kyliestanley November 18th, 2009
When I was a high school student visiting colleges and universities I had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up. I was a first generation college student and just the idea of going to college was both overwhelming and exciting. During a visit to Indiana University (which I eventually attended for my undergraduate education) the admissions counselor I talked with after the group information session asked me which career field I was interested in. Dazzled by her energy and enthusiasm for the institution, I told her that I wasn’t sure, but I thought it would be fun to be an admissions counselor!
During my second year of college I was away at a leadership retreat when we were going around the room announcing the usual (name, hometown, major, what you want to be when you grow up). I still had no idea what I wanted to be when I grew up, so when it became my turn I said, “Kylie Stanley… LaPorte, IN… English and Political Science… and I have no idea what I want to be, but I am pretty sure I never want to leave college.” One of the staff leaders responded, “I have the perfect field for you, talk to me after group.” Later he told me about higher education administration and about all the ways I could work for a college or university.
Fast forward about five years. I graduated from an amazing public flagship university. I received my master’s from the top ranked education school in the nation (Peabody College at Vanderbilt University). Now, I am an admissions counselor at one of the best national universities in the country.
When I hear those in popular media call admissions counselors “gatekeepers”, it makes me think they really don’t get who we are as individuals. Every single one of my colleagues has an equally inspiring story about how they came to work here, and all of us run into high school students that remind us of ourselves not too long ago.
You have to do your part as an applicant (i.e. get good grades, proofread your essays, ask individuals for letters of recommendation), but know that we are not standing on the other side of the gate trying to keep you out. More accurately, we’re on the same side as you, adding a bit of manpower to help you open it.
Thom November 11th, 2009
Today we debuted our newly structured and redesigned website to our prospective students families and high school partners. Features of the new site include:
- A streamlined and dramatically simplified structure where all of the admissions/financial aid/Vanderbilt information you’ve asked for is one click away including a “find your major” drop down. No more having to crawl through dozens of websites just to find your major.
- A media player where to watch video interviews from Vanderbilt students and faculty.
- An Admissions Quick Guide that puts 100% of our application process into simple steps without any buzz words or admissions jargon.
- A social media toolbar that lets you take Vandy with you, either through Facebook, Twitter, Youtube or by loading our RSS feed into your feed reader.
- Easily share information with your friends through our “Share this Page” section.
Have a great Wednesday blogland!
Thom July 15th, 2009
Later today we will be emailing official word that we are releasing our waitlist for the Vanderbilt class of 2013. If you have been following along, you know that we haven’t made any offers to the list since late May. We had been waiting to release the waitlist just in case we needed to make more offers. Like most things in highly selective admissions, on one hand it is exciting that that we’re one step closer to the next incoming class starting at Vandy, on the other, I also know that this may come as a disappointment for those of you still out there waiting. For those of you in the latter category, I genuinely wish you the best of luck, and I hope that if nothing else, “just knowing” brings a bit of closure. I appreciate you reading our posts.
Here is a copy of the email that will be going out:
We appreciate your continued interest in Vanderbilt University. At this time, our class entering fall 2009 is full, and we will not be able to admit additional students from our waiting list. I know that you will have a fulfilling college career, and that the school you have chosen will benefit from your being there.
Should your interest in Vanderbilt continue, you may want to consider the possibility of transferring after one year of study elsewhere. Our office is happy to help with any questions you may have about the transfer application process.
I wish you the best of luck in your future.
Sincerely, John O. Gaines
Director of Undergraduate Admissions
Thom July 2nd, 2009
All is still quiet on the waitlist front, and I have no news there. The waitlist is still open and active. We have officially closed all transfer admissions however for the Fall.
Today we’ll be sending out the following email to all rising seniors on our mailing list announcing start of a new admissions cycle. Here we go:
The Common Application and Part 1: The Vanderbilt Common Application Supplement are available now. The Common Application and our supplement can be found at www.commonapp.org.
If you are applying Early Decision I, your application must be postmarked or submitted online by November 1, 2009. Decision letters will be mailed by December 15, 2009.
If you are applying Early Decision II, your application must be postmarked or submitted online by January 3, 2010. Decision letters will be mailed by February 15, 2010.
If you are applying Regular Decision, your application must be postmarked or submitted online by January 3, 2010. Decision letters will be mailed by April 1, 2010.
If you have any questions, please contact us at (800) 288-0432 or at admissions@vanderbilt.edu. Information is also available at www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/applying.php.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and good luck with your senior year!
Sincerely,
Vanderbilt University Office of Undergraduate Admissions
www.vanderbilt.edu/admissions
If you are not getting updates from us and would like to, go to our online mailing list form.
Have a great holiday weekend!
Thom April 27th, 2009
Today we will be sending out an email to students who have accepted a spot on our waitlist. The email, which is included below, will ask you to visit a short online form to update us on your continued interest in Vanderbilt, specifically, if you still wish to remain on our waitlist. If we make offers from the waiting list, this information will be used in combination with your information already on file (including any new materials received).
We recognize that some individuals are still very much interested in being admitted to Vanderbilt from our waiting list. Others may have turned in the card initially, but have since fallen in love with another school, and no longer wish to remain on the waitlist. Understanding where you stand along these lines is the spirit of this email.
The emails will be sent to the address you supplied on the reply card. If you have questions or concerns email us at waitlist@vanderbilt.edu. Check the blog for more updates to come.
We write to update you about the status of our Waiting List. Over the next week, we will take a close look at the standing of our incoming class and we would like to know if you remain interested in attending Vanderbilt.
Please complete our online Wait List Reply Update no later than May 1st so we understand your intentions.
Please contact our office if you have questions about the process or about Vanderbilt.
Sincerely,
Douglas L. Christiansen, Ph.D.
Associate Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions
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