Vanderbilt

4.4 gpa, 34 act, all ib and ap classes junior and senior year, Vice President of young Democrats at school, created a bill for youth in government, interned on a political campaign for a woman who went to vandy (got a rec from her), part of a rowing team for most of high school, job at a law firm. Pretty good rec letters and I think my writing and supplemental is good. I also think that it looks good that I did some valuable things with my summer. As of now vandy is my top choice simply because their financial aid would allow me to go there without inhibitions. My other applications are to places without strong financial aid. Probable major is political science. If it makes any difference, I go to public school in Florida and wrote about how my summer camp experiences have followed me throughout my life and pushed me to travel with strangers this summer to volunteer in Peru.

you have done a great job with your last four years of schooling, and obviously are college ready. Even so, you need a smart financial “safety” school plan. Even with perfect test scores–doesn’t matter who you are. Most Vandy admits are mentally fully willing to attend their state honors flagship programs, so do not let those opportunities slip by. Apply for them, too. Set yourself up to have a couple of choices in May. The entire waitlist at Vandy is qualified for admission and this is the case at many other institutions. Prepare for the odds. You should apply to other schools with great financial aid as well as pursue your best instate match.