<p>wow. I didn’t meet any scholars with an attitude like 13. Glad I didn’t.</p>
<p>*The Ingram program took less finalists this year because it was a weaker pool of applicants. Although they were very strong on paper, overall they did not interview well and came off as awkward or uppity. The program seeks to find well-rounded scholars who not only succeed in academics and community service, but in social skills as well. Having met most of the finalists personally, I can say that the program probably made the right decision. Giving out that kind of scholarship to kids that you are even unsure about is not a safe bet. And while the current scholars are upset at the low incoming number, I can assure you that it was not because they loved all of the finalists - they, too, wish that the pool had been stronger. Congrats to all the acceptees! Can’t wait to see you all next year! *</p>
<p>Wow…</p>
<p>I’ve never had a child go thru Vandy’s interview weekend, but my kids have gone thru other schools’ finalists weekends, so maybe I can shine some light on the above quote (if it indeed is true.)</p>
<p>At some schools (perhaps Vandy, too), each finalist has a file with their name on it and there is paper in there that anyone (ANYONE!!) can add notations about what they thought of each finalist. Current student members, faculty, staff, secretaries, etc can all write notations - and they are strongly encouraged to do so! (Obviously, current finalists can’t write anything, but everyone else can). </p>
<p>So, if a student is gossipy, impatient or rude to a staff member, is overheard talking about another school being “first choice,” that can all get noted in the file. Some kids wrongly think that they only have to have their “good face” on during interview time or when talking to the “higher ups.” But, that is often wrong. </p>
<p>The “uppity” comment may have been a reference to someone overhearing that an ivy (or wherever) is the student’s first choice school or that Vandy is their “safety” or some other comment that could sound arrogant or impolite.</p>
<p>As for the social skills…many kids have not had enough practice properly greeting new adults. Perhaps they’ve never realize the importance of eye contact and a proper handshake greeting, or the proper way to excuse oneself from a conversation. Many wonderful kids just haven’t had much practice in that area. </p>
<p>I don’t know what all is expected of these Vandy scholars, but if they are expected to participate in research and possibly present their findings at conferences or what-have-you, proper social skills can be very important. </p>
<p>Anyway…hope this sheds some light on this issue. :)</p>
<p>Again, I have no idea if 13’s post is legit. But, if it is, my above comments may explain some of what that means.</p>
<p>I was a finalist and I am very mad about this. I spent the weekend with a great group, I love every single one of them. No one was snobby or anything like that. We had a great time together - maybe we had too much fun but we were encouraged to do so. We were all relieved that the interview process was much less rigid than we expected and we were all led to believe that we were in the program. My interviewer actually told me that once you get to this point it was just a formality. So we had a good time getting to know these future classmates that we thought we would be spending a lot of time with. There was even a point in the weekend where someone was given some inside information about something the interviewers were looking for and everyone was sharing it with everyone else. No one wanted anyone to be left out and we were all hoping every single person would be selected. Uppity - really?? I am so disappointed (obviously I wasn’t selected) but more mad than anything else with the way this went down. I know Vanderbilt has missed out on some very good scholars and they should take a look at how this was handled and reconsider adding additional recipients.</p>
<p>I was also pretty shocked by 13’s post. As a finalist myself, I have to say that all of the other finalists I met were highly intelligent, sociable and humble. We were all very different people from different backgrounds, but got along incredibly well. I was disappointed that the program took so few of us - after leading us to believe that, basically, you get it unless you’re a real jerk - without any sort of explanation. Everything happens for a reason, though, and I’m positive that all the finalists will end up at amazing colleges, and now may have more freedom in weighing their options. I was honestly the most upset by 13, a current scholar’s, post. This is really not representative of the current Ingram’s that I met at Vanderbilt. All of the current scholars that I met were wonderful, impressive and warm people. They went out of their way to make me feel welcome and comfortable at Vanderbilt. I also highly doubt that any of the ones I met would write something as rude and “uppity” as 13’s post.</p>
<p>My D is a junior at Vanderbilt. If she ever made comments like 13’s, I would be incredibly disappointed in her. Please do not judge the student body by 13. While there are some like him/her who feel superior (as there are at any school), there are plenty more who would never think … much less write … such ridiculous things.</p>
