My SAT score was a disappointing 1980 (770M, 610W,600R) after my second try, but only because I took it upon my arrival to the States with very rusty English. I guess that pretty much sums it up. What do you guys think my chances are?</p>
<p>Thanks!!</p>
<p>@doctorgk,</p>
<p>Do you have any extra curriculars?</p>
<p>I’d rather be fluent in three languages than have a higher R score. I think you will get an open door at Vandy or at another fine college. And take a look at the State department and security forces (FBI and CIA) in the USA, although many businesses also need trilingual employees. You are what they are looking for. Our son tried to get a berth but fluency in German was not on the top 10 “sought after fluencies” list. Keep working on your English reading and composition skills. Reading comprehension will be tested again if you go in the directions I mention. If you need a lot of financial aid, take a look at George Mason in NoVa. Instate with a very diverse population. Or Virginia Tech. Your community college high performance is supposed to help you transfer so I hope you are in close contact with your community college guidance counseling staff re when you reach the required hours. Kudos for keeping your GPA high. </p>
<p>@CaptTShannan,</p>
<p>Yes, I do.
-Work experience: Science tutor for 2 years, I have also been a waiter since my arrival to the United States, and financially independent at age 20.
-Under 18 chess champion in Damascus, Syria with an official international ranking.
-Leadership role in environmental work during my sophomore and junior year of high school.
-Paramedic work with the Syrian Red Crescent (the equivalent of the Red Cross) for one year.
-Player in the basketball team at my high school for three years.</p>
<p>@Faline2</p>
<p>Well, I am fluent in Arabic, French, and English, of course. Unfortunately, I have no current interest in working with the CIA/FBI. I want to go to Vanderbilt and go to medical school afterwards. My English reading and writing skills have significantly improved since I took the SAT last year. I’m simply going through the typical “freaking out” stage before decisions come out. I applied to both the schools you mentioned, and I already got a full scholarship to GMU. But Mason is at the bottom of my list right now simply because I don’t like living in Fairfax and desperately want to get out of here.</p>
<p>I appreciate your insight! :)</p>
<p>Glad Mason gave you a full scholarship and hope you get open door to Vandy. Fairfax County. Not like any other county in VA. You would find Nashville infinitely more peaceful and easy to get around. Premed at Vandy sounds like a solid goal…hope they support your hopes. My only recommendation is to work hard with those who know you to make sure Vandy gets to review the best letter of reference possible. Good Luck!</p>
<p>I just got accepted to the College of William & Mary!</p>
<p>doctorgk, The College of William and Mary is a public Ivy with the most personal classrooms and a super smart student body. Congrats! (I was a OOS girl valedictorian who was not admitted 40 years ago…and it was my number one choice >>>tears!) The student we know who chose Wm and Mary over many other offers knows his teachers very well. They sooooo excel in the classroom. I know the faculty will love having you if that is the decision you finally make. Wm and Mary has that something something that money and endowments out the kazoo cannot buy, my friend. Unique! </p>
<p>@Faline2 ,
Fortunately enough, the reason I was on this thread (Vanderbilt University) sent me an admissions offer with a full merit/need based grant!!! UVA is the school I am currently considering along with VU. I am thrilled and know that both schools are awesome. I will make my final decision by May 15th.</p>
<p>Ps: props on the accurate guess.</p>
<p>doctorgk, I do know many UVA grads who are doctors and what is not to love about Charlottesville? Very Zen town to live in when doing difficult work and a very diverse student body thanks to NoVa. But my advice to you is that if you can attend Vanderbilt at a very low cost…take it–it is a once in a lifetime underwritten plan where need blind makes a huge difference in your favor. Med school search and final decision will be heavily weighted to price points in the end —and amount you have to borrow…and perhaps you can finish and do med school back at UVA or at the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond if you end up needing to do a smart in-state plan financially. Private schools have huge endowments and spend more than tuition on each student. Facilities are top notch. There is a warmth in Vandy classrooms. Even sciences offer high contact with full professors at Vandy. Classrooms are smaller and getting in the classes you want exactly when you want is more likely at Vanderbilt. The hospitals on grounds are amazing and steps away. There is no need for a car for a full and happy life there.
Listen, I love UVA…and think it has some “magic” just like Wm and Mary that “money cannot buy.” I will be sad if neither of our VA sons use UVA for grad school. Anchor down and come to Vandy. 
btw, I am in NoVa today and was at the 9:30 Club in DC last night. </p>
<p>Haha, I think I will “anchor down” at Vandy. Well, I hope you enjoyed cinqo de mayo in DC! I bet it was a blast 
</p>
<p>so happy for you doctorgk, welcome to the Vanderbilt community…head closer to Virginia for round two of your education. We saw Chris Thile…what a generous, rare performer. Sadly, my husband and I realized everyone there was either 20 something or had hired a babysitter to get away for the evening and left babies at home whose pics they were looking at while we stood and waited (no seating) for the show to start. We counted three people that might be fifty.
Listen…so many wonderful wonderful venues in Nashville for the arts and for sports and for festivals…to say nothing of the daily crawl on your computer screen with big name speakers coming to Vanderbilt or performing at Blair or Vanderbilt. Enjoy…contribute…embrace it all.</p>