A year ago, I was you... worrying about college (and Vanderbilt)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
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<p>Vandyman, who said that? We all know that wealthy kids with top scores are rejected from elite schools every year. My point in bringing it up is that Living seemed to think the opposite…that there can’t be that many rich kids with great grades/test scores…when in fact, there are plenty more rich kids than poor kids. A correlation doesn’t suggest causation…lots of of other variables that contributed to wealth are likely more at play, but it doesn’t change the fact that there is a relationship. Top 1% kids may be a dime a dozen coming out of wealthy districts, but adcoms take notice when they get a top applicant from a poor area.</p>

<p>Eta…and I certainly wasn’t suggesting that wealthy kids BUY their test scores!</p>

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<p>Alright this is sort of a touchy subject so I am going to tread lightly. I’m an Indian male from the north and haven’t really been to the south. I love Vanderbilt but I’m worried that I’m going to struggle socially because Vanderbilt doesn’t have a huge Asian population. Is that going to be true?</p>

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<p>YeahBuddy, many of my waspy son’s friends were Asian Americans…one week he went to NYC and was picked up at the airport and taken to Queens by a second gen Chinese Vandy student and had lunch with a Polish American born Vandy GF, went home for a night with a Filipino Vandy friend in Jersey and ended up in the home of a Jewish American Vandy friend in Westchester for a couple of nights. His housemates at times included a first generation Pakistani, an African American student from MD, a guy from Ohio and a student at Vandy from Shanghai. His freshman roommate was from Orange County CA.<br>
Although I would never say that your life in Nashville would resemble your life at a school like NYU or Berkeley, I would say that your life in Nashville would be as diverse as your life at Duke, Emory, or other regional powerhouse schools.
Vandy’s student body is very international. Rather than stressing about if you would find your sweet spot socially at Vandy, focus on getting in your favorite colleges and sort out your choice in April and May. Vandy is a difficult admit. Put your heart in your application. Don’t forget to shoot a merit scholar application via Chancellor’s Scholars if you have the stats. You never know.<br>
Nashville is a decidedly southern vibe city with a great deal of Third Coast pizazz and a good economy with plenty of places to volunteer or intern locally. Think Austin Texas with great weather and four seasons.<br>
Some students are invited to Vandy via Mosaic to be recruited and to get an early exposure to Vandy…but many students with international roots will be admitted even if they are not invited to Mosaic weekend.<br>
In the spring, weigh financial packages and weigh your emotional fit by seeking out conversation with current students. Admitted students are usually admitted to several colleges and there are many ways to get into these subjects online then if a trip is out of the question. good luck!</p>

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<p>Huh? I honestly feel like Rice and Emory are different because they are in very large metropolitan areas with reasonably high Asian populations compared to other metro areas in the south. Regardless, I don’t think the yeahbuddy should have much of a problem, but still, schools in very large metros should not be directly compared to ones that are a bit smaller and likely have less diversity. The cities and schools will still feel very different. Nashville is more like Durham/Raleigh than Houston/Atlanta (though I will say that Nashville nightlife and festivity scene is likely quite a bit, if not significantly richer than Durham/Raleigh).</p>

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<p>OK, Bernie. I have lived in Atlanta four times, worked in an Emory owned health care center on Clifton Road and worked and lived in Nashville twice. And I have a son applying to Emory for grad school and two sons employed in Atlanta.</p>

<p>Yeah Buddy. Atlanta and Houston have much more in common with each other as first tier large host cities than they do with Nashville which has over 1.5 million people in the 13 county area. Nashville is often compared to middle American cities with that extra something culturally…far from the East and West coast highways, and Austin is often used as a comparison with its population of over 1.8 million people and its vibrant music and arts scene. </p>

<p>If you are going to apply to Vandy, I would also apply to Rice which is nestled in a cozy neighborhood in Houston on one of America’s most beautiful campuses. When our son applied in the recession, Rice was giving a modest but significant stipend of merit money to 20-30% of the admitted students. Our son didn’t receive any money from Rice, but did receive a Chancellors offer from Vanderbilt. As a Chancellor’s scholar he spent a great deal of his four years at Vanderbilt with students from international backgrounds and he did not participate in Greek life. Rice is Greek free and has a wonderful housing system similar to Yale’s where freshmen live at least three years in the same House, thus building up a family like atmosphere and attachments to your own House on campus.</p>

