<p>has anyone done it? i kinda want to do it, but i'm not sure...
is it hard to be accepted into the program?
i really want to do it, but it's a really long time in the summer and since i play a travel sport(softball)i would have to either miss softball(not likely) or come home every weekend and go back...but it's a possibility....so IS IT A GOOD PROGRAM?</p>
<p>I did it. It was cool and worth it for me. How important is softball to you right now? If there isn't a lot of upside in it for you then I'd do PAVE. If you're a college prospect or something, and it is really important to you then I'd do softball. I guess you could go home every weekend but that sounds rough.</p>
<p>Can someone explain what it is or tell us where we can find more info about it...</p>
<p>It is a summer program for kids interested in engineering. Vanderbilt also hosts a summer program for talented kids with other interests known as PTY, Program for Talented Youth. My D did PTY and it was the, IMO, the best overall summer program that either of my kids ever did.</p>
<p>can you guys give me more info on life during the PAVE program? like things people do, doing homework and just generally being there...both SOCIAL and ACADEMIC aspect please!</p>
<p>YES! I did PAVE last summer and had the time of my life. Rather than PM you, I'll post on this thread, so that other interested students can view this. Here is a letter I wrote to another student:</p>
<hr>
<p>If you're reading this, you're probably trying to decide what to do during summer 2007. You may be wondering if attending a pre-college summer program is worth it. You'll have to decide for yourself if it's worth the cost... and an academic challenge during the summer. If you do decide you want to attend a pre-college program, I encourage you to consider the Vanderbilt PAVE Pre-College program.</p>
<p>Last summer, I attended PAVE. This six-week program is for science and/or engineering. [Although when I attended last summer, there were many people interested in medicine, some interested in business, a few interested in law, and even one guy who wanted to be a news anchor. I myself might major in the humanities (and pre-med), but I feel PAVE helped me on several levels- 1) I feel much better prepared for AP Computer Science, 2) I feel like I improved my overall mathematical understanding (and am more comfortable with math in general), 3) I feel extremely ready for college life, 4) I feel prepared to balance college classes with free-time.]</p>
<p>I went into the program thinking 6 weeks was going to be tough to handle; soon though, I wished it would never end.</p>
<p>The academics are challenging and stimulating- yet the environment is laid-back. Each day, you'll have a math lecture (Vector Mechanics/Calculus) and a computer science/programming lecture (MATLAB/C/C++). You'll also choose three labs: one every two weeks. Examples of labs to choose from: Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biology, Physics, Environmental Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, and Management of Technology (Business). Each lab culminates in a college-level lab report. This may sound daunting, but it's really not that bad, and there is tons of help available. You'll be challenged, but not overwhelmed. There are no grades, so there is NO competition amongst the students.</p>
<p>PAVE is the perfect blend of recreation/free-time and academics. Every weekend there is an activity to choose from; last year we went canoeing, white water rafting (class 4 rapids!), played laser tag, went to a water park, and played paintball. Every Friday vans went to the mall/movie theatre. There are volunteer and/or research opportunities available; you can meet with Heads of Departments/Schools, the pre-med advisor, admissions officers, and other professors; and for those interested in pre-med- Vanderbilt Medical Center is a stone throw away. You'll have plenty of free time-- the Vandy Rec Center is open to PAVE students and everything you'll need is within walking distance of the campus. PAVE is also an excellent simulation of college life... you'll walk around the gorgeous Vanderbilt campus, live in the dorms, do your own laundry, plan your weekends, choose your dinners, and shop for groceries.</p>
<p>At PAVE, I met amazing people from every state, and from all over the world. It's hard to describe the environment at PAVE. It's laid-back, yet busy; challenging, yet fun. When people don't want to leave at the end of the program, you know its something special. I cannot give a more enthused recommendation of this program. PAVE was far and away the best summer of my life. I'll always treasure my PAVE experience, and I'm proud to be part of the "PAVE Mafia".</p>
<p>If you have any questions, feel free to PM me, or respond here.</p>
<p>Ya, I was also considering the PAVE program. Thank you 'Mary.Loves.You' for your post, it was very insightful. However, my concern about what you are saying about the program is that it is highly techiniacal (C++ programing etc.). For someone more interested in the biological sciences and medical aspect, are the classes generic/set? Is the program highly focused on enginnering? And also, IS it hard to get into the program? And finally, does being accepted/attending the prgram help in undergrad admissions?</p>
<p>Hey homelessbanker, thanks for your questions/comments. I’ll try to answer them as best I can.</p>
<p>
[quote]
However, my concern about what you are saying about the program is that it is highly techiniacal (C++ programing etc.).
