Vanderbilt Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

<p>I am a high school junior in a small town in Louisiana and hope to go to Vanderbilt for undergraduate. I come from a middle class family, so scholarships and financial aid are really a necessity for me to even consider attending. I attend a small, competitive private school in town, so I have a really good education experience in my opinion. My career goals include studying pre-med, possibly to become an ophthalmologist. I would greatly appreciate any comments or advice about my chances! Here are some of my stats:</p>

<p>Class Rank: Top 10% (probably valedictorian)
GPA: (weighted) 4.46 (unweighted) 4.0
ACT: 33 (2nd try, hoping to take again in the fall)
SAT: Taking it in June, hoping for at least a 2100
SAT II: Hoping to take Math I, English, and possibly Biology
PSAT: 202 (National Merit Commended Student)
AP Classes: English Lit, English Language and Composition, U.S. History, Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Calculus
Advanced Honors Classes: English I/II, Biology I, Geometry, Algebra II, Chemisty I, Pre-Calculus
-attended regional and state literary rallys all through high school in English (writing is easy to me, so essays should be stellar!)
-nominated to multiple youth programs, including Boys State and National Youth Leaders Conference.</p>

<p>Extra-Curricular:
-accomplished local and state pianist (won awards in multiple classical competitions and talent shows, considering a music minor)
-long distance runner (regularly run in 5K's and half marathons)
-high school cross-country (team captain) and track
-president of Drama Club (writing and acting in plays/skits)
-secretary of Spanish Club
-sophomor class treasurer
-junior class vice-president
-senior Student Council vice-president
-National Honor Society
-junior Key Club secretary
-senior Key Club lieutenant governor (oversees and directs one of 13 or so divisions in the tri-state area)</p>

<p>Work/Volunteer Experience:
-Local medical program at hospital (100 hours)
-After school tutor (3 hours/week)
-Private piano tutor (3 hours/week)
-Technician for local ophthalmologist (yet to figure out schedule, starts this summer and hopefully will go through the school year)
-Overall: over 600 hours of service hours, including school functions and whatnot</p>

<p>My girlfriend, a senior, has been offered a hefty scholarship to Vanderbilt and has decided to attend there this upcoming year, and we have very similar credentials (we're a little competitive lol). Oh, I also have 2 or 3 relatives who went to Vanderbilt (one is still there) if that helps any... thanks for reading and comment with your opinions please!</p>

2

<p>Solid resume. Only thing I see lacking is awards/honors. Good work experience. you have a good chance. A 34 or 35 on the ACT or equivalent SAT would help.</p>

<p>Vanderbilt meets 100% need so they’ll basically offer you more need-based aid than anywhere you apply to (aside from the other 100% need met schools).</p>

3

<p>Thanks for the advice! Hopefully I can pull up the score 1 or 2 points, and I actually found out just this morning I won the National Council of Teachers of English Award for Writing. This helps… Other schools I’m considering if Vandy doesn’t work out are UMich Ann Arbor, UVA, UNC Chapel Hill, Rice, Texas A&M, and a couple of in-state schools.</p>

4

<p>Anyone else have anything to add to that? Maybe even for the other schools listed above?</p>

5

<p>You’re pretty much guaranteed to get into all of those except Rice. I suggest you look into a few more highly ranked private schools.</p>

6

<p>Wow thanks, that’s a real confidence booster! I’ll definitely be looking into some more higher end schools.</p>