When we evaluate an application for admission at Vanderbilt, we look at every piece of information included in that student’s file – and I mean everything.  We take into account the quantitative measures, like GPA and test scores and class rank, along with the intangible qualities, like commitment and leadership and perseverance.  One of the most compelling traits that a student can portray in his or her file, however, is what I like to call a thirst for knowledge.

Students with a true thirst for knowledge don’t study because they want to ace the test; they don’t read assigned novels because they are assigned; they don’t finish the lab experiment so that the teacher will let them out early; they do these things because they genuinely want to learn more about the world around them.  Those students also don’t want to wait two or three or four more years to get to college and truly dig into the meat of a subject matter – they want to learn it now.

Luckily for these students, Vanderbilt believes in fostering scholarship and discovery even before the undergraduate years, as evidenced by the Vanderbilt Programs for Talented Youth.  See the guest post below for more information on one of their many successful programs, the Vanderbilt Summer Academy.*

Note: Participation in VSA does not give future Vanderbilt applicants any advantage in the admissions process.

– Carolyn Pippen

Guest Blog: Vanderbilt Summer Academy

Are you looking for something to do this summer? An opportunity to grow emotionally, academically, and socially while getting a taste of college life?

Have you considered Vanderbilt Summer Academy?

This summer, middle and high school students from across the country (and even overseas) will flock to The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons at Vanderbilt for one of three VSA sessions (or “Nerd Camps” as past VSA attendees affectionately have called them) . They will sleep in the dorms, eat in the dining hall, and take accelerated courses from experts across a variety of fields. These programs offer a fun way to learn new things, form friendships with students who have the same passions and interests as you, and give you a “sneak peek” into a college you might apply to later.

For a lot of kids, attending summer academic program like VSA is not a luxury. It is an essential part of their social, intellectual, and emotional development. Studies show that middle and high school students can reap lasting benefits from accelerated learning programs. Here are just a few of them:

• Gain confidence! Programs like VSA jam college or AP level courses into a short window. For many students, this will be the most challenging academic experience they have ever had to face, so their confidence can get rattled at first. But this is only temporary! They rise to the challenge and, often for the first time in their lives, realize the great things they are truly capable of.

• See new possibilities! Research consistently shows that kids who attend “Nerd Camp” go on to take more AP courses in high school, and they apply to more competitive colleges.* Summer academics can help you.

• Find your passion! Before working as a Program Coordinator with PTY, I taught for five summers at VSA. One of my former students is actually returning this summer a VSA “proctor” (a residential counselor/chaperone). She chose to double-major in Russian and Political Science partly because of a book she read in my class. This sort of thing is fairly common. Students who attend accelerated academic programs are exposed to subjects and ideas they would not normally have access to in middle or high school. These experiences often give them a greater sense of which college major(s) and careers to pursue.

• Form lasting friendships! All kids need affirming peer groups. Studies show that students who love to learn thrive in the presence of peers with similar interests. Students at VSA enroll in classes they want to take, so a lot of them form instant connections with their classmates. That could be why many of our VSA students say this is one of the few places where they get to be themselves. VSA is something they look forward to all year long!

• Learn responsibility! Students who participate in programs like ours get to live a little like freshmen on a college campus. They take themselves to class, live temporarily with a roommate, and are responsible for their own learning. (They might even have to do laundry!) But good programs also make sure students are safe and fully supervised, so students get a taste of college life without the risk.

Like a college application, many programs have minimum score requirements to be accepted, but they also recognize that some extremely talented students just don’t do well on standardized tests. At VSA, students can substitute a solid portfolio when test scores are not available. It costs money to house, feed, and teach students for weeks at a time, so, when money is an issue, many of our applicants receive some kind of financial assistance to attend VSA.

Not all programs are created equal. Your school counselor can help you find the one that’s right for you. The National Association for Gifted Children offers some great resources for your parents as well. As you are making your decision, you might also ask yourself a few questions:

• Is this program run by a for-profit company or by the college?

• Are students supervised outside of class?

• Does the course offer credit (and will my school recognize it)?

• Are classes taught by college faculty or local school teachers?

Answers to these questions should not make the decision for you. Some programs emphasize accelerated learning, creative thinking, and intellectual risk taking, so they don’t offer credit. Others stress doing school work throughout the year. Again, work with your school guidance counselor to find the best fit. Pick whichever one will give you or your child the best chance to be challenged, to take intellectual risks, to grow, and succeed in a safe and fun learning environment.

To learn a bit more about VSA, to see some of our students in action, and hear the best version of Crazy Train ever, check out the video below.

See what the latest research on youth talent development and accelerated learning by going to http://pty.vanderbilt.edu/research/.

For Further Reading

Tracy L. Cross, The Social and Emotional Lives of Gifted Kids: Understanding and Guiding Their Development (Waco: Prufrock Press, 2005).

A Parents Guide to Gifted Children, eds. James T. Webb, Janet L. Gore, et al (Scottsdale: Great Potential Press, 2007).

Serving Gifted Learners Beyond the Traditional Classroom, ed. Joyce L. VanTassel-Baska (Waco: Prufrock Press, 2007).