[/quote]
It is a technical program, it’s true. You do have to listen to a programming lecture every day, you do have a programming assignment every afternoon. It’s part of the experience. I have no interest in engineering, but I found the programming section to be easy. Some people struggled with it... It’s one of those necessary evils… but it really is only a third of your academic experience, and only a small part of the overall experience. I’d wager more than 75% of us wished we didn’t have to do the programming, but every single one of us <em>loved</em> PAVE, so you can see that it won’t really effect your overall experience.</p>
<p>If you’re worried about the programming section, think on this: 1) There’s tons of help available, from instructors, counselors, and most of all, your peers; 2) I was worried about this section, had no real interest in it, had no previous programming experience, but found it not only easy, but enjoyable; 3) There are about 3 crazy tough assignments (out of about 30)… you may be in the lab until midnight (with about 30 other PAVE students) on those nights, but the rest of the assignments are not difficult at all.</p>
<p>
[quote]
For someone more interested in the biological sciences and medical aspect, are the classes generic/set?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I too, am more interested in the biological science and medicine. I found the program completely satisfactory in these regards. You can take biological/science labs… For example, in Biology we did a lab with gel electrophoresis and DNA testing. It was great because we worked with a Vandy professor in a Vandy laboratory. I did the Bioengineering lab, which was also very interesting. I also did the Management of Technology (Business) lab, which was incredibly amazing (actually got me thinking going into business, haha). Well, that last one didn’t have anything to do with medicine, but I loved it anyway. :)</p>
<p>We had an extremely informative information session with Vanderbilt's head pre-med advisor (he previously worked on the admissions committee for Vandy Med School), and we had an opportunity to meet with him one-on-one. There are opportunities for research with Vanderbilt professors. There are volunteer opportunities. Just visiting the Vandy Med Center was awesome. The prospective pre-meds also got a special treat/trip (that I can’t tell you about here, it’s secret)... but it was a great opportunity. </p>
<p>There were a lot of potential pre-meds, and we were well cared for. Trust me, if you want it, there is a lot of opportunity for medicine/biological sciences at PAVE.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Is the program highly focused on enginnering?
[/quote]
I would say the emphasis is technology and science, not exactly engineering. As I said before, you can attend PAVE with any career ambition. You can make what you want of it. For example, the vector mechanics/calculus section: for me, it was helpful because it increased my confidence and understanding of math in general; for a future engineer, it gave them a strong base in vectors and calculus for physics. </p>
<p>
[quote]
And also, IS it hard to get into the program?
[/quote]
Honestly I’m not sure. I know some people had 2300+ PSAT/SATs, while some had 1800ish PSAT/SATs. There were a lot of people in between. There were definitely lots of intelligent, motivated people who attended. I think that admissions is based largely on desire to attend. If you really want to attend, and if you convey this to them, it'll definitely help. At the same time, there was a large waitlist last year, and a lot of people didn’t get in, so it is competitive. As a sidenote, if you want my real name (to mention as a reference when applying), PM me. </p>
<p>
[quote]
And finally, does being accepted/attending the prgram help in undergrad admissions?
[/quote]
Attending PAVE won't be a huge factor in your college admissions, but here are some ways it will help you.
1) Shows motivation. This is true with attending any program during the summer, not just PAVE. Colleges like to see you did something and looked to broaden your horizons during the summer, so PAVE will help in that regard.
2) Vanderbilt admissions. It's not a guarantee that you'll get in, but it definitely helps. If you decide to apply to Vanderbilt, your application will be stamped with "PAVE". So Vandy recognizes those who attend the program, and it does give you a little boost.
