<p>Likewise, in the Ivy League context, the terms “holistic” and “diversity” are code words that mean…we can and will <em>reject</em> anyone we want for any reason we want. To deny meritocracy, as the Ivies and so many elite universities do, is to embrace corruption in the admissions process. Institutions which employ such dark practices do not deserve a hallowed reputation. Vandy is right to be leaning toward meritocracy.</p>
<p>Is Vandy now focusing almost exclusively on SAT/ACT scores? I can’t say for sure, and even if they are, don’t really know whether that’s the best way to select the “best” students.</p>
<p>What I’d have a problem with is that this would be contrary to what the Admissions people tell you on campus visits. We sat through one of their presentations, and while they told us that test scores are obviously considered, they made it clear that things like taking more challenging courses instead of fluff courses was just as important…that leadership and volunteer activities are just as important…and that they focus on the whole student, not just the test scores. In sum, the exact same thing they tell you at the Ivies.</p>
<p>If it turns out that test scores are effectively the beginning and end of of the admissions decision process, Vandy is training their admissions counselors to mislead potential applicants. </p>
<p>I don’t know if these rumors are true, but I sure hope they aren’t. I am a proud Vandy law school graduate, and in fact had Nick Zeppos (current chancellor) as my first-year legal writing instructor and mentor. I’ve been to his house for barbecues, met his wife and kids, and spent hours talking with him outside the classroom. If he is instructing/allowing the Admissions folks to mislead potential applicants like that, I would be horribly disappointed in him, as a chancellor and as a former mentor…</p>
<p>No, I dont think that that Vandy is focusing solely one Standardized Test score. I believe that it places more emphasis on test scores AND academics results (GPA, Academics awards, research experience…) than extracurricular activities. Just like that. I am a member of Vandy 2016 group and almost all of those I have met play at least one sport and one type of music. They are not total nerd.</p>
<p>zhugeliangfan: It seems that your perception is accurate. Vandys Regular Decision Admissions Blog states that this years Regular Decision class has the highest academic profile in Vanderbilts history. Moreover, this group showcased a level of engagement and leadership in their high schools and in state, regional, national, and international organizations that is unsurpassed. Accepted students not only had key academic indicators but were also student leaders, champion athletes and distinguished musicians. According to CollegeData College Profile, Vandy places Rigor of Secondary Education, Academic GPA, Standardized Tests, Class Rank, Essay, Extracurricular Activities, and Character/Personal Qualities in the VERY IMPORTANT category for selection of students. As a comparison, Brown places Rigor of Secondary School Record, Level of Interest, Particular Talent/Ability, and Character/Personal Qualities in the Very Important category but NOT GPA, Standardized Tests, or Class Rank. I am not interested in my son attending an institution of higher education that does NOT consider a superior academic record which includes a high GPA, stellar test scores, and superior writing ability as one of the key factors for admission. I am proud to have him become a part of Vanderbilts Class of 2016.</p>
<p>@mysonsmom: thanks for your sharing. I am, too, very proud to be a admitted into Vanderbilt class of 2016. </p>
<p>To some people still questioning Vandy’s student body, I would like to quote here a paragraph that rising sophomore Michael Greshko writes about his schoolmate. This prose really astonishes me: </p>
<p>"The Commons Center, the student center located in the heart of The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons at Vanderbilt, has a beautiful grand piano in the lobby, a glossy, whalelike monument to music begging to be made. Sometime last September, I first heard it played, and after a second or two of confusion, I realized it was improvisational jazzand it was good. I walked toward the piano in awe, hearing the musical mist around me swell to a torrent of bluesy riffs gushing from the unidentifiable pianists fingers. When I found out who was manning the keys, however, I was flabbergasted: locked in frenetic concentration was one of my friends from Math 205. I had no idea he could play piano, much less improvise for 90 minutes straight. His unexpected, outstanding talentreflective of the depth of Vanderbilts student bodyled me to only one thought:</p>
<p>This is why I love this school."</p>
<p>More details could be found here [Arts</a> and Science Magazine The Choice: One Year Later](<a href=“http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/2011-12/the-choice-one-year-later/]Arts”>http://www.vanderbilt.edu/magazines/arts-and-science/2011-12/the-choice-one-year-later/)</p>
<p>Does anybody know Vanderbilt’s yield this year? Is it too early?</p>
<p>Georgetown and Vanderbilt don’t as of yet compete with the non-HYP Ivies like Duke or Chicago does. They are viewed as peer schools though I think Vanderbilt is better-smarter students, higher endowment, and greater undergraduate focus.</p>
<p>Georgetown has a 11-1 student to faculty ratio. Its stupid to say it more focused on “cura personalis” than Vandy.</p>
<p>I think Vanderbilt competes very well with the non HYPC Ivy schools. Brown and Cornell are ranked one spot ahead of Vandy in the USNR. Vandy is ranked ahead of Dartmouth and Brown in the world rankings (ARWU). They are all great schools that can further your career. When it comes to a complete college experience Vanderbilt pulls ahead of the non HPYC ivy schools:
SAC/ACT scores: D>V>C>B (Vandy’s class of 2016 may pull ahead of Dart. and Penn)
Non cutthroat school: Vandy
best city and climate: Vandy
best Sports: Vandy (SEC)
graduate schools: Vandy
Social life: Vandy
Greek life: Vandy
I think Vanderbilt stacks up nicely to Brown, Cornell and Dartmouth and it’s fair to call them peer schools.</p>
<p>*****.com, a famous college guide website, rated Vandy’s selectivilty 3 out of 4, while it gave all Vandy’s peers including Cornell, Brown, Northwestern, Georgetown, Notre Dame 4 out of 4. I wonder why. Is it because of Vandy’s low yield or do they have incorrect data? How is the final acceptance rate calculated?</p>