The Vandy Admissions Blog

Thom May 22nd, 2009

A few quick hitting updates before the long weekend:

Waitlist Calls Still Being Made

We continue to reach out to students just recently admitted to Vanderbilt in our second wave of calling.  We’ll see what the response looks like and determine sometime next week if additional waves will need to occur.  Later today, we will be emailing out to anyone admitted in wave 1 from whom we have not heard back.  Since the response deadline provided in the admission letter has now come and gone, the email will inform you that we will be closing your file with us.  This is only going out to students admitted in wave 1, who have now missed the reply deadline.

Incoming class of 2013

The Road to Vanderbilt brochure has gone out, and should be consulted to get a ton of great info.  You can also go to Common Place, which is an info sharing, internal social network site just for the incoming class.  Lastly, if you recently took AP or IB Tests, make sure to send in your results so Vanderbilt can credit your record with any classes you may have received credit for based on your AP/IB scores.

Have a great holiday weekend!

• AP or IB Scores , Commons , I've been admitted - now what? , Standardized Testing , Waitlist
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Thom April 24th, 2009

PreVU Coming Up for Rising Seniors

PreVU, our signature summer & fall program for rising seniors is now up and running for registration. It’s a 3/4 day program meant to build on our Black and Gold Days experience by providing much more depth into the Vanderbilt academic experience.  You will hear from academic deans, get a insider’s view into the admissions process, and have lunch on us at the Commons Dining Hall (wood fired pizzas, believe it).  This program routinely gets high ratings by visitors on College Confidential and was given an “A” grade as one of the top college visit programs in the country by Smart Money Magazine.

Waitlist Update

We are watching the deposits and declines come in daily and meetings are on-going to determine the status of our class.  At this point I don’t think I’ll have much of an update for you until much closer to May 1.  If we’ll be making offers from the waitlist, we will likely begin doing so in early May.  Remember, while we model our class in order to make offers from the waitlist, our ability to do so is always based on conditions at the time.  I’ll be posting updates when I know more.  For now, go double check the Waitlist Confirmation Emails Going Out post to make sure you are officially on our waitlist.  Remember that you can get quick answers for your questions at waitlist@vanderbilt.edu.

Admitted Students

Remember that you have until May 1 (postmarked) to respond to our offer of admission.  If you have questions about your financial aid package, call the Office of Student Financial Aid and Undergraduate Scholarships (800-288-0204) or email them at finaid@vanderbilt.edu.  Let our office know if we can be of any assistance (800-288-0432).  Good luck with your decision.

Enrolling Students

If you have already sent in your deposit (either for ED or just recently for RD) congrats and welcome!  The next thing to look for is the “Road to Vanderbilt” brochure which will drop the middle of May.  I saw a copy of it just the other day and it has a TON of great information in it about housing, class registration, CommonVU, move in and all things Commons.

Good luck to all current Vandy students running in the Country Music City Marathon this weekend.  As an avid non-runner, I am in awe of you.  Run fast.

• Commons , Freshman Commons , I've been admitted - now what? , Living on Campus , commonvu
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Thom October 17th, 2008

Great article out yesterday in Time Magazine about VU’s Freshman Commons. 

A Frosh New Start

Taking my son to a quidditch match this weekend.  Should be bloody brilliant.

• Academic Life , Commons , Freshman Commons , Living on Campus
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Thom August 15th, 2008

The Vandy class of 2012 is probably in the process of finishing up packing, getting into the family car and making way to Nashville. Move in is tomorrow and with it CommonVU and more importantly the Commons comes to life.   Preparations have long been underway for their arrival.  Check out some pictures from Angie Cottrell , Senior Preceptor, of CommonVU training which took place this week.

Since it has been a good while since I’ve posted, I’m Thom, one of the two Associate Directors of Undergraduate Admissions at Vandy. Myself and Brad are the hosts of the OUA Admissions blog. How do like the new digs, huh? Not bad. Throughout this year Brad and I will be walking you through the entire admissions process with the occasional diversion every now and then. This year we’re going to try and have more guest bloggers to bring different perspectives, and add other new features to the blog. Ultimately, we want to provide what you want to know, so use the comments section below each entry to communicate with us. You can also use the labels feature below to find past entries that discuss topics of interest to you.

First My Morning Jacket, Then We Drive

It is an all-OUA blog Road Show.  Brad mentioned this, but I feel the need to expound a tad.  Tonight at 11 [freaking] pm Brad and I will be driving north to start the first leg of our Vanderbilt Road Show. Why are we leaving at 11 [freaking] pm? Brad is attending the opening concert of My Morning Jacket’s tour which kicks off downtown at the riverfront tonight.

The Road Shows are a great kick-off to the Fall travel season and form a two-week, 56 city blitz of informational sessions where two OUA officers hit the road to meet with interested students and families. At the program you’ll hear more about the Commons, Vandy’s admissions and financial aid processes, and all things Commodore.

Brad and I will make way for Louisville, then Indy, Chicago, Milwaukee, and then ending in Minneapolis. Check out the full list of national events (and register for a program near you).

Number of the day: 1,204. The number of students who initiated applications to Vanderbilt on Commonapp.org from July 1-8, the first week the Common Application went live. Here we go.

• Freshman Commons , Music , Nashville , Summer , Vanderbilt Blogs
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