– David J. Dunn, PhD, Program Coordinator Vanderbilt Summer Academy

*Editor’s note: While research shows that attending “Nerd Camp” can help boost a student’s confidence in terms of what’s needed to take a rigorous course load in high school, participation in a camp doesn’t give students an edge in the application process, nor are we suggesting that students only apply to selective universities.

The Class of 2012 poses for the first annual Ingram Commons class picture four years ago. Photo by John Russell/Vanderbilt

On August 16, 2008, Vanderbilt University changed forever.  This day did not involve championship rings, or Nobel peace prizes, or a big name concert; this is the day that the freshman class moved into The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons for the first time.  Up until this point, The Ingram Commons was a hypothetical experiment, a beautiful idea that represented the promise of what a truly residential college experience could be.  Over the last four years, however, this class of freshmen, and the classes that came after, have made this idea a reality.

Fast forward to May 11, 2012.  These same students have now completed their undergraduate careers.  They have witnessed the growth and development of The Ingram Commons experience that they helped initiate; the extensive renovation of The Jean and Alexander Heard library; the expansion of the university bookstore; the implementation of the undergraduate expanded aid program; appearances in two BCS bowl games, seven NCAA basketball tournaments, and one College World Series; countless on-campus speakers (Michael Moore, Mitt Romney, Kathryn Stockett) and performers (Flaming Lips, Sara Bareilles, Jay-Z); along with the trajectories of their own academic and professional journeys.

All of this begs the question: what’s next?  It is one thing to hear the statistics we give in our information sessions and publications: 46% of the class of 2011 went straight into full-time employment, 34% entered graduate or professional school (64% to their top choice schools), and 20% into the military, volunteering, travelling, undecided, etc.  It is something else entirely to talk to these remarkable young men and women and hear exactly what they will be doing after walking across the stage and out the gates of the university.

Seven of our undergraduate seniors have been awarded Fulbright and Rotary scholarships to pursue various teaching, research, and study opportunities in Africa, Europe, and South America.  Sixty-one have been offered positions with Teach for America.  Nine students will be entering the military through our Army, Navy, or Air Force ROTC programs.  Among our graduating tour guides and student workers, we have very soon-to-be investment bankers, financial consultants, an advertising executive, dental student, future composer, Nashville police officer, Americorps volunteer, and the newest addition to the Saturday Night Life casting team. Many more will be pursuing graduate degrees at Vanderbilt and other top universities across the world.

15,000 chairs and one stage. Photo from the Vanderbilt Flickr account.

This is only a tiny glimpse into the first phase of our students’ post-graduate lives.  The graduating class of 2012 will be joining a group of about 124,000 living alumni, which includes U.S. Senators, Attorney Generals, CEOs, Nobel Prize winners, Poet Laureates, renowned sports writers, Grammy-winning country artists, NFL players, and reality TV stars.  The students in this particular class, however, have something a little extra under their belts.  Their Vanderbilt experiences began at The Ingram Commons, where a sense of community and an atmosphere of ever-present learning permeated their undergraduate days from the very start.

For more stories on where members of the inaugural Ingram Commons class will be headed after graduation, check out the Vanderbilt View’s “End of the Beginning.”

From all of us in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to the graduating class of 2012, thank you, and good luck!

Freshmen compete in the Commons Cup flag football tournament. Photo courtesy of InsideVandy

Throughout your life, you will face many different types of competition: the character-building competition of an intense athletic event; the ambitious competition of applying to a highly selective university; the cut-throat competition of a board game with your little sister who doesn’t understand what “no sounds” means in a simple round of Pictionary.  Considering Vanderbilt’s participation in Division I athletics, current Commodores are not immune to the emotional intensity and joyful celebration that a healthy amount of competition can bring.

In The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons first year student community, there is a different type of competition happening: the kind of competition that breeds teamwork and solidifies social and academic communities.  Since the establishment of The Ingram Commons in 2008, freshmen have participated in one of the university’s newest traditions, The Commons Cup.  While similar in many ways to another Cup you may be more familiar with, ours is not awarded for broom-flying skills or vanquishing dragons.  Instead, The Commons Cup is awarded each year to one of the ten houses on The Ingram Commons for the embodiment of five community values:

Academic achievement is assessed by comparing the average GPA of each house’s members as well as placement in two academic competitions that occur at the end of each semester.  The Knowledge Bowls are Jeopardy!-like contests that test students’ knowledge on everything from art and literature to current events and sports trivia, and every house nominates a team of 3-5 first-year students to compete.

Aside from providing Vanderbilt’s freshmen with a unique living learning community, The Ingram Commons also serves as Tennessee’s largest collection of LEED-Certified green buildings.  Energy conservation is assessed monthly for each house based on its past usage.  Because the students are, in a sense, competing with themselves, they must find more creative and effective conservation strategies as the year progresses.

Students are encouraged to log their own community service hours throughout the year, and the final points in this area are allotted on a per capita basis.  Hours can be contributed through any of the many different service projects available on campus, in the Nashville community, or elsewhere in the world, as long as they were completed during the academic year.  Students are expected to abide by the university Honor Code when self-reporting their hours.

The faculty Heads of House will each select two social or academic programs to serve as the designated “Cup Programs” for that house.  Points for program involvement will be awarded based on the number of residents that attend each event.  These programs may take the form of guest speakers or panels, Nashville field trips, student group performances, collaborative events with specific academic departments, anything that appeals to the breadth of interests and activities of The Ingram Commons community.

