<p>I've been seriously considering applying for the PAVE program at Vanderbilt, but there are some questions that I'd like to ask before doing so. I've read some of the other threads from some years ago that were informative, but I thought a more recent post would help out myself and others. Those who have participated or who are planning to attend, feel free to help!</p>
<p>Most importantly, if I haven't really been considering a career in computer science, engineering, or pre-med, will I fit in okay? I hope to have a career in business and might major in something such as economics, management, or communications.</p>
<p>I don't have any experience in computer technology classes and have limited knowledge about physics. I have taken pre-calculus.</p>
<p>How are the academics? Will I be challenged enough? Will it be too hard?</p>
<p>How is the social life? Is there enough independence and free time available or mostly work? I don't intend to have a summer based solely on academics.</p>
<p>Is bringing a car advisable and would I be allowed to leave for one weekend (4th of July) for family purposes?</p>
<p>I went to PAVE in 2009 and am a current student at Vanderbilt. PAVE was the best summer of my life. At first I was reluctant to spend my summer away from friends and family, but it turned out to be a great experience. I know a lot of people who attend PAVE have no interest in science, engineering, pre-med etc, but it doesn’t really matter. The course-work is extremely easy. You probably won’t be challenged that much but it helps when applyinmg to Vandy as an undergraduate. As for social life, you can do whatever you want, there are essentially no rules and even if you get in trouble, the director of the program takes care of it. You can leave for a weekend if you want to. They tell you to check out whenever you leave campus but no one ever does.</p>
<p>I disagree with the post above about the coursework being “extremely easy.” Because of your lack of exposure to physics and college-level mathematics, the coursework will be somewhat difficult for you, which is meant to prepare you for the work in the sciences that you would experience at Vanderbilt or any other top-tier school.
The coursework in no way is supposed to be “too hard.” You get plenty of help from the student counselors as well as the directors of the program and their goal is to make sure everyone gains a full understanding from what they’re teaching. In addition to the math and physics, your time at PAVE will be supplemented with daily computer science work and two-week specialized lab courses.</p>
<p>Many people show up at PAVE will barely any interest in the applied sciences, but PAVE will definitely prepare you for the math and science work that is required for a business major.</p>
<p>As for social life, you have almost too much freedom. The previous poster is correct in mentioning that Doc V, the PAVE director, has the power to bail you out if you get in trouble with the dorm RA’s, etc. Plenty of free time to go out and do whatever you wish to do, just like any other college student. The student counselors also coordinate daily athletic activities such as soccer, running, and water polo, along with access to the Vanderbilt Recreation Center.
You can also bring a car, all you have to do is tell them where you’re going for the weekend and you’re set.</p>
<p>Thanks for those incredibly insightful posts! I’m definitely applying now and hope to get in! I’m super excited now! I have heard nothing but good things about this program, and though it is longer than I thought I’d like, the experience sounds as if it is worth it.</p>
<p>do they offer any scholarship/merit aid? Just wondering cuz i received a lot of brochures about the program, but I decided not to go…so now I’m kindda thinking about it.</p>
<p>stlcardsgirl: I attended PAVE last summer and it was the best experience I have ever had. I had no interest in considering a career in computer science, engineering, or pre-med before I went to PAVE and I fit in perfectly fine. There is one computer class and math class you have to take but you can choose 3 other labs that sound the most fun! I am hoping to major in communications, film studies, or management and I found PAVE very helpful! </p>
<p>The academics are not extremely hard, but not super easy either. In the morning you have two lectures…and after lunch the afternoon is way more free with a math homework help session and computer help. I didn’t have any experience in computer technology classes and I was able to keep up with the assignments. The ones that were confusing, I got help from the counselors! Pre-calc will be very helpful in the math class. It combines pre-calc ideas and a little physics. However, no prior knowledge of physics is necessary. On average, I would say I spent about 45 minutes a night doing math homework and could normally finish the computer homework in the computer help session (aside from about 5 assignments). You will be challenged, but it is never too hard. </p>
