Vanderbilt University ED 1 Chances?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

Major: Physics

Objective:
Weighted : 4.23
Class rank: 1/190
SAT: N/A
ACT: 31 composite(32 science, 1 reading, 30 english, 29 math) My highest scores in each sub category are ( 33 science 32 english 33 math 31 reading) Writing is a 27 on the new scale
Course rigor / Senior Schedule: Senior Year Schedule: 6 periods
1st - Student teaching program. I had to take this because there were hardly any other options
2nd - I am teaching myself Calculus online because going to a local college paying 2,000 for the year was not an option. It has been a struggle, but I’m getting there.
3rd - AP Psychology
4th - AP Language and Composition
5th - AP computer Science
6th - Introduction to film - this may look interesting on my schedule.

Total AP’s
AP Chemistry - My only B in high school so far. Probably my only B ever in high school
AP Lit and Comp
AP Physics part 2
AP American History
AP European History
AP Biology

Awards: District winner 2 years in science and Arts and Humanities for Academic Team, Computer Applications-FBLA(business club)- 2nd place at state- national qualifier(freshman year) Junior Year - 3rd in computer problem solving - 2nd in digital video productions in FBLA

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): NHS President, Beta President, Quiz Bowl Varsity Member, Academic team Varsity Member, I started a Film Club with 30 members my Junior year. We are entering competitions at film festivals. I also started a KIVA/ZIDISHA charity club. FCA PEP club, I am the Secretary of the Senior Class

Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: not quite sure about numbers, several hours. Tutoring, various events with Beta and NHS. I am going to start a few community service options next year. I am going to start Alex’s Lemonade stand, Give2TheTroops, I will start a toy drive and a children’s book drive.

Summer Activities: GSP my junior year.
Essays: I wrote them about being a shrimp. i’d say 8/10 - 19/20
Teacher Recommendation: Should have one really good one and one pretty good one.
Counselor Rec: Should be okay. I don’t really know them that well but I think they like me.
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: I interviewed with an admissions counselor last year. I think it went well.
State (if domestic applicant): KY
School Type: small school in the country
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Like less than 30k
Hooks (first generation college, etc.): First generation, My sister goes to Vanderbilt. I live in Apalachia. I farm shrimp.

2

My class rank was actually 1/203

3

I think you’ve done really well for your circumstances, and colleges really like to see that. It’s not very often that someone with a family income of 30k and first generation college gets to be valedictorian and succeed in extracurriculars the way that you have.

That being said, I think that Vanderbilt would be a match for you, but I wouldn’t say that you’re a total shoe-in. Vanderbilt’s acceptance rate is in the teens, and anything could happen. Seeing someone from your circumstances get into a school like that, though, would be really awesome, and Vanderbilt knows that.

Would you mind chancing me, as well? I want to get into Notre Dame.
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1830248-chances-at-notre-dame-ill-chance-you-back-if-you-chance-me.html#latest

4

Given that your ACT is below the 25th percentile for Vanderbilt, I’d put it as a reach, but I think you have a shot. Just so you’re aware though, farming shrimp and living in Appalachia are not hooks.