I want to ED at Vanderbilt, but I’m worried that if I get in I will have a really hard time succeeding there because it is so academically rigorous. I’m a good student but I have to study a lot to do well. I also heard that Vanderbilt has prevalent grade deflation. Can anyone at Vandy comment on that? How hard is it to get an A? Also what is the workload like?
What are your grades/scores now? If you generally fit in with the admitted students profile (ACT: 30+, top 10% of your class) you should be fine. There are some high scorers and truly exceptional people here, but people who had less strong profiles still do really well. Grades probably depend more on how hard you work than how much raw intelligence you have.
It also depends on your major. If you’re pre-med or engineering, then yes, the workload is hard. It can be really tough to get an A. For example, in bio I, the class is curved so that only the top 5% get an A, the next 12% get an A-, and so forth. 50% of the class gets a C+ or lower, and average person in the class had a 33-34 ACT and good grades in high school. Or with gen chem, I don’t know any students who got an A, that didn’t already make a 5 on the AP chem exam. However, you can get around it with intelligent scheduling (don’t load up on classes, and take harder classes later on when you are more mature and a better student). If you’re in the humanities/peabody then it isn’t that huge of a factor.
Overall, things can be tough but I wouldn’t say they’re a reason to avoid the school, as long as you fit in with the student body academically. And if you can get in ED, you probably do fit in.
I disagree with the above post. College is a transition. A lot more goes into it than studying. I recommend finding a school where you know you will excel.
Vanderbilt is very challenging academically. My D has never worked harder in her life. No matter where you ED, make sure it is a fit.
@Living61 do you mind telling me what she majors in?
Grade deflation is kinda only there for STEM majors. I’m an Econ major, and there is no grade deflation in it. Many people would argue that Peabody has grade inflation. Of course, Vandy is a challenging school regardless of your major, but isn’t college the perfect time to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone? But if you want to go to med school, a state school can be a better option because Vandy’s premed courses can be brutal for students not used to rigorous classes.
@Sophie1295 do you know anything about political science or psych majors?
I have friends majoring in them, and I haven’t heard about any grade deflation in those.
Double major in Arts and Sciences. She loves school but works very very hard to get As.
There are savants and worker bees in every class. Most Vandy students were so “perfect” in high school that they have already mastered rote learning skills and organizational skills. The trick is to master time management when you can’t turn the lights out at midnight and get up at 7 like you did in high school. Those who learn to treat Vandy (any college) like their Job will succeed. One thing to prep for is if your son or daughter has the ability to applaud others and to put their head down and take care of their own business. You have to be prepared to not be the top 10% anymore should there be some exceptional talent hitting the top marks in the curves in class. You have to hang tough and visualize long term goals and learn to be comfortable with your own progress. Your education may have two periods if you go to grad school so always have budget in the equation. You may go abroad junior year and come back and really focus on finishing your major and minor goals. Vandy is not for the frail and tender but it is a fair environment that wants you to succeed. Everyone they admit has the ability to get the work done.
@Faline2 Well said.