Finally, the athletic prowess of each house is measured through a variety of intramural competitions.  In-house tournaments are held to determine which teams will be entered in university-wide leagues for dodge ball, soccer, flag football, kickball, table tennis, ultimate Frisbee, sand volleyball, and tug-o-war.  Points are awarded for participation as well as for the highest finisher in each event.

North Hall residents with the 2012 Commons Cup trophy

On April 22nd, the university held its annual Commons Carnival, a celebration of the final days of classes and one of my favorite events of the year.  The festivities included snow cones and funnel cakes, a mechanical bull, a performance by the Nick Carver band, a balloon artist, line dancing lessons, and a country-themed photo booth.  Most importantly, the carnival also served as the setting of the presentation of the 2011-2012 Commons Cup.  After each of the ten houses performed a previously choreographed cheer and the numbers were crunched for all five categories, Professor Greg Barz’s North House reigned supreme.

Congratulations to North for their impressive victory, as well as to the other nine houses for their significant contributions to the campus community this school year.  Check out the Common Place news feed for more information on how each house closed out the 2011-12 academic year.

Fashion aside, though, I do believe the success of TOMS is mostly derived from its mission as a social enterprise business. Generation Y being the service-minded cohort that they (and most of you) are, the idea that commerce and social change can co-exist is very appealing. In fact, one can drive the other, which is largely the story behind those lightweight yet hip shoes many of you may be sporting as we speak.

These world-changing ideals are thriving on Vanderbilt’s campus as well. Inspired by a Human and Organizational Development class taught by Professor Victoria Davis, as well as by various mission trips to impoverished nations, senior Trevor Burbank and classmate Jason Wen created Teach Twice, a social enterprise in which stories from one culture are shared with children from another by way of picture books. The group, whose whole ethos is underpinned by the belief that everyone has a story to tell no matter their socioeconomic circumstances, hopes to enable readers to learn about new cultures and gain new perspectives while alleviating poverty and improving educational opportunities in the countries where the stories originate. For instance, the proceeds from the sale of “My Precious Name,” Teach Twice’s first published work, will be used to build a secondary school in the Ugandan community of Nakikungube.

L-R: Whitley O’Connor, Grace Appert, David Schroeder, Trevor Burbank, Dan Litzow, Grace Stearns and Caroline Martin are members of the Teach Twice team. (Joe Howell/Vanderbilt)

But, as this great profile in Vanderbilt View points out, Burbank, Wen and senior Scott Church, the non-profit’s Director of Technologies, “also feel a responsibility to address education needs closer to home.” This idea inspired the creation of Teach One, a tutoring and mentoring initiative focused on a Nashville-area high school. Teach One “serves mostly students from immigrant families … They get one-on-one homework help and the opportunity to practice their English language skills, which has resulted in better grades and more confidence in the classroom,” according to Burbank. Shortly thereafter, the article goes on to mention how the Teach Twice team feels “a responsibility to step outside the bubble a bit and reinvest what we’ve been blessed with,” an acknowledgement that the opportunity to put their dreams into action on such a big scale doesn’t come around every day.

The quote sums up the mindset of so many members of the Vanderbilt student body — no matter their course of study. One need only look to the fact that a full 74% of seniors graduating in 2011 indicated that they participated in volunteer service during their time in college. It’s no wonder, then, that Alternative Spring Break (which, by the way, introduced Burbank to Wen) was founded here, or that the Dean of Students houses an Office of Active Citizenship and Service, which advises over 60 student service organizations. Giving back is a potent part of the Vanderbilt Creed.

No matter the types of service endeavors our students engage in, all have the potential to make an enormous impact in Nashville and far beyond. What was sparked in the process of writing a paper led Burbank and his peers to launch a social enterprise out of a dorm room that is now receiving funding from Dell and the Owen School of Business (among other entities on campus and off), and has attracted the attention of the U.S. Departments of Education and State. Indeed, we’re not kidding when we tell you that you really can change the world here.

Read more about Teach Twice in the Vanderbilt View and watch a VUCast featuring the group below.

Students embrace on Alumni Lawn during Rites of Spring 2012 (Steve Green/Vanderbilt)

Should you be selected for admission from the wait list, you will receive a call from our office to ascertain your continued interest in attending Vanderbilt. If interest is confirmed, you will receive your official offer of admission via email within 24 hours, followed by an admissions packet sent Priority Mail. At this point, you will have one week from the date of the email to respond. Moreover, you will receive your financial aid package via email within another business day if you applied for need-based financial aid.

Please continue to remember the following items regarding the wait list process:

• As we’ve stated previously, the wait list is not ranked, so there’s no need to inquire about your place on the list.
• We admit students into the four undergraduate schools and the incoming classes of all four schools will likely include students from the wait list.
• Offers are extended on a permeable timetable that changes each year in an effort to prevent over-enrollment at The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. Rest assured that this isn’t meant to frustrate anyone – it’s simply the nature of the process.
• All wait list active students will receive notification by email once the class is officially closed.