3) Dr. John Veillette ("Doc V"), the director of the program and Associate Dean of Engineering will write a recommendation letter for every PAVE participant. He takes the time to get to know everyone personally, and by the end of the program feels comfortable writing everyone great recommendations. Previous PAVE attendees have said they think his recommendation was "the ace card" in their admission.
4) The "PAVE Mafia". The PAVE mafia consists of all former PAVE attendees. This will be PAVE's 17th year, so alumni are now succesful doctors, lawyers, professors, etc. Doc V has many friends in high places, and he's been known to call his friends at admissions offices on behalf of PAVE participants... if you know what I mean. Doc V told us that we shouldn't underestimate the power of the PAVE mafia. We're everywhere. :P</p>
<p>Hope that helped. If you have any other questions or concerns, I'm more than happy to answer them.</p>
<p>Hi
I was just accepted into the 2008 PAVE pre-college program, but I was wondering if you could answer a question I've been having.</p>
<p>When you went to PAVE what were the students like? Were there all different types of students? I think that I fit in with the slightly geeky type of kids (interested math/science, like to play video games, like things like Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter). Last summer I attended WPI's 2 week summer program and I made so many great friends. We all had our own slightly geeky qwirks. I guess I'm wondering if you remember there being kids like that when you went to PAVE, or are the majority of the students forced into the program by their parents. 6 weeks would be a long time to go without making any friends.</p>
<p>PAVE changed my older daughter's life. She was somewhat burned out after a challenging junior year and a previous summer in a third world country. PAVE made her excited about going to college (particularly Vanderbilt) and gave her confidence she could succeed in engineering. Currently employed by a leading consulting firm, she still keeps in touch with Doc V., who continues to be a positive mentor.</p>
<p>Mary,</p>
<p>I couldn't find much information on the website. How much does the PAVE program cost and what's the admission criteria?</p>
<p>I attended the PAVE program during last summer and really enjoyed it. SGupta the admmisson critera is based on your high school courses, SAT/ACT scores, and you have to have two teacher recomendations, and a personal letter why you want to attend PAVE. The price was over 5000 I don't remember exact, my parents payed the bill. However I do believe they offer financial aide.</p>
<p>McMenamin, is that you?? McManis!!</p>
<p>I did PAVE last summer- most fantastic experience of my life, although probably more for the independence, freedom, and friendliness of it all than the subjects. I must say i agree with EVERYTHING thats been said, it was simply SOOO much fun and I cannot imagine how you can regret it. Initially i was a tad nervous about going away for 6 weeks, then, yeah, it simply sucked when i had to leave. :( . I've heard, though, that like everybody who attended seems to be applying to Vandy ED. (I'm not)</p>
<p>Pave convinced my to pursue engineering in college. Not only did we study aspects pf engineering itself, but they brought in other professors from business and such to address how one can pursue multitudes of careers from engineering in college (Business, Law, Medicine...) While there, I even got to view multiple live surgeries! Um.. I had already taken physics so the physics they taught was rather easy, IMO, but they introduce elements of physics that apply to engineering that you won't get in any highschool course. Additionally, the computer portion of classes was very helpful, i had never taken any of that</p>
<p>Oh... the memories... it makes me want to go to vandy :(</p>
<p>Hey, I just got accepted to PAVE 2008 and I was wondering what should I bring with me (Laptop, clothes, TV, car, ect...). Also can you bring a car?</p>
<p>You should be getting a packet in the mail with a lot of information, including a list telling you what you can/should bring. Yes, you can bring a car, but you definitely don't need one. I didn't bring one, and it was no problem at all... Vandy is so close to everything, IMO walking is the way to go.</p>
<p>thanks for the info ill be looking for the packet in the mail</p>
<p>i got accepted for PAVE's 2008 Summer Program! im so excited!</p>
<p>hey i applied but im still waiting for my guidance counselor to send in the application form. how long after everything is in did yall find out you were accepted?</p>
<p>and is it by letter or email</p>
<p>hey...when you apply....how long must you wait until they tell u that u are accepted to the Pave program....also...do they offer financial aid to the program...</p>
<p>I found out after about a week, they send you a letter and an email; i have no idea about financial aid but i would assume so</p>