Vanderbilt Fall 2016 Transfers

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

Hi everyone! This is my first time using this board, so I hope I’m doing everything right…

Anyways, I was wondering if someone could tell me if they think I really stand a chance at a transfer. I currently go to a state school, and am not very satisfied with my education. It’s not that the school is bad, it’s just not working for me. Growing up in Nashville, I never saw myself going Vandy, but I’ve recently had a change of heart…

My stats currently are:
Top 10% of high school (class of 177)
High School Gpa: 3.9
Act: 27 super scored: 28
Internship with the Parks and Recreation department in Nashville
A lot of EC’s in Theatre and Film, including an award from the Nashville Film Festival, leadership positions in both
A decent amount of volunteer and community service work
A lot of work experience
Currently on my Uni’s Student Government Association, member of College Democrats, Feminist club, film guild, my sorority.
I am a member of my Universities Honors College
I am a first semester freshman, but because of taking college classes in high school, I’ll be a sophomore in the spring.

I’m planning to double major in Political Science and Film studies.

2

The ACT score is significantly lower than what Vanderbilt usually looks for. Their 25th percentile is 32, and their 75th percentile is 34. Vanderbilt puts a lot more weight on standardized test scores than most other selective schools, so that’s an area for concern.

Then again, it’s hard to say what will happen. Vanderbilt accepts a whole swath of students, and they are known to accept a TON of transfer students (the latest stats say that 298 out of 533 (55%) of transfer students are accepted, which is a HUGE number, especially for a selective school, but I don’t have any info on the stats of transfer students). Plus, as a current freshman here, I personally didn’t think I would be accepted; my unweighted high school GPA was awfully low (3.5) compared to even their 25th percentile (3.6). But, like you, my extracurriculars were relatively strong, and I showed passion in high school for the areas I wanted to major in when I got to college. You do, too, and that’s very important.

Don’t give up hope; Vanderbilt doesn’t seem TOO holistic when it comes to test scores (I’m pretty sure a big part of me getting in was a big SAT score for my racial group, a 2100, which is almost unheard of for black students), but they make exceptions, and they do look at you for more than your numbers. Trust me. Just try to show passion for Vanderbilt, and it will increase your chances. Good luck, and I hope everything works out in your favor! :slight_smile:

3

Thank you so much for your help :slight_smile: That definitely made me feel a little better!

4

For transfers, Vandy considers your college GPA and recommendations over your high school test scores. Remember, test scores are used to predict success in college. The proof is…in your success in college! If you have a 3.5 - 4.0 college gpa, you’re in a good position. For advice about transferring, look at the CC “Transfer” forum.

5

Hello all you future transfer students!

I wonder how many of you are currently out there, excited by the thought of transferring to a new school. Some of you may even check this thread in hopes that people will begin posting here; it should pick up soon enough. I wanted to say that a year ago today I was stressing out about where I would call my new college. Now that I am here at Vanderbilt University, I am avidly searching for new ways the University can help its transfer students. I am posting this because I want everyone to know that I am about to complete my first semester as a transfer, and that I would love to answer any questions/help all you considering applying anyway that I can.

Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you guys!

6

Would anyone mind taking a look at my essay? I’m a little stuck and need some feedback. I’ll return the favor, of course.

7

Oops, wrong thread.

8

@YayForTransfers I’m currently thinking about transferring from the honors program at College of Charleston. I am not as happy as I would like to be and I don’t feel as academically challenged as I would like. Can you tell me how your transfer experience has gone? I loved Vandy when I visited, but sadly got declined last year. I have always thought about transferring, but don’t know if I am ready to potentially get declined again. Any advice would be fantastic!

