<p>Sorry if this sort of thread is frowned upon around here, I just joined. I just applied Regular Decision yesterday, and I need a way to burn some of my excited/terrified/nervous energy. So, what are my chances…? (I took the profile from a results page…hoping it would be easier to compare to the EDI’s who’ve been accepted/rejected). Also, there are a couple questions in there about letters and interviews. </p>
<p>Decision:</p>
<p>Stats:</p>
<pre><code>* SAT/ACT: No SAT, ACT - 31 (My English and Reading were tops…math average…science dragged me down…)
SAT IIs: US History: 730, English Lit: 780
GPA (w/uw): I’m not good with “weight and unweighted” 4.0? I’ve only ever made A’s in classes, three were AP.
Rank/Percentile (# out of #) or %: Dunno until we come back from break. Probably in the top 10 students, if not a little higher. Class of over 300.
Total AP’s/IB’s taken (score): US History- 5, AP Studio Art- no score yet, British Lit- no score yet. (My school only offers one other AP class I didn’t take, and that was a scheduling issue)
Course load: Hard, at least for my school. All honors or AP if offered.
Other stats: My grades are almost invariably 100+?
</code></pre>
<p>Subjective:</p>
<pre><code>* Essays: I think it was pretty strong. I liked my scholarship ones better, though…
Teacher Recs: The one I saw was AMAZING, in my opinion. Hey, how can I send extra letters? Through the mail? Because the common app wouldn’t let me add more.
Counselor Rec: No clue, didn’t see it
Interview: How can I get one of these? Sorry…I know I saw it on the site before, but I can’t find it now! I know I’m just overlooking it. Is it too late to interview, now that I’ve already applied?
Major EC’s: School literary magazine (assistant editor), school newscast (countless positions), Mock Trial team (secretary), Game club (vice president), After school art studio (no officer positions available)
Work experience: none…I didn’t have any free time!
Hook (if any):
Notable weaknesses (if any): No community service or job. ACT scores.
</code></pre>
<p>Location/Person:</p>
<pre><code>* State or Country: Tennessee
School Type: Generic giant public school which is rotting to the ground
Ethnicity: white
Gender: female
Income Bracket:lower middle
Financial aid?: applying
Intended Major: studio art
Other schools in mind: UTK, maybe Belmont. I really want Vandy, though…
</code></pre>
<p>Other Factors: I won quite a few awards in art, history, and video. I’m also a National Merit Commended Scholar. </p>
<p>Thank you!
I would chance you back, but I’m absolutely horrible at these things. That’s why I’m asking others! I have no frame of reference, see. No one I know has been to college outside little community places.</p>
<p>You’re from TN. You’d be amazed how much that helps. 12% of the Vandy class comes from TN. You know that being from TN helps because you know that students from TN do NOT comprise 12% of the people applying.</p>
<p>information about an interview should be emailed to you soon i think or thats what the ppl at the admissions office told me… and then itll give u alumni contacts in ur area and u would initiate the contact… if neone knows different feel free to correct me … oh and ur chances i think ur not automatically in just because vanderbilt has a really low acceptence rate but ur good shape… btw are u applying rd or ed2 … also what scholarship are u applying for?</p>
<p>Acceptance at Vanderbilt for TN students is actually getting more difficult than just a few years ago. Several local very well qualified applicants from private schools were rejected-one was a double legacy who had competitive stats, the other was the valedictorian at her school. Last year only 3 from D’s school were accepted compared to 6 the year before. They really want more geographic diversity these days.
