<p>Hi everyone! I am a freshman at Vanderbilt and am doing some work loosely connected with admissions. I have a lot of insight into not only the admissions behind-the-scenes but also life as a freshman here at Vandy. I am here to answer any questions you guys have!</p>
<p>PS--I totally understand you guys as I was just in your shoes (and I applied to over 23 schools; I was on this website quite often this past year.)</p>
<p>Ask away!</p>
<p>Do you know any students admitted to Vandy with below a 30 ACT score that are not athletes or minorities? I really do not want to test again for the SAT or ACT. I do well on practice tests but cannot seem to break a 30 on the real test. I attend a large school and my grades are good. I am student body president, play sports, and volunteer.</p>
<p>I understand that the full tuition scholarships are given to approximately 1% of those that apply to Vandy. I was wondering, for the Cornelius Vanderbilt scholarship, if you think that submitting SAT II scores would help, and if doing research in high school is something different enough to be a kind of hook, or if it’s just too commonplace to be anything of major note.</p>
<p>If you get some FA and then get a merit scholarship, does the merit scholarship cancel out the FA if the merit scholarship is bigger (e.g. a 40k merit scholarship for full tuition would negate 20k in FA; they would not add up to the full 60k/year COA)?</p>
<p>Also, do you think it’s difficult for freshmen to find research opportunities in science and engineering courses?</p>
<p>I’ve visited the campus, and liked it. I was wondering where undergrads tend to go off-campus to hang out. As I recall, there was a cluster of restaurants and bars in the vicinity of the intersection of Broadway and 21st. Also some places across West End Ave. And of course dozens of places in what I guess was the downtown area near the river (Hard Rock Cafe, etc.). Do undergrads often go to any of these areas, or anywhere else off-campus?</p>
<p>huehuehue…I would definitely consider sending it top SAT Subject exams scores. Including sitting and studying for them now through December if you are RD. You don’t need a string of them. Try for two very very good scores by prepping with the books. They are not AP exams.<br>
If your need aid exceeds the cost of full tuition, it will kick in for other expenses like housing up to the level of what admissions deemed your family’s proper EFC. Obviously full tuition on merit is just a trade out of your need aid for tuition costs. The CV offers you access to College Scholar seminars which are wonderful if your personal curriculum allows for them…not every CV scholar enjoys the seminars or has the time if they are big into other subjects but my son (not a CV scholar, a second year admit to College Scholars)–took a full load of seminars and thus had an honors diploma plus the thrill of a big research institution plus seminars that resembled the kind if education he could have had at a fine liberal arts institution. CV scholars also get one funded summer project or research stipend as do Chancellor’s Scholars.<br>
Honestly just getting in to Vandy should be your goal and every card you can put down regarding testing, essays and references matters. everyone is really an honors scholar in the Vanderbilt student body and they can pursue honors diplomas in their majors so merit admissions are not the be all and end all to say the least.