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<p>Yeah, that’s what I was thinking, that Rice would be good for this person. But let’s not talk about how international schools are vs. one another. I find this concept to be over-rated. For example, I honestly don’t consider the fact that Emory is like 15-20% international at the UG level to be the best scenario possible. The effect on campus life is “complex” to say the least (and also, the reason many are admitted clearly has an effect on the selectivity and the academic atmosphere…I think you can probably guess what I am suggesting). More reasonable numbers is probably something like what Vandy has or some of the Ivies (between 10 and 15 percent). But again, it just depends on how well integrated the students are into the campus life scene. I think we are attempting to more aggressively address the issue now. I don’t necessarily think it’s great to go to a school that essentially easily allows or encourages you to shut yourself off from a large part of campus activity and life simply because the social niche you feel that you fit into is large, very cozy, and somewhat impenetrable/exclusive. I think this happens a lot w/international students for example (and ethnic minorities that almost constitute a majority on that particular campus).</p>

<p>As for the Rice thing, I’m very surprised your son didn’t get aid at Rice, because as you say, they are usually pretty generous (nonetheless, it is quite amazing your son got that scholarship from Vandy. He must be pretty amazing). As for the son applying to grad. school at Emory, I hope it’s one of the good programs (seriously, some may appear good on the outside, but be nowhere near as good as rankings would suggest. I would say this is the case for chemistry for example) and I hope he gets in.</p>

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<p>thanks for the good wishes, Bernie12 for my son as he applies to grad school. Sounds like you are deep into grad school now yourself.</p>

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<p>The earlier comments on this thread about “intellectualism” are naive. If those writers imagine that the kind of intellectualism they allude to exists as a main stream flavour at ANY American college campus…they are sorely mistaken. I mean…George Bush went to Yale, for Heaven’s sake. VU is perhaps no more, and definitely no less intellectual than Duke, Dartmouth, Cornell, Penn, Columbia etc. Get real.</p>

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<p>oliver: We know that, but it does exist in a more modern form at some American colleges (Columbia and Dartmouth would actually be considered somewhat intellectually intense. The others are fair comparison points however), even if not as much as it used to. And citing examples such as Bush going to Yale serves as a poor anecdote. Schools like that were probably more academically intense back when Bush attended (I mean, I think this is back when students studied a lot more per week). When you go to certain institutions, you can indeed feel and observe clear differences in the environment due to pre-dominant attitudes about coursework, learning, and things of that nature. </p>

<p>Some schools are gonna have more “hybrid types” than others (as in, more students that really want good grades, but also would enjoy to engage their coursework more deeply than required to earn the grade. Some schools will also have students that take what others would be considered academic risks or engage in research “just because” instead of to credentialize themselves). When I think of modern “college” intellectualism, I don’t think of someone sitting on the quad/lawn reading and discussing philosophy deeply with a friend of theirs. However, you could think of things that do indeed occur more frequently at some schools than others (like the impromptu/random play that may be enacted at Yale or Harvard yard. Basically, a culture that’s less ashamed of being somewhat nerdy). </p>

<p>The phenomenon has even been observed by those that go to places such as Duke when visiting such campuses (as in, they recognize the differences between these places and their own school which is considered high caliber). Read these articles; One opposes the idea that Duke should be more intellectually vibrant in context of social life and compares it to the Ivies (suggesting that such intellectual intensity within the social atmosphere is not desirable among Duke enrollees who had the option of choosing between some Ivies and Duke), and the other reflects on what Duke presents itself as and then discusses the contradictions between the presentation and actual nature of the school’s intellectual climate. They seemed in favor of integrating at least a little more intellectualism into Duke’s social life. The point is, such articles reveal that even those who attend high caliber institutions are aware of or are familiar with the intellectual climate at others and recognize that it is not the same. Whether they view the difference as favorable or unfavorable is another story, but they don’t deny such differences (not even faculty members deny differences. At Duke, in particular, this appears to be a highly debated topic in their history starting in the 90s):</p>

<p>[Students</a> beware! Duke wants to over-intellectualize your life! | The Chronicle](<a href=“http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2000/10/09/students-beware-duke-wants-over-intellectualize-your-life]Students”>http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2000/10/09/students-beware-duke-wants-over-intellectualize-your-life)</p>

<p>[Column:</a> Our imprisoning illusions | The Chronicle](<a href=“http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2003/04/22/column-our-imprisoning-illusions]Column:”>http://www.dukechronicle.com/articles/2003/04/22/column-our-imprisoning-illusions)</p>

<p>Again, I’ll concede that more traditional strains of intellectualism on college campuses have all but eroded (an article from a Yale graduate on the disadvantages of an elite education reveals this all so well), but to deny differences in climate among universities of similar caliber is naive in my opinion. No one is trying to say there is something wrong with such differences, just that they exist. There could be numerous reasons for such differences that go beyond the students themselves.</p>

