The Road to Resilience: Next steps no matter what letter you received
The end of the decade snuck up on me. After dinner I was sorting the mail and there it was, People magazine’s decade in review. A new decade? Really? For me, I start the new decennium with a cup that runs over, a wonderful family and job I am passionate about. Reflecting back though, I’m reminded of the disguises blessings often wear. When my three little boys each spent time in the NICU, it was hard to feel blessed, and our family’s resilience was tested. Whether you were admitted at ED1 and endured the wait, or whether you were not admitted and are now beginning the tough work of finding another school you’ll love, know that resilience is an ordinary trait, not something extraordinary that people either have or don’t.
Consider these tips from the American Psychological Association on walking The Road to Resilience:
- Accept that change is a part of living: Certain goals may no longer be attainable as a result of adverse situations. Accepting circumstances that cannot be changed can help you focus on circumstances that you can alter.
- Move toward your goals. Develop some realistic goals. Do something regularly — even if it seems like a small accomplishment — that enables you to move toward your goals. Instead of focusing on tasks that seem unachievable, ask yourself, “What’s one thing I know I can accomplish today that helps me move in the direction I want to go?”
- Take decisive actions: Act on adverse situations as much as you can. Take decisive actions, rather than detaching completely from problems and stresses and wishing they would just go away.
- Look for opportunities for self-discovery: People often learn something about themselves and may find that they have grown in some respect as a result of their struggle with loss. Many people who have experienced tragedies and hardship have reported better relationships, greater sense of strength even while feeling vulnerable, increased sense of self-worth, a more developed spirituality, and heightened appreciation for life.
If you were admitted at ED1:
- Congratulations!
- You have until 12/31 (postmarked) to submit your matriculation fee using the form that accompanied your admit letter. This serves as a deposit on your first semester fees and secures your place in the incoming class. Even though you already signed your ED agreement saying you would enroll, we still need the matriculation fee.
- If you turned in a CSS Profile to the Office of Student Financial Aid, and it was complete, you should receive an estimate on your eventual financial aid package. If you submitted your CSS Profile and you have not yet received that estimate, call Financial Aid: 800-288-0204.
- Remember that we still consider those mid-year reports, and final transcripts, so keep those grades up.
If you were not admitted at ED1:
- Please know that our decision process was incredibly hard this year, with many more qualified applicants than we had space.
- Call us if you have any questions about your decision: 800-288-0432
If your application was incomplete at ED1:
- We sent out an email last week indicating that your ED1 application was incomplete and we will be closing your application with us if we do not hear from you by 12/31.
- If you would like for us to consider your application at ED2 or Regular Decision, we would be happy to do so if you can provide us a) a request in writing (email to admissions@vanderbilt.edu or to your Vanderbilt admissions counselor works fine) and b) all of the items still missing from your application.
If you’re still working on your application for ED2 or Regular Decision:
- The postmarked deadline for your application is 1/3, which we know is a Sunday. While the internet is still open on Sundays we know that the U.S. Postal Service is not. We will therefore accept paper applications postmarked on 1/4.
- Remember that once you hit submit on the Common Application to Vanderbilt, it is locked and cannot be revised. Make sure it is exactly how you want it before submitting. While you can certainly contact us to make a change in your application materials after you submit, it’s still a hassle for you.
Keep in mind that our office will be closed on 12/24, 12/25 and on 1/1. Happy holidays everyone!