Rtgrove123

Hey guys,

Right now I am really giving a serious look to Rice, Emory, and Vandy. However, my EFC really sucks, so I am hoping that I get a scholarship to one of these awesome schools. So, how do my chances really look for becoming a Cornelius Scholar?

THANKS!!!!

GPA: 4.0 (UW) and 4.1 (W)
Rank: 1/327
ACT: 35
SAT: 2340-----800 CR, 780 W, 760 M (Only took test one time)
SAT 2: Taking in Oct.. will probably get 750+ on them all though
Race: White (Serbian)
State of Residency: NE
Recs: Glowing (according to teacher best hes every written)
Desired Major/Minor- Bio/Econ

Main School ECs:
FBLA (9-12) Historian and Treasurer
SADD(9-12) Class Rep for 3 years and VP Senior year
Science Club (11-12) President and Founder
AcDec (10-12) Captain for 2 years
Olympus Club (9-12) Actice Member
NHS (11-12) Member (I hate elections = D)

Community Service:
Red Cross--350 hours
Sunday School Teacher for 2nd and 3rd Graders---300 hours
American Cancer Society-----100 hours
Volunteered at Local Congressman's Office----200 hours

Sports-
Did Cross Country for 2 years but was only an average runner...no awards or anything

Awards:
1st Place in Cell Bio and 3rd in Health Science at State Science Olympiad
1st in Health Science and 3rd in Dynamic Planet at NE regional Science Olympiad
1st in Health Science and 3rd in Disease Detectives at NE Regional Science Olympiad
1st in State Econ Challenge...flew to Houston for free and got 5th Place in Midwest
1st in State Microeconomics at Econ Challenge
2nd in State Finance Challenge 2008
3rd in State Finance Challenge 2007
3rd in Regional Economics Challenge
4th in state at Cyber Security Competition
Friend of Alexander Hamilton Merit Award Winner
President's Gold Volunteer Award
Represented my HS at NE State Leadership Seminar
Local Radio Station and News Station's volunteer of the year award
At least semifinalist for National Merit
Won Like 20 regional AcDec Awards (was a top scorer at all of the competitions we were at)
Nominated for NCTE competition...but I dont think I won or anything
Won a couple of Quiz Bowls
Won like 3rd and 4th in state at various "Knowledge Master" competitions

Work Experience:

Working as a paid research intern with a doctor at my local med center
Worked a paper route for 7 years

dshinka

Your track record looks really impressive. I think you will have a shot at one of the merit scholarships.

midmo

You'll never know if you don't try. Fill out the applications, for sure.

The web site used to state that the M + V SAT score should be at least 1500 for the major merit awards. I don't think it specifies anything anymore, and competition has become stiffer, but your scores still look good.

(What makes you think you didn't get the NCTE award? I don't think it is announced until October.)

dshinka

Yeah, I heard the 1500 thing from an admissions officer when I visited Vandy last Spring.

Faline2

I think you will be considered. That said, there are many people at Vanderbilt paying full price with your scores, just as there are at many other wonderful colleges. It is my view that the entire class of 2013 where my son is a freshmen..is an honors class, and so here are my comments.

While your ECs are good, so are everyone's. I would not post them online for chances threads. I would protect my privacy as I entered my senior year so I could enjoy pursuing my best interests at several schools at once anonymously. I would have an identity that included some info about me but not too much.

Obviously, it gets pretty random about who gets merit and who gets special concessions even with your record. It is always a mistake in my view after two sons and four years here to be identifiable on CC. Enjoy one place where you can vent and be gung ho for both Yale and MIT and Vandy at the same time. Protect your identity. You are competitive and should be looking at multiple options. Schools are concerned with yield.

Lastly, I like that you worked a paper route more than anything else.

I have a lucky son on a merit scholarship at Vandy. I can tell you in all honesty that his roommate is just as unique, smart, kind, ethical, special and wonderful..I could see that in ten seconds. So the only reason I think my son was blessed came down to essays and reference letters.

Show them who you are in your essays. Be humble and dare to show your heart and what makes you someone that everyone in '14 would love to call a classmate, someone who everyone benefits from knowing. Holding offices and having a long list of ribbons won just gets to be a blur since everyone at Vandy is highly motivated. Put what makes you tick in your essays...show that you appreciate those around you and indicate where at Vandy or College X you will contribute.

ddad09

Rtgrove, one thing I would definitley do is at some point, when Vandy suggests meeting with a vandy alumnus, meet with the alumnus and have a great interview with them. That will go into your file. Also, if there are any Vandy alums near you, meet them and ask them to write you a recommendation. Write good and interesting essays and absolutely keep your 4.00. Do you have AP courses?