MOREthanLUCK

I received a 31 on my ACT and did tremendously worse on the SAT.
I have solid EC's (captain of Relay for Life team, Rec soccer team captain, been on Varsity track all 3 yrs so far, in NHS, volunteer at animal shelter and hospital, work part time, etc)
I'm in the top 10% of my class (3.9 ish unweighted GPA) and have taken a pretty difficult work load my entire high school career.

Even with my low test scores, do I still have a decent shot assuming my essay and recs are good?
By the way, I'm African American.
And should I try to retake the ACT for a higher score? (I've already taken it twice)

Vandy3023

When you say difficult work load how many AP classes? Being an ethnic minority will help your chances. Are you planning to apply early decision? A 31 should be pretty good, I think the average for vandy is like 30-34 or something like that.

MOREthanLUCK

the middle 50% is 32-35 the last time I checked their website
I have taken all of the honors classes offered at my school and am taking 3 AP classes this year, but 4 of the classes are wighted. I also took 4 non-AP weighted classes last year. And I might do ED2, but I'm not sure yet

thejedo

Well that 32-35 isn't exactly truthful because that stat is just the students who were ADMITTED over regular decision (mostly the same students who applied to ivys and whatnot) the actual attending class is 30-34. That being said you fit into this number and also being a URM will help tremendously. Best of luck!

Vandy3023

Well I am by no means an admission officer, but I'd just submit my ACT score (I didn't even take the SAT) and apply ED if your serious about attending Vandy. I know that vandy puts a lot of weight on how much you challenge yourself and 3 AP courses is not many compared to many students.

Your EC's look good and show leadership so I would think you have a really good shot ED

nahcnam

You still have a shot. I got in with very similar stats for the class of 2016, and I'm Asian. Just send your best ACT scores. So, if you got like a 31,31,31,31 on your first two ACTs, but if you get a 32,32,32,32 on your third one, I'd just send the third one. Pretty much, just send in whatever combination makes you look best. So, essentially, it doesn't matter how many times you take the test, just how many tests you send to Vanderbilt.
I'm not sure where you saw that range of 32-35. For the class of 2105, the range was 31-34. As seen on the admissions blog, this past year admitted students' scores were higher. I can't say for sure but it wouldn't surprise me if the range for the class of 2016 was 32-34.
I think you have a really good shot. I'd take as many AP classes as possible your senior year. If you can take more than 3, and you're only taking 3 then that is not a good thing. Nevertheless, I think you have a really good chance at getting in. If you have any questions, just message me. If there was anything I wish I had more of when I was applying to college, it was guidance and of course better test scores haha.

MOREthanLUCK

Thank you so much for the advice/support, nahcnam. I am currently trying to get one of my classes changed to AP so that I have 4 AP's. I will definately message you if I have any questions