<p>There are storage pods from private companies all over the place during the last two weeks of schools for students with large quantities of stuff to store. Students with items that can't be easily packed and/or shipped home are allowed to store things in their dorm's storage, up to 3 items. I understand the trick is that the storage rooms are only open for about an hour each night during the last week or two of the semester. Also, because of fire regs, no cardboard boxes, but you can use large plastic trunks/boxes.</p>
<p>(CC spliced my post... hopefully you can get something out of it.)</p>
<p>A note to parents and future storage:</p>
<p>"If you do buy articles such as a fridge or small sofa, you can store up to 3 items in the basement of your dorm for the next year (or I should say you can do this for Towers; not 100% about rising sophomores going to Branscomb, etc.)."</p>
<p>This is no longer true. The University is quickly moving OUT of the storage business and is trying very hard to discourage any sort of storage on campus. Please do not rely on the University to store these items over the summer. It is likely there will be NO storage next year. There are several great off campus storage facilities. Furthermore, UPS will show up at the end of the year. They will take your boxed items and deliver them to an off site storage place for you (for a fee obviously).</p>
<p>"So here's a question for any out of stater's with upper class students--where does your child store all their stuff over the summer?"
Most of us split a storage unit 4-5 ways. Another really convenient thing is if you can find a friend staying for the summer, then we just stick our stuff in their apartment and make them watch it all summer!</p>
<p>But as I mentioned above, the most "tried and true" method would be with UPS. They can get rather pricey. If I remember correctly, storage over the summer with UPS was $300-400. Maybe someone can come up with a more accurate figure.</p>
<p>My d hasn't used the summer storage option since the summer after freshman year. She's made some good friends who live in Nashville, and they've stored large items for her at home (futon, fridge). I don't know how their parents have felt about it, but my d says there've been no complaints. This is another example of just how hospitable Nashville folks can be!</p>
<p>thanks to each of you..such incredibly helpful advice. we own a little fridge but perhaps could return with it parents weekend if son learns he is put in one of the buildings in the larger sized room category.<br>
Already booked now for Parents Weekend..which is heavily sold out nearby..and booked for move in date...
I don't know which date we will be back in April so son can make his final decision but we are so grateful he has this opportunity.<br>
I can't believe the level of difficulty for entry this year. I think admissions were over 35% in 2005? would have to look that up
hope to be meeting some of you
2VU0609..may be missing your Vandy cycle years..but I think you have one in grad school...</p>
<p>D's roommate brought a really nice fridge with a large freezer compartment, and D brought a microwave. They have one of the smaller doubles in Vandy/Barnard, but they bunked their beds & stacked the dressers. They have a pretty decent amount of room. D misses the room she had at her former school - she had tons of room, a couch, a fridge/microwave provided by the school - and 2 HUGE walk-in closets. But her Vandy room isn't too bad as dorm rooms go. Next year will be interesting - upperclass housing is not always desireable - and she will be studying abroad in the fall, so she will have to take whatever she gets when she returns.</p>
<p>Note to parents: DO NOT WAIT to get hotel rooms for Parents' Weekend. I couldn't believe how quickly everything sold out last year. I didn't even go that weekend, because I couldn't get a decent hotel room anywhere near Vandy (and I wasn't about to drive in from somewhere & try to find a parking space).</p>
<p>Tip: Find a security guard & be really nice to him. He might tell you where to find a flat-cart for your stuff!</p>
<p>The information here has been GREAT, thank you everyone so much. It makes me that much more excited to head down in August.
A couple more questions:
- Would you recommend finding a roommate on facebook or through the random search? And any KEY red flags to look for in a potential roommate? I have zero experience sharing a room with anyone...
- How difficult is it to get the classes you request at the times you request? Are almost all freshman stuck with the 8ams?
- How bad is Chem 100 or the equivalent class of intro-level chem? I know it is a premed "weedout" class but is it the material or the load or the tests that make it so difficult? And would you recommend taking it as a freshman or sophomore?
