<p>I think they used to have an essay but they got rid of it. Any thoughts as to why they don't require one in addition to the 2 mandatory ones?</p>
<p>I think what they do is enough, plus I guess they figure if you can't express yourself in a fairly good sized essay( mine was around 1,000 words) then you are not articulate and open enough to be there.</p>
<p>Possibly to increase apps and consequently decrease admit rate??? To create an appearance of increased selectivity???</p>
<p>I don't have a clue ... these are just some of the first thoughts that popped into my mind. </p>
<p>Most likely the above post is right.</p>
<p>all i know is vanderbilt has always been very honorable when it comes to admissions...i've had a chat with the dean of admissions where he expressed his disgust at schools such as washu that artificially manipulate admissions rates through practices such as counting the little postcards you send in asking to be mailed as applications....</p>
<p>so let's hope it was because they don't see the need in reading extra instead of them hoping to drop the acceptance rate...i only want kids applying here if they want to come here rather than those god damned kids that apply to 10 or 15 schools.</p>
<p>because the adcom doesn't want to read 15000 more essays.</p>
<p>I liked it...:) Just make the common app essay the best essay ever. It doesn't have to be long like 1 000 words, mine was around 500s words (I got in). Just be honest and thoughtful (don't think too much about the word count unless you think you are writing a book).</p>
<p>Another possibility is that, given their increased visibility and popularity outside of the South, they have decided to, and that they can, go more just by the numbers to up their ranking even higher...</p>
<p>when i first filled out my app earlier this year, i saw that the supplement didn't have an essay so i called the addmissions office and the lady told me that they didn't have it anymore because they got tired of reading the extra, longer, essay... idk if thats true... but thats what they told me hah</p>
<p>'Another possibility is that, given their increased visibility and popularity outside of the South, they have decided to, and that they can, go more just by the numbers to up their ranking even higher...".....</p>
<p>Given the 30% increase in applications, I guess their strategy worked.....Selectivity ranking is going to be insane for RD this year...</p>