Waitlisted last cycle. Asking for advice for 2027.
Hi! For reference, I was waitlisted at Vanderbilt for Biochemistry. Here were my stats for the cycle:
- Major: Chemical/Biomolecular Engineering
- GPA: 3.78
- Calc 1 completed
- Only ChemE undergrad to win my university’s research symposium. 40 total winners including masters/phd students out of 270.
- Honors Program
- 2 successful research posters (Learning model for engineering and applications to the system. + Computational Modeling and simulation of methylxanthines with quantum mechanical analysis, Gbind, affinity, etc.)
- 4 recommendation letters: 1 from Chem Chair, 1 from English Prof, 1 from Physics Prof, 1 from Pharmacy Manager near Nashville (i’m an in state resident)
- Pharmacy Intern Experience
- Volunteer hours + shadow hours (100+)
- There’s a bit more.
Updates for the 2027 cycle:
- 3.5 gpa :/
- Goldwater Scholarship Nominee
- Working on a publication on Parkinson’s disease drugs in ionic pharmaceuticals. Wet lab and comp lab experience.
- Presenting at ACS National Conference
- Became Pharmacy Technician Certified
- Would have another 4 very strong recommendation letters
- Taking Honors Orgo 1/2, Calc 3, DiffEq, Calc Physics 1/2, and foreign language
- Upwards mathematical grade tracjectory (C in Calc 1 - At uni - and A in Calc 2 - Summer and in person)
- AO engaged continuously last cycle.
Other notes:
- I am applying for financial aid. I can pay half but not full. I will commute.
- I’m connecting with Vanderbilt Chem professors in October.
Other schools i’m considering:
- Emory
- Duke
- Notre Dame
- Cornell
- UNC Chapel Hill
- Colorado Boulder
However, Vanderbilt remains my top choice. I’m open to any constructive feedback! Please don’t just be negative to be negative.