Has anyone heard of Vanderbilt’s Asprinaut Summer Research Program for high schoolers? Is it competitive and/or prestigious? How independent is the research (i.e. is there potential to work on a project and get published)?
Thanks!
I was wondering this as well; I just got accepted and must pick between Aspirnaut and a different program (TN Governor’s School). The websites states that interns work “under the guidance of a mentor and research team”, so it is not fully independent but students will probably do a lot of research on their own. As for competitiveness, I have heard that the program is highly selective, but they don’t post stats so I can’t say for sure (but it is hosted by Vanderbilt if that means anything). Did you also get accepted?
I applied but I didn’t get any notice of acceptance yet… I’m scared. How did they contact you to let you know you’re in?
@sudania Yea, I received my acceptance letter yesterday! I know a girl who attended the program and said that it was one of the best experiences of her life, so I think I will go
@LindseyStirling I just got an email “letter” from them last night
@LindseyStirling I also received an email. They will contact you regardless of acceptance status so keep an eye out. Good luck to you!
@logosoverpathosm I also have a friend who attended the program and she mostly enjoyed it as well. And if I decide to accept, I guess I’ll see you at Vanderbilt this summer! 
Update: just declined the other program I got into so I’m definitely accepting Aspirnaut.
Yes, definitely; good luck @LindseyStirling !! And congrats on your decision @sudania , I will see you there!
@logosoverpathosm Out of curiosity, are you an in-state applicant?
Thanks for your help! I hope I get in. And congrats to those who got in!! What did you applications look like in terms of SAT scores, essay responses, recommendations, etc? =D>
Also, where did you apply from? I’m from Arizona pretty rural area sooo idk if I’d get preference for the program
@LindseyStirling I’m from in-state (TN). My academic stats are not exceptional but pretty good (weighted gpa of ~3.8, rank 3/110). I had no ACT or SAT scores to submit, which I thought would be a serious disadvantage but I guess not.
My strong suit was the essays. I’m a strong writer and I think I conveyed my interest in the program well in a few words. I didn’t see any of the recommendation letters, but I know at least one of them was good (the other was from a new math teacher who doesn’t know me very well…). I don’t remember what else they asked for on the application.
What were your stats like?
@sudania I definitely think the essays are what really count towards getting accepted. I’m not too strong of a writer though. I have a 4.5 GPA (weighted), rank 1, SAT was 1510 and PSAT was 1500, and my rec letter was from a teacher who doesn’t really like me lol. I still haven’t gotten any acceptance/rejection notice and am literally biting my nails. I go to a private Christian school so there aren’t many STEM internship opportunities.
What do you want to major in/ study in college? Where would you apply for college?
@LindseyStirling On my application I talked about my interest in pursuing a major in neuroscience, but that’s highly tentative and I’m interested in different fields of science as well. I also want to study the humanities and am considering double-majoring or minoring in English. Like I said, highly tentative.
I am definitely considering applying to Vanderbilt next semester. I’m really familiar with the school and have been on campus multiple times and love it. They also offer most of the majors I’m interested in (their neuroscience program is great). As for other schools I’m applying to, mostly small liberal arts colleges and a few state schools. I’m not the strongest applicant academically and so I feel like that limits me quite a bit in where I can actually apply.
Where are you applying/what’s your intended major?
That’s cool! I’m also gonna study neuroscience or maybe math. Probably applying to some ivy leagues (Vanderbilt, Harvard, MIT) but I’m not too sure if my stats will take me that far.
I applied as well, but have not heard back from them. I was told that all of the information regarding acceptance or rejection was being released in early March? Did I miss something?
@abcdefghiitsme Decisions have already been released for acceptances and should be out for rejections as well… I would suggest contacting Aspirnaut directly regarding your status.
They may also have you on a sort of waitlist and are simply waiting until all of the spots are filled by acceptees to finish sending out decisions like some programs do, but I could be wrong.