<p>Insidelane^^^
I think you are looking for PR conspiracy theories or maybe “I” am the one who is confused but I read pancaked’s post #14 to mean that pancaked (now a sophomore–Class of '15) as a freshman lived in the same dorm/hall on the Commons as the OP (current freshman–Class of '16) does now. I do not find it suspicious that a current freshman has read the publicly published admission blogs and is quoting the stats and helpfully trying to alleviate any concerns that high school students may have about accepting their offers to Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>LHSCary, I think it is great the Pancaked and others are providing helpful information, stats and such. I think we’re on the same page. All wanting transparency for the kids stuck in a tough process. Right?</p>
<p>Bud123, those other schools are not hell bent on showing higher scores. They are not constantly comparing themselves to Vanderbilt. It is true, though, that most schools are doing things to artificially elevate their rankings (by focusing on who gets in rather than on what they are like when they get out) including showing the world that they can accrue a class with high scores. But the quality of education, and the quality of students, does not rest on scores. Scores are not achievements. They may reflect skill, aptitude and acquired knowledge but they are not achievements. Building things of quality, solving world problems, scientific breakthroughs, peer reviewed papers on topics worth noting-those are achievements. Let’s not confuse the two. Boasting high scores as if they are achievements reflects the prevailing college atmosphere-one where integrity, quest for knowledge and setting standards of excellence are superseded by superficial, meaningless and often dishonest attributes/qualities that are more consistent with Reality TV shows then academic advances and/or scholarship. And that confusion is reflected in the current admissions climate where student selection is guided by the need to be perceived as elite and to be highly ranked on Robert Morse’s list rather than guided by pedagogical beliefs about where/how to direct our educational efforts/resources. It is a sad state of affairs. Most universities are involved so this is not intended as criticism of only Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>You misinterpretted me, I meant the OP currently lives across the hall from where I lived last year, as a freshman.</p>
<p>I don’t work for admissions, feel free to trace my posting history back to when I was doing “Chance me’s,” and trying to understand financial aid, back in the day.</p>
<p>Anyways I agree that schools should not be incentivized to artificially increase selectivity. However, you have no evidence that Vanderbilt is doing so; you don’t know if they’re doing an unusual amount of advertising or whatever else to increase # of apps. The rise in applications may just be a result of Vanderbilt’s rapid increase in rank/reputation and the increasing quality of the education offered here (which is a consequences of a number of changes being made all the time). That was my point. </p>
<p>And now you’re insinuating that these other top schools are NOT hell bent on showing higher scores, and only Vanderbilt is. Why? I just don’t understand. What evidence are you looking at other than increased scores…? Sounds like this is coming out of nowhere. Hell, Harvard sends out thousands of free applications, as in the entire application packets, to kids who are totally underqualified. Stanford, Duke, and UPenn do a crazy amount of mailing as soon as students sign up to that PSAT, even though the scores are private, and contact students with scores indicating they could never go to these schools. Tulane offers free applications by the truckload just so more kids will toss them an app. In my experience, Vandy doesn’t do any of that.</p>
<p>I suspect Vandy is no different from other top U’s with PR and branding. They all use a holistic approach to the application process and desire students with similar profiles (academic, leadership, community service, character…). I don’t think VU cares more or less than other top U’s when it comes to test scores, they all want them. I also feel all top U’s share your belief in quality education and solving world issues as their top priority and hate the time & energy they must put into playing the USNWR ranking game.<br>
That being said, there is reason to look at Vandy as many great things are happening in Nashville. Vanderbilt is a “hot” school now.</p>
<p>Yes, Insidelane, I agree that what we want is to help kids who are going through a very tough process–possibly THE most important decision that many have had to make thus far in their young lives. Just out of curiosity, do you “have a horse in this race” or are you just an interested observer?</p>
<p>LHS Cary-I have involved kids but they are done-not impacted by the craze but know loads of kids currently dealing with it all. Bud123, Vanderbilt is an excellent school. Why isn’t that the first thing that kids know about a school-what it does and does not offer and how it is the same or different from other schools? Vanderbilt has good outcomes across all indices. That should be the focus. And, when it is Vanderbilt does well. How well? Who cares except if the question is “How well for who?”</p>
<p>Hahahahah. This is classic. Pancaked, I bet you made all those ‘chance me’ and fafsa threads exactly two years ago as part of your cover-up.</p>
<p>Can’t Choose! UChicago, Vanderbilt, Johns Hopkins, Wesleyan, or McGill!?</p>
<p>Vandyman2016, you said there are six schools that are fully need blind and meet full demonstrated need with NO loans and no income cap for grants.</p>
<p>What are the other five?</p>
<p>Heres a list of need blind colleges -</p>
<p>[568</a> Group - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/568_Group]568”>568 Group - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>Thanks, timetodecide12, that 569 group is very interesting and raises other questions, but I don’t want to get off topic with those.</p>
<p>I am specifically interested in Vandyman2016’s reference to the “no loan and no income cap for grants” schools, and have been using this list as my reference: [FinAid</a> | Answering Your Questions | No Loans for Low Income Students](<a href=“Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid”>Your Guide for College Financial Aid - Finaid)
so I am curious to know what specific six schools were referenced since the list I’ve been using is much longer than just six schools (although some on my list have criteria for residents of certain states).</p>
<p>Thanks to anyone who can provide the other five schools!</p>
<p>A school’s being need-blind or need-aware is (or should be) irrelevant to applicants. It doesn’t affect a school’s desirability or quality, but rather only the chances of admission for a few applicants on the cusp.</p>