What are my chances? Will my age hurt me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

Hello.
I am an Iranian student, and I am a senior in high school. However, I have jumped over two grades during middle and elementary schools, so I am 16 years old. Will this hurt me? I know that many colleges don’t care as long as you manage to prove that you are both academically ready to tackle the workload and socially competent enough to connect with the older students. For what is worth, Those who have read my essays say that they are well written and paint me in a good light.
Also, will my nationality be helpful? I do know that we are woefully under-represented in US colleges.
And lastly, do you think that the need-aware policy will be a big problem for me?
I should also mention that I need aid, so that is a minus.
Here are my stats:

Intended Major : Biomed Eng/neuroscience/Molecular Bio/ Molecular Eng/ Chemistry
GPA: I double majored in Junior year so I have two gpa’s: 19.20 for my theoretical major , 19.40 for my Experimental , 19.06 Sophomore, 18.76 Freshman. according to https://www.wes.org/gradeconversionguide/index.asp, all my GPA’s translate into 4 in the american system. will this upward trend be helpful?
Rank : 2/75. keep in mind that my school is extremely rigorous.
Course Load: Biology 3, Calculus, Physics 3, Advanced Algebra and Probability, Geometry 2, Geology 1, Chemistry 3, Persian Literature 3, Persian Linguistics 3, Islamic studies 3, Arabic 3, English 3, Contemporary History, Math for EXP majors.
ACT : 34 (34 34 33 34)
Sat ii : 800 Chem, 770 BioM 790 Math 2
AP or IB classes are not offered in Iran, and we all have the same curriculum however, I was in a NODET (national organization for development of extraordinary talents) school, which means that our curriculum was tough as hell. however, I did have some advanced extra curricular classes in Math, Physics and Astronomy. I will probably write it as an academic Extra curricular.
EC :
English Teacher at a well regarded language college.
I also have a certificate of English Teaching competency from Longman.
Arts and humanities club member.
Internship at a very prestigious Lens and Optics Lab.
part of high school National Computer Olympiad team, no medal though.
9th at Ferdowsi Univ. Programming contest.
5th at Team Math&Chem City Contest
Fluent in English and Persian, good at Arabic, Intermediate in French
c++, HTML, CSS, JS, PHP coder.
Web designer. (BTW, should I submit a portfolio for this?)
Amateur Sketcher ( I am not submitting a supplement, but maybe this can make me look more well rounded? I think mentioning this is a bit pathetic.)
English,Geometry and Algebra tutor.

2

Stop posting this on multiple threads. You’ll probably get the same reply

3

@Livingteen1209 Thank you for your response, but I just have to clarify two things:
1- Vanderbilt is not known for admitting underage students,.
2- This is a chance thread, first and foremost. I don’t think my chances are the same at two universities as different as Vanderbilt and UofC. Please correct me if I am wrong
Based on 1 and 2, I doubt that the responses would be the same.
P.S :This is going to be my second and last thread about this. You are right, I am stressed and in anticipation, so I am over-posting. sorry.

4

I understand your nervousness. I also can 't wait to receive admission decisions.

Straight to the chance me part. I think you’re a special applicant. You have these impressive stats, resume, and awards at this young age. I’ll be surprised if the schools you applied early to don’t accept you.

I’m not really familiar with Vandy’s admissions based on age but I think you have a great shot.

5

Did you apply early? Vanderbilt is need blind, but their cost of attendence through their calculator might surprise you.

For your chances, I think you have a great shot.

6

@AnnieBot thank you for your answer.
No, since I need aid, I decided to apply RD, so I can compare offers.
Vanderbilt meets full need even for internationals, and the calculator returned 2k as my EFC.
@Livingteen1209 thank you. I have to stress that I have not applied to vandy early, since it is binding.
You know what? I will call them tomorrow and I will ask about the whole age thing.

Also, I have heard that Vanderbilt might be interested in accepting an Iranian, since it is less diverse than its peers. Is that true?

7

I doubt the less diversity thing is true.

You’re too hopped on the diversity bandwagon. Iranian, at least to the American college system, is not diverse. You have the same chances as a highschooler from China or India in getting accepted to a top 20 college.

8

I disagree with that @AnnieBot. As an Asian international student, I can tell you how intense the competition is for spots in Ivies, Stanford, MIT etc (a little less for Vandy). International students don’t compete with US students, but with each other for admission because the number of international students is usually capped at 10% at most top 20 schools. These top schools always want students from countries that are under-represented. It all boils down to the diversity issue.

China and India have enough students (with great statistics) clamoring to get into such prestigious schools, but you see fewer applicants from countries such as Iran, Iraq etc. Look at this Harvard article. See which countries they focus on so proudly when talking about international students.

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2013/12/992-admitted-under-early-action/

I don’t how much your nationality will help you, but if you come from an under-represented country, it acts as a hook of sorts.

9

@Sophie1295 I think the article is talking more about the gender of the 3 students, who are all women in heavily male dominated societies, than their actual country of origin. If OP is a female, it could very well be a huge hook.

I do not think Iran is as much of a hook as compared to somewhere like Somalia or maybe a recruited international athlete. It may give him a small boost, but I don’t think it would be a huge factor. His/her stats are good enough to be admitted, but it honestly comes down to luck if he ends up being admitted or not.

10

Yeah, I agree that being a girl from those countries helps much more, but I still think that a country like Iran is under-represented at Vandy, and that may help to an extent. Of course, you need to be a competitive applicant, but Vanderbilt is trying to increase its international student population, and diversity is always an issue we tend to focus on (a lot). Anyway, good luck @Soheils!

11

@Sophie1295 @AnnieBot thank you for your responses;
While I am not relying on diversity as a factor in any way, I doubt that being one of the two or three applicants from a country is the same as being one of hundreds. While the actual boost may be small or non-existent, I do think that it will make me stand out.
Let’s see how it turns out, thanks.