@watermychances Oh crap I’ve put down deans list for some of my other colleges that I’ve applied to. I just wanted to put it somewhere and didn’t see anywhere else. But yeah I’m an econ major applying as an econ major at Vandy. my classes have relatively medium-hard difficulty wise.
@Mastodon97 It’s not an application breaking thing, but colleges definitely will see it on your transcript so there is really no need to put it on the application (and it’s not really an EC activity). The most important thing for Vanderbilt and transferring is college success (or so I have heard-both online and from my admissions counselor). High school stats are indicators of how well you will do in college, your college grades are how well you are actually doing in college. If you’re getting a 3.8 in your major classes you should be good. If you’re getting a 3.8 in intro electives that don’t count towards your major (which I doubt is the case) then that’s a big issue.
@watermychances Thanks, good to know. Are you a current Vanderbilt student?
@Mastodon97 I wish. I’m applying to Vanderbilt as a transfer student as well. I was lucky enough to be able to visit Vanderbilt over my winter break while Vanderbilt was still in session (my current school is on quarters and I got out a week and half before Vanderbilt). I talked with the admissions person who was in charge of the tour that I went on and the admissions counselor for my region and just from our conversations it really seemed like the transfer admissions is heavily based on college performance.
Just in case you are interested my stats are:
Applying into school of Arts and Sciences (hopefully Neuroscience eventually). I’m currently in my 3rd quarter of my first year (did a full summer quarter) at a top 75 National University. I’ve already completed all my Chem requirements, my writing requirements and by the end of this year I will be done with all of my bio requirements, all my calc requirements and my psych requirement.
College GPA: 4.0-Probably my strongest area.
Highschool GPA: Pretty low
UW: 3.3
W:3.5.
My highschool GPA was brought down by a stomach issue that persisted throughout my junior and senior years (I had stomach ulcers that were misdiagnosed- I wrote more in detail about in in my additional info section). I went to 2 pretty good private schools.
Test Scores: A little on the low side
ACT: 31
SAT: 2100
Extracurriculars: Nothing spectacular, but I definitely did/do things outside of school
HS: Varsity Soccer/Baseball. Model UN, Habitat for Humanity, 2 Jobs
College: Intramural Sports, Pre-Med Club, Chemistry Club
2 Good Letters of rec and hopefully 2 good CA essays and a good supplement.
@watermychances Wow, your stats are amazing! id definitely say you have an excellent shot! Would you say after the college gpa, the essays are most important?
I don’t know anything about what actually goes on when college admissions decisions are made, but I would guess after the grades (which I think really serve to filter out the 50% of people who aren’t qualified) the most important thing after that is probably the essays. The essays are the best way to see what a person is truly like outside of the context of their gpa. Why do they want to transfer out of their current school, and what is something they are really passionate about (those were the Vandy Questions) and they can tell a lot about someone. ECs are important, probably the 3rd most important aspect of the application, but I have to believe that everyone inherently exaggerates their ECs and it’s impossible to really weigh what people do/learn during their ECs (do people actually get something out of their internship or are they just doing it to put on an application). So, yes, I think essays are probably the most important thing outside of grades.
@watermychances For the supplement, did you just write about a club you joined? because thats what I did. I basically wrote how I joined a academic sports club and how it was such a new feeling that I have never had of being part of a team and competing.
@Mastodon97 I actually wrote about working out. It’s a little bit quirky but it is pretty introspective and idk I like it a lot. Everyone writes their own essay though and I’m sure yours is good.
Could anyone tell me how the admissions team at Vanderbilt would view a GED? I asked my admissions counselor and her response was, “We maintain a holistic view process, including your test scores, college GPA, High School GPA, extra-curricular activities just to name a few.”
I have a 4.0 College GPA with wonderful recs, would that outweigh any negativity from possessing a GED?
@Anon2017 Don’t feel disadvantaged because you’ve had different life circumstances that led you to get a GED. I highly doubt they’d discriminate against a student with one… With the excellent work you’ve done in college along, you should have a fighting chance. Be sure to participate in meaningful activities on and off campus!
And make sure you highlight how those circumstances affected your character and what you learned from them. 
Good luck!
@Anon2017 I know those type of answers make people like you, me and Chris Christie cringe(especially when hes destroying Marco Rubios career), but that doesn’t neccarsaily mean anything bad. Keep in my the counselor probably isn’t allowed to say much.
@Anon2017 It also depends on how long you have been in college.
The deadline is today. Anyone know when decisions will go out (or if they may even be released early)?
@limitsbylaw I think around the 2nd/3rd week of April is when they start sending back decisions. I don’t expect it to be any earlier this year, but what do I know.
Last year the first wave of decisions was April 11, I anticipate the first wave this year to be April 14. They put the decisions in the portals on Fridays and then they sent emails to the people who’s portals changed the following Monday’s last year. Also, last year they didn’t seem to actually release decisions based on what time you submitted the application lol it was random
After much revising and some tweaks here and there, I’ve finally submitted my application <3
@somehmonggirl , that early?! I would imagine it taking longer due to how many students usually apply. Though it isn’t a large number, none of the colleges I’m applying to - big or small - give decisions that early.
@somehmonggirl did you stick around in thread last year after people got accepted? and if so did it seem like most of their courses transferred?
also if anybody else has knowledge about this please feel free to answer.
@HopefullyIGetIn I was there over my winter break while I was Vanderbilt was still in school and talked to several friends/friends of friends while I was in Nashville. I asked a few people about transferring credits and they said that Vanderbilt is very lenient with accepting transfer credits. Almost all your credits should transfer.
Just sent in my application!!!
the decisions are in waves, so yes that early but not for everyone. I didn’t get my decision until early/mid May. From what I heard almost everyone’s credits transferred easily and Vandy was really willing to work with them.