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<p>Ya, I don’t think to term “intellectual” is the best one to differentiate top universities. There are different climates, feels, vibes, or whatever you want to call it at top U’s.<br>
IMO Vandy, Duke, Northwestern, UVA are simiilar and different from C.tech, UofC, JHU or P. Emory, CalB and USC have a more global & international feel. Notre Dame and Georgetown have a Catholic affiliation and a different vibe from say Brown, Columbia or say UPENN. Not better, just different. Granted there is a large overlap as selective U’s have the ability to “build their class”.<br>
I would agree with Fagan, it’s a bit insulting to call students at any elite U not intellectual.</p>

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<p>I can buy that, but as you say, the overall climates will be different (again, not necessarily governed by the students alone). Again, I think it’s more controlled by the happenings at each institutions and how certain stronghold departments engage undergrads (especially humanities and social sciences) beyond the classroom. Institutions that are more “academically focused” will likely feel different because of more of this sort of thing going on. Unlump Penn from Columbia and Brown BTW (I really feel like it has the JHU/CalB, Emory thing going on. As in, more of different vibe; A pre-professionals come first , but “intellectually intense” in many areas type of school), lol. I think Brown and Columbia are a bit past trying to directly serve the pre-prof. crowds as much as some of the other places. As for class building, I think they all want amazing numbers and EC’s, but but may scrutinize EC’s and essays differently to shape the class around the climate they already have or envision themselves having in the future so you get schools with very similar stats. that just feel much different.</p>

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<p>Just a random question, but for anyone on this thread accepted to Vandy, what were your stats? I want something to compare my own stats with to get a better idea of if I’m on track for admission…</p>

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<p>[The</a> Vanderbilt Profile<em>|</em>Undergraduate Admissions<em>|</em>Vanderbilt University](<a href=“http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/profile/]The”>Vanderbilt At A Glance | Undergraduate Admissions | Vanderbilt University)</p>

<p>Don’t sample from CC, just look here. Aim somewhere higher because it’s not clear if it’s admitted or enrolled students with these stats. Assume enrolled to be safe, in which case, you should add 30-40 points to the median of those numbers and then compare to your stats.</p>

<p>The CDS (Common Data Set) also suggests that those are the enrolled students:</p>

<p><a href=“https://virg.vanderbilt.edu/virgweb/CDSC.aspx?year=2012[/url]”>https://virg.vanderbilt.edu/virgweb/CDSC.aspx?year=2012&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>Just assume that you are applying to the Ivy Leagues (some of the ones more difficult to get into, which isn’t saying much since they are all difficult to get into). However, maybe you don’t have to be quite as perfect and ridiculous in your EC life as those students (You need not be some international olympiad medalist, have started some business/organization, or whatever, to significantly boost your chances. However, you still must do quite a bit). Statistically, it is basically as selective as Harvard, but again, I think they recruit students somewhat differently. So though the students have the same stats and many may be cross-admitted, I don’t think all will be cross-admitted (I think Harvard is still much more likely to send out a rejection regardless of stats).</p>

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<p>Ok, but what about extracurriculars or other things that could make an application stand out at Vandy? Numbers don’t tell you that sort of thing…
I would be interested in hearing that kind of information from those who were accepted.</p>

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<p>Yeah, but it would be a very small sample size, and many of the people on CC could be outliers (usually in the positive direction). Just do one of those chance me threads and they’ll help you. It’s better to do it that way, than to sample a very small portion of a 30k+ applicant pool (or even among the 3kish admitted). Also, if your ECs and GPA look solid, it may still be hard to tell (because there are still essays, interviews, etc).</p>

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<p>Kitten, At selective U’s the #'s just get you past the first cut. Pull up Vandy’s 2017 RD class EC info. They comment on leadership, significant honors, varsity athletic captains, and students that have distinguished fine arts backgrounds. They go so far as to give percentages of students in each area. The take home message is someone in the adcom is looking closely at these EC’s.
IMO a student with a unique passion who excels in any EC is better than the student with minor involvement in 10 clubs or the brianiac with no EC’s in school or the community. It’s also nice to take your EC and use it in a way to make your school, peers, or community better.
Gook luck</p>

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<p>I will chime in that intellectual passion is also a stand out for adcoms. with 1600 students, they are looking for people who will light up the professors’ classrooms…you don’t have to be wonderful or passionate about 25 things. But do not hide your academic interest light under a bushel. My son wrote about his plans to use Vandy academically. He actually did about 50% of what his essays sort of foretold. No one is going to take your first born if for instance you do not become a physician but you want to try premed.</p>