Sorry these questions are all over the place but I am SO excited to get down there and constantly think about it!</p>
<p>Vandy13--
Congrats on your admission. This certainly is a very exciting time for you.</p>
<p>To answer your questions, my daughter was determined to find her roommate through Facebook last year. She thought she could at least eliminate the chance of getting a total freak (her words not mine). She chatted with many different people on the Vandy Class of 2012 board and ultimately wound up with the girl she seemed to have the most in common and easiest rapport with. While I'm pretty sure she thought they were going to be great friends, the reality is they have not hung out together since the first couple weeks of school. Despite their similar interests, they are ultimately very different people with totally different groups of friends. But as far as being roommates goes, it's worked out just fine. They have similar study habits, are similarly messy, respectful of each other etc. While they will not be living together again next year, I think she'd probably make the same choice if she had it to do over again. She has had none of the issues girls in nearby rooms have had with roommates who have boyfriends over 24/7. I guess my point here is to realize that people are not always what they seem (or what you imagine them to be) on Facebook.</p>
<p>D got all the classes she requested at the times she requested, but according to the Facebook message boards, this was unusual. Maybe one reason was that she requested an 8 am, which she quickly grew to hate due to the long walk from the Commons each morning. She also got all her classes second semester, including her first-choice writing seminar, so perhaps it just has to do with what your signing up for.</p>
<p>Chem is really tough. D took AP chem in h.s. as a junior (although obviously didn't score a 5) so we assumed it would be not so bad. Wrong. Out of the dozen kids in her circle who took the class first semester, only 4 are taking it second semester, so yes, it is a weed-out class. It is both the heavy workload and depth of the material that make it difficult. If you are taking it to fulfill the pre-med route, you pretty much have to take it as a freshman (and it's not going to get any easier the following year). </p>
<p>If you haven't read this elswhere, you should be aware that calculus is just as bad. If you have to take it, take 155 instead of 150. While listed as a more advanced class, it is widely acknowledged to be easier. 150 was just as hard and time-consuming as chem, but unfortunately, not curved.</p>
<p>"If you haven't read this elswhere, you should be aware that calculus is just as bad. If you have to take it, take 155 instead of 150. While listed as a more advanced class, it is widely acknowledged to be easier. 150 was just as hard and time-consuming as chem, but unfortunately, not curved."</p>
<p>As I current student, this is probably one of the most important pieces of advice you can get when registering for classes.</p>
<p>Chem 102 is do able if you study steadily for it. Don't try to study for a test 3 days before it. Start 2 weeks before it and don't get behind. This is the only way to really beat the curve. (Even if you do this there are no guarantees haha).</p>
<p>Chem 102, and BSCI 110 (intro bio), are both heavily perceived as weed out classes. Again, don't try to study for them 3 days before. Take the time to study 1-2 weeks out and you'll be looking at a better shot at an A.</p>
<p>My D studies every day, retyping notes and going over lectures. It's really important to stay on top of things. Make sure you don't leave papers until the last minute - the writing studio can help you edit, but you will have to sign up well in advance of the time you want.</p>
<p>Wow. Thank you SO much for the great information, Mamster and GCN. I think I am going to try to find a roommate over facebook as it seems like more reliable (but not perfect) option. Now (if its ok) I have a few more questions:</p>
<p>Are any first year writing seminars better than others? I love the wide variety of topics but I don't want to unknowingly choose an impossible one.</p>
<p>The heads up about chemistry and calculus was great. About how often are the tests in chemistry? I have never studied two weeks before anything in high school so I better gear up for college.</p>
<p>And what years in school does a 'premed' or biological science major usually take Chem 102 and BSCI 110? If Chem 102 is freshman year, is Bio sophomore year? Or do you take them both freshman year? Is two sciences couple with Calc 155 and the writing seminar a normal load?</p>
<p>And final question: How many classes/credit hours would you recommend for freshman year? Specifically for a premed major? I've heard that 14 credit hours is average but for what major is this and does this change between schools?</p>
<p>Thanks again, this board is amazing! :)</p>
<p>Vandy13,
D's first year seminar didn't match up in any way, shape, or form with the course description in the catalog. It wasn't a total disaster as she liked the professor and she did learn something, but just not what she signed up for. She was required to perform off campus community service which was problematic since freshmen don't get to have cars on campus. You may want to check ratemyprofessor.com for some student feedback. I hate saying that, but it might be worth it.
