Prospective Students

Admitted Students

Parents

Counselors

Alumni

Alumni Spotlight

Alumni Volunteers

Emily Dyess '06
Steven E. Solomon Ed.D. '85
Michael Williams '03
Emily Backstrom '97
Joan Vogt '77
Blake Hawley '93

Emily Dyess
Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA
Year of Vanderbilt Graduation: 2006
B.S. in Secondary Education and English
Current occupation: 9th Grade English Teacher at Riverbend High School

1. Why did you decide to donate your time to volunteering for Vanderbilt and recruiting prospective students?

I absolutely loved Vanderbilt from the moment I stepped foot on campus. I loved talking to people about Vandy so it made since to use that to recruit other students. Vanderbilt helped me be the person I am today. I hope that came through when I recruited other students. I wanted to continue my involvement with Vanderbilt and since I had recruited in college, I knew what I was doing. Alumni recruiting allowed me to stay connected!

2. What was the most exciting or most rewarding part of serving as an alumni recruiter?

I miss everything about Vanderbilt so becoming an alumni recruiter was my way of staying involved. There aren't many students here [Virginia] who have heard of Vanderbilt so filling them in on the best University is a pleasure.

3. What were some misconceptions you had about covering college fairs on behalf Vanderbilt?

I thought that college fairs would be long and even boring, but I realized that they are fun and informational. I spoke to other college representatives and learned a lot from their presentations. The questions that students asked also tested my knowledge of Vandy.

4. Did you feel prepared to answer student's questions in regards to Vanderbilt? Why or why not?

I felt very prepared since I just graduated. I check the Vanderbilt website frequently to know what is going on around campus. Since I had worked with recruiting students while at Vandy, I knew what kind of questions to expect.

5. How do you think this experience not only benefited yourself, but also the Vanderbilt community?

I think there are many students in Virginia that are very qualified to attend Vandy. They would add a lot to the community of the school. I knew that I missed being a student a Vandy but I realized my place is now to recruit students to take my place and experience what I experienced.

6. If you could sum up your entire alumni recruiting experience in one word, what word would you use?

Exciting!!

back to top

Steven E. Solomon Ed.D.
Sarasota, Florida
Year of Vanderbilt Graduation: 1985
Current occupation: Psychologist
Number of interviews conducted this year: 8

1.  Why did you decide to register as an Alumni Interviewer?

Thought this was a chance to give back to a University I highly respect.  Also a chance to stay connected to the University.

2.  What did you enjoy most about participating in the Alumni Interviewing Program? 

Enjoyed meeting this wonderful group of young applicants and discovering how talented and intelligent these prospects are.  I was pleasantly surprised by how involved the candidates are in their schools, communities and often work.   Reinforces my belief that the youth of today are well equipped for what the future will bring and that they will help humanity prosper.

3.   Did you feel prepared to answer most of the questions which applicants asked?  How did you prepare for these questions prior to the interviews?

I felt well prepared because of my background as a high school counselor and filled in the gaps about Vanderbilt by using your extensive web information and from talking to friends who live in Nashville and attended the University.

4.  How do you think the Alumni Interviewing Program benefits Vanderbilt applicants?

I think the interview process gave the applicants a chance to connect to someone from their community.  I further believe that my enthusiasm for Vanderbilt spilled over and that the applicants could see and experience that my affection and loyalty to Vanderbilt in genuine.

5.  How do you think the Program benefits the Vanderbilt community?

I believe that the personal experience that transpires during the interviewing process will assist in attracting quality applicants.  Some applicants may choose Vanderbilt over competing institutions because of this personal touch.

6.  Why would you encourage other Vanderbilt alumni to participate?

Participation leads to personal gratification.  For me it was the feeling of doing something that may make a difference for someone.   The opportunity to meet with these talented students was reward enough.

back to top

Michael Williams
Hometown: Tucson, AZ
Year of Vanderbilt Graduation:  2003
B.A. in History and Political Science

After graduation, I spent a year as a Rotary Scholar at Oxford University.  I am currently a law student at The University of Arizona in Tucson.

It was my pleasure to speak to prospective student in my home state of Arizona.  Vanderbilt is an easy sell because of its first-rate academic reputation, beautiful campus and the growing number of high caliber students that are attracted to the University.

I especially like to tell them about Vandy's focus on community service.  My experiences with the Mayfield Project and the volunteer opportunities as an athlete were some of the best I had in college.

The materials and support from the Office of Undergraduate Admissions were just great.  It wouldn't hurt if the Commodores have another good year out on the basketball court next year, too.

back to top

Emily Backstrom
Minneapolis, MN
Year of Vanderbilt Graduation: 1997
Current occupation: Investor Relations at General Mills
Number of interviews conducted this year: 10

1. Why did you decide to register as an Alumni Interviewer? 

I had a wonderful collegiate experience at Vanderbilt and wanted to be able to share my enthusiasm with students who are considering attending Vanderbilt.

