<p>Hello everyone, I transfered back in the fall of 2011 and will be a rising senior at Vandy this fall. If you have any questions, ask away! Congrats!</p>
<p>Hey vandyohhellya,</p>
<p>I appreciate you reaching out to some of us transfer students here. I had a question about how credit transferring works from my current school to Vanderbilt. For example, I’m on the premed track and have taken many of the standard lecture classes freshman take including Calc, Bio, and Chem. I assume that these class credits will transfer considering they pretty much have universal curriculums no matter where you take them. However, I am a double major in music as well, and am concerned that the two classes I took in music may not transfer. They were called “Introduction to Music” and “Fundamentals of Music Theory”, the former being kind of a general music class more like a history class rather than a theory class. Do you have any insight as to whether or not these classes could count towards anything? Also, what about a First Year Writing Seminar class? Thanks for all the help, it’s greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Hey, no worries! Your premed classes will deff transfer over for the standard ones here. Im not premed, but I have a lot of friends who have taken premed classes at other schools (during summer) and it seems to be fine. The music, I am a little uncertain. I took music theory my freshman year (I was once a music major too) and it counted for the Blair introductory music class. Introduction to music, I am not so sure it will count for something <em>specific</em>, as in like a directly corelated Vanderbilt class, but theres a good chance it will count as a blair elective (itll show up as a blair non equivlent) and it will count towards your music major, but it just wont replace a specific class. Thats my two sense. I took a writing seminar class, and it went over as 120W (which is a writing seminar class at Vandy) but I know youll need to take atleast one more W class, maybe 2.</p>
<p>That’s awesome and very reassuring to hear. I’m hoping everything will correlate with some Vandy class, as I’d hate to waste credits I’ve worked for freshman year. In the event that a particular class does not transfer to a Vandy equivalent, do they recalculate your freshman GPA or leave it the same?</p>
<p>Another unrelated question: What are the first few weeks at Vanderbilt like as a transfer student? Did you find most of your closest friends being fellow transfer students, and did you have any trouble assimilating into Vandy culture and preexisting friend groups? I really don’t know what to expect in terms of social life and hope the transition goes smoothly. Thanks again for all of the help!</p>
<p>Your freshman year GPA will be left alone, unfactored into your vanderbilt GPA. So, when the time comes to apply to med school, you will send your vanderbil transcript along with your freshman year transcript. If you want to find out your total GPA from all of your years you will have to calculate it yourself. </p>
<p>In terms of the first week, they are really what you make of it. GO to the events, meet people, etc. And you will find yourself making friends in no time. In terms of integrating yourself, that is also how you make of it. I know kids who have all transfer friends, and I know kids who have no transfer friends. My first few weeks were very mixed. I had a lot of transfer friends on my hall, but I also rushed a fraternity (the one I ended up pleding at the end of my first month) so from the very get go i was making non transfer friends and meeting a lot of people outside the transfer bubble. My suggestion for those who want to integrate themselves, is to join some large commitment organization like greek life, an intramural sport, acapella, etc. This is the best way of meeting people, cause youll be spending multiple hours a week with them. But going greek signifigantly helped me (especially as a transfer student) because now I would say that only a handful of my vanderbilt friends are transfer students. Not that there is anything wrong with having only transfer friends. I had no interest in greek life when I applied to Vanderbilt, but when I got there, I realized that joining a fraternity would help me meet SO many people. Seriously. Like I can’t imagine meeting all of the people I met without going greek. It was the best decision I made (other than transfering to vanderbilt). I also think that there is a fraternity/sorority for everyone, so you shouldnt have trouble finding one you like. But Greek life isnt for everyone, and that is why, if you dont find yourself wanting to join, you should join an organization that meets a lot on a weekly basis, so you will be constantly surrounding yourself with people and making friends with them. I also joined an acapella group, and thats helped me make a lot of friends as well.</p>