Moop…read insidevandy.com for weekly articles that talk about off campus events and outings and look at the print version to see the ads. Nashville is a very fine town with tons of things to do.</p>
<p>^ Thanks, I’m mostly interested in the CV for the $$$, I had no idea that there were seminars involved as well. From the limited exposure I’ve had to seminars so far, I will probably give it a try and drop it (because they don’t appeal to me that much), but it definitely sounds interesting. Fortunately, Vandy seems to like people from my school above a certain threshold according to naviance, so I’m mostly worrying about the merit scholarships at this point.</p>
<p>If someone knows the type of student that gets the CV, I’d appreciate any insight. You don’t have to post a resume or anything, but an indicator of grades and scores (I assume they must be very strong) and what kinds of ECs would be helpful.</p>
<p>You can look for the summer stipend projects of CV and Chancellors Scholars to get some ideas of the trajectories expected of merit scholars as well as look into the projects of the service oriented full ride scholars in the third category.</p>
<p>“Thanks, I’m mostly interested in the CV for the $$$, I had no idea that there were seminars involved as well.” </p>
<p>This statement indicates that you have not fully acquainted yourself with what is published on the website. Read up on College Scholars. CVs are expected to be actively seeking small classroom contact with full professors as well as close work with professors in lab and in the arts. CV scholars I know are leaders in theater, music performance, political parties, debate, media publications and in publishing research in hard sciences. They are likely to be applying for further opportunities as post grads (Fulbrights, HHMIs and aggressively seeking summer service immersions, field internships and applied learning opportunities. </p>
<p>There is no type except for students full of academic promise and spark. The differences between merit scholars and students there that are full pay or on larger financial need stipends are…not that much frankly. Winners of merit scholarships tend to have been change agents in their communities and to have garnered references from teachers that describe them as rare or exceptional. Vandy is not seeking only students with all over general talent but students who are lopsided and perhaps have gifts that are concentrated in one discipline.</p>
<p>Also, I think they’ll want the seminars. They’ll probably learn way more and it is also better from a pragmatic point of view. Smaller courses w/more in dept content usually means more meaningful faculty contact which is good for networking and recommendations and the sort. You will find that didactic lecture based courses (especially large ones) are quite over-rated (and sometimes downright useless) when you get to college (and this is even the case for if you have what is considered a good or “great sounding/organized” lecturer. Both formats have limitations, but lecture is usually not great if you want critical thinking and problem solving skills developed more easily. They tend to encourage memorization or algorithmic problem solving skills whether that is the key to success in the course or not; Meaning that a very challenging course asking you to go beyond this is even more challenging with a primarily lecture format). </p>
<p>In addition, smaller courses often end up awarding higher grades (several reasons could explain this). ;)</p>
<p>Faline: Is that scholarship the primary one given to students at Vanderbilt or does it work like ours where there are several big ones (that grant full tuition plus some other stuff) and then there are also partial scholarships that emphasize different sorts of talent and leadership.</p>
<p>Hi guys! Okay:</p>
<p>Flipper96:A 30 ACT is acceptable if your other credentials are exceptional; when you say your grades are “good,” they must be <em>very</em> good. I have yet to meet someone here who wasn’t in the top 10% of their class. If you apply early, a 30 ACT is more likely to be overlooked because you are showing genuine interest. Make sure you flesh out your resume/extracurrics and you should be alright!</p>
<p>huehuehue32: SAT 2 scores will absolutely help with the CV scholarship. However, I have only met one recipient of that scholarship here so far, and he is an absolute <em>genius</em> (he was accepted to Princeton, Yale, and MIT as well and chose Vandy for the CV scholarship). So you have to be downright exceptional for that scholarship. I’m not saying don’t get your hopes up–I’m just saying be realistic. CV recipients are almost always in the top 2% of their class, very passionate in their extracurriculars. However, most Vandy students are like that as well. Research might help a bit, but I’m not sure how much. I did extensive research since age 15 (and won awards for it) and did not even come close to getting a CV; I have met tons of students here who did research in high school. Vandy is a very science-heavy place, so it attracts that kind of student.