<p>The social life is AMAZING! This was my favorite part about PAVE. Everyone lives in one residence hall, the females on one half and the males on the other. There are several activities (pancake night, ice cream night, sports, weekend trips like white water rafting, canoeing, water parks, etc.). There is absolutely enough free time. Your afternoons will be pretty much free aside from the hour and a half in math and homework help. You get over an hour lunch break and sometimes it’s longer. The weekends are a lot of fun too! </p>
<p>Yes, you could definitely leave for one weekend for family. That is very easy to do. You just have to make sure you tell the Director, Doc V who is awesome! Some people have cars which is nice, but you definitely do not need one.</p>
<p>@kailia - I went to PAVE this past summer, and it was the best 6 weeks ever! haha They ask for your cell provider because they will send reminder texts to everybody for the day’s activities/events if needed. It’s quite helpful! :)</p>
<p>What is the makeup of the participants like (Male/Female ratio, class rising sophomores vs. rising juniors; geography of U.S.)?</p>
<p>How easy is it to get your first choice of labs/Do you rotate through each field (engineering/pre-med/science) or can you focus more on one vs. another?</p>
<p>Why do you think most students attend (academics/social life/both)?</p>
<p>Can anyone comment more on free time? It is described by many as ample, yet the brochure states a typical day is four hours of lecture; two hours of application and/or lab work; two and a half hours of homework. Is this accurate?</p>
<p>How are weekends spent? Are there choices of things to participate in or is there one main event? </p>
<p>Is there a curfew? Are there restrictions on going off campus (i.e. organized outings in groups vs. exploring on your own?</p>
<p>Thanks for any information you can provide. I am looking for a program for my son with balance, i.e. serious academics (i.e. not fluff work), but also good social life and not overly restrictive rules. I would like my son to essentially have a good six week preview of college life.</p>
<p>The male/female ratio is pretty evenly split. PAVE is only for rising seniors/college freshman, but the vast majority is rising seniors hoping to get a feel of Vanderbilt. </p>
<p>It’s very likely to get your first choice labs, especially if you submit paperwork early. You will usually be able to focus on one particular area, offering multiple opportunities during the six weeks. Most students attend PAVE to get an overall college experience, both academic and social.</p>
<p>I’m not going to lie, you have to stay on top of your work, but it’s not unbearable. In the afternoon, there are two “free periods” in the schedule to finish homework while going to two study sessions for morning lectures. There is plenty of time to go exploring. For example, you can go downtown or to Centennial park. Even though there are organized trips over the weekends available, there is a lot to do around Nashville on your own. </p>
<p>There is a curfew of midnight to be on Vanderbilt campus, and there are quiet hours, but there’s a good balance on weekends. </p>
<p>I highly recommend PAVE; it was a wonderful experience that gave me the true college experience. If you have any questions, please feel free to send me a message! :)</p>
<p>Ummm clothing is kind of whatever you’re comfortable with. If you want to get dressed up for class you can, but no one is forcing you to. There are certain things that you want to dress up for, such as special days/programs or going out in Nashville. </p>
<p>Typical schedule: 8-11 am your 3 morning lectures. 1-4 pm afternoon study sessions…that’s it! The rest of the time is yours…haha a ton of freedom!</p>
<p>The photo is for your vanderbilt ID card, this gets you into lab buildings, the dorm building, the rec center and helps you pay for things on campus. I highly recommended the program, I attended this past summer, it was really a great experience. You don’t really need a car. Transportation to the movies is provided on friday nights, and most things are within walking distance of campus. If you do bring a car… its like a 7 minute walk from the dorms to where the cars need to be parked.</p>
<p>I disagree, if you are qualified and you actually take advantage of getting to know Doc V and some of the professors it will help. If you aren’t qualified, it won’t get you in. Doc V’s recommendation does help if you are on the edge of being accepted. For my year, the acceptance rate for PAVE was more than double that of the overall applicants.</p>
<p>I’m looking into pave for next summer but I have a few questions. As I have already completed calculus and honors level sciences course in bio phys and chem and also will be taking higher level courses in biology and physics are the courses difficult enough to where I will still learn? </p>