In closing, it’s worth quoting my colleague Carolyn Pippen, who, in the aforementioned post summed up the OUA’s overall sentiment on the wait list, “… we want to make it clear that this offer is a testament to our belief that you would, in fact, be a valuable and successful addition to the Class of 2016.” We stand by these words despite the reality that we can’t admit everyone off the wait list – you comprise an absolutely phenomenal cohort of intellectually curious, high-achieving, service-minded young leaders. Again, thank you for your patience and for allowing us to get to know you. This admissions cycle has proven to be unforgettable.

Vanderbilt junior Ryan Khodadadi

Spring has flown by here in Nashville, and summer is quickly approaching.  For many of you, that means you are gearing up to ace your end of year finals.  For current student Ryan Khodadadi, it means gearing up to ace his final year at Vanderbilt.  A rising senior from Auburn, Alabama, Ryan is set to graduate next May with a degree in Biomedical Engineering.  After three years on campus, he is just as enthusiastic about Vanderbilt as the day he accepted his offer of admission, and has agreed to give us a little bit of insight into what he’s been up to in the meantime.

What were your deciding factors in choosing to enroll at Vanderbilt?

When deciding which school to attend, I was looking for a school that not only could provide a quality biomedical engineering education but at the same time an overall quality undergraduate experience — especially during the freshman year when students are transitioning from living at home and adjusting to life on a college campus. I was also looking for diversity in academics, not an institution that was solely focused on engineering. This was especially important to me because when I enrolled at Vanderbilt, I wasn’t certain I was going to pursue a biomedical engineering degree and I wanted to have choices available to me in the event that I did not wish to continue on that path.

What surprised you about Vanderbilt?

I have lived in a college town all of my life and I have never seen the wide range of programs available to students like there are here at Vanderbilt. It seems that every week there is an interesting program that I attend. Vanderbilt programming boards and organizations do a great job of catering to the wide range of interests represented among the students.

Tell us about one or two significant academic experiences you have had here at Vanderbilt.

Since my sophomore year, I have been working in a research laboratory in the Department of Biological Sciences (BSCI) learning about signal transduction pathways. It’s been a great learning experience and has taught me a lot about perseverance and has exposed me to a professional laboratory setting.

When tour guides boast about the class size and potential to interact with professors here at Vanderbilt, they aren’t lying, especially in the School of Engineering. Most of my major specific professors know me by name and I have a great relationship with all of them. It’s especially great for research advice and for input regarding future plans.

(Ryan’s ASB group having some fun on a service trip to South Dakota)

Tell us about some opportunities you have taken advantage of outside of the classroom while at Vanderbilt. 

I have participated in Vanderbilt Alternative Spring Break (ASB) since my freshman year. Students are assigned in groups of ten or twelve to sites across the nation and abroad where they conduct a weeklong service project. The program here at Vanderbilt was the first of its kind and it is a great way to get involved in service on campus. Many people who participate in ASB find ways to extend the type of service they were conducting on site back to the Nashville community as well.

I have also been involved in student government on campus. I have served on the Vanderbilt University School of Engineering Council (E-Council) for the past year and was recently elected to serve during my senior year. I was also part of the Vanderbilt Student Government (VSG) Strategic Planning Committee (SPC), which was instrumental in reforming campus-wide elections as well as student government committee structure in the past year.

If you could give one piece of advice to high school students making their college decision, what would it be?

I would not just look at statistics and numbers when deciding where to attend college. It’s the next step in your life towards a great career and the choice is very important. I would stress embracing the process: this includes visiting all of the colleges you are interested in and seeing what they have to offer. The next four years of your life are more than what is found in US News.

I would also seriously consider the freshman experience at the schools you are considering. Vanderbilt does a great job providing students with one of the best freshman experiences found at any school and this is a source of pride. I would encourage students to weigh that in their decision as well.

At every corner in the university experience, Vanderbilt strives to provide a sense of balance and a range of options that will help you explore all of your abilities.  We have a picturesque walking campus in the middle of a thriving urban metropolis.  We have the academic rigor of a top 20 university and the athletic distinction of a Division I SEC program.  We have 120 renowned on-campus research centers and a strong liberal arts core in all four undergraduate schools.

Vanderbilt junior Nathan Hall

These opportunities are not here to confuse or overwhelm you, but to allow you to carve your own unique niche in the Vanderbilt community.  In the next installment of our “Why VU?” series, sophomore Nathan Hall of Oak Ridge, Tennessee, tells us how he has taken advantage of his time at Vanderbilt, from pursing a Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics double major, to showing off his mad writing skills via the Inside ‘Dores blog, to participating in community service and ROTC.

What were your deciding factors in choosing to enroll at Vanderbilt?
To me, Vanderbilt represented the best option as a holistic picture. No other school offered the extremely high-caliber engineering and math departments, the number and breadth of student organizations, and the opportunities for off-campus exploration. Nashville is such a vibrant city with events and concerts and interesting places to visit, as well as being within driving distance of a number of beautiful state parks. If you want to escape the stress of schoolwork, it’s so easy to jump off campus, but I never feel like I’m in the middle of a city when I’m walking around Vanderbilt. It’s an amazing combination of insulation and opportunity! As for the classes, they’re definitely difficult, but we get to learn from and research with extraordinary professors at a top 20 school – that kind of education is invaluable!

