The Vandy Admissions Blog

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 April 16th, 2009

A quick check-in post for the waitlist folks.   Starting last Friday, we started sending out waitlist confirmation emails.  They will go out regularly over then next several weeks as we receive waitlist reply cards.  PLEASE REMEMBER: The email will be sent to the address you provide on the reply card.  If you mailed your card, and it has been enough time for the postal service to get it to us, and you have not received the email, do some troubleshooting before emailing us.  Namely:

• Double check that you inbox isn’t full and is bouncing emails away.
• Check your spam filter.  Vanderbilt University as an email domain sends out so much email, that we sometimes get on spam lists with various ISP’s.
• Make sure your email isn’t being forwarded to someplace else. 
• If all else fails, turn your computer off, count to five, and then turn it back on.  This likely won’t fix anything, but it’s always what our IT people tell me to do.

To make sure everyone is on the same page, I’ve included the text of the confirmation email below.  You will see that we have established a waitlist help desk email address to assist you.  You can email it, or your admissions counselor if you have already been communicating with him/her, if you should have any questions.

Thank you for submitting your Wait List Reply form–we are glad that you remain interested in attending Vanderbilt next fall. Over the coming weeks, we will communicate with you periodically via email regarding the status of our waiting list. We are aware that this can be a difficult process for students, and we hope our updates will make the process as easy as possible for you.

 Throughout the spring, our email updates will ask if you would like to remain on our waiting list. Please be sure to respond to these emails so that we are aware of your continuing interest in Vanderbilt. Your demonstrated interest may be an important factor as we make offers of admission from the waiting list. While you remain active on our waiting list, be sure to update us about any additional honors, achievements, or activities you have earned since submitting your application for admission. At any time, if you have decided to attend another college or university, please let us know. You may call our office at 615.322.2561 or email us at waitlist@vanderbilt.edu to report additional information, to ask any questions, or to be removed from the waiting list.

 Finally, remember that if you are offered a place in the Class of 2013, you will be a full member of the class, from living at The Commons, to registering for courses, to participating in CommonVU, our orientation which occurs just before classes begin.

 Again, thank you for your continuing interest in Vanderbilt.

• Application Process , Commons , Freshman Commons , Waitlist
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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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