What are my chances of sucess/admission at Vanderbilt and other similar Universities?

College Running

9 years ago 11/25/2014 2:20pm EST

I am currently in my Junior year and I’m beginning to feel somewhat hopeful, I’m a mediocre runner, an average student, and I have average community service and average predicted scores--however I’m beginning to realize that compared to other applicants I may be desirable.

My freshman year grades were rather terrible: 3.0, but sophomore year i brought them up to 3.8, and this year I have a 4.4 (I think I’ll be able to hold it all year.)

My psat last year was 190, and this year I expect 200 or so, and probably a 2100 on the SAT.

The kicker is compared to their other team members I’m quite good in xc and track, and since they're D1 I assume they can recruit, but maybe they don’t?

last year 800-1:57

1600-4:20

3200-9:45

xc 5k-17.00

This year in xc i went 15.45

and I predict my track times to be

1600-4:13

3200-9:15

9 years ago 11/25/2014 2:22pm EST

re: VandyFuture

Join the navy see the world

9 years ago 11/25/2014 2:40pm EST

re: VandyFuture

VandyFuture wrote:
I am currently in my Junior year and I’m beginning to feel somewhat hopeful, I’m a mediocre runner, an average student, and I have average community service and average predicted scores--however I’m beginning to realize that compared to other applicants I may be desirable.
My freshman year grades were rather terrible: 3.0, but sophomore year i brought them up to 3.8, and this year I have a 4.4 (I think I’ll be able to hold it all year.)
My psat last year was 190, and this year I expect 200 or so, and probably a 2100 on the SAT.
The kicker is compared to their other team members I’m quite good in xc and track, and since they're D1 I assume they can recruit, but maybe they don’t?
last year 800-1:57
1600-4:20
3200-9:45
xc 5k-17.00
This year in xc i went 15.45
and I predict my track times to be
1600-4:13
3200-9:15

1) Take PSAT times 10 and that's what you should EXPECT to get on the SAT. So right now I say 1900 on SAT for you.

2) Dude, 15:45 in high school is NOT mediocre. So far you are a better runner than you are a student. You would be the fastest guy on Vanderbilt's cross country team. What the hell?! Man, their men's team is no where as good as their women's team.

3) Vanderbilt is an excellent school and requires great grades and test scores. Vanderbilt accepts only 13% of applicants. 25-75 SAT range is 2090-2340. At first I was going to tell you that you didn't have much of a shot, but if you REALLY want to go there, and you get in contact with the coaches there, they SHOULD want you as an athlete. Great colleges will dip down to scoop someone up like you if you can contribute in a sport. Still, you need to make yourself as attractive as you can. I think you DO need to get that 2100 or higher on the SAT. Make it happen and you might be able to go there. I can't believe their cross country team is that slow.

Good luck. You just might get in there. Be prepared to work academically. Great school.

9 years ago 11/25/2014 2:54pm EST

re: VandyFuture

I see now that you asked about "similar universities". Honestly, giving your situation gradewise and runningwise, I think Vanderbilt might be the best school you could hope to get into.

Vanderbilt is ranted 16th (tied) by US News and World Report for national universities.

Up higher in the list are:

Every Ivy League school. Your grades and test scores don't make it, and your running doesn't make it at most of them (get to 9:16 in the 3200 like you plan then yes).

Stanford - that's too big a reach in both ways for you.

University of Chicago - DIII, so not comparable in that way.

MIT - Grades not good enough.

Duke -- Too big a stretch I think.

California Institute of Technology - Grades and test scores too low.

Johns Hopkins - Tough to get into and DIII. They might take you though if you wanted to run DIII.

Northwestern - This is a good comparison to Vanderbilt academically, but no CC or track teams for men!

Washington University in St. Louis - DIII but a very good DIII. They would like you as a runner. If you got your SAT over 2100, that could happen though it is VERY tough to get in there, and you'd have to work hard academically. Jeff Stiles is one of the best coaches in the country regardless of division.

Notre Dame - Stretch.

9 years ago 11/25/2014 3:41pm EST

re: VandyFuture

How big of a check can your Daddy write to the school?

If he can write a big one, then nothing you listed matters at all.

9 years ago 11/25/2014 3:57pm EST

re: VandyFuture

If I'm not mistaken, Vandy doesn't have men's track. So, they don't recruit for XC. Like Boston College. They have a team, but they're all walk ons.

To me, the 'recruiting' would be like D3. You can talk to the coach and they can put a good word in for you with admissions, but you're not going to get recruited per se. No NLI, etc.

Are you from TN? Why not look at better southeastern schools like UNC, UVA, GA Tech, Wake? Or the next tier academically like NC State, GA, FL?

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