‘Early Decision’
Meet Harper Haynes
Oct. 1, 2010—Anderson, South Carolina is my hometown. I am the admissions counselor responsible for Northern and Central Florida and South Carolina.
10th Day Data
Sep. 30, 2010—Before school begins each fall colleges and universities think we know what the incoming class is going to look like (statistically speaking), but we can’t be absolutely confident. Therefore we wait 10 days for everyone to get to campus, begin classes, and get in a groove before we take count. This college/university census is known as...
Deadlines
Sep. 29, 2010—A deadline is a deadline is a deadline… unless it’s a suggestion? As a senior in college there are A LOT of dates to remember (you better get a calendar/planner/iPhone application to help you remember everything). Sometimes a deadline is hard and fast – as in if you don’t meet it you’re out of luck....
Family and the College Search Process
Sep. 27, 2010—The college search process is a family affair. I have no problem with significant parent involvement because many times the parents make a large financial investment in the student’s education. Plus, I want Vanderbilt to be a place where the whole family feels at home – a sort of home away from home. As a...
Meet John Nesbitt
Sep. 24, 2010—My hometown is Winston-Salem, NC. I am the admissions counselor responsible for Westchester County, NY, San Francisco and the Bay Area, the Middle East and India.
Letters of Recommendation
Sep. 22, 2010—One night last year I was pouring over Sam’s application for admission to Vanderbilt. In terms of Vanderbilt’s applicant pool, he was fairly average. Solid academic achievement with test scores in the 90th percentile, but nothing about the numbers jumped out at me as extraordinary. I don’t remember Sam’s essay, but I’m sure it was...
Extracurriculars
Sep. 20, 2010—The well-rounded student vs. the well-angled student. Which does Vanderbilt prefer? Both! We need generalists and specialists in our class of 1,600. What really matters to us is that you love what you’re doing. Passion is hard to fake. If you’re just choosing activities to fill a resume, it shows. Stop worrying about what each admissions...
Secrets from the Admissions Office
Sep. 15, 2010—While I know everyone reading our Vandy Admissions Blog loves hearing from me, I want to point readers today to a Newsweek Education article. Our Dean of Admissions sat down with Newsweek Education and answered critical questions we hear everyday in OUA.
Writing a Personal Statement
Sep. 13, 2010—Last year I was responsible for approximately 1,000 applications. Numerically, far too many of my students look identical. It’s the intangible pieces: essay, letters of recommendation, and extracurriculars that set one student apart from another. The essay is my personal favorite. I love a good story. I know, though, that this can be a stressful...
Theme Words
Sep. 9, 2010—I hear about colleges all day long. It’s (obviously) what I do for a living. I know from my own college search experiences and my day-to-day job that many institutions begin to blend together and sound exactly alike. Students and families seek to understand what’s different about Vanderbilt. How does Vanderbilt set itself apart from...
Early Decision Quiz
Aug. 23, 2010—I am frequently asked by students whether or not they should apply Early Decision. Below are some basic questions to ask before making that decision.
On the Road
Aug. 16, 2010—This week marks my first official recruitment trip of the Fall 2011 admissions cycle! Thom and I are Road Show buddies for the week and we will be visiting Chicago, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, and Indianapolis. What exactly is the Road Show about? Essentially, it’s us bringing Vanderbilt to you. At these events we host an information...