Hi I am a student in North carolina. My SAT is a 1440 but I took a new one I haven’t gotten the score back yet. But my ACT is a 33. My GPA is a 3.8 unweighted and a 4.77 weighted. I have completed 8 AP courses by the end of this junior year and will.complwtw 4 more. All other classes are honors. I am an involved band member, in marching band all 4 years. I have auditioned and been selected for All district band every single year of high school and middle school. This showcases my talent at the trombone. I volunteer at a hospital and will have over 200 hours. I have worked since freshman year at a tutpring center for kids and I will have worked all throughout high sc all 4 years. I am a second degree black belt, having done tae Kwon do for four years. What are my chances of getting into Vanderbilt and what are some tips to improve my resume at all? Thank you! Oh and I have also shadowed a physician for about 20 hours. I’ve also volunteered at a donation center as well. If that contributes.
One of the Vanderbilt signature scholarships is based upon volunteerism. Look it up and apply for it. Your stats are competitive, but you would likely increase your odds of admission by applying ED (if possible in your situation). Obviously you could also retake the ACT or SAT and hope for improvement. I think you have a good chance and wish you luck!
There have been some changes i would like you to know, and I wondered if it changes anything. My SAT is now a 1490… and it appears I am not doing marching band my 4th year. I will still habe done it three years! I was also selected for the all state orchestra on trombone. Does this make me a more solid candidate at all?
I think a 33 ACT is equivalent to a 1490 (check the conversion chart to be sure) so from that perspective you’re just ‘qualified’ but not STAND OUT for test scores, but that’s just one component. All-state ensemble is always looked well upon, given the work it takes to get there. It’s more impressive the larger your state (New York, California, Texas etc. allstate is a big deal in those places especially given the sheer competition) but NC is still a wonderful thing to add to your app - “trombone in ensembles up to the all-state level.” No one can say for sure either way. Just do your best and toss your hat into the ring.
congrats on your all-state designation. My son never made it past districts and he really wanted to be in the all state orchestra very much! You cannot gain any more insight into your admissions odds here than what you have heard. Focus on what is under your control. Make a list that is clever, makes sense to your letter-writers and is realistic. A couple or three Reach Schools like Vandy, where rejection needs to be expected and is never personal! you are a highly qualified college applicant–be proud. Admission to Vandy and other colleges with too many applicants doesn’t happen to all the deserving so spread the love around. Do not neglect to apply to your best financial admission that has a strong academic program…state flagships are often excellent decisions in the long game of life. Always hold your Match admission school in high regard and respect, and your mental health will thank you! Impress your letter of reference-people with the list you create. Do not let your 33 discourage you at Vandy. Retake if you want to try in October but remember that you already have what it takes. Write thoughtful essays. If you have good supplemental test scores, make sure to share them.
Your SAT score is very good! While I understand it converts to a 33, the new SAT is still being tweaked by College Board I’ve heard rumors that scores are still in flux. For anyone who has taken both tests, I think you’ll agree that a 1490 can’t only equate to a 33. I wouldn’t be surprised if the concordance charts are adjusted eventually.
Chance me ED1?
SAT: 1470 (770 math, 700 CR) just re-took, definitely did better on CR aiming for superscore of 1500-1520
SAT II: 800 math 2, 790 chem, 730 bio (probably won’t send bio)
GPA: 3.9UW, 4.7W with consistent grades freshman through junior year
Senior Year Courses: AP Bio, AP Comp Sci, BC Calc, Honors Mandarin 5, Honors English, Honors Band & Orchestra
APs: Chem (5), USH (4) kinda mad about history but whatever
Rank: Top decile, very competitive, affluent public high school
ECs: (just big things)
Club tennis year-round, varsity tennis every year, senior year captain
Work experiencing coaching youth tennis freshman and sophomore years
Started work at a restaurant summer before junior year, work ~15 hours per week through the school year to present
Play 1st chair french horn in honors band and in the orchestra every year
Also part of NHS, student government, done community service through band, and will be inducted into Tri-M music society this coming year
Recs should all be ok as I asked my APUSH teacher and AP Chem teachers who I both liked (and liked me) and did well in their classes, also guidance rec should be decent as I’ve spoken with him a few times and is very nice
Just visited last week and loved everything about it – Nashville, the campus, and the people seemed awesome. Now I have my heart set on Vandy ED1 and need to get in lol
@edc123 Looks like you’re in good shape