9

@CofCtransfer2016
Absolutely! I will give you my quick thoughts on how everything has gone so far, but would love to answer any specific questions if you have any. Acceptance rates for transfers tend to be higher than for freshmen; I am not aware of these rates, but I have heard this is generally the trend. That being said, you still have to be able to work very hard to transfer into a school like Vanderbilt! I unlikely would have gotten in as a freshman, and it took nearly a 4.0, lots of extracurriculars and awesome letters of recommendations at my first college to make myself a stronger applicant. My point is that the focus of your application lies on your success at your current college (I see you are in an honors program, great start). If you feel you are lacking in any of these areas, do not worry! You still have time, just don’t be afraid to go out there and make yourself stand out! As for coming to Vanderbilt, I was worried there would be a stigma for transfer students. Let one thing be clear, this is not at all the case!!! Everyone has been so understanding and helpful when I mention that I transferred in, and people have put forth a clear effort to help me acclimate to my new environment. Be ready to work for your grades. Nothing to be afraid of if you have been highly successful at your current college, but you have to be willing to put the effort in if you’re going to succeed. I’ll quickly run through another couple of points.

Location: Amazing! Everyone has a spot in their heart for a place like Nashville.

Social Life: This is a bit tricky for me. I’ve had success meeting many new people, but it naturally takes time to integrate into a group of friends that fits you. Be prepared to feel a bit out of place for a brief period of time, it’s simply an unavoidable and unfortunate part of the transfer and college experience.

Financial Aid: Great. Great. Great. If costs are a concern, I would encourage you to apply. I’ve heard a couple of transfers receiving very generous packages, especially since many schools do not usually help transfer students.

Housing: Transfer students are, unfortunately, placed in what is available. You can still get a single or apply for specific housing locations, but nothing is guaranteed. If you are dissatisfied with your hosting, the University will do everything it can to help you change rooms, especially at the end of your first semester.

Professors: Amazing! I have had some great relationships with my professors, and look forward to the ones I have next semester.

Food: No complaints!

Campus Safety: I have never once felt uncomfortable on campus, this includes the many walks back to my dorm at 3 in the morning. Vanderbilt does everything it can to keep its campus safe.

Parking/Driving: I do not have a car on campus, because it honestly doesn’t feel necessary. You can have one if you’d like, but I am not too familiar with the process.

Covered as much as I could briefly! Please don’t be afraid to ask questions, I know there can be many when you’re going through a process like this. Hope this helped!

10

Transfer Students! I am glad to see you are making your way to this thread. I wanted to mention that I am a current transfer student working with the director of Vanderbilt’s Transitional Office to help next year’s transfers better acclimate to their new school. If you have any requests/suggestions for how you would like to see this process run, please let me know! I’ll be checking the thread often to help all of you out in any way that I can. Also, if you have questions you don’t feel comfortable posting on this thread, message me and I’d be happy to send you my email so you can contact me directly. Best of luck everybody, enjoy your winter breaks!

11

Would some one chance me i have a 3.86 (applying for junior transfer) i go to a state school in north carolina that is well known and thought of as well. My high school grades were a 3.7 and my act is a 27 i had a abidance of ap’s and ec’s. That being said, my ec’s in college are just okay but i think grades will overshadow that. My Essays were above average and my recommendations were good. Anyone chance me? i think i should be fine but a little reassurance always helps!
PS: my act is not that great but i am a junior so i think it almost is phased out if your grades are good.

12

Could somebody chance me? Vanderbilt is the only school that I could go to bc of there great financial aid (noncustodial profile not required) so I am really nervous about my application

Current School: SUNY school
applying to enter as sophomore
first semester gpa 3.49
midterm report 3.8
ACT superscore 35
hs gpa: 4.0
recommendations: good
extracurricular: D1 athlete (wont play at vanderbilt), university band

big downfall?: I applied last year, was denied. They have a lot of bad sat subject test and sat i scores already on my record.

Does anything think I have a chance?

13

Bruh your stuff sounds solid.

