<p>@collegepanda96 I hope you are considering joining the Spirit of Gold Marching Band. S really enjoys playing with the band at football and basketball games. It’s a great way to connect with upperclass students as a 1st year. It’s even a paid position and if you were in a competitive high school band the time commitment is less.</p>
<p>@go9ersjrh If I get accepted its a good possibility!</p>
<p>Late responding to this hahha, but I have the two required teacher recs and then I went to the PA Gov School at Lehigh this summer so theyre writing me a rec as well. I’m seriously stressing over the common app essay though! I had finished my essay months ago and just decided now (2 weeks before the deadline) to scrap it and write a new one :-S </p>
<p>Welcome!
The Gov School will be a great letter! What did you go in for?
And I’m in the same situation as you for the common app essay.
@livelovedance97</p>
<p>I’m so close to having it all done. But I kind of want to hang on to it as long as possible cause I’m so nervous I messed something up somewhere or missed something. November 2nd will kind of be a relief though I think, since it’ll be all said and done.
@livelovedance97 Don’t stress about it. Two weeks is still plenty of time. Just take some time to write without really thinking about what AO’s want, or word limit, or anything. Just write, and you’ll end up with an amazing essay (:</p>
<p>I just set up the time and place for my interview, and I am freaking out :-SS </p>
<p>@nerdfighter23 I was terrified to submit mine because, like you, I was worried that I had forgotten something or messed something up. It definitely was a relief after I submitted it, as I’m sure it will be for you! 
</p>
<p>@Elizabeth1315 Ohhhh man, good luck! Haha, no interview for me. That’s probably a bad thing but at the same time, I talk a mile a minute when I’m nervous so I don’t know that it would go well</p>
<p>@collegepanda96 I went to the Govenor’s School for Engineering and Technology, I want to major in BME. And I know I’m sure I’ll have them done in time, I’ll just be a lot more relaxed after I hit submit.</p>
<p>@nerdfighter23 Thank you! And it certainly isn’t a bad thing. At my admissions session, they said that the interviews were mainly for students to get a better feel of the school and students who chose not to/could not participate, were not negatively affected.</p>
<p>@Elizabeth1315 That’s a bit of a relief (: </p>
<p>I don’t know if I’ll do the interview yet… I’m kind of leaning on both sides… </p>
<p>I want to do the interview so bad, but I can’t. I live in Finland and the closest place I can get an interview would be England. I’ve done interviews at Wash U and Wake, but I don’t really know what the Vandy one would be like. Wash U was really relaxed, and Wake totally grilled me but it went ok. </p>
<p>The Vandy interview is evaluative, like the Wake Forest one. So if anyone wants general tips, I’d day make sure ylou can expand on why you want to study your chosen major (if you have one). Also I’d say try not to just throw achievements and awards, talk about how activities have impacts on you that are greater than building a resumé. </p>
<p>So I’m freaking out in a good way cause I just sent my application in (: Such an amazing feeling.</p>
<p>I do not think the Vandy interview is evaluative. I am an alum and I volunteered last year. When I asked the admissions office how my reports would be used, they emailed me a detailed explanation. The letter was confidential, so I am not allowed to give the specifics of it. The gist of the explanation was that the interview reports will not be used negatively. It is optional, and it will not hurt you if you have a bad interview or do not have one. That is the beauty of the “optional” interview. Otherwise, it should be required. I heard there was a guy who completely forgot his interview appointment and did not even appear, received an angry report, but was still admitted. If you decide to have an interview, enjoy it, if you decide to bypass or cannot have one, no problem.</p>
<p>I was just going off the Vanderbilt admissions website, which said the interview was evaluative. However, it seems that does not mean they are trying grill you. Thanks for the insight @doubleeternity ! Appreciate someone who has been through the process helping out. </p>
<p>Anyone else applying from LI New York?</p>
<p>@wherethersagill WELCOME! But no, I’m applying from WA state</p>
<p>Anyone applying from anywhere international? I’m applying from Finland. </p>
<p>Nope. I don’t know if I said this but I am applying for good old Tennessee!</p>