US student studying abroad, chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

<p>Vandy is my second choice college, I was rejected by Duke (first choice) and am skeptical about my chances at Vandy.</p>

<p>I was homeschooled my first two years of high school (great education, got high test scores, 27 on the ACT freshman year) in the US. My junior and senior years of high school have been spent at the International Christian School of Budapest, In the country of Hungary.</p>

<p>Male, Applying to school of Engineering</p>

<p>High School type: International School in Budapest, the capital city of Hungary.
GPA: 3.9 (unweighted)
ACT: 32 (31 E, 34 M, 33R, 28 S)</p>

<p>Classes (This is why i think i was rejected by Duke): I am taking all of the top classes my school has to offer (and some more). Unfortunately, my school only offers one AP course, which is AP Calc, though I am taking AP Physics B and C outside of my school. </p>

<p>Class Rank: My school does not officially do class rankings, mostly because of the size of each class (about 30 students per class). But i would be in the top 10% in a normal sized American school.</p>

<p>Extra Curricular Activities: This section is where i think I stand out.
-Student Government: Senior Class Rep
-Started small Electronics Design company with a classmate, we design and build guitar amplifiers and effects pedals.
-Varsity Basketball: Undefeated season, Conference Champs, And Most Improved player award.
Varsity Cross Country: Most Improved Runner (award)
-Member of Chapel Committee
-Lead roles in School Musicals: Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof
-National Honor Society (11, 12)
My most impressive EC's in my opinion however have been my volunteer service.
-Group leader for trips to Budapest salvation army soup kitchen
-I teach English classes in Hungarian Public schools.
-I volunteer at the local Hungarian Retirement home/Nursing home
-I also volunteer for a Hungarian youth ministry, and have made many Hungarian friends whom I tutor and mentor.
-Volunteer Discussion group leader at ACSI Student Leadership Conference
-Volunteered for the Chattanooga Police Dpt. </p>

<p>I feel like my Essays are solid, wrote about how I would be a good fit in a diverse college community because of my experience in Europe.</p>

<p>Teacher Rec's: not so sure, this is the second year at my school, and most of my teachers still don't know me that well, or know about most of my EC's.</p>

<p>I am a TN resident.</p>

<p>My academic scores don't stick out that much, especially for an Engineering applicant, but i think that the fact that I have lived in Europe for two years would help me, because Vandy seems to have a pretty holistic admission process.</p>

2

<p>Bump, I’d really like some input.</p>

3

<p>Happy New Year!
Just got news that my councilor finished the last part of my application, So I’m officially in the running. </p>

<p>Again, It would be really nice If i could get some thoughts about my chances at Vandy :D</p>

4

<p>There are good news and bad news, The bad news first: your stats are average for the usual pool of applicants. And your few APs are also a drawback. So as you have mentioned yourself, its gonna be tough for you to stand out in terms of academics.</p>

<p>The good news is that you have an edge since you have been studying abroad. In my opinion, Vanderbilt is trying hard to make to its student body diverse in terms of race and perspective; as such it’s trying to haul in both international students and students who have had a different experience than the average American, e.g having been schooled in a different system.</p>

<p>Good luck :)</p>

5

<p>I think you have a good shot at being admitted. It would help matters if you let your international adcom representative know that Vanderbilt is now your first choice. Congrats on your 34 in Math on the ACT and your strong Reading score. All good for the engineering school which prefers students with math ability. Trivia…my Duke grad was jealous when he saw the Freshman only residential college campus and Vanderbilt’s rather wonderful location in Nashville. Vandy son’s access to relationships to faculty members is as good or better than Duke son’s experiences and intro classes that are large at Duke are large at Vandy, too but classes at Vandy are quite personal for a school with 6000 undergrads. Good luck!</p>