14

I recently applied for transfer and am wondering what peoples opinions might be on my chances of getting in. I did absolutely terrible in high school but spent four years doing other things before enrolling in community college a year and a half ago. During that time I spent time working and traveling around Australia, was elected local precinct officer and was actually on a ballot in my home city. I have volunteered extensively with National Alliance on Mental Illnesses and also with political campaigns. I found success in community college that I didn’t have in high school. I currently have a 3.9 GPA with a wide variety of classes. I am Vice President of the Business Club, a member of student senate, honors program student, member of Phi Theta Kappa, deans list every quarter, and also hold a part time job. Im trying to get into the economics program in the college of arts and science. Im going to include an essay with a little bit about my story.

At ten years old I began to develop a love for business. A few times a month I would set up a snack stand in my mother’s company break room. My first attempt was not met with the success I had hoped for because many of the employees did not know I would be there and did not have cash on hand to make a purchase. Instead of giving up, I began to think about what I could do in order for my snack stand to be successful. I developed a plan where I would come in every other week and post the dates in advance so people would know what day to bring money in. My notifications proved to be successful on my second try because nearly every employee decided to purchase something from my stand. That snack stand was the start of my love for business and taught me a very powerful message that has got me to where I am today; never give up on something your passionate about.
High school was a very challenging time for me as a student. As someone diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder, I struggled to stay organized and put school second to my social life. I often would do just enough to “get by” in classes including the ones I took at the local community college, and managed to make it to my senior year with a grade point average of below a 2.0 grade point average. Unfortunately my habit barely getting by proved to be my demise when I was told I would not be able to walk at graduation or receive my high school diploma because I failed to complete the culminating project required for graduation in the Bellingham School District. As my friends eagerly waited for the end of summer to come so they could go off to different colleges, I found myself unsure of what direction I was going to take with my life.
Knowing I was not ready to go back to school after having a hard time in high school, I began looking into other options. In October of 2010 I found myself boarding a flight to Australia with an approved work and holiday visa. The six months I spent working and traveling Australia was one of the most eye opening experiences of my life. I built life-long friendships with people from around the world, which gave me the opportunity to learn first hand about how views and cultures differ in different regions of the world. After coming home I decided to give school another shot and enrolled in our local community college in September of 2012. Unfortunately my old habits stuck and I withdrew from classes after my first quarter back in school. I decided to work at my mother’s childcare until I felt I was mature enough to enroll in school again.
In March of 2015 I came to the decision that I was ready to go back to school and enrolled in Whatcom Community College, where I am currently enrolled in classes. I started taking medication for my Attention Deficit Disorder and have learned how to manage my time more efficiently and stay organized with my schoolwork. Currently I have completed one year of school with a 3.9 cumulative GPA and am actively involved in my schools community through student senate, business club, and as a member of the honors program. Outside of school I am a regular volunteer for National Alliance on Mental Illness, and still hold a part time job at my mothers childcare center.
With a new outlook on education, I am ready to continue the dreams I started at ten years old by working towards a Masters in Business Administration. I look back on my high school years not with remorse but with joy, because my experiences since graduation created the drive I have as a student today.

15

Hello everyone! This is my first post on CC. I’m applying as an incoming transfer student from the University of Florida! I have applied to Peabody at Vandy. Did anyone else apply to Peabody? Also decisions are probably right around the corner…when should we expect to hear?

16

Hello! I also have applied for transfer from a state school and was wondering if anyone has heard anything yet? I know we are supposed to hear back starting mid-April. I’m so nervous!!

17

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/vanderbilt-university/1841523-vanderbilt-university-transfer-thread-fall-2016.html#latest

Check out this thread, more people are posting in it than this one. :slight_smile:

18

Also applied to Peabody but have not heard back.

19

@vandy1234 Same! I’m thinking Peabody hears back later, but I think one or 2 have been accepted already. Could be wrong, though

20

@Thertz360 That’s a great essay. I also suffer from ADD, but didn’t mention it as much as you did - in retrospect, I should’ve. Two pointers, one - I wouldn’t post your essay on a public forum. 2 - you’d go into vandy as an undergrad I assume, not MBA candidate.