Chances, please? (and lots of questions)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

<p>I would be applying Regular Decision because money is a very important factor in my choosing.</p>

<p>I was also wondering if I had a shot at a merit scholarship.</p>

<p>Prospective Major: Chemical or Biomedical Engineering</p>

<p>And here are my stats:</p>

<p>Florida Resident
White
Female
My school used to send a dozen or so to Ivies but in recent years its been cut to 5 or less (which is sad).</p>

<p>U.W. GPA: 4.0
W. GPA (on a 6pt scale: APs worth 6, Honors worth 5, Reg worth 4): 5.1429
Rank: 5/640
SAT I - CR 640 M 800 W 680
SAT II - Math II - 790 US - 650 (eek, <em>shrugs</em>)
PSAT - 210 (commended but nothing else)</p>

<p>Taking hardest classes available, with straight A's
APs:</p>

<p>10th grade
World History - 4</p>

<p>11th grade (with predicted grades)
Calc AB 4/5
Eng Lang 4/5
USH 4
Physics C - Mech 3/4
Physics C - EM. Hah.
Span Lang - 3</p>

<p>12th Grade APs will be:
Chem, Bio, Calc BC, Euro, Govt, Eng Lit</p>

<p>ECs</p>

<p>Mu Alpha Theta
member for four years, treasurer for 11th, president for 12th, won a few local, regional, and state awards for individual and team. I also qualified for AIME in 9th (AMC 10) and 10th grade (AMC 12)
Newspaper
11th grade writer, photographer, graphics, selling ads to finance paper, 12th entertainment editor
Lacrosse Club
10th-12th. Maybe co-captain in 12th.
Save Whats Left (environmental club)
11th and 12th, working with the club 4 days/week for an hour + occasional campus cleanups, beach cleanups, canal cleanups, and other environmental service projects.
Foreign Language Honor Society
member for four years, treasurer for 12th, earned 60 in club service hours for it over the years.
SMILE (club devoted to helping assisted living facilities and their members)
it was created in 11th (not by me), VP for 11th probably for 12th too. we held an item collection drive, sorted the items, and delivered them to ALF for the residents. We will continue to do more of the same next year.
I was also the Girls Basketball team manager for 9th and 10th where I earned almost 100 (non-inflated) service hours.</p>

<p>In total I have 189 service hours with another 100 or so next year.</p>

<p>My recs will be from my math teacher of 3 years and my physics teacher of 2. Both know me very well and should write excellent recs.</p>

<p>My essay should be decent, a lot of voice.</p>

<p>Please let me know how I am doing, what I can do to improve, and thanks in advance!</p>

<p>Additional Questions (I scanned the 3 pages of posts already, sorry if these were already answered):</p>

<p>What is the social scene at Vandy like? How often do students party: study all week, party all weekend? Is there a large frat scene? Do students tend to stay on campus or go into Nashville?
What is Nashville like? Are the non-students there friendly and welcoming? Is it easy to get around school/ the city without a car? What is the cost of living: generally cheap and easy on a college student's budget or will I be working to live?
Do you get a sense of true unity on campus? Is there a lot of diversity or do many people have similar backgrounds? How are the dorms: typically small and cramped? What about the food?
And the weather, from Florida I am used to hot and humid for 50 weeks out of the year and then one week of perfect weather and one week of cold weather. Is it hot year round or are there defined seasons? What else can you tell me about the school that will make me fall in love with it?</p>

<p>I really appreciate any information you have as I probably won't be visiting unless I get accepted and I am seriously considering it.</p>

2

<p>Oh, c'mon! You have to know the answers to SOME of those questions you lazy bums!</p>

3

<p>Hi. poozislove - As a Vanderbilt parent who has followed Vandy admissions for the last 3 years, I'd say that your chances of being accepted are very strong. However, it's become increasingly difficult to be awarded a merit scholarship there. This quote is from the current website admissions viewbook:
"Recipients of these awards for the fall of 2006 were usually in the top 1% of their high school class while enrolled in rigorous academic programs. They typically scored in the mid–1500’s on the SAT reasoning test and/or above 34 on the ACT, though only half the applicants with test scores in those ranges received a merit–based scholarship offer. Additionally, merit scholarship recipients exhibited strong leadership or exceptional talent outside the classroom. Merit scholarship recipients in the Blair School of Music earned outstanding audition scores as well."</p>

<p>The viewbook itself is quite detailed and would be helpful with some of your other questions: <a href="http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Here's more info on specific merit scholarships, some of which have a need component; however, there are scholarships above and beyond those mentioned:
<a href="http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/financeMeritAid.php%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/financeMeritAid.php&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>You ask many questions which can be answered more accurately by Vandy students. I can tell you that the weather does have definite seasons, and it's an improvement on what you've described of Florida. It's possible to get around the city, and certainly the immediate Vanderbilt area, without a car, though many kids have them. </p>