<p>I hope this person is not an Ingram Scholar, as she/he would be a very poor representative of a wonderful program.</p>
<p>Please know that there are many terrific ways to become involved at Vanderbilt other than by being an Ingram Scholar. While the full ride aspect of the program is enticing, Vandy stands on its own as a school worthy of attending even without it being all expenses paid. If finances are an issue, the need based aid is excellent. And you may still be offered a great scholarship when you receive your acceptance packet.</p>
<p>V13, would you make comments like that to someone’s face? Pretty rude behavior, and not representative of what I have seen at Vanderbilt over the years my son has been a student there.</p>
<p>What is the real reason why less were chosen?</p>
<p>Wow! To all who read my post, please do not be offended as you were. There were some GREAT applicants. Some of the ones who I met were awesome, some were a little quirky, and some were rude to their hosts. I did not mean to make generalizations about ALL of the finalists at all. I just know for a fact that the program selected students with a purpose, and did not mean to mislead students in the way that it did. It’s absolutely great that you all bonded, and that says a lot about if you would fit in at vanderbilt (come here!), but the program was looking for something else this year. If my post came off as snobby, that was unintentional.</p>
<p>As far as coming to Vanderbilt and applying as a sophomore - DO IT! It is truly an amazing place. I am just a regular student here, actively involved in many things. I was just restating for those here on this board what I had been told directly. Please, finalists - you are all great people and have to be very accomplished to even be considered for the program. But also trust that everything happens for a reason, you will see that it will all work itself out. Good luck to everyone!</p>
<p>Your posting came across as extremely rude and offensive. I’m actually very surprised that you were given the honor of being an Ingram Scholar, as you don’t represent the Program very well. It is troubling that a Program that historically has accepted the vast majority of the finalists (on average over 80%), to now accept 26%, with absolutely no explanation to the finalists, and no mention of any “change in what they were looking for”.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt13 claims in post #68 to be “just a regular student” who “is repeating things she heard.”<br>
vanderbilt 13, I think instead of asking parents and students who flew to Nashville per their invitations “not to be offended”, you should be issuing an apology for being thoughtless and for inappropriately making statements online purported to represent the reasoning of the Ingram Scholars committee.</p>
<p>The large reduction in Ingram Scholars this year would of course be a big let down to students who hoped to be part of such an amazing tradition at Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Disappointed Ingram finalists…you who made the cut already out of 21,000 hopefuls, please keep in mind that there are 6000 students at Vanderbilt and many are on very generous need and merit supplemental scholarships. If your son or daughter truly liked the Vanderbilt community, I hope you will stay open till April when all of your offers arrive. Return to an Accepted Student day with your full offers in hand and compare the entire Vandy experience with your other opportunities. Obviously…all of our sons and daughters are active at Vandy and many of them are deeply into service work and opportunities outside of the Ingram program. If you made the Ingram finalist cut, you will likely enjoy looking at other offers, too.</p>
<p>I was a finalist too. I’m totally heartbroken that I didn’t do my best on the weekend. (congrats to the winners and I really mean that - what an honor and a good luck with your projects in the future). I was invited to another scholarship weekend but my heart was set on the Ingram program and I had to give up my chance at the other scholarship when I choose Vandy to attend. I think another finalist had a similar problem. I didn’t apply for any other scholarships at Vandy figuring the Ingram was my best shot at anything there and even though my parents can’t afford the tuition, we won’t qualify for need based. I would love to think I’d be up for another kind of scholarship there but being realistic - that won’t happen. I loved Vandy and it will be difficult to head someplace else in the fall.</p>
<p>Again, my kids never participated in Vandy’s scholarship weekend, but have done other schools, so let me also share this…</p>
<p>I’ve learned over the last two years that some students who didn’t get selected, politely contacted the school letting them know that the school is their first choice and that if any of the chosen students decide to go elsewhere that they would like to be reconsidered. Many of those kids did ultimately get added to their programs. </p>
<p>So, if any of you still are very interested, write a polite note to those involved and express an interest in possible reconsideration. Perhaps include a mention of something that you wish you had said during the interview weekend. Also, if appropriate, include a reiteration of your stats/ECs.</p>
<p>It can’t hurt! 
