Congratulations to the Newest Commodores!
Congratulations to our new members of the Class of 2015! I cannot adequately express how excited we are to have you as Commodores.
Up until this point you had a great deal of “to-dos” and I’m sure that you’re wondering what you need to do now to prepare for life at Vanderbilt. Actually, we only need you to do one thing in the immediate future: mail in your candidate reply form with your deposit. After that, take a much deserved break and enjoy the holidays! If you’re a Type A (like me) and are not satisfied with that response, check out our brand new Class of 2015 information page that will provide you with a few more action steps.
Although there is nothing you must do (other than mail your candidate reply form), we’d love for you to join our social community! There are many ways you can connect with the universities and your new classmates.
- First off, like our Official Class of 2015 Facebook page. Be aware there are few bogus groups out there, but this one is directly from our office and will always provide you with the latest need-to-know.
- Another place to go for the latest information is Common Place and its message board specific for the Class of 2015. Look for the welcome letter from Dean Wcislo! The staff and students of The Commons manage Common Place and will get you pumped for move-in!
- If you’re an iPhone user download our app which connects you to university news, photos, and dates.
- Finally, I invite you to follow us on Twitter and the Vandy Admissions Blog throughout the year.
More questions? Your assigned admissions counselor is still here to help you out. If you need help navigating financial concerns, talk with the Office of Financial Aid and Undergraduate Scholarships. Also consider posting a question on the Class of 2015 Facebook wall. You are now part of a larger community – take advantage of it!
Once again, congratulations Commodores!
December 15th, 2010
Will international decisions be emailed today?
December 15th, 2010
Betsy: Yes, international decision emails will go out today.
December 15th, 2010
Could you please tell me when exactly will international students receive emails today? Thank you.
December 15th, 2010
Feiying: Emails went out earlier today to our international applicants.
December 15th, 2010
I did not receive admission from Early Decision I. Vanderbilt is still my number one college choice so I was wondering if I could resubmit my application under either Early Decision II or Regular Decision. I intend on making it better and I was wondering if it’s possible for me to do that. Also, if it is, will I need to resubmit my guidance counselor recommendation, transcript, and ACT scores? Thanks!
December 15th, 2010
Breanna: I’m sorry for the disappointing news. Unfortunately, you cannot apply again until next year. Best wishes as you move forward!
February 15th, 2015
So if a student is rejected for the freshman class this year, all hope isn’t lost, they could apply as a transfer student for sophomore year?
February 16th, 2015
Yes, we accept transfer applications each year. We have more information for you at http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/prospective/transfer.php.
December 15th, 2010
If I submitted my application early, but not through Early Decision, would I get a reply earlier?
December 15th, 2010
Charis: No. RD applicants will learn of their decision on April 1, 2011.
December 15th, 2010
I am a US student and I didn’t receive anything in the mail today. Should I be concerned???
December 15th, 2010
RC: Letters were mailed on Tuesday. It may be several business days before you receive the letter.
December 15th, 2010
My son just received an admitted letter. Very good news for him! we lives in Nashville…. long journey to get this letter..
December 15th, 2010
Although I have yet to receive my letter, I was wondering: if I happen to be deferred to RD, is there anything I can do (aside from releasing new test scores) to improve my chances of acceptance?
December 15th, 2010
Chris: We do not typically defer applicants; a deferral will only happen because of special circumstances.
December 15th, 2010
Hello, i am an international applicant and I have still not received my notification e-mail. What should I do?
December 16th, 2010
Jeremy: Check your trash/junk mail to make sure it wasn’t incorrectly routed. Contact your assigned admissions counselor if you still can’t find it.
December 17th, 2010
It is truly sad to see a child (my child) receive a denail for admission when she has met every criteria w/in your guidelines….he hopes and dreams have been shattered. Top 5% of her class – a huge graduating class I might add – NHS and Language Honor Society, VP to both – Team Captain to 2 Varsity Sports and Great ACT score and SO MUCH MORE! My child (as I’m sure many others) have worked like dogs thru their HS years only to be rejected by the college of their dreams – Your blogs fail to mention the one SPECIFIC thing they need – because she has everything you required (and then some). What is your definition of a Holistic Review. It’s very disappointing and quite heart wrenching to see my child go through such devastation. In the end, Vanderbilt, it’s YOUR LOSS!
December 17th, 2010
I live on Long Island and still haven’t received my letter? Are there any long islanders that have?
