The Vandy Admissions Blog

Thom September 21st, 2009

Seniors on our Vanderbilt mailing list will be receiving information this week and next week about our scholarship and financial aid process. If your head is already swimming in dates and deadlines, then I apologize up front, because here comes some more:

Our merit scholarship application is being mailed out to all seniors on our mailing list, but it is already available online.  Applicants to the Ingram Scholarship Program have a December 1 postmarked deadline.  The Chancellor’s and Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship have a January 3 postmarked deadline.  National Merit and Achievement scholars should investigate our special scholarships for that, although keep in mind that there is not a separate application for that program.

Need-based scholarships ae determined through submitting the CSS Profile (available 10/1/09) and the FAFSA (available 1/1/10). 

With need-based aid, recall our three commitments, which are the foundation of our aid policy:

1. We read applications in a need-blind fashion
2. We promise to meet 100% of your demonstrated need
3. Our need-based financial aid offers do not include any loans

By the way, if you are not one of the col kids on our mailing list and would like to be (and honestly who wouldn’t want to be?) visit our online inquiry form.  Go ahead, I’ll wait.

Tough Start for Vandy Football

Life in the stacked SEC is tough and our ‘Dores have felt it started 1-2 with losses to LSU and Mississippi State.  The Commodores look to right the ship this weekend versus Rice.  Go ‘Dores!

• Application Process , Scholarships and Financial Aid
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Thom September 10th, 2009

As many of you may know, the College Board now allows you the option to choose which scores (by test date) you wish to send to colleges.  Earlier this winter the College Board requested Vanderbilt’s official position on its new Score Choice policy.  We wanted to post to help explain our position on this new policy, as well as to let you know how we came to that position.

Our Vice Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admissions formed a committee composed of members from various University offices to address the issue.  After considerable debate and weighing all the possible options provided by the College Board, Vanderbilt selected “Highest Section Scores Across Test Dates (version 2),” reprinted below.

Highest Section Scores Across Test Dates - Version 2 (Highest M, CR, W)

Vanderbilt University has indicated that it considers your highest section scores across all SAT test dates that you submit. Only your highest section scores will be considered as part of the final admissions decision. Each time you submit scores, Vanderbilt University will update your record with any new high scores.

Vanderbilt University strongly encourages you to submit your scores each time you take the SAT. Sending your scores each time you take the SAT can benefit you by allowing Vanderbilt University to consider you for all available enrollment-related opportunities.

We believe that this position is a highly student-centered option and gives the applicant the most control over the score reporting process.  We believe in the fundamental truth that you, the student ultimately own your test score.  We believe this option most directly mirrors the admissions philosophy under which we currently operate.

In an effort to get the word out, we have placed this statement on our main website, but please share with your friends and others who are applying to Vanderbilt this coming fall.  Also make sure to educate yourself and others about the score reporting process this year.  The College Board has also provided a full listing of college and scholarship score use practices.

A Note to Applicants Regarding Vanderbilt’s SAT Score Choice Policy

Vanderbilt will consider the highest section scores across all SAT test dates. Students should send scores from every SAT test date in which they receive a top score in at least one section: mathematics, critical reading, and writing. Only the highest section scores will be considered as part of the admissions review process. Each time SAT scores are submitted, the student’s record is updated with the new high section scores. Vanderbilt strongly encourages students to submit scores each time they take the SAT.

While many of our applicants submit SAT Subject test scores, they are not required. As part of the admissions review process, the Admissions Committee may consider any SAT Subject test scores that a student submits.

 We would love to hear your thoughts.

• Application Process , Score Choice , Standardized Testing
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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

• Waitlist
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Thom May 27th, 2009

Incoming Class of 2013

Your housing application is due this coming Monday June 1st.  This deadline applies to any new incoming student (transfer included).  Jason Jakubowski from University Housing posted a letter on Commonplace that explains how to apply.

June 1st also marks the first of several important deadlines for the incoming class.

After housing, the next BIG thing is course registration.  Many of the VU schools have just recently sent out registration information (don’t worry, those of you who were recently admitted from the waitlist, you won’t miss anything - it will get sent to you too).  Registration at Vanderbilt progresses in distinct phases that may take some time to get used to.  The Office of the Registrar has a nice description, as well as other essential information for undergrads on the course registration process.   The Dean of Students also has some good info available.

Here’s something to get you pumped up for move-in day, but moms be warned, there’s some Kleenex moments . . .

Potential Incoming Class of 2014

For those of you who are rising seniors and are looking to apply to the Vanderbilt class of 2014, the Common App and Vandy Supplement goes live on July 1, a little over a month from now.  Yeah . . . I know, I’m sorry.

Incoming transfer students

The registration process operates through your college/school and the request period is June 8-26, just like first-years.  Make sure to submit a final copy of your current college transcript (the one you’re leaving) as soon as possible so Vanderbilt can assess your course credit and add it to your official record.  For transfer student FAQ’s visit the Dean of Students’ Transfer info page.

Incoming International Students

Hopefully by now you have been in touch with our ISSS Office about your travel arrangements and visa.  If not, contact Vanderbilt ISSS soon.  You can also start to get to know our community by geting in touch with current Vanderbilt international students through our new Global Ambassadors network.

• Academic Life , Commons , Freshman Commons , Housing , I've been admitted - now what? , Information for Incoming Students , Living on Campus , Registering for Classes , Transfer Students , Video
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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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