As for roommates, D had the roommate from hell situation freshman year with a roommate who would come in at 2 am and turn on all the lights, who borrowed things without asking, who discussed her sex life on the phone with D in the room, etc. Your goal should be to avoid the roommate from hell, as opposed to finding a best friend for life. I agree with the facebook search suggestions.<br>
My suggestion with regards to classes is to take something fairly easy in combination with difficult classes. One of the honorary societies (Gamma Beta Phi?) is strictly based on freshman grades, so it is good to get ahead of the game on gpa for both things like that and for rush if you choose to do that.</p>
<p>Writing seminars: I would say go by interest. There are some that are markedly easier. If you plan on majoring in a science, take a class that will fulfill a different category for AXLE than the math and science requirement. This will help you down the road.</p>
<p>There are usually 4 tests a semester and then a final. So I think it works out to about 1 a month. (I skipped gen chem, so It may be different)</p>
<p>Take Chem freshmen year. Take Calc 155 freshmen year. Taking BSCI 110 is doable with those two classes. However, if you are premed you are going to want to space them out so you can focus on the classes as much as possible. In my opinion (I am very biased!) the Bio department is one of the best, and a great place to do your major. So if you take BSCI 110 sophomore year, he aware you will be spending Junior and Senior year finishing your major (not a big deal). Take Physics Junior year, you'll be ready in time for the MCAT.</p>
<p>I would recommend taking no more than 4 classes in a semester for freshman. Take a writing seminar, take math, and take chem (+lab). I would then suggest taking either an AXLE/humanity class, or you can take BSCI 110. But I think it would be best to wait on BSCI 110 so you can really focus on your premed classes one at a time.</p>
<p>If you have any other really specific questions (professors etc) feel free to PM me. After 3 years here I know what might be best to avoid haha.</p>
<p>Good Luck!</p>
<p>I took BSCI 110 my freshman year. Many people say they don't want to take it at the same time as Gen Chem, but just be aware that if you wait until sophomore year you will have to take it with orgo.</p>
<p>you guys are so great..my son has made a document on your advice...and he may PM you later in the year...for questions...he did sit in on both Chem and liberal arts courses..so he saw the facilities/class size...</p>
<p>@ silversparkles18</p>
<p>i noe that vandy is a good research school, but how rigorous is thier science department? do they let you test out of a lot of things if you have many aps?</p>
<p>silversparkles18
Some of took Orgo freshmen year and didn't have to worry about that :P.</p>
<p>Some people take chem and bio together freshman year. Along with Calc, I think that is a very tough route based on my daughter's experience. Bio 110 has the reputation as being just as tough as chem. Her adviser had her on a route to take bio 110 and physics sophomore year.</p>
<p>Freshman are advised to take only four classes their first semester. We ignored that advice, thinking that because D was essentially "retaking" calculus and chemistry, it wouldn't be too bad, and she'd be better off having the freedom to take four classes sophomore year while she was taking two lab courses at once.</p>
<p>In retrospect, I would follow the school's advice and take only four courses. The worst that can happen is that you find yourself underwhelmed with your workload, which wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. Going to college is a big adjustment in itself.</p>
<p>Regarding AP's--your credits come of the total you need to graduate but do not count AXLE requirements ( in other words, you can't fulfill your math/science requirements with your AP credits in math and science).</p>
<p>smiley44, just in case you are a prospective engineering major (I don't think you are), be warned that the rules for using AP credits is very different for engineering than for A and S (and it varies within engineering also, depending on your major.)</p>
<p>D transferred to Vandy sophomore year. She was accepted for freshman year & we went to the Accepted Student Day. The profs who spoke encouraged freshmen to just take 4 classes a semester freshman year. When D decided to transfer, she signed up for 5 classes as a sophomore. When she met with her adviser early in the semester, he suggested she drop a class (she had lots of transfer credits, fortunately, so she had room to do that). She was glad - it gave her a chance to get acclimated. She is taking 5 classes this semester, and she has tons of reading & papers to do. </p>
<p>D had to take a writing course, even though she had plenty of writing credits already - ALL students must take at least one Vandy writing course (take heed, transfer students!). She got stuck in one that she would really, really rather not take - but she has to get it out of the way, so she is doing it. It's been a challenge, but it has also been a good thing. She wants to go to law school, so rising to the challenge of something totally out of her element has been a good thing.</p>
<p>I want to add a note about AXLE. I think AXLE requirements have been a terrific thing for my D. She has taken some classes she never would have taken otherwise. Some are classes she thought she would dislike, but she has found that she actually really likes them. 20th Century Architecture is one such course. She thought it would be something she'd just have to tolerate - and now she can't wait to see the architecture she learned about when she travels around Europe during study abroad next fall.</p>