What surprised you about Vanderbilt?
Attending Vanderbilt has been a constantly surprising and humbling experience for me. The people you go to classes with every day are some of the brightest, most innovative, most talented people in the world. Patented inventors, professional musicians, lab researchers and licensed pilots are just some of the incredible undergraduates you’ll interact with every day, not to mention the nationally recognized athletes and the numerous other high achievers. No matter how much I heard about this phenomenon before Vanderbilt, actually coming to school and meeting and befriending some of these amazing people has been an extraordinary and unexpected experience.

Tell us about one or two significant academic experiences you have had here at Vanderbilt.
This semester I took ME 204, Mechatronics, a course focusing on the combination of mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering to create programmable systems. Our final project was to imagine, design, build, wire, and code an “interesting” system. After plenty of deliberation (and a lot of Google searches), I settled on a knock-recognizing lockbox, which would unlock and open itself upon receiving the correct pattern of knocks on the lid. The project ended up being extremely time-consuming and hugely stressful, but definitely ranks among the single most rewarding tasks I’ve ever undertaken, mostly because of how much I feel like I invested. The project was mine from conception to completion, and I’ve been running around making all my friends try it out since the presentation!

Tell us about some opportunities you have taken advantage of outside of the classroom while at Vanderbilt.
Throughout high school, I, much like many other Vanderbilt students, was heavily involved in extracurricular activities ranging from the Philosophy Club to theater. At Vanderbilt, I’ve been privileged to find membership (and, recently, leadership!) in several organizations. With Vanderbilt Red Cross, an organization I joined this year, I’ve helped out at multiple blood drives and volunteered at the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center. Army ROTC has sent me hither and yon on a number of very cool trips, including a marathon ruck march in New Mexico and two weeks at the Sabalauski Air Assault School – The list goes on and on! In short, Vanderbilt gives its students almost innumerable opportunities for out-of-class exploration, service, social activities, and much more.

What is your favorite thing about living in Nashville?
Living in any large city comes with the perks of accessibility for things like different restaurants (there are a bunch of fun, trendy cafes and eateries around campus) and activities (we have so many sports teams and special events that it would be impossible to go enjoy them all), but Nashville is special to me because of its music. If you can think of an artist you want to see live, chances are, they’ll come to Nashville! As someone who doesn’t enjoy country, I can vouch for Nashville as a great place to see plenty of other kinds of artists in some awesome venues.

If you could give one piece of advice to high school students making their college decision, what would it be?
Don’t be afraid to go big! On my first night of college, my floor’s RA told us that during our time at Vanderbilt, we would all fail at something, and that we should use that experience to grow. Never let fear of failure or trepidation at being challenged push you away from making a decision – find a school that will give you opportunities and challenges, and you will not regret your choice!

In fact, there has been construction of some sort happening on Alumni Lawn for the couple of weeks.  First the Rites of Spring stage was built, while fences and speakers and concession tables popped up around it.  Wiz and Mutemath and Chancellor Warhol have since come and gone, and now a new stage is beginning to appear.

On May 11, the students of the Class of 2012 will walk across this new stage and receive their Vanderbilt diplomas.  The bangs and clanks providing the soundtrack to my Tuesday morning are the first signs that the end of these young men and women’s remarkable journey is near, and another, much different journey is about to begin.

Vanderbilt senior Jamie Hooker

For those of you still on the other side of your college experience, we thought it would be appropriate today to highlight one of our esteemed seniors and give her the chance to tell you why she chose Vanderbilt four years ago.  Jamie Hooker is a soon-to-be-alumna from Denver, Colorado, who will be graduating from the College of Arts and Science with a degree in Sociology.

What were your deciding factors in choosing to enroll at Vanderbilt?

I made a list of all the qualities I wanted in a school. I wanted a medium-sized school with an excellent academic reputation based in a city (preferably in the South) which also had Division 1 sports. Vanderbilt was the perfect fit for every single quality I wanted. After visiting campus and seeing how beautiful it was, Vanderbilt quickly became my top choice.

What surprised you about Vanderbilt?

I was really surprised by how geographically diverse Vanderbilt is. I was expecting to be totally surrounded by Southerners and the Southern culture; however, that was definitely not the case. People at Vanderbilt are truly from all over, and in my core group of friends we represent the Northeast, the West, and the South.

Tell us about one or two significant academic experiences you have had here at Vanderbilt. 

After my sophomore year, I was approached by one of my Sociology professors, who asked me if I’d like to write a thesis with him as a junior. Obviously I couldn’t turn down an opportunity to write a thesis- especially with a professor who sought me out- so I said yes! I spent my junior year doing background research and then conducting my own research and writing a 50-page thesis. It was an amazing opportunity and I now have the chance to be published and to graduate with honors. This really speaks to the high quality of the professors at Vanderbilt. They actively seek out opportunities for students showing that they clearly have your best interests in mind.

Aix-en-Provence serves as the home of our Vanderbilt in France program.

Tell us about some opportunities you have taken advantage of outside of the classroom while at Vanderbilt. 

I’m involved in a sorority and was involved in leadership as the social chair. I am also a tour guide and love answering questions for prospective students! I interned with a law firm my sophomore year during the school year and am currently working on campus. I studied abroad the summer in between my sophomore and junior year (because I didn’t want to leave Vanderbilt for a whole semester!) in the South of France in Aix-en-Provence.

