<p>So my roommate has this crazy theory.</p>
<p>He,thinks that if he applies for the Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship, the MOST prestigious scholarship at Vanderbilt, a scholarship he knows he has no chance of getting, it'll somehow raise his chances of getting into the school?</p>
<p>Sounds ridiculous right? Before you dismiss this, let me tell you his reasons.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>The Vanderbilt Common App only has one supplement. If he applies for the Cornelius, he can write more essays, have an interview, and essentially give himself more opportunities to show the admissions office who he is why he should be admitted. </p></li>
<li><p>What kind of people apply for the Corn. V? People who think they have a chance at getting it. Nobody applies just to apply, it's too much extra work. As for someone who has no expectations of getting the scholarship but applying anyways, it's unheard of! He believes that him applying for the scholarship will demonstrate confidence, which will make the admissions officers build him up in their minds to be some sort of really qualified applicant, when in reality he might not be. It sounds crazy, but if you think about it, it kind of makes sense!</p></li>
</ol>
<p>What do you guys think, should he do it? Even if it doesn't work, does he have anything to lose (besides useful time)? If not the Cornelius Vanderbilt, maybe another scholarship...the Ingram? The Chancellor's?</p>
<p>Please respond.</p>