Good luck.</p>
<p>That is really a great idea … it certainly can’t hurt.</p>
<p>servin: if you love Vandy, stay open hearted to all your colleges and reevaluate in April. You do not know yet what you will be offered, if anything, from Vanderbilt and you are likely going to have other great options. There are many many deserving students at Vanderbilt without the Ingram or other merit money who are just as amazing as merit scholarship winners. The entire class is very able across the board. </p>
<p>best wishes in your college search and outcomes, and I am sorry for all those hopefuls who were not awarded a scholarship. As much as I think we would have felt the same way about the lower number of Ingrams this year, keep in mind that many merit scholarship programs send home finalists without winning: the Jeffersons, the Emory Scholars program, the Moreheads at Chapel Hill. Being a finalist says a lot about your references and qualifications. May your record lead you to a great outcome at Vandy or elsewhere.</p>
<p>Just to give a quick update on this situation:
As I’ve understood it, many of the Ingram finalists who were not awarded the Ingram scholarship itself later became Chancellor’s Scholars or Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholars. Vanderbilt did not leave a plurality of these dedicated and wonderful students empty-handed, as this board implies. </p>
<p>I’d also like to reiterate how we all had a great time at Vandy and how amazing all of the people involved with the program were to all of us.</p>
<p>So when do we think people will begin to hear back from the ingram program? Does anyone have any new information about the ingram THIS YEAR?</p>
<p>Thanks and Happy New Year!</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/vanderbilt-university/1069737-ingram-scholarship-timing.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/vanderbilt-university/1069737-ingram-scholarship-timing.html</a></p>
<p>My Daughter just got her email notification that she is a semi-finalist this year. Not sure what that means for her chances, but seems like a step that she must get through regardless. </p>
<p>Anyone know how many semi-finalists there are?</p>
<p>hey everyone…just got notified i didn’t get ingram</p>
<p>Thank you for your interest in Vanderbilt and taking the time to apply for the Ingram Scholarship Program. The selection committee recently met to identify semi-finalists for the Program. Selecting the semi-finalists was, as always, extremely difficult given the outstanding community service records of the 562 candidates. I regret to inform you that you have not been selected as an Ingram Scholarship semi-finalist.</p>
<p>Given the devotion you have shown to service, I anticipate that you will continue in your service effort. If you enroll at Vanderbilt, our Office of Active Citizenship and Service will surely value your involvement. This office facilitates the activities of programs such as Alternative Spring Break, Habitat for Humanity, and VanderBuddies, just to name a few. Also, please keep in mind that Ingram Scholarships are awarded to currently enrolled students each year, and you are welcome to compete again for the scholarship.</p>
<p>The process of selecting scholarship recipients for other awards we administer is still ongoing, including the Cornelius Vanderbilt and Chancellor’s Scholarships. Award recipients will be notified either by a separate letter during the month of March or with an offer of admission.</p>
<p>Please note that the largest share of dollars we offer to incoming students is in the form of need-based financial assistance. We are committed to making a Vanderbilt education affordable for families based upon our three commitments:</p>
<p>*Our admissions process is entirely need-blind. This means that your family’s ability to pay for a Vanderbilt education is not a factor in our admissions process. </p>
<p>*Vanderbilt will meet 100% of a family’s demonstrated financial need for all admitted U.S.citizens and eligible non-citizens. Many students often pay no more to attend Vanderbilt than they would pay to attend a college with a lower total cost.</p>
<p>*Need-based financial aid packages include no need-based loans while we award greater amounts of grant/scholarship assistance. This initiative does not involve income bands or “cut-offs” used to determine levels of eligibility and applies to all admitted U.S. citizens and eligible non-citizens with demonstrated financial need.</p>
<p>If you have applied for need-based financial aid, you should receive a financial aid notification letter along with any offer of admission. If you feel that you will require need-based student financial assistance but have not yet completed the application process for need-based aid, visit our website at [Office</a> of Financial Aid | Vanderbilt University](<a href=“http://www.vanderbilt.edu/financialaid]Office”>Office of Financial Aid | Vanderbilt University) for complete application instructions and additional information. </p>
<p>Best wishes as you make your college enrollment decision.</p>
<p>hi everyone!
Congratulations to any of the 2011 semi-finalists! Does anyone know when we should find out about who made it to the finalist round?</p>