What is your favorite thing about living in Nashville?

The food! Seriously, Nashville has some of the most amazing restaurants in the country. From great local fare to gourmet burgers to tacos to ice cream to Southern food- I can’t get enough! While Vandy itself is so much fun and there is so much to do on campus, it’s awesome to be a part of such a fun and vibrant city. There is always live music and cool venues to check out around town.

Editor’s note: After these answers were submitted, Vanderbilt was designated by MSNBC as being a “Top 6 University for Food Lovers.”

If you could give one piece of advice to high school students making their college decision, what would it be?

Try to picture yourself at each university, especially when you take a campus tour. It makes your decision a lot easier if you can actually see yourself participating in the social life at a college. For me, Vanderbilt struck the perfect balance between academics and extracurriculars, because people here realize that college is important for your future, and it also needs to be fun!

We would like to extend a big thank you to Jamie for contributing to this post, as well as for her contributions to our office as a student worker and tour guide.  We wish you all the best!

Vanderbilt sophomore Kiersten Chresfield

Every student who arrives on our campus did so through his or her own unique path.  In the Q&A below, sophomore Kiersten Chresfield from New York City details the path she took and the opportunities she’s been afforded since she arrived.  Kiersten is a student of the Peabody College of Education and Human Development and one of our newest tour guides.  (You may recognize her from a YouTube video that should be going viral any day now.)

What were your deciding factors in choosing to enroll at Vanderbilt?

I came to Vanderbilt on a full tuition merit-based leadership scholarship from the Posse Foundation, after being obsessed with the school since my sophomore year of high school. I attended Vanderbilt Summer Academy and took a course on Existentialism. At the end of the day, I realized Existentialism truly wasn’t my thing, but the opportunities I had to network with my professor, TAs, fellow VSA-ers, and even some of my admissions counselors are what really sold me on the university.

What surprised you about Vanderbilt?

I came in thinking Vanderbilt would be overwhelmingly Southern. As a New Yorker, I thought it’d be difficult to relate, that all of these students were coming from similar experiences. I found it wasn’t strange at all. The students here were incredibly welcoming, and you start to realize just how long ago high school seems. The Ingram Commons does a great job of uniting students from different backgrounds and helping them create the shared vision and community that Vanderbilt strives to develop in all of its students.

Tell us about one or two significant academic experiences you have had here at Vanderbilt.

The biggest project I’ve worked on to date was in my HOD 1100 – Small Group Behavior class. My team of five developed “Brighten your future, Leave your mark,” a challenge to the graduating Class of 2011 to encourage the most participation in the alumni giveback fund. Over a two-month span, we coordinated a state of the art marketing campaign, facilitated multiple awareness events, and culminated the project with a “Make Your Mark” day in the lobby of The Ingram Commons Center. Over 200 freshmen came together to splatter paint t-shirts and sign pledge hands indicating what programs or organizations they would be most inclined to donate to as graduating seniors. Needless to say, we gave the Class of 2011 a run for their money.

Tell us about some opportunities you have taken advantage of outside of the classroom while at Vanderbilt. 

In the summer before my sophomore year I spent 30 days teaching English in Zanzibar, Tanzania. It was my second time traveling to Africa and my first spending such a long time away from home (aside from leaving New York for Nashville). I taught approximately 45 students and developed 30 different lesson plans. I served as one of the primary student-teacher liaisons in a country where the language barrier was stiff and cross-cultural similarities were minimal. I orchestrated weekly excursions to our students’ homes and communities and aided program administrators in the development of creative lesson plans and newfound methods of presenting students with new words and learning scenarios. I believe my various cross-cultural and inter-personal experiences have cultivated a strong sense of leadership and diversity of thought.

The famous Wildhorse Saloon offers weekly line dancing lessons. Photo by Josh Anderson

What is your favorite thing about living in Nashville?

My favorite thing about living in Nashville is how genuinely surprised people are when I tell them just how in love I am with this place! People outside of Vanderbilt find it hard to believe that a New Yorker could find love for such a Southern city. I’ve learned that my experience in Nashville will be whatever I make of it, and if that means spending my Saturday evenings at the Wildhorse Saloon, so be it. If I’d rather help disadvantaged refugees on my spare time, that’s great too. Or I could even spend my time strolling through Hillsboro Village –Nashville is bountiful, and its opportunities endless.

If you could give one piece of advice to high school students making their college decision, what would it be?

Enter with an open mind. Too many high school students are working to outdo their competitors, and a lot of that competition hinders your exploration and decision making opportunities.  The college process is stressful; there is no avoiding it. Make your list, check it twice, and get to know some of the students, admissions counselors, and faculty already at the university. You’d be surprised by just how open they are to share their experiences with you.

It’s true!  Feel free to reach out to our current students to find out more about their own diverse Vanderbilt experiences, and check out our Inside ‘Dores blog for a daily dose of life as a Commodore.

Vanderbilt junior Seth Johnson

I would like to start this blog post with a quick lifestyle quiz, circa Cosmo 1998:

(1) Would you buy a ticket to a concert if you’ve never heard the band that’s playing?  (2) Would you move into a house without talking to the people who used to live in it?  (3) Would you pay to subscribe to Cosmo without reading an issue first?

