Holistic Admissions and Extracurriculars

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

<p>I know that I have posted several threads in this forum, but I legitimately have a bunch of questions. </p>

<p>Obviously, Vanderbilt has a holistic admissions process. I assume that they are being honest when they say that they look at everything for an applicant, and not just the numbers. Of course, this means looking at extracurriculars. </p>

<p>My question to you is, do you think my E.C.'s are good enough? I only have 3 clubs that I am really dedicated to: debate, academic team, and NHS. </p>

<p>I joined debate my freshman year, and will have been captain my junior and senior years. The season is the entire year, plus some commitments over the summer. I put about 5 hours a week into it my freshman and sophomore years, but that is closer to 8 or 9 with being captain, and running most things. I have an incredible passion for it, and it heavily relates to my intended major of political science. I have won awards for it, and the team took 4th in state under my captainship. The team has doubled in size since I've been in it, and as captain, I'm working on expanding to other tournaments. I will be getting an outstanding rec from my debate coach because of it, and I could easily write a great essay about it.</p>

<p>I also joined academic team (scholastic bowl) my freshman year, and was JV captain freshman and sophomore years, and Varsity captain Junior and Senior years. It lasts for a good 5 months of the school year, with about a 3 hour commitment per week. My sophomore year, I "led" the team to 1st in conference, and I was bumped up to varsity at the end of sophomore year because I'm so good at it. I've won MVP awards at tournaments. </p>

<p>Lastly, I was inducted into NHS at the end of junior year, which is the earliest that it is available for my chapter. This means community service and stuff, and I couldn't run for a leadership position, because my time is consumed with being the captain of other things, and they do not allow captains of other clubs to have leadership positions. </p>

<p>That's it. I have three things, but I have passion with them. I know that Vanderbilt is holistic, and my scores are within their range. Will my few, but passionate E.C.'s screw me over with their holistic admissions process? I know that a lot of people have over 10 activities, but I only have 3. I will have fantastic rec's, as most of my teachers love me, and my essays should be really good.</p>

<p>tl;dr</p>

<p>I have 3 passionate activities, with Vanderbilt range scores, and am concerned that the holistic admissions will be my downfall.</p>

2

<p>I’ve always felt that being extremely passionate about 2-3 activities is far better than being lackluster (or simply disinterested) in 10. Be confident about yourself - you should be proud! Let your passion about what you do show. You can’t go wrong.</p>

<p>Good luck!</p>

3

<p>I’ll take your word for it. You did get into Vanderbilt, after all, so your word should be pretty accurate. Thanks!</p>

4

<p>My son is an incoming freshman studying mechanical engineering. All of his ECs related to his passion for music. (Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Honor Band, Jazz Band, Winter Percussion as well as a traditional jazz group outside of school). He had various leadership roles such as section leader, 1st chair and band leader. Even his community service related to supporting music in the community. A passion in one area worked for him.</p>

<p>Remember, universities are looking for a well rounded class not a class of well rounded students.</p>

5

<p>“Remember, universities are looking for a well rounded class not a class of well rounded students.”</p>

<p>That’s some great word play! But I never thought about that, really. In all chance threads I have seen, whether my own or that of others, many seem to say that doing E.C.'s in all areas is the best option. But that cannot really be. If I joined a bunch of things I didn’t like, I’d be feigning passion, which couldn’t be a good idea. I love debate because of all of my political and historical nerdiness, and I love academic team because I love scholarly competition, and I’m awesome at trivia. You guys are right! My application will reflect my passion, and I’m sure that will be as good as anyone’s.</p>

6

<p>Vanderbilt students have a Mock Trial team you have to audition for and our son made it although frankly he had very weak high school experience in debating and speech and little coaching. He was also active in something called TISL which was very rewarding. Most colleges in TN send a team and arguments are made in a courthouse in Nashville. Google TISL…perhaps you can see yourself giving that a go as well.</p>

7

<p>I would definitely agree with the previous posts that a few passionate extracurriculars is better than a lot of superficial extracurriculars just to ‘pad’ a resume. It sounds like you have a decent shot, but remember, as with all admissions processes, it’s honestly a crap-shoot.</p>