<p>@wherethersagill The math II score is really good! The chem and physics are alright, you might wanna consider trying again in the November SAT? However in regard to percentiles, they are much harder and skewed for subject tests because only people applying to the most selective schools take them, so the curve is tougher than the regular SAT. </p>
<p>@Suomi84 That’s reassuring! </p>
<p>“Vandy is a holistic admissions process, so they will never throw out an application simply due to SAT or ACT scores. When I visited they were very clear that they value GPA and classes over the standardized tests so I wouldn’t worry about it. The SAT scores are just ranges, some people test well others don’t. You really can’t control it so don’t worry.”</p>
<p>So, I don’t want to be negative, but we all know this isn’t true, right? Frankly, if a person applies with less than probably a 25 ACT (or whatever is similar for the SAT I don’t know) they are going to have to be a world-class musician, curer of cancer, inventor of teleportation, or something of the sort if they are to be admitted. There are just so many students with high GPAs and standardized testing scores applying to Vandy these days that they will have no problem finding the bulk of the class from that pile.</p>
<p>Again, I’m not trying to be negative but we all know (I think) that this is the case. Good luck to everyone as you finish your applications.</p>
<p>@Sykology so what would you say would be the threshold for ACT scores? The 25th percentile? </p>
<p>Vandy students are among the highest in the nation (7th or so) at test scores. I remember that those with a 32 or lower ACT didn’t do well last year. Please go and check last year’s ED forum.</p>
<p>@Sykology I joke about that sometimes lol. If you’re somewhat average with your stats, you better have saved the world from total destruction at least three times before you’ll get admitted 
</p>
<p>@CollegePanda96 You basically just have to have something that makes up for a low test score. In my case, I’m hoping that it’s my essay/recs. My GPA couldn’t be higher, but obviously that’s relative depending on your hs. Just don’t doubt yourself based on just this one thing. </p>
<p>@doubleeternity I actually viewed that thread a while back. I remember seeing many people with 31s get rejected, but some actually were accepted. Half of the 32s were accepted as well. I guess, for me, since I’m at the bottom of the 25th-75th percentile range with a 32, my essays/recs/ecs have to be great in the eyes of adcom?</p>
<p>Many were rejected with a 35 ACT. So no doubt that test scores aren’t everything. But I guess your are right; you better have something that will make you an attractive candidate among many many over-qualified applicants. Best wishes.</p>
<p>@sykology Obviously below a certain point you are not going to be admitted. Test scores are not a 100% indicator of intelligence, but to a point they are. Obviously if you have a 25 ACT or a 1500 SAT you don’t really stand a chance. What I am saying is that being in the 25th percentile versus the 75th percentile of the score range at Vandy is not a huge deal. They are more interested in who you are than your test score, given that you are in the ballpark of course. Basically they aren’t gonna value a 750 math waaaay over a 700, they would likely look at rec’s essays activities etc. </p>
<p>From the admissions blog:</p>
<p><a href=“What We Look For In An Application | The Vandy Admissions Blog | Vanderbilt University”>http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/vandybloggers/2014/02/what-we-look-for-in-an-application/</a></p>
<p>@Suomi84 I’m not saying that scores are everything. What I am saying is that I can take a pool of people with awesome test scores and find nice holistic things to say about them than I can take a pool of people that evaluate well in other areas and justify low scores. I’m not a fan of the “some people don’t test well” argument that gets thrown around, though. We might be able to argue that the ACT/SAT aren’t well-designed…but if someone is a “poor test taker” I would strongly advise them to attend another university.</p>
<p>I left some words out there…but I think you get the point. Anyway, most people on here are dedicated to being very good applicants so I’m sure you all have strong non-academic factors in addition to your good scores so it’s all gonna be good.</p>
<p>I’m just trying to have a lot of hope and be positive about the whole thing. It’s so easy to get really down about it and think there’s no chance I’ll get in, so I try not to do that. It really helps I think cause I get some serious mood swings when I’m thinking about it (:</p>
<p>Just to be clear, I can still turn it in tomorrow right?</p>
<p>Yep! The deadline is probably on central time though, so be careful.</p>
<p>Not to be negative or anything, but are you guys applying to back-up schools now or December 15th? I wanted to wait until I got Vanderbilt’s decision so I don’t waste app fees, but my guidance counselor told me submitting applications so close to the deadline may hurt my chance. So now I’m not sure when to submit others…</p>
<p>I applied to one sorta safety school EA just because the deadline was before we find out about Vandy. But I’m waiting on the others. Haven’t even sent in SAT scores to them b/c that has a fee too 
And dare I be hopeful, we would just have to take them back come the 15th so…</p>
<p>@livelovedance97 I have submitted other applications. A big reason I did it, though, was because I applied early action to some of these schools, so the deadlines were either today or October 15th. But because Vanderbilt is so selective, I never really considered waiting to hear back from them before submitting other applications. </p>
<p>Well. I did it.</p>
<p>Just now submitted. Procrastination.</p>