Hi:) I plan on applying to Vanderbilt next Fall ED I. Could anyone let me know if I have a good chance of getting in?
SAT I am taking my SAT in two weeks and have only done practice tests. As of now it seems I am around a 1500 … I plan on taking it a few times. my goal is a 1560:)
GPA: my school calculates our gpa’s out of 100. My weighted gpa is going to end up being around a 102.
AP classes: In my sophomore year I took AP World History and got a 5. This year (junior year) I am taking AP chemistry, AP US History, AP Java, and AP Statistics. Senior year I am taking AP Econ, BC Calculus, AP Physics, and possibly an AP Spanish class.
SAT II: In my freshman year I took the biology SAT II and got a 760 I believe… definitely going to take more this year.
I have taken almost all AP and Honors classes besides classes like Spanish where there has been no honors option.
My school does not rank.
EC(not very strong I know)
Work 5 days a week all year long (right after school until around 7 - 7:30)… 10th - 12th grade
Certified lifeguard and work as a lifeguard on the weekends over the summer… 10th - 12th grade
-Computer Science Club
Robotics club: My main extra curricular. I am one of 4 people on the programming team and we work basically all year long to program the robot. I am probably going to write about computer science and Robotics as my supplement. I also plan on majoring in Computer Science. (10th - 12th ).
In freshman year I played lacrosse and ran track but stopped because I started working. (probably won’t add this)
National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Math honor Society, History honor Society
-Leo club: a club devoted to community service.
Thats about it! I know I probably have a small chance of getting in even with ED but would still like to hear peoples thoughts… I love Vanderbilt.
Also, could anyone let me know if they think there is anything else to do to make my extra curriculars better without making it seem like I am just doing it to put on my application? I was thinking of doing a class or internship over the summer in computer science and was wondering if that would help.
Have you got any major leadership position? something pertaining to international level? Vanderbilt, like many national universities, loves olympiad students and those who are in major leadership positions.
Your stats are very good. Get your SAT to 1530+ and you should be alright in terms of stats. Would be useful if you stated if you have hooks or if you’re applying for aid.
It is hard to discern very much from a weighted GPA. If you could give your unweighted, that would be more useful. A lot here also depends on what school you go to.
Start studying for the APs now (if you haven’t already). If you get a bunch of 5s, that will help a lot. I know you got a 5 last year, but studying for a bunch of APs all at once is a lot harder than just studying one or two, which is why I recommend that you start studying now.
Don’t worry too much about big leadership positions. Basically, aside from seeing that you are smart and driven, elite colleges want to see that you are a person who would be interesting to talk to. They want to know that you are an interested thoughtful person who will fit in well on campus.Basically, they want to see that you are one of them, i.e. that you wouldn’t seem out of place on their campus (too unintelligent, boring, simple-minded, etc.). I would focus on the things that interest you, e.g. robotics, on your application, more than I would focus on more meaningless qualifications (other than volunteering which is nice to see). Colleges will see that you work a lot, and will understand that you don’t have as much time to do things as other students. Besides, listing too many things can look like resume padding, which never helps students.
These honor societies are pretty meaningless as far as Vanderbilt is concerned. Additionally, put lifeguarding down as work–it is not too interesting on its own. Computer science club is fine if it is a meaningful time commitment, and if you can incorporate it into your robotics narrative. On its own, though, being in a club doesn’t help very much.
This summer, focus on doing robotics stuff that interests you. Again, they want to see that you are interested in things. Having a clear narrative centered around one or two things is best.
In your essay I would talk more about robotics then computer science. Being interested in compsci is very common these days–robotics less so.
(Just to clarify: impressiveness is nice, but very few high school students are genuinely impressive and very few people who get into top schools are really impressive. Interestingness and interestedness are generally better criteria to go by.)
Regarding point #3 made by TheSATTeacher, leadership is a big deal for entry into Vanderbilt. They state that 100% of their admits have major leadership experience. My son is a current freshman there and I pretty clearly remember their emphasis on leadership. Good luck!
Thank you so much for your feedback everyone !!! @TheSATTeacher I will definitely start studying for the APs soon and thank you so much for the advice. I am going to run for leader of the software development team on Robotics next near so I hope that is considered a “major” leadership position.
honestly getting into Vanderbilt is a crapshoot. I have friends that were rejected who had perfect GPAs and 36/1600’s. I also know kids that had lower stats but compelling stories and were admitted. ED definitely gives you a better chance, but make sure you apply to other schools too. And don’t think less of yourself if you end up getting rejected. Good luck and try not to stress too much (I know it’s hard)
thank you and yeah haha I will try:)) and I actually have a few schools that I really love that I definitely have a better chance of getting into so Vanderbilt is more of just a far fetched dream lol.