December 17th, 2010
PLK – as a fellow parent (who is still waiting for the letter to come in the mail) I can understand your frustration. We only want the best for our children and when things aren’t what we hope they would be we get “fired up.” Vanderbilt has significantly more denial letters that go out than acceptance letters. As hard as the news might be for my daughter to receive that letter our family has maintained that if she doesn’t get accepted then obviously it’s not where she is supposed to be. You have to be so proud of your child regardless, to even consider applying to Vanderbilt and to have the requirements to even be considered is amazing. Just think of how many Universities would be thrilled to have her. I know it’s heartbreaking… I too may be feeling your pain this afternoon.
December 17th, 2010
Yes i got accepted! thank you all so much i can’t wait to be a commodore!!!!
December 17th, 2010
I think Vanderbilt seriously needs to reconsidered always talking about their “holistic review” for admissions and how they are so focused on “the whole student”, because you couldn’t be any more hypocritical. From the people that I have heard that have received admittance, and from also getting rejected, Vanderbilt is definitely not about “the whole student”. You all have succeeded in taking students who are only making good grades and good standardized testing scores, but failed to look at anything else. You did not take people who are perfect examples of “the whole student”, who are involved in all aspects of their high school careers. You need to do some serious reconsidering about advertising Vanderbilt’s “holistic review process” because you are shattering the dreams of people who are well qualified over people who are solely focused on academics.
December 17th, 2010
Dear fellow posters: I will always respect my readers by approving all appropriate comments, both those that are agreeable and even those that are disagreeable. However, I will not approve comments that are derogatory or comments that use inappropriate language.
Best wishes to all our readers!
December 17th, 2010
Hi Kylie thank you for being so informative. I live on long island and 2 kids from my school received their letters today however i did not. What should i do? I want to know if i get rejected so i can submit my other applications in a timely manner.
December 17th, 2010
Jmb626: Wait until Tuesday the 21st. Call if you haven’t received it by then.
December 17th, 2010
I believe I am a testament to the concept of the holistic review. I was accepted, gleefully, today, and I certainly am not someone who only studies. In fact, my grades were nowhere near perfect, nor were my test scores. I believe that my essay and extracurriculars showed my personality to the admissions staff, and was someone they felt would be a good fit for Vanderbilt. I am sorry for those who are bitter, but do not criticize the process because of a rejection. Sorry to sound so arrogant, if I come off that way.
December 17th, 2010
Katie: I understand the fact that you are upset about the decision, but I could not disagree more. I do not have the best ACT scores out there (29) but I have strength in many other areas, including leadership and extracurricular involvement, and I did receive admission. I believe that that “holistic review” is truly used at Vanderbilt, or else I would probably not have been accepted. To anyone out there planning on applying or are waiting for your decision: Good Luck!!
December 17th, 2010
In Arkansas and did not receive any letter yet? Are there others out there that have not received their letter?
December 17th, 2010
Kylie,
Will you publish how many total applicants applied once the regular decision deadline has passed?
December 17th, 2010
John: We’ll post a blog similar to the one from last year after ED II.
December 17th, 2010
PLK- I wrote earlier how I might be in the same ballpark you are in. I was correct. My daughter got her letter saying that they did not accept her. And yes, she was bummed. She scored in the 30’s on her ACT, is in the top 5% of her class, is a Girl Scout Gold Award receipient (equiv to the Eagle in Boy Scouts), has been an All-State musician for 3 years (which is an honor in itself for our State), is involved in quite a few school clubs, and the list goes on…but still did not get in. All I can say is that the students who did receive admit letters should feel honored and I wish them the best. Knowing that, I am confident that my child will be amazing no matter where she goes and may just rise to the top at the Univesity she attends versus just being “average” at Vanderbilt. Life is more than where you attended college and got your B.S. (Especially for those that plan to go beyond 4 years!) Again, congrats to all that will be attending V-bilt in the Fall!
December 17th, 2010
is there a deadline for sending in an appeal? would making the varsity basketball team and improving a grade from a B+ to A- be enough “new” information to be considered?
December 17th, 2010
Ryan: We don’t qualify what’s significant. If you want to appeal, you may do so, but it has to be in writing (letter not email) to the Dean of Admissions. There’s no deadline for appeals, but the sooner the better.
December 17th, 2010
I have been on eggshells for the past few weeks as well. I am the dad of a female applicant from a New York high school. When we visited Vanderbilt we both fell in love with the campus, the city and the people and she knew as soon as she stepped on the campus grounds that this would be her “home”. We tried to analyze her options and which pool of applicants would give her the greatest chance. Each of us came up with a different outcome based on which pool she went into. Finally she decided to give it her all and do Early 1.