If the answer to the above questions is “yes,” I commend you for your spontaneous and free-wheeling lifestyle.  I also think you might be a little bit crazy.

If the answer to these questions is “of course not,” you are what’s called a Cautious Decision Maker.  You understand that important life choices must be weighed and considered, and you value the testimonial of those who have made similar choices before.

For all of you Cautious Decision Makers out there, and for those of you who are tired of listening to someone old enough to have taken Cosmo lifestyle quizzes in the ‘90s, we give you the next installment in our “Why Vanderbilt?” series.  As with a previous post, which centered on our student bloggers, we will continue to share reflections from current Vanderbilt students that touch on the things that helped them choose Vanderbilt, the experiences they have, and the words of advice they would like to pass on.  We hope that reading these testimonials will help you navigate the important life decisions that you will be making in the very near future.

Our first installment comes from Seth Johnson, a junior from Apex, North Carolina, who is double majoring in Communication Studies and Vocal Performance.

What were your deciding factors in choosing to enroll at Vanderbilt?

I wanted to be in an environment that was made up of a vibrant student body that is passionate about making a difference in the world, intellectually and artistically. I liked the idea of having access to any of the three other undergraduate schools of study, in addition to the Blair School of Music. I came to Nashville and loved the music culture, coupled with the driven academic environment of Vanderbilt.

What surprised you about Vanderbilt?

I was surprised at how well executed the liberal arts and research mission is implemented. Many are skeptical about this partnership, often thinking that the two must be fundamentally separate – liberal arts colleges and research institutions. We really get the best of both worlds. You can take the liberal arts route in order to figure out what you want to do and at the same time, hone in on a specific path by using resources from the research aspect of the university.

Tell us about one or two significant academic experiences you have had here at Vanderbilt.

My most significant academic experience came towards the end of 2nd semester junior year. I was up late working on a take-home test for a communication studies class, entitled “Rhetoric and Civic Life.” Initially, I was dreading this class, thinking it was going to be a drag. Amidst answering several prompts on the test, it hit me that this was some of the most fun I have had in a while, period. I got to articulate several points that I have been passionate about without having to conform to a structure or “right” answer. The test felt like a fun, open-ended political discussion. One of my favorite things about Vanderbilt is the plethora of professors who are alright with divergent thinking. Many leave assignment structures open for suggestions and creativity in order to get the academic juices flowing in students. One of my current professors has a philosophy on her assessments that indicates she doesn’t care if our claim seems “right,” she just wants it to be well supported and demonstrative of mastery of course material.

Seth Johnson with The Melodores

Tell us about some opportunities that you have taken advantage of outside the classroom while at Vanderbilt.

I sing in an all-male a capella group, the Melodores. In addition to gigs in venues across Nashville, we do a variety of shows for charity. I recall a fond memory of when we sang to residents of a low-income house for the elderly. After we sang, we also did a cooking demo and gave them information on how to eat healthfully within a budget. Several residents approached me after we finished and expressed how much they enjoyed the time we all had together. It was rewarding getting to brighten some folks’ days.

What is your favorite thing about living in Nashville?

Its dynamic presence in our nation–I love that there are substantial events – many featuring famous acts – going on every night of the week. I love how Nashville has a little big town feel to it; there are big city things to do if you want, but also places of quiet refuge when necessary.

If you could give one piece of advice to high school students making their college decision, what would it be?

Once you get to a certain point, many academic institutions seem to run together. Though our nation is so caught up in it, I think it’s pedantic trying to compare schools on arbitrary “rank” once you get into the top universities. I would say that your college experience is what you make it. A university could have the absolute best resources you could imagine, but if you aren’t utilizing them, they are of no use. Use your time to explore what you think you may like. Once you get to college, grab the wheel, steer, and if you like the path, put that pedal to the metal!

Our send off event was another great reminder of why Vanderbilt is my favorite place in the world: the quality of the students.  I am surrounded by a diverse, highly intelligent, balanced group of young adults with futures full of hope and promise who are going to change the world that we live in.  Among these 36 students, we have future investment bankers, consultants, educators, nurses, musicians, doctors, dentists, and even one guide who will be working for Saturday Night Live!

As you are making your decision regarding which universities to visit this summer, or if you are exploring Vanderbilt as a potential home for the next four years, I encourage you to use our seniors as a resource and ask how Vanderbilt helped them build a solid foundation for success.

By: John Nesbitt, Tour Guide Director and Assistant Director of Admissions

Photo: John Russell/Vanderbilt

“We have about 6,800 undergraduate students, plus another 6,000 or so students in our graduate programs,” I replied.

“At a place like Vanderbilt,” he began to ask knowingly, “they’re going to be more focused on graduate students, right?”

Believe it or not, nothing could be further from the truth.  Vanderbilt is an institution that places a remarkable amount of emphasis on those four glorious years just after high school.  Whenever I encounter someone who doesn’t quite believe that, I have one surefire rebuttal: The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons.

In 2008, Vanderbilt completed a $150 million project to enhance the living and learning experience of its first-year students through the implementation of The Ingram Commons.  Since then, students have spent their freshman year living in one of the ten designated houses on our Peabody campus.  This project aimed to solidify the benefits of a truly residential university experience, and one of its most crucial components was the selection of the ten Heads of House.