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<p>Check out the Vanderbilt Admissions blog. Carolyn Pippen’s blog on Extracurricular Activity List provides excellent insights.</p>

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<p>Hi everyone! I apologize for bringing back an old thread, but I had some very frightening concerns recently.
Some context: I’m currently a junior and my last reported cumulative GPA (end of sophomore year) was 4.068 and I’m aiming for around 4.20 by the end of senior year; at the moment, I’m in the top 5% of my class of around 450 students (aiming to improve, as always); I have yet to take the SAT/ACT, but my projected scores have been around 2100 for the SAT and 29-33 for the ACT (again, hoping to exceed expectations); I was offered a position at a prestigious summer institution called the Missouri Scholars Academy, which only 8 or 9 other people in my class were offered; I participate in extracurricular activities such as BJC Hospice, Mission Compassion, and H-BELLE (all school-sponsored volunteer organizations) as well as Mock Trial and Youth in Government; I participate in Quill and Scroll, the “National Honor Society” of journalism and am going to the Journalism Education Association conference this November in Boston; I am a writer for my school’s yearbook and will be copy editor next year, provided I continue to go to the school; I am a female and of Arabic descent, my mother being born in Lebanon and my father in Syria, and am a first-generation American; I speak fluent Arabic, English, and almost fluent Spanish (Arabic being my first language); I skipped a grade in Spanish at school, currently a junior in AP; I am enrolled in 4 AP classes and 2 Honors classes this year, and have always taken the most challenging classes available to me throughout high school (and am planning to take 4/5 my senior year, as well, and dual-enrolling at a local college for Spanish, provided I don’t transfer schools); I have gotten straight A’s besides 2 B+'s, one during freshman year and one in 8th grade, due to pressing personal/family issues during those years.
With all this, and the fact that I have yet to receive my latest PSAT score or the possibility of being a National Merit Scholar, what do you all think are my chances of being admitted to Vanderbilt? My first attempt at the PSAT, with no prep, gave me about a 190, and I prepared this year for the test, so I will hopefully exceed 200 this time around.
I have received countless emails, packets, letters, etc. from Vanderbilt telling me I should apply and visit the campus, but I don’t know how much those all mean. In other words, should I get my hopes up because of those, or are they not a really selective mode of gaining applicants?
I am currently considering moving to the Dominican Republic to finish senior year at a private school. I have gone for the past few summers and done extensive volunteer work for about a month and a half at a time and love it there, as well as the feeling of giving back. If I were to spend my senior year there, having studied abroad in another language and moved for volunteer opportunity, do you think that would add to my chances of admittance to Vanderbilt, Washington University, Brown, etc. (all of which I have received letters from)? I may move regardless of whether it will help, but I’m curious about this; I know Vanderbilt has holistic admissions and wants to add to the diversity of the campus, so do you think my application would be unique enough (also assuming my essay and recommendation letters will be up to par)?
My teacher recommendation letters will likely be from my honors chemistry teacher from my sophomore year who attended Yale, and an undecided second teacher, likely from my junior or senior year. The second may possibly be my AP World History teacher, but I’m still undecided.
Also, any tips for a unique, noteworthy essay that can help my chances? Drawing on personal experience will really help me out, so any advice is very much appreciated.
My main concern is the fact that I don’t participate in a sport, although I probably will should I choose to move to the Dominican Republic, having more time to do so and it being a more fun-based and a less competition-based sport at my new school. I have played piano for around 6 years and will continue to, but I wouldn’t pursue a sport just to add to my resume. I also have yet to have a job, but may choose to work my senior year, and definitely will if I move.
If I do reach my GPA, class rank, and standardized testing score goals, what do you all think are my chances of being admitted? If current/past students could draw on experience during their application process and fill me in on what you have that I don’t/what I have that you didn’t (if anything), I would appreciate it a lot.
Also, congratulations to you all who go/went to Vanderbilt or any of the other prestigious universities mentioned on this thread!
I have time before applying, but if there is something I can do now to help my chances later, I’d, understandably, like to know soon. Thank you to anyone who answers my (moderately desperate) plea!</p>

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<p>If you have a passion for study in the Dominican Republic and have that opportunity (which you may never have again), go for it! It will only make you a more unique candidate for admission. There are many colleges where you can have a good experience but cultural immersion during high school, especially living with a host family or among native students at a boarding school, is a once in a lifetime opportunity. My kids wouldn’t trade their high school exchange years for anything!</p>