When other parents or students suggest that Vanderbilt does not have a holistic review it is the furthest thing from the truth. My daughter was fortunate enough to get her acceptance letter today. We are all overjoyed and know that she will have an incredible four years there. My daughter submitted one ACT score which was in the mid 30s, her GPA was 97 plus, she is a cheerleader, has an amazing social life and certainly has mastered the art of balancing academics, social life and extra curriculars. She had received National Honors, National Language Honors, AP Scholar, worked part time at various jobs over the years, interned during the Summer, was in a few clubs, etc and wrote a very honest, innocent and STRAIGHT FROM HER MOUTH, essay. People kept telling me to make sure she did something to stand out, be funny, be memorable or whatever else they warned us of and to be honest, she was just HERSElf! She is a White Jewish girl from New York who also checked off that she was interested in Financial Aid and let me tell you, that too worried me. I thought for sure that even though Vanderbilt stated how they are need blind, there is no way they would take an applicant that needed financial aid (and in a big way) vs someone who was financially sound.
Vanderbilt accepted a WELL ROUNDED young woman who worked like a dog too, throughout high school while hanging out on the weekends and doing what all kids do while still maintaining her high academic standards, giving to her community, cheering her teams on, babysitting etc.
I know how horrible it is for those who did not get accepted since my older child did not get into her first choice school, many years ago. But with that said, I will tell you that she ended up going elsewhere and having the most incredible college experience and wouldn’t have traded her school for even her original choice.
I wish all of you the best of luck and please know that all of our children will turn out to be wonderful additions to either Vanderbilt or any of the other fine schools out there. I again, know exactly what those parents whose children did not get accepted into Vanderbilt feel like, but trust me things definitely have a way of working out for the best.
December 17th, 2010
@Barbara ~ I am sorry that you daughter did not get into Vanderbilt but so appreciate the class with which your comment was written. My son applied EDII and I have been watching the blogs but was saddened to read some of the emotionally charged comments. We all need to remember that our kids have done their best and will absolutely succeed wherever life takes them. Accepting news (good or bad) with grace is a lesson we need to all learn.
December 17th, 2010
Parents and Kids: I attended Vandy for grad school. My son was fortunate enough to get admitted for Class of 2015. But we waited 3 days for letter, and it was really an anxious period, even though he has high achievement. Bottom line: all of our wonderful kids will find their places in this world, wherever they go to school. I would like to suggest to Vandy – Why only the US Mail? If there is a reason for it, I have not figured it out? Not a criticism, just a constructive comment. Is there no way to give out a code or login and see the decision online? Best always.
December 18th, 2010
Wondering what IS the ‘SPECIAL QUALITY’ that Vanderbilt looks for after they see that the child has top grades, top percent of the class, active in sports and community, holds leadership positions, hold honors and has honors – just as they claim 97% had that are admitted.
I think you have to Stop that Meteor from Hitting the Earth in order to get in here. I’m still puzzled, baffled and hugely disappointed in Vandy’s reasoning. Katie….I agree, Vandy needs to change or advise what it is they mean when they say Holistic Review.
December 18th, 2010
Hi! I applied ED1 but did not recieve admission, unfortunately. I was wondering if I could call the Admissions Office to hear their opinions on how I could improve my application. Also, I was wondering what you look for in an appeal letter that would give a student admission. Thanks!
December 18th, 2010
I know that there have been some angry remarks made on these boards from students who did not receive an acceptance letter in the mail. We all need to remember that these remarks are made not as a put down to the well qualified students who did get good news, or to the admissions process itself, but instead are just the raw emotions of sad and disappointed kids. It is devastating to receive a rejection letter from a school that so many kids had placed their hopes and dreams. People who have written in the height of that emotion may say things that they really don’t mean.
Congratulations to those kids who will be attending Vandy in the fall! And to those who got disappointing news: although you don’t realize it yet, there is an amazing place for you! There are so many more applicants than there are places, but that doesn’t reflect on what great things you have accomplished and what you are going to accomplish in the future!
December 18th, 2010
What is the super special quality you look for over and above leadership and honors or academics and test scores? What did some of these kids have that others did not? Grades, Leadership, Honors, Scholars etc – what do they need to do to stand out (though it appears to be too late for mine). Do they need to stop the meteor from hitting the earth? I’m just curious.
Also, have you known the appeals to ever work in someones favor?
December 18th, 2010
Hi all:
Ny kids have accused me of being the Stalker Mom of the Vanderbilt Admissions Blog. First, I would like to applaud the Vandy admissions folks for this site. Our family has found this information invaluable.
I am excited to be the proud mom of Double ‘Dores. My son is a member of the class of 2013 and my daughter just received the news yesterday that she was accepted into the class of 2015.
