<p>I'm an asian male applying ED to Vanderbilt, and I'm just wondering why Vandy's asian rate is so low compared to its competitors (8.5% relative to Duke's 22%, Emory's 30%+, and Rice's 21%). I visited on Friday and I didn't really see anything out of the ordinary with respect to asians. Everybody seemed very friendly. I know there have been a few threads about this, but they're all pretty outdated. </p>
<p>So I'm just wondering, what explains such a low enrollment rate for asians? Does Vanderbilt discriminate against them in the applications process or do they receive an abnormally low amount of asian apps? </p>
<p>IMO many Asian students prefer to go to schools with large Asian populations…Duke, Emory, Cal schools, MIT, etc. Many don’t apply to Vandy. Many CC treads show Asian students do not place Vandy high on their list and some have unfounded fears of Vanderbilt, Nashville, and TN. Also IMO, most of the other top U’s do discriminate against Asian students demanding very high credentials and caps on the percentage of Asian students. IMO Vandy is one of only a few top 20’s that does not discriminate against Asian students.<br>
Please take the “student reported ethnic percentages” on campus with a large grain of salt. Many Asian and non-Asian students leave this question blank or list 2 or more races (aren’t we all). The percentage does not include international students, most of whom are Asian, and a few people fudge their ethnic background. </p>
<p>Yes, most of the international students are Asians, yet Vandy doesn’t have a very big Asian (or international) student population when compared to other top 20 schools. It is 70% Caucasian. We are diverse, but not THAT diverse! Having said that, we have a thriving Asian community at Vanderbilt, with many student organizations such as SACE and AASA. </p>
<p>For many Asians name recognition is a very very important factor in choosing college. So they tend to prefer big name schools and the Ivies in particular. Some 20 years ago, Vanderbilt was (perhaps together with Carnegie Mellon) the least known college among the top 20 to Asians. Naturally, few Asians applied to Vanderbilt. Now everybody knows Vanderbilt, but it is still not as popular among Asians as many other top schools. Besides, Vanderbilt has become one of the toughest schools to get admitted even if they decide to apply.</p>
<p>I don’t think that is true of people on the West Coast. Probably they have heard of Vanderbilt, but I doubt if many would know whether it is Top 20 or Top 200. As an example, last spring we attended a reception for accepted engineering students at UCLA. When our son commented to the chair of the civil engineering dept that he was making a choice between UCLA and Vandy, the chair said “Vanderbilt. Is that in Pennsylvania?”</p>
<p>SoCalDad2…Yet another reason tenue should be abolished. One would expect a chair at a major university to know about Vanderbilt and all the top 100 universities…it’s sad but probably time for him to move on. I’m sure UCLA’s football coach is aware of the other top 20 football teams in the country. </p>
<p>@bud123 I just can’t help myself – If UCLA’s football coach is aware of the other top 20 football teams, then he may not know Vandy either.</p>
<p>However, Vanderbilt’s football team has continued to improve this season. They are a work in progress and very young. I wish Coach Mason the very best. Anchor Down</p>
<p>We are Asian family and my son has been accepted as Transfer Student into Junior Mechanical Engineering. He is in Dual Degree 3+2 (Physics-Tulane Univ and ME-Vandy). He will spend two years at Vandy and will get his second degree (May 2016). More importantly, Vandy does not discriminate at all. It is all based upon your records. My Son has GPA 3.75 Physics-Tulane and therefore, he has been accepted and offered very good scholarship; it is like Full Ride. If the Vandy acceptance is based on the color of your skin then my son will not be at Vandy now. Moral Story is: it is all about your school records (High School or Univ.-for transfers, etc), ACT/SAT and also is based on your essay. It is fierce competition but Nothing is impossible and be blessed. </p>
<p>how wonderful! Your son worked like the dickens for this privilege and educational opportunity. I know he is going to have a great time at Vandy–the engineering school is great! (we are mighty proud of the financial aid at Vanderbilt…Go Trustees, Alum and Adminstrators who made our need blind no loan policy possible)</p>