Do You Have Dreams of Attending a Highly Competitive College?

Vanderbilt just released their freshman class profile.  This is a run down of the stats of the current freshman class at Vanderbilt University (a highly competitive admissions institution).  This information is very helpful, because it goes beyond the test scores and GPAs.  It also outlines leadership, participation in extracurriculars, etc.  This is eye opening becasue it reminds us that it takes more than just great grades and superior test scores with some schools.  If you are a freshman or sophomore and you want to go to a highly competitive school, what are you doing to fill a resume with meaningful experiences?  What are you doing to make yourself stand out beyond the masses with really good grades?

Freshman class profile from Vanderbilt University:

98% held the highest level of leadership or scholarship, or were engaged in national-level honor societies: for instance, student body president, class president, student senator, editor-in-chief of school newspaper or yearbook, Eagle Scout, and National Honor Society

14% were student government leaders

49% held a service-related leadership position

67% were academic leaders

35% were athletic leaders or champions

21% demonstrated leadership in the fine arts

Undergraduates represent 49 states and 44 countries

5.9% of students graduated from an international high school

65% of freshmen received financial assistance

13% of freshmen received Pell grants

Of those from high schools that report class rank, over 90% of first-year enrolled students ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school class

Middle 50 percentile for SAT ……. 1400 – 1560

Middle 50 percentile for ACT ……. 32– 34

National Merit Scholars…217

National Achievement Scholars….19