<p>The biggest difference between the freshman year experience and the transfer experience is that Vanderbilt doesn’t hold the hands of the latter group. In commons they literally do everything for you (including moving all of your stuff in for you) and its a lot easier to make friends with people on your floor as everyone is a freshman and excited to be there. As a transfer, Vanderbilt doesnt want to baby you, because they know you had your freshman year, and can figure most of the stuff out on your own. That being said, it is really YOUR responsibility to make the most out of your first weeks at Vanderbilt. But thats not hard at all. You will find in no time you will be joining clubs and organizations, meeting people in your classes and on your floor, etc. Just be open, social, and put yourself out there, and you will be fine.</p>
<p>Thanks for answering the freshman GPA question; that part of the transferring process wasn’t made all too clear. I’ll definitely be looking forward to taking advantage of all the first week events and meeting new people. Another question– what is the housing situation like for transfers? I heard there may be a possibility we could get a shot at Kissam when it’s finished, but where do most first-year transfers live? Are there any suite style options? Thanks again!</p>
<p>haha kissam deff wont be finished by the fall. Maybe the winter, but It won’t “open” until the fall of 2014 unfortunately. </p>
<p>Transfers have a few options:
Towers singles/doubles (probably the best). The singles are great, and the doubles are manageable (a little small). But towers is the most desirable living place on campus for upperclassman (mostly for suites, but the singles and doubles are still good) (location is great, by greek row, fun, social atmosphere, food in basement, etc.). </p>
<p>Morgan/lewis-a little further away (about 10 minute walk to arts and science part of campus, and 10 minutes to peabody as well). These used to be 3 person suites, (1 double, 1 single) but because they knocked down kissam, they turned it into forced quads (2 doubles, even though one of the room is the size of a single). So this is hit or miss, depending on whether or not you get the single or double. Pros are kitchen/common room, near the rec, good place if you are a peabody or engineering student, munchie mart in lewis. </p>
<p>Vandy/Barnard-one building (although supposedly two). Singles are on the small size, but you cant be the location. Right by alumni lawn. Lots of sophomores live here. Not the “most desirable” but its really an under rated place. Very clean, I think it was renovated recently (past 10 years). </p>
<p>Tolmam (male)/Cole (female)-Mostly singles, some doubles. Singles are HUGE. Great location, on alumni lawn. Really pretty looking building. Not very social dorms though, the only downside. </p>
<p>Mcgill-Same design as tolman/cole, but its a living/learning community. It’s the philosophy dorm on campus, and tends to attract kids who are not the typical vanderbilt “stereotype” (artsy, music, alternative, etc.). If I could go back in time, I would deff. reconsider living here. It is hands-down the most social dorm on campus (maybe even more so than commons). Literally everyone in Mcgill knows one another. I’m not super artsy, but I am a philosophy major, and I think it would have been a great fit. You dont have to be into philosophy or art to be in mcgill. Some of my good friends live in mcgill and love it because of the social atmosphere. Interesting fact-mcgill isn’t technically a part of vanderbilt. They won their independence from vanderbilt back in the 70’s and they can literally do whatever they want. Big drug culture, lots of things fly (nudity, pets, sword fights at 4 am, etc.). Great place to live if this sounds like something you are into. GREAT location (again on alumni lawn) and singles are HUGE. Also co-ed floors, which is nice :)</p>
<p>Blakemore-Old nursing home that was just bought by vanderbilt because of kissam being knocked down. REALLY far away from campus (like past the football fields, etc.) Biggest con about it. like 15-20 min walk from main. Literally have never been or seen it, but besides the location, everything else is great apparently. HUGE double rooms with private bathrooms, and you get to eat in Mcgugen which is the athletic cafeteria hall, which is basically like a 5 star restaurant. So if you get a bike it wont be too bad, but it is really far from the center of everything. </p>
<p>Hope that helps!</p>
<p>My DD has been offered admission to Vanderbilt as rising sophomore transfer. She’s struggling with whether to stay where she is (Boston College - weather; social scene - no Greek life) or take the offer. Every case and situation is different. But it would be helpful if, in your case, you could tell me (and her):</p>
<p>Did you transfer in as a sophomore or a junior?