<p>I strongly suggest a campus visit, preferably an overnight when you can also attend a class or two. It wouldn't surprise me at all to hear you've fallen in love after visiting (that's what did it for my daughter). Good luck!</p>

4

<p>Also ended up choosing Vandy after the visit.</p>

<p>a) It's unlikely you'll see any significant merit money. Here are my amateur tips for you though. First off, apply for financial aid regardless. They like to throw a few extra dollars towards those students that are a little higher than par but at the same time fall into that "upper middle class" mold. Fill out the forms for those scholarships that require separate applications. Start applying for third party scholarships. Assuming you can write, you shouldn't have much difficulty coming across a few extra thousand. I'd say your shot at being admitted is anywhere from 50% to 90% depending on the interest you demonstrate. They will (possibly) not accept you if they figure you're one of those kids that applies to 10+ schools.</p>

<p>2) Social scene is downright amazing. I visited those "other good schools" and couldn't find a fun person for the life of me. Went to Vandy and had a blast with complete randoms. </p>

<p>Four words that will consume you: work hard play hard. Vandy students find the balance and do everything better than everything else. </p>

<p>The frat contingent is noticeable but not unbearable if you aren't a fan. I have been set on a frat for years and was therefore heavily interested in schools such as W&L or even the lesser schools that offered eating clubs and things of that sort. Unlike other schools where the percentage might overestimate the "feel" of greek life on campus, the Vandy percentage underestimates it I'd say. I was there for rush and it felt like 80% of the student body was somehow involved. </p>

<p>If you were to desperately try, you could spend all four years on campus and still have an amazing time. It is of course a major US city with hundreds of popular tourist attractions and thousands more just plain old enjoyable clubs, bars, music venues and what not. A lot of which to take advantage.</p>

<p>You'll run into the typical "I hate people that are smarter and usually richer than me" stereotyper. Most love Vandy students...especially the shop owners that we pay to feed us.</p>

<p>$50K a year with everyone lumped together.</p>

<p>Yes. Watch the video of students rushing the court...with Chancellor Gee among the pack.</p>

<p>As the academic prestige continues to shoot up the roof, the racial and socio-economic diversity follows. You could even argue that the correlation ought to be given oppositely.</p>

<p>The dorms are great. In the upper tier of schools.</p>

<p>No pizza in the cafeterias (assuming my overnight "guide" isn't a liar)...bummer. That fact aside, it's amazing.</p>

<p>You won't be out of your comfort with the weather. (Un)fortunately, you can get all four seasons in a span of one day...blame Al Gore for that one, he invented Global Warming.</p>

<p>For me it all came down to the fact that I'd never seen such amazing balance in my life. I went to a few fun parties at the Ivy visits, but for the most part I ran into completely phony pricks as my good friend Holden Caulfield might say. I felt at home at Vandy during my visits, the only exception being that I was partying with people that were equally if not more intelligent than me. I love it. I hope you choose heads when you flip the coin...then just say Vanderbilt was whichever side ends up winning.</p>

<p>On a side note, your Vandy weighted GPA will be around a 4.3~4.4.</p>

5

<p>Vanderbilt has arguably the best social scene out of any Top 20 school. The student body is incredibly balanced and driven. The classes are demanding so people are generally very focused on their work during the week, but on the weekends there will be tons of parties all over campus. </p>

<p>There are about 6,000 undergrads which makes it a mid-sized school. It is big enough where you can always meet new people but small enough where you can see your friends around campus. The campus has a park-like feel (nice brick buildings surrounded by lots of trees). One of my favorite parts about Vanderbilt is the incredible geographic diversity – you will make friends from all across the country/world.</p>

<p>There is no need for a car on campus. There are tons of great restaurants within walking distance. Most people typically like to stay on campus, but Thursday is the big night to go downtown. Generally, people will go to the Munchie Mart (mini-convenience store on campus) and buy “cab cash”. Downtown is about 2 miles from campus so it is generally really cheap when you split the fare with friends. </p>

<p>Nashville has a lot of different "neighborhoods". Elliston place has lots of indie/alternative bands (Exit-In; The End); Hillsboro Village has lots of trendy bars/restaurants (Cabana is on the VandyCard). WestEnd/Midtown is the area around campus. The area that surrounds campus isn’t really southern at all, but downtown Nashville has much more of a country western sort of feel. Coming from NY, I found the downtown area to be small/southern but it has grown on me. Culturally, there is the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, TN Performing Arts Center, and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Lots of venues downtown for concerts including Ryman Auditorium (the old Grand Ole Opry venue) and the Summit Center. Nashville also has some professional sports teams – TN Titans (NFL), Nashville Predators (NHL), and the Nashville Sounds (Triple-A Baseball). Centennial Park is also a really nice area by campus (read/jog/makeout) which is around a block from campus (also home to the Parthenon – one of Nashville’s landmarks). </p>

