VANDY ED I ... below average ACT

Hi I really love Vanderbilt but based on my test scores I don’t think I can get in RD so I am starting to talk to my family about ED.
GPA: 4.54 (almost the highest)
School does not rank but I am probably in the top 10 girls out of 250 in a competitive private school.
ACT: 31 (just took another but haven’t gotten results)
Super scored I have a 33… here are my highest scores in each section:
E: 35
M: 35
R: 32
S: 31
SAT: 1450 on new (only took once)
haven’t gotten SAT II scores but think I did well on bio and math 2

The rest of my application is pretty solid. Anyone think I have a chance ED?

It’s a reach because Vandy really loves very high test scores but I think you have a shot.

I agree that it is a reach with your current ACT. If you were able to get it up a point or two without superscoring, I think your chances become much stronger especially with such a good GPA.

@jjrrdd Yes, I agree. I am just worried because I am about to get back my 3rd ACT score and do not think I got a 33 like I wanted (I had an off day on reading). I also just found out I am in the top 5% of my class… do you think more weight is put on test scores or grades/courses you take?

I don’t know much about Vanderbilt in particular, but I do know they have always like the high standardized test score. I think most people who have a good chance at Vandy take the most challenging curriculum. You have a solid ACT right now, it just doesn’t put you in the best position.

@jjrrdd I just got back my June ACT and I improved from a 31 to a 32. Deciding whether I should take the test a 4th time…
I am indeed taking the hardest curriculum at my school and recently received a letter to let me know that I am in the top 5% of my class (which is 11 people out of 230). I also recently received an award for my academic achievement and leadership within my school (chosen by the faculty). It’s just frustrating that my above average performance in the classroom at a competitive high school is not translating to my ACT score.

As a student at Vanderbilt, I can tell you that your class rank is what Vandy is definitely looking for. However, you are right, your ACT is a little bit on the low side. Vandy does not superscore, so keep that in mind.

Advice: It looks like you’ve got english and math down pretty well. It’s reading and science that are hurting you. Those tend to be hard for a lot of people, not because the sections themselves are hard, but simply because of the amount of passage reading they give you. I have a test-taking tip for these sections: don’t read anything until you have seen the questions. People tend to waste a lot of time trying to comprehend everything in the passages, but if you look at what the question is asking, you can search for that in your readings. This is ESPECIALLY true in science; DO NOT read everything in science, there’s a LOT of useless information.

I’d say that if you can crack 33, you’ve got a shot, but if you can get yourself up to a 34 or 35, you’ve got a solid chance.

Try to find another university where really, really high test scores won’t matter as much as at Vanderbilt.
Your 32 is excellent, look for universities that’s value your profile.

I just applied ed to vandy, I have the opposite issue-- a 34 composite act but only a 4.25 gpa, I feel like the level of competition at vandy increased so much last year and I am worried about this year.