Honestly, I don’t know much about the specifics of the FA stuff as I’m here on a non-need-based scholarship from an organization outside of Vandy. That’s something you’d have to take up with the FA office–forgive my ignorance.</p>
<p>Okay, before I start my post, I need to say I have been to the Vanderbilt campus and I fell in love with it.</p>
<p>Can you clarify some of the rumors or stories that I have heard about Vanderbilt regarding their social norms? I am a very casual dresser, I do not like wearing my “Sunday Best” everyday. Will I not fit in because of being casual? Is it true that Freshman year is very cliquey? Also, I have heard if you don’t drink, you will also viewed negatively. Are any of these true? Also-regarding social life- what does the social life at Vanderbilt consist of? </p>
<p>Do you know anything about the engineering program at Vanderbilt? How difficult is it to double major while in engineering? For example, how difficult would it be to double up in two engineering fields or in engineering and business? I have tried to research it, but I have found nothing; does Vanderbilt have a undergraduate marketing/business program? I am applying to Vanderbilt for ED 2. I know for ED, you generally have a higher chance of getting in; do you know the statistics for ED 2?</p>
<p>I’ll let the OP explain more about clothing and freshman year, but I will say a little: </p>
<p>You will certainly will fit in with groups on campus if you always dress casually. A lot of people do so. However, there are a lot of people who prefer to dress nicely, particularly when going out. Dressing nicely (for a guy) just means khakis (shorts or pants, or jeans work as well) and a button down or collared shirt, and some shoes that aren’t athletic shoes (usually boat shoes). I would say it’s more much casual than your “Sunday best.”</p>
<p>This definitely should not be viewed negatively. For myself, I was a casual dresser in highschool and took the Vandy culture as an opportunity to get a more mature wardrobe. Your wardrobe has to grow up sometime. There’s not social pressure to dress better, but when you see a lot of other students dressing better (and looking good/mature), you kinda feel like you should follow suit (no pun intended). It’s a beneficial change for sure. I’m glad I finally let my highschool wardrobe go. Now I actually have clothes I can wear after college.</p>
<p>As for double majoring… It all depends on what you want to do. Engineering isn’t easy. There are some engineering major combos that have an establish curriculum (ChemE/BME comes to mind) but they are very rigorous. It’s not too tough to pick up a double major in the same discipline… Doing ChemE and Chemistry or Math for example isn’t too much of a stretch. </p>
<p>Combining engineering with a business major like Economics is possible but very challenging just because there is no overlap of courses. You’d need to come in with a good amount of AP credit to get it done. Most engineers pick up a minor, or even two minors. They require fewer credit hours and tend to require more laid-back courses. Minors in managerial studies (kinda the “business” minor) or engineering management are very common.</p>
<p>Regarding business, like many top schools, Vanderbilt does not have a business major. It’s not a very practical major and at many business graduate schools, applying with a business major is actually a disadvantage. Students wishing to go into business usually take Econ, but you can go into business/business school with pretty much any degree at all. There is a “managerial studies” department that offers minors in things like Corporate Strategy (encompasses marketing).</p>
<p>Corvette: sorry it took me so long to respond; midterms are taking their toll.
Anyway, I AM SO GLAD YOU ASKED THIS QUESTION. That was my biggest fear coming to Vandy. I am pretty much the <em>polar opposite</em> of preppy. I dress very, very casually to class. There is a contingent of very nicely dressed people here, but you will absolutely not be judged <em>at all</em> for not being part of that minority. I was so pleasantly surprised by that when I first got here. People here tend to work hard, and so showing up to class in sweats nearly every day because you’re tired from studying is pretty normal. </p>
<p>To respond to your second question: I actually am planning on double majoring in engineering and arts & science, so I can probably give you some insight. I am planning on being a biology and computer science major, but at the moment I am a potential bio major in a&s. </p>
<p>Double majoring is without a doubt difficult. I obviously have not yet declared, so it’s going to be more difficult for me since I didn’t know I wanted to do it from the beginning. If you are absolutely sure about a double major with either one or both majors in engineering, you need to either indicate it in your application or inform your advisor once you get in. There is flexibility, but your schedule will be pretty rigorous and structured in engineering, and having a second major outside of the engineering school (or even in it) will just add to the need to have that structure from the start. So it’s something you need to think carefully about, and then commit to. For me, I am probably going to have to take classes over the summer to fulfill engineering requirements and then fulfill AXLE (liberal arts) requirements here at Vandy. </p>