<p>Although Nashville has lots of social outlets, most people stay on campus during the weekends. Homecoming Quake and Rites of Spring are the biggest music festivals but Vanderbilt will generally bring bands on campus throughout the year. Some bands that have played in recent years include: The Roots, Nelly, OAR, Modest Mouse, Maroon 5, Counting Crows, Busta Rhymes, The Wailers, Ben Harper, Better Than Ezra, Cake, Robert Randolph, Ludacris, Afroman, Hootie and the Blowfish, Nappy Roots, SR-71, Pat Green, My Morning Jacket, Yonder Mountain, Bone-Thugs, Keller Williams, Drive-By Truckers, Matt Kearney, and Wolfmother. Rites of Spring is one of the best-funded college festivals in the country and the committee generally gets some bands that will later be at Bonnaroo (The Grateful Dead played here in the 70s). During Rites of Spring there will tons of partying, lots of dancing, and even some crowd surfing. The campus becomes electric.</p>

<p>Vanderbilt is in the process of completing the “Freshmen Commons” – essentially they are brand-new residential colleges. The campus is very tight-knit and very few people live off-campus. Around 1/3 of guys join fraternities and around 1/2 of girls join sororities. Only the officers live in the houses (around six people). I’m independent but I have lots of friends who are Greek and everyone interacts well. The fraternities will generally have lots of theme parties where everybody gets dressed up (80s, Middle School, Anything But Clothes, Foam/Paint, Jungle, Gatsby, etc.). There are also lots of live bands and DJs for late night dance parties. Aside from the fraternities, there are also lots of parties in the upperclassmen suites. There will be tons of dance parties in Towers Suites or Morgan Lewis. There will also be lots of drinking games, especially Beirut/Beer Pong and Flip Cup.</p>

<p>Lots of clubs downtown are 18+, but the bar scene is mostly popular among upperclassmen. On Tuesdays, Cabana/Sams/Sportsman in Hillsboro Village are very popular (the first two are on the Vandy Card). Demonbreun Street is very popular on Thursdays (especially The Tin Roof/Dan McGuiness) along with Buffalo Billiards and the Flying Saucer downtown. I’m not really into country music – but Roberts/Tootsies/The Stage are places to check of if that’s your scene. Boundary and Virago are also popular restaurants around campus and popular pregame spots. For margaritas, many people go to Las Palmas and there are several sushi places for sake bombing (these places are generally less strict on IDs).</p>

<p>Dorms are hard to generalize -- the freshmen dorms are all brand new though. Each residential area generally has an advantage/disadvantage. Towers is close to classes but far from the Rec Center where Morgan/Lewis is the opposite. The Rec Facility is very modern and has great workout center, basketball courts, swimming pool, climbing wall, squash, etc. The student body is very in-shape overall and intramurals are popular.</p>

<p>Vanderbilt also has D-1 sports which definitely add tremendously to the schools spirit on campus. The football program historically struggles but the program is on the rise. Most of the fun comes from the tailgating (lots of food and socializing before the game). Some people are very traditional and dress up shirt/tie while the girls wear sundresses. Other people dress informally and covering themselves in black/gold paint. Basketball games at Memorial are amazing. The student section gets packed and people will be jumping up and down and whatnot. Our basketball team last year was top 20 making the Sweet 16 – while defeating #1 Florida and sweeping Kentucky. It’s hard to describe the excitement and incredible atmosphere of the games (try searching YouTube). The baseball team was ranked #1 in the country for most the year and we have some great recruits coming in. All the sports venues are very centralized on campus and a quick walk from the dorms and the games are all free for students (just show them your Vandy Card).</p>

<p>Food is pretty good on campus. Quiznos is on the meal plan and I like CT West a lot. The Pub and Rand are also decent. Vanderbilt also has a “Taste of Nashville” program where you can use your rollover money at off-campus locations – such as PapaJohns, Chili’s, RolyPoly Sandwiches, Bruegger’s Bagels, Noshville. Some late night places on the card are Wendy’s (open til 4am) and Caf</p>

6

<p>Wow, guys. Thanks a lot for letting me in on your experiences. Nothing can compare to an actual visit (which I will do if I get in) but I feel like I know (and love) Vandy a lot more now.</p>

7

<p>i'd say youre in. good luck!</p>

8

<p>Yea Vandy has an amazing campus... I would recommend visiting it... when I visited it it really sealed the deal that I wanted to go there...</p>