Even though my D is hopefully still the valedictorian at her school and her SAT is 70 points higher than last years mid-50%, she is still not confident she will get in because we live in Nashville. Thank goodness she got a surprise early admit to WashU!</p>
<p>@Arlington- I’m applied RD, and I applied for both the Chancellor’s and Cornelius Vanderbilt scholarships. I figure my chances for those are low, but it’s worth a shot, right?</p>
<p>@Hope- My teacher said she thought I was in better shape because not many Vanderbilt applicants come from my school. It’s public and not as many people have the money (including me) or the grades, unfortunately. I know two other girls applying from my school, but there could be more. Thank you for your input, though!</p>
<p>Would being from a private school really help? That hardly seems fair…not all of us can pay to attend them.</p>
<p>Look now, you have the stats and just make sure you essay is good bbecause at thwe end of the day you can have decent stats and a great essay and get in. Don’t mind what these people say. I think you have a great shot at getting in and if you don’t get in, it’s only because your essay was just “decent”.</p>
<p>Out of all respect, just because 3 smart people didn’t get in the school, 50% drop from the previous year, doesn’t mean it’s getting “harder”. Maybe those people didn’t show a true passion for Vanderbilt. When it comes down to it, Canderbilt, like any other top school, wants people with a passion for their school. They don’t just hand acceptances because of stats. It’s the darn passion dude.</p>
<p>Thanks! Since I’ve posted my nerves have settled tremendously. You’ve all been so helpful. If I don’t get in this semester I can always apply for a transfer some other time, right? I’m not giving up, that’s for sure! Because I definitely have the “passion” you mentioned, VandyPrayer (ha, I’ve done quite a bit of praying myself since the application was sent off…). Getting in would be an absolute dream come true!</p>
<p>It’s people like me who should worry. I have a 25 on the ACT, but I applied ED, made a top notch essay (I am great with rhetoric…). But my downfall is my test score. I don’t care though, because I am showing that I wanna go to this school more than everyone else. I applied for the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship, I did ED, made sure both essays were top notch, my graders are on point, and I showed all my leadership qualities. Not only that, I also told them in my additional information section of my application that I am a co-webmaster of a website. On top of that, I’m African American. I’m using everything in my freaking power to make sure that I get into this school.</p>
<p>It’s passion and prayer that will get me in. I don’t believe in chances. I chanced myself on here earlier. I don’t know why, but I have realized that these people can’t tell you if you get in or not!</p>
<p>There is a girl that currently attends Vandy as a freshmen with a 23 on the ACT. She was valedictorian and she showed her passion for the school! That’s why we see so many rejected: you have high scores, you make a decent… just decent essay that doesn’t show who you are or what you care about and when you get your rejection letter you wanna blame the school as “hard to get into”.</p>
<p>I think you got a great shot. Everyone here does.</p>
<p>If I get in, I look forward to seeing you at Vandy. If you make this strong of an impression on a forum I can only imagine the impression you made in your essay. When will you know your results?</p>
<p>They say on the fifteenth of February I will know my results. I have a no failure type attitude. I’m not on here trying to convert anyone, but I’mm praying so much on this. I know with God, nothing is impossible. I don’t say “if I go”, I say when I go to Vandy. I know you’re getting in Conscience.</p>
<p>I wish people would realize that those ACT score ranges are those that admitted, but those that enrolled. There are people with 27’s on the ACT that have gotten into the school and they do just as well in the school as the one’s with 34’s on the ACT. I saw no weakness in your stats, sweety.</p>
<p>I’m praying for everyone on this forum to get into this school and actually attend it. You hear that everyone? You’re going to Vandy darnit! We must believe what we say.</p>
<p>I have this conscience [no pun intended] in the back of my mind saying that I’ll get in, despite all my negativity. I’m hoping that means something.</p>
<p>VandyPrayer, I hope you get in. I don’t know what you would believe if you didn’t.</p>
<p>Thanks. When I made this thread, I was, as the title says, “utterly terrified.” Now? Not so much. Time and the great people on this website have made me feel a lot better. My prayers will be with you as well. I can’t wait to see all the acceptance reports come in in the coming months!</p>
<p>If I don’t get in, I know that another top school has chosen me to attend. Vandy is my number one choice. I decided that already. I’m going to be the first person in my family to attend a private school.</p>
<p>My essay was written about how Spongebob influenced me to find happiness in something I love as he did with fry cooking. My integrity diminished at one point, but it was rebuilt after watching episodes of the show. I then assured myself that I will be a role model for the next generation and that while I may not live in a pineapple under the sea, I am a great candidate for Vanderbilt!</p>
<p>I will believe that God didn’t destine me for the school as much as I thought; however, I will continue to be a successful person. I have a dream of being a celebrity…</p>
<p>I wish you all good luck. I really want this board to grow as a family.</p>
<p>That essay sounds really silly and awesome. =]</p>
<p>I already feel that this board is bonding. In other college forums, it’s all chances threads and everyone is just worried about themselves and that’s all they care about. Though the layout is similar here, the discussions within each chance thread are deeper and more understanding.</p>
… oh and ur chances i think ur not automatically in just because vanderbilt has a really low acceptence rate but ur good shape… btw are u applying rd or ed2 … also what scholarship are u applying for?</p>