Who, you might ask, are the Heads of House?  These ten accomplished, renowned, and undeniably brave men and women are members of the Vanderbilt faculty who have elected to live full time in each of The Ingram Commons houses.  Faculty heads of house serve as academic resources and mentors to first-year students in their respective halls.  As if our 8:1 student to faculty ratio isn’t enough, The Ingram Commons experience offers its students a chance to interact with these remarkable professors on an even deeper level than you might find in a classroom or office.

Last week, The Ingram Commons announced the addition of four new Heads of House who will be moving into the dorms before the 2012-2013 school year.  (If you were wondering, being placed as an HoH is not punishment for our faculty; in fact, these four candidates beat out 16 others in a competitive application and review process run by fellow faculty, staff, and current students.)  We would now like to introduce you to the men and women whom you might find walking down your residential house hallways in the near future*:

Robert Barsky is professor of French and Italian with a joint appointment to the Department of English. He teaches literature and focuses on immigration studies, linguistics and radicalism in American Jewish life. He is also founder and editor of AmeriQuests, a peer-reviewed e-journal devoted to writing and research about real and metaphorical quests toward “America.” He will be joined at The Ingram Commons by his wife and their cats and he enjoys occasional visits from their three college-aged sons.

Kevin Leander is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teaching and Learning at Peabody College of Education and Human Development. His research interests include social media, youth identities, informal education, learning communities and new geographies of learning.  Dr. Leander is a former faculty VUceptor and currently serves as a Vanderbilt professor and undergraduate mentor. He will reside in The Ingram Commons with his three children.

Roger Cone’s impressive scholarly and professional resume speaks for itself: In addition to being elected to the National Academy of Sciences, he serves as Joe C. Davis Chair in Biomedical Science, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, and Director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Obesity and Metabolism. Professor Cone also brings experience as an elected public school board official and a commitment to opening people’s minds, challenging them to do something different, introducing them to critical thinking and ensuring that college is fun. Cone will be joined at The Ingram Commons by his wife and their son.

Cynthia Gadd’s research interests include the development and evaluation of innovative approaches for biomedical informatics education and training to meet the needs of health care both in the United States and globally. She brings a great deal of experience mentoring students from the graduate to high school levels. Her husband is a local coordinator for Habitat for Humanity. They will be joined at the Ingram Commons by their dog, Fanny, and cat, Angus.

Greg Barz is an associate professor of ethnomusicology at the Blair School of Music, with joint appointments in anthropology and the Divinity School. He recently drew on his fieldwork in East Africa to produce a Grammy-nominated recording of the music of HIV positive women’s groups with his research supported by the Fulbright African AIDS Research Program. This year, he completed a documentary film on the role of music in post-Genocide Rwanda, and he continues his field research on the role of hip hop and HIV/AIDS in South Africa and Lesotho.

Frank Dobson is director of the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center and his second novel, Rendered Invisible, was published in 2010. He has published both scholarly and creative work; his recent article, “Beyond Black Men as Breeders: White Men and the Commodity of Blackness,” appeared in the Vanderbilt University journal, AmeriQuests. Dobson, who also teaches at Fisk University, is a playwright whose work has been presented nationally. He is currently at work on a screenplay.

Chalene Helmuth is a senior lecturer in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese. Originally from Costa Rica, she is the author of two books on contemporary Latin American literature and culture. She has designed study abroad programs in several Latin American countries, emphasizing service-learning and internship opportunities. Professor Helmuth serves as faculty director of Costa Rica VISAGE (Vanderbilt Initiative for Scholarship and Global Engagement), an innovative program that is open to first-year students. Professor Helmuth lives in The Ingram Commons with her partner, their daughter, and their dog, Chita.

Paul Lim teaches in the Divinity School and is an emerging authority on the theology and history of 17th-century English Protestantism. He has recently completed his second major book, Mystery Unveiled: The Crisis of the Trinity in Early Modern England, a work supported by grants from the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. and Vanderbilt University Research Scholars Grants.

Tiffany Ruby Patterson is an associate professor and acting director of the Program in African American and Diaspora Studies and associate professor of history and American studies. Her interest is in colonialism and anti-colonial movements, migrations, social history of gender and color, and the moral imaginations of intellectuals in the African Diaspora. She collaborated on the development of a first-year seminar studying the black experience in twentieth-century France and is the author of Zora Neale Hurston and a History of Southern Life.  She is passionately interested in social justice and discussing the problems confronting our modern and complicated world.

Kyla Terhune is an assistant professor of surgery and anesthesiology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. In addition to the clinical responsibilities of being a general surgeon, Dr. Terhune serves as associate program director for the general surgery residency. She has won teaching awards from medical students, surgery residents, and at the national level.  She is joined by her husband and their two children.

These faculty Heads of House are just ten of the many professors, lecturers, deans, and leaders whom you will encounter during your years at Vanderbilt.  They will serve as teachers, advisors, mentors, and companions as you embark on your powerful intellectual and personal journey as a Commodore.  Over the course of their remarkable careers, they have completed research, written novels, won national and international awards, performed surgeries, and seen the world; now they want to exchange life experiences with you.  At Vanderbilt, that exchange might just be as simple as standing up from your desk, walking down the hall, and knocking on the door.

*Faculty bio and photo sources: MyVU and The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons website.