Did you come from a 2-year or 4-year school?
Where did you transfer from?
What led you to decide to transfer?
Why Vanderbilt?
What suprised you?
What disppointed you?
What was better/easier than you anticipated? Worse/Harder?
Do you think it would be harder for a girl than a guy?
Anything else to consider?</p>
<p>Thanks very much!</p>
<p>Hi @vandyohhellya,
I was recently accepted to Vanderbilt as a transfer for next semester and have already sent in my deposit. I will be an incoming sophomore. At first I was really excited, but I’ve become a lot more nervous the more information I’ve read online. First, are roommates assigned completely randomly, or is there some type of simple survey you fill out to match with someone with a similar lifestyle to yours? If not, what happens if your roommate situation is terrible and you have nothing in common? </p>
<p>Also, I really want to rush, but I’ve heard that there are certain sororities/fraternities that do not accept transfer students. Is that true? Do transfer students/upperclassmen have a harder time getting bids? </p>
<p>Lastly, what was your experience with the Vanderbilt community in accepting transfer students? I realize that transfer students have to be more outgoing in order to make friends since most people already have friend groups from last year, but are most Vandy students pretty friendly towards transfers? </p>
<p>Thanks for any insight!</p>
<p>hi vandyohhellya, is Vanderbilt generous with transfer credits?</p>
<p>@Vandyohhellya: Thanks so the housing information! I really hope to get placed in Towers after reading your take on each housing assignment. One last question: If I am interested in bio research at Vandy, how easy/difficult is it to get a research position? I am currently doing research at my college and love it, and hope that the same opportunities exist at Vandy and can be obtained easily. Thanks again!</p>
<p>I transferred as a sophomore.
I came from a small school in Ohio (less than 2,000 kids) so I was just looking for something new.
Vanderbilt just seemed like a place with the perfect balance. I liked that it was in a city, but also had its own 300+ acre campus. I liked the resdiential system, where everyone lives on campus (a lot of students move off as upperclassmans at my old school). Warm weather is a huge plus. Academics are simply amazing, all across the board. Which was nice because I didn’t know what I wanted to major in, but regardless of what I choose I knew there was going to be a great department. Academics, academics, academics. And amazing social scene (dt nashville, greek system, on campus suites). T
Surprise-how involved everyone is. I don’t know anyone that doesn’t do at least two or three major activities, clubs, sports, etc. And I was also amazed at how easy it was to get involved. I had two leadership positions by the end of my first year for two organizations.
Disappointment- I don’t know. I really can’t say.I think the only thing that I get “disappointed” about is that I didn’t get a chance to live on the commons. But it’s REALLY easy to integrate yourself, I don’t feel like transfers isolate themselves to a bubble.
