The Vandy Admissions Blog

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.

• Advice for Parents , Application Process , College Fairs and VU Visiting Your High School , Peabody College of Education and Human Development
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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 13th, 2009

It is a firmly held tradition in western culture to bemoan the diminishing values of each generation of younger American teenagers.  It is the broken record that never seems to get fixed.  Says this bemoaning culture: exhibit A) 60% of millennials believe that they are among the top 10% of their peers, if you missed that, reread, break out a TI-85 and consider the math, exhibit B) in 1975, 65% of college entering freshmen indicated that “Developing a meaningful philosophy of life” was an essential or very important goal for them in college - now, only 45% indicate that.  But here’s what I know.  I know about two guys who did this . . .

Many of you are graduating from high school this month or next.  I want to give you some homework for the summer.  I want you to begin to daydream about what you’ll be about as a college student.  Most importantly, I want you to give yourself permission to play with those ideas in your head, those big ideas like Enjuba.  You may not yet realize it, but your big idea may start today as a simple stirring of your soul, like a small earth tremor below the ocean that later becomes a tidal wave.  What are your big ideas about the world you will enter, your place in it, and about the people in that world that need you to make your education count for the betterment of their lives?  Your homework will be due on move-in day.

“I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.” -Albert Schweitzer

• Community Service , Human and Organizational Development , Peabody College of Education and Human Development , Summer , Video
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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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