The Vandy Admissions Blog

Brad November 26th, 2008

This morning I found a very close parking spot. And for that, I am thankful. Thanksgiving week is upon us and campus has emptied out. It is strange and a bit unnerving to work on a college campus during holiday seasons. With no students around, it’s just not as fun.

Still, it’s nice to know that our students, faculty, and…well, admissions staff get a day or two off to recharge and enjoy some time with family and friends. During the break, I hope you all get a chance to pause, and think about those things for which you’re thankful.

So, in the spirit of all fourth grade Thanksgiving plays everywhere, I wrote a list of what I am thankful for in no particular order.

Post-it notes, Skittles, red pens, remote control batteries, roommates who lend me their Sopranos DVDs, the hilarious use of the word “Doorbuster”, wheat bread, James Brown (the musician, not the sportscaster), Vanderbilt’s 6th win, Hydrogen being #1, banjo breakdowns, 2 for $4 deals which don’t require you to actually buy two, my awesome family, admissions essays that make me laugh, ”West Wing” episodes in the morning, the equal demand for Inaguration and Phish tickets, Frontier Airlines, My 89 year old Grandpa, and the food on my table.

Your additions are welcome. Just post below.

Have a great break everyone. See you next week.

• Application Process , Balance , Music
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Thom November 18th, 2008

It was a moment a couple Sundays ago.  On the couch, my 2.5 year old playing quietly on the floor in front of me, the Titans game on in front of him.  Nothing too remarkable about the exact moment really when I realized this would be last weekend without file reading.  The clicking of Matchbox cars, the low drone of the play-by-play, maybe the heat starting to kick on as Nashville weather had just started to chill, mostly blissful silence. 

Now, it’s the low and persistent whisper from the dining room, a tugging reminder each time past the room with stacks of my “manila friends” as a former VU Dean of Admissions used to put it - “psst . . . hey, hey . . . want to hear about my mission trip?   How about an essay debating the moderating effect of Ultimate Frisbee playing on global interdependence?”  Don’t misread me, I truly enjoy the new cycle of files - we’re knee deep into ED I right now - it’s this very cycle that has made this job my home professionally.  As soon as you get tired on being on the road visiting high schools and recruiting, you get to be home, reading the applications of the students you recruited.

However, sitting on my couch two weekends ago, my mind flashing forward to Sundays filled with reading applications (like it was yesterday) rendered the choice to kill the tube, pick up a sweater and a football and head outside to try (in vain) to teach my boy to catch, an effortless one.  This work is important to me, it encompasses so much of what I believe in - education as a key to self-improvement, access and equity as a right in a democratic society, lifelong learning and discovery- however this work is not all-encompassing.  There is yet time for some front yard football.

I hope that as Thanksgiving nears, the important work you are doing in wrapping up your applications still allows you time for family, some late afternoon sun, and perhaps a football too.

• Advice for Parents , Application Process , Balance , Early Decision , File Reading Explained , Preparing for College , The College Essay
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