Everything went a lot better than I thought. All of my transfer friends have had a really positive experiences. </p>
<p>@vandy transfers: If I remember right you can’t request a place to live, but you can request double or singles. I think if you choose double, or maybe both, you have to fill out a small three or so question thing. If you don’t get along with your roommate, I think there are good procudures set in on trying to work it out, and then getting a room change if possible (as easy as a month or so in). </p>
<p>Rush for transfers tends to be a little different for guys and girls</p>
<p>Almost all fraternities take fall pledge class (smaller classes, like 2-10 guys), and these are all sophomores who pledge in the fall. I think there might be 2-3 fraternities that don’t take fall guys (for various reasons), but the majority does. If the house you want doesn’t, if they like you they will take you in the spring. It’s possible to join in the spring as well. I would say 90% of my transfer male friends who joined fraternities (myself included) did it in the fall. It’s one of the best ways to meet a TON of people. It’s great socially obviously, but it does help you become more active on campus. </p>
<p>Most girls who transfer end up joining sororities in the fall. Depending on the year, there tend to be only 2-5 sororities that take girls in the fall, for various reasons. So most girls, in order to “consider every sorority” type deal, do formal rush in the spring. There’s a “sophmore” quota for sororities, meaning that they have a number of girls they have to take that are sophmores, so most girls who rush have zero problems. I think that there is truly a sorority, and fraternity, for everyone. </p>
<p>But you don’t have to join one to have fun! I have a lot of friends who aren’t greek, and they still go out, go to the fraternity houses, etc. I do think though, that its a great way to meet a lot of people right when you get to school. </p>
<p>Yeah, I don’t think theres a problem. I think the real problem remains with people who don’t put themselves out there and join activities, clubs, sports, greek life, etc. Like any school, you do have to make some sort of an effort to get yourself going, but I think that most people manage to find themselves fitting in just fine. I have a lot of transfer friends who went greek, joined student government, one’s that joined athletic teams, super involved with service, etc. I think that you just have to just get yourself involved, and youll be fine :). I don’t think I can think of anyone in my transfer class who transfered out of vandy (or was even not liking it) so that must be a good sign that everyone seems to fit in. In my main group of friends (about 10), two of us are transfers.</p>
<p>Hi @vandyohhellya! Would you recommend a single or a double for junior transfers? Are there a lot of junior transfers? I’d like to befriend more juniors than sophomore transfers. And where are junior transfers likely to be housed? Thanks!</p>
<p>I was waitlisted at Vandy as a senior in High School & denied ED1 admittance during my gap year. I’m considering apply as a transfer student. </p>
<p>What’s the general consensus for admission competitiveness as a transfer compared to as a freshman?</p>
<p>It’s easier to get in as a transfer. The acceptance rate for transfers last year was 26% according to the common data set, compared to 12-14% for general admission. For transfers, they pretty much only care about your college GPA and SAT/ACT scores, so good luck.</p>
<p>How much weight do SAT scores carry Vs. college GPA? For instance, 1400 SAT Vs. 4.0 GPA.</p>
<p>If transferring as a freshman, do they wait to admit you until your second semester grades are submitted?</p>
<p>I’m interested in doing a double major in Neurosciences and HOD. So for me it really doesn’t matter which school that I get into because I’m able to do a double major regardless of if I end up in Peabody or College of Arts and Sciences. Do you know which school would give me the better advantage in terms of acceptance rate as the transfer student?</p>
<p>Stanford78, my D was a Vandy transfer in 2008. To answer your questions from her experiences:
Did you transfer in as a sophomore or a junior? Sophomore
Did you come from a 2-year or 4-year school? 4 year
Where did you transfer from? A small liberal arts school
What led you to decide to transfer? Academics - had been accepted to Vandy & turned it down, thinking she wanted a smaller school - realized it was too small and didn’t offer the breadth of study she wanted.
Why Vanderbilt? Academic offerings, opportunities for music-related extracurriculars (radio show, interships, concerts …), larger city
What suprised you? To be frank, how flat-out rich some students were.
What disppointed you? She found fewer on-campus social opportunities that interested her than she had hoped she’d find - she wasn’t a partier. But she found things to do in and around town, and she had a group of friends from school that did things with her. In all honesty, it probably would have been that way for her at many other schools - colleges are that way.
What was better/easier than you anticipated? Worse/Harder? Better in terms of academic opportunities. Harder socially, I think - but she got over it.<br>
Do you think it would be harder for a girl than a guy? Not sure. But some think being in a greek group will make it all okay … except that she knew another transfer student who pledged a sorority, and it wasn’t all sunshine and roses for her. She ended up leaving the group. Everyone has his/her own experiences and feelings.
Anything else to consider? D has never regretted the switch. She loved her classes, had outstanding leadership opportunities, enjoyed the town, loved the campus, and has an awesome job she is sure she got because she is a Vandy grad. It’s all good.</p>