My heart goes out to each and every student and parent who has experienced disappointment with the college admission process. However, based on our own experience I would like to echo some of the comments that have already been posted here. My son applied RD to colleges and universities and we were stunned when he did not get accepted or even deferred from his first choice, a peer institution of Vanderbilt. There is absolutely no appeal process at this institution and they will not reveal any information about their selection process. So while I know several of you have stated your frustration with the transparency of the process at Vanderbilt, I feel the admissions folks have made the process as open as possible. My son was waitlisted at Vandy and was admitted right before Memorial Day. (Note to future waitlisted students — it IS possible to get admitted off the waitlist!) To be 100% honest, when he enrolled at Vandy, we had no idea that it would be the perfect fit for him. However, his experience has been absolutely phenomenal; so much so, his sister decided Vanderbilt was her number one choice and applied ED.
Both my kids were members of a small International Baccalaureate program at their high school which consists of about only 20 students. It is interesting that while about half of my son’s class did not get admitted to their number one choice, all are extremely happy with their chosen institutions – every single one of them. As parents it is easy to forget how adaptable our kids are and given their strengths they can be happy and successful in many different situations. I think our experience has shown that sometimes when one door is shut, another door can open with equally promising opportunities. Best of luck to all of the 2015 applicants and parents!
December 18th, 2010
Were ALL of the letters sent out Tuesday, or just some of them? It is Saturday, four days later, and my letter is still not here yet. I don’t live too far away from Tennessee and don’t understand why it is taking this long. For the past four day I have been staked out in front of my mailbox. The anticipation is stressing me out and I cant even enjoy my Winter Break! Accepted or denied, I just want an answer!
Sorry.. Just had to get that out of my system :)
December 18th, 2010
Chad: All letters went out last Tuesday. You can call on the 21st if you still have not received your letter.
December 18th, 2010
Chad: I’m in the same situation, it’s so stressful!
December 19th, 2010
Hey! Thank you for keeping this blog, I just wanted to say that I was one of the kid with enough guts to apply ED to Vandy, and like a lot of other kids I didn’t get in (may I just say even though the letter stung, it was still as classy as they get). Of course we’re surprised! You don’t apply to a school like Vanderbilt thinking you don’t have what it takes to get in. But regardless, those of us who weren’t accepted now have the opportunity to go to a college that truly wants us to be there because we are amazing to them. Vandy is a great school and it’s not the only one. Best wishes to everyone and enjoy senior year!
December 22nd, 2010
Two things: @ Katie – my child received a 29 on their ACT and was in leadership (holding an a title as well)and actively involved in Extracurricular along w/ holding positions in Varsity sports, and phenominal grades and the entire ball of wax – yet my child did not get in – so consider yourself lucky – holistic review process didn’t seem to apply to my child.
Admissions: Do any appeals ever get overturned? This child deserves a second look and you would be thrilled to have them represent Vanderbilt – truthfully – how many appeals work to the students advantage? Is it worth it to consider?
December 23rd, 2010
Matt; See my Happy Holidays! post regarding appeals.
December 27th, 2010
Wow. So many of you are scaring me. My daughter is going EDII and will be saddened if she doesn’t get in, but it won’t end her world and I won’t over-react which I think will make it harder for her to accept if she isn’t admitted. As many have posted, wherever our children end up will be what they make it. AND, no one said you can’t try to transfer into Vandy later…
Good luck to all and I’m going to begin meditating now.
January 17th, 2011
I also got accepted on ED1 and am stoked for move in day!
February 14th, 2016
I do not want to appear bitter at all, however, I am inquisitive as to the results each year.
Regarding the holistic approach, I am curious how 100% of those admitted seem to always be in the top 10% of their class?
Our situation involves a very small IB school, (59) graduating, intertwined with a regular high school, probably (500) graduating. They do everything as a part of the high school, except the class rank, so only the top (6) students are in the top 10%, of an extremely demanding IB program.
It is over, and extremely sad for our child that had his heart set on this university.
It is my opinion that your presentation, we all attended (in Tampa), really gives the students too much false hope of the holistic approach, and the value of rigor.
Had I performed closer analysis, I would have advised him to use his ED for a safer bet,
I pray all of the upper-end colleges do not come out like this.
Thank you for your consideration, and good luck to all of you.
February 15th, 2016
Thank you for your comment. While our admissions process is holistic in nature, with an applicant pool that is both large and highly qualified, the process is also highly competitive. Most years, roughly 90-95% of enrolling students, whose high schools report rank, graduate in the top 10% of their high school class. Be aware, however, that many high schools do not report rank. We certainly take into account rigor of curriculum as we review applications for admission.
For more information on this year’s class, please see http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/vandybloggers/2016/02/class-of-2020-early-decision-summary-statistics/ We understand that receiving negative news is very difficult, and we hope that our presentation of a few data points helps put our decision into context.