2.  What did you enjoy most about participating in the Alumni Interviewing Program?

By far the best part was hearing all that the applicants had accomplished during high school and their academic passions.  I was very impressed and truly enjoyed our conversations.  One student shared with me his desire to study chemical engineering so that he can influence and shape the future of the alternative energy industry.  Another was grappling with whether to pursue a career in piano performance.  Others discussed academic interests ranging from theology to mathematical proofs to Latin to medicine.

3.  Did you feel prepared to answer most of the questions which applicants asked?  How did you prepare for these questions prior to the interviews? 

Applicant questions tended to revolve around campus life, available activities and Nashville.  I felt very comfortable fielding their questions by relying on my experience, as well as updates from Vanderbilt on how things have changed since I was there (like the shift to the residential college structure).  I do have to say it was a bit funny to have to explain that my college experience, just 10 years ago, occurred without email and cell phones!

4.  How do you think the Alumni Interviewing Program benefits Vanderbilt applicants? 

I think applicants, in particular who do not live near Nashville, appreciate hearing first hand what life is like on campus.  There are so many wonderful colleges and they are trying to figure out if Vanderbilt is the best fit for them.

5.  How do you think the Program benefits the Vanderbilt community? 

Vanderbilt gains a perspective of the applicants' resume brought to life. 

6.  Why would you encourage other Vanderbilt alumni to participate? 

I found it to be great fun to reminisce about my time at Vanderbilt.  It also opens your eyes to what life is like today as a high school student and the issues that are on their minds. 

back to top

Joan Vogt
Asheville, NC
Year of Vanderbilt Graduation:  1977
B.S. in Geology
Current occupation:  Real Estate Paralegal for Asheville law firm of Roberts & Stevens, P.A.

1.  Why did you decide to donate your time to volunteering for Vanderbilt (OUA) and recruiting prospective students?  

To give back to Vanderbilt in some way, and to encourage students who are interested in getting a great education.

2.  What was the most exciting or most rewarding part of serving as an alumni recruiter?  

Meeting all the kids, their parents, and listening to the intelligent questions asked by all.  I am so amazed at how different the process is from when I started looking at colleges!

3.  What were some misconceptions you had about covering college fairs on behalf Vanderbilt?  

That it would be a "piece of cake" to do it! 

4.  Did you feel prepared to answer student’s questions in regards to Vanderbilt?  Yes and No.  Why or why not?  

I hadn't done my homework adequately. 

5.   How do you think this experience not only benefited yourself, but also the Vanderbilt community?

I think there is a great pool of students from which to draw here in Asheville, NC and I'd like to think that many of the students we saw chose Vanderbilt over a NC state school.

6.   If you could sum up your entire alumni recruiting experience in one word, what word would you use?  

FUN!

back to top

Blake Hawley
Marietta, Georgia
Year of Vanderbilt graduation: 1993
Current occupation: Consulting
Number of interviews conducted this year: 5

1. Why did you decide to register as an Alumni Interviewer?

To give applicants real world feedback on Vanderbilt’s curriculum, how it prepared me for my career and the lifestyle on campus and help prospects better understand if Vanderbilt is the school for them.

2. What did you enjoy most about participating in the Alumni Interviewing Program?

Meeting students who are truly interested in Vanderbilt today and realizing how much their priorities aligned with mine as a high school senior.

Ability to provide helpful insights back to Admissions on students who I felt would truly make the most of a Vanderbilt education and later seeing that they were accepted.

3. Did you feel prepared to answer most of the questions which applicants asked?  How did you prepare for these questions prior to the interviews?

Yes, I was very comfortable.  Didn’t overthink it. I mainly read the Alumni Interview guide and just spoke honestly from my experiences.

4. How do you think the Alumni Interviewing Program benefits Vanderbilt applicants?

Gives them insights beyond the brochures. 

I think it also helps them to talk to graduates who’ve been out and in the world for a while. You can provide a richer perspective on how Vanderbilt prepared you for your career and life after college.

5. How do you think the Program benefits the Vanderbilt community?

Extends the interviewing network beyond campus and generates exponential (and economical) opportunities to receive feedback on candidates beyond on-campus visits.

6. Why would you encourage other Vanderbilt alumni to participate?

It’s a unique way of giving back to the school by helping prospective students better understand Vanderbilt and helping Admissions glean more insights into the candidates.

It’s also fascinating to meet students who are interested in Vanderbilt today and see their faces light up when you connect on why you chose Vanderbilt and they realize that they have the same concerns and priorities.

back to top