<p>What Pancaked said is 100% true about business. There is a major in Peabody called HOD (human & organizational development, or something along those lines) that is closest to a business major. I’m not in Peabody, and I don’t really know much about it. It is not as rigorous as an engineering major, however, so that might be a good option with a double major in engineering if you’re interested in that. I’m not sure about the specifics of majoring in both Peabody and Engineering–it would definitely be unique, but certainly not unprecedented. </p>
<p>They claim that ED doesn’t help your chances, but it <em>does</em> show a great deal of interest that arguably boosts your application. The stats are always slightly higher for ED students–nearly half of the students here are accepted through ED (1 or 2). That being said, an ED applicant who isn’t qualified is not going to get in just because he/she applies ED.</p>
<p>Quick question for Ed how would a 31 act look?</p>
<p>@Vanderbilt17, just some advice from an upperclassman-- you need to transfer to the school of engineering (or make it your “primary” school). This way you get more credit from your AP exams, and more importantly, you don’t have to do AXLE. In fact it’d be practically impossible to do Engineering and AXLE. The Engineering liberal arts core is much easier.</p>
<p>pancaked: I know. I talked about it at length with my advisor. Obviously the specifics of what I was planning on doing are significantly more detailed than what I’ve described above, but I just wanted to stick to relevant info to answer corvette’s question. :)</p>
<p>jamesk2014:31 ACT is fine! Middle 50% is 32-34, but that’s overall (both ED rounds plus regular). A 31 is a fine score, as long as it’s complemented by excellent extracurrics and grades.</p>
<p>How difficult is it to get all A grades? I’ve heard Vandy can be really cutthroat, especially among the pre-meds (which I am). </p>
<p>What is the student/professor relationship like? Will they get to know you well enough to write good letters of recommendations?</p>
<p>As a potential transfer student going to a local university, what can I be doing to increase my chances of admittance? I know Vandy looks at the rigor of the university attended, and since mine is just local and not all that prestigious (University of Memphis), I wanted to make up for it elsewhere. I’m currently a research assistant, and a member of a chamber group there, along with other ECs. Currently maintaining a 4.0 GPA with almost 60 credits to date. I also have the option of going to Rhodes, but I’d prefer not to thanks to the extreme party scene it can be become (based on visits there at a friend’s dorm) and the general sense of entitlement its students seem to have. However, if rigor is that that important, I guess I can suck it up for a year or so.</p>
<p>Sorry for all the questions, don’t feel bad if you don’t have time to answer them all. Thanks for doing this, really, really appreciate it!</p>
<p>How about these stats?</p>
<p>CR - 690
M - 800
W - 800</p>
<p>Unweighted GPA 3.9/4</p>
<p>Pretty good ECs. </p>
<p>Female looking to get into Engineering. Applying RD.</p>
<p>It’s pretty unlikely to get straight A’s in premed at Vandy.</p>
<p>Memphismnb: Getting straight A’s in premed at Vandy is nearly impossible. I’ve honestly never met anyone who’s done it. Sorry for the negativity; I’m just being honest! Science is huge here. Professors are good, and classes are hard.
The student/professor relationship is what you make of it. Intro-level classes tend to be bigger, so you have to make an effort to go to office hours if you want to build a relationship with your professor. However, I have found that professors tend to really be invested in the success of their students and try to make themselves available as much as possible.
Don’t waste your time going to a school you don’t want to go to (like Rhodes). It’s, in my opinion, no more “prestigious” than the school you’re at now. Not that I’m any judge of course (that being said, I’ve never heard of Rhodes). What I do know is that Vanderbilt will almost definitely not discriminate between the school you’re attending now and Rhodes. In fact, it’s probably better to apply directly to Vanderbilt now than wait, because they don’t want to think you’re jumping around and unable to be stable. You are on the right track. Don’t worry. :)</p>
<p>Maynard: Get that critical reading up a bit and you should be fine. That being said, show interest, because Vanderbilt regularly rejects and wait lists RD applicants with perfect scores who they don’t think will come.</p>
<p>According to Vanderbilt’s common data set, level of interest is NOT considered for admission. I’ve heard of plenty being admitted who never had any contact other than submitting an application. I’ve heard of this being an issue at Tufts and WUSTL, but not Vanderbilt. With that said, I don’t see how showing interest could hurt.</p>