I currently am a high school senior deciding between Tulane and University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. I am really unhappy with my choices as Vanderbilt was by far my top choice. I did not receive admission, but I still want to go there. I am deciding between ong either enrolling in one of those two schools and transferring, or taking a gap year and trying to boost my credentials that way. I’m not sure what to pick, but I want to pick the choice that beat enhances my chances for admission to Vanderbilt.
What are your stats ?
4.75 W
3.72 UW
1420 Sat 21/24 writing
I know these scores are not up to par with Vanderbilt, but I’m also studying to take the act and am expecting to get around/above a 32
The reason that I asked is that a stellar GPA in your first year of college may be more impressive than your stats as a high school senior.
Typically, it is not wise to matriculate at one college or university with the intention of transferring without a guaranteed transfer option such as those given by Cornell or a conditional transfer option such as those given by Georgia Tech.
In your case, a gap year with improved standardized test scores might be the better option.
Why Vanderbilt ? What do you intend to study ?
My advice assumes that you have no significant financial aid from your current acceptances.
Also, if you do a gap year, plan to apply/reapply to at least a dozen colleges & universities.
I fell in love with Vanderbilt during my ap us history course. We were covering monopolies and trusts, and my teacher brought up Vanderbilt and then his university. I loved the campus pictures and their message of research and hard work. I intend to go into law like my father, so for my undergrad I plan to get a business degree, but this is not too important for me. I know it isn’t wise to go into a school already deciding to transfer out, but currently I am feeling crushed about not getting admitted to Vanderbilt and am willing to do anything to go.
I am looking for guidance as currently I don’t know what to do. I’ve done lots of research, but I still don’t know what to do. I’m willing to do whatever it takes, I just still am unsure about what the best thing to do is.
You will need to communicate a much more convincing & reasonable reason for wanting to attend Vanderbilt.
It was the work ethic of the students and their passion that really was inspiring. I was speaking to the students and they exuding love for their school, unlike any other school I visited. They were proud to go to Vanderbilt; I knew that I wanted to be a part of that community. All over campus the students were smiling and happy, but what was jaw dropping was how hard these students worked. Speaking to two students in particular I could tell that the school was challenging, but that the students push each other to succeed. After visiting it only solidified my low for Vanderbilt.
Vandy is one of those few top schools where it is easier to transfer in to than get in straight from HS.
Something to consider.
I guess another part of my question is if I do decide to transfer, which school would it look better to transfer from? I did get into the gies business school at uiuc, which is ranked 15th, but the school itself is 52nd while Tulane is 40th.
Go to Tulane or UI with an open mind. If you really hate it, then consider transferring but if you want to go into law, where you go to law school will be more important than where you went undergrad. UI has a super well regarded business school so congrats on getting accepted. I think you have a better shot of transferring in than doing a gap year.
Depends upon how well you do in your freshman year elsewhere, but yes the transfer admission rate at Vanderbilt is higher than the freshman admissions rate. But my concern is different. Your reasons for targeting Vanderbilt, while sincere, are too vague & apply to many, many, many colleges & universities. If you want to see happy hardworking motivated college students, posters will be pleased to fill up many pages here.
You seem to need a gap year in which to better determine your college goals.
The difference in rankings between those two schools are negligible. Choose the one where you will be happiest and have the greatest chance of success. Choose the school where if you are unable to transfer, you have a shot a having a great four years. Go in with an open mind. Get involved on campus. Make friends. You may be surprised at how well either of those two excellent schools provides what you’ve been looking for all along.
Typically, a 32 ACT score is not going to do the trick for Vanderbilt. You would probably need a 35 to really get their attention. Plus you would need a productive gap year with an interesting application.
You have 2 really outstanding choices. Maybe Vanderbilt isn’t the perfect dream school that you are imagining?? Can you try to fall in love with one of your options?
I really appreciate everyone’s responses, thank you
I have to disagree with the statement above that “you would need a productive gap year” as anything done during one’s gap year is deemed to be a year of growth & maturing. Also, you’ll be okay with an ACT of 34.
So would people recommend taking a gap year, take the act and apply as a first year, or go to college (still take the act) and apply as a transfer?
My vote would be to try to transfer but ultimately it’s up to you and your family. You have some great college options and you are still risking not getting accepted next cycle and then having to start all over again if you take the gap year.
I can’t imagine taking a gap year is your best option. There’s no reason to suspect you would get into Vanderbilt next year either. I suggest you chose one of your remaining solid options and consider transferring after giving your chosen school a chance. There’s no sense pining for a school that may or may not even meet your expectations.
uiuc is a great option and the school is getting better every year