Skip to main content

En Route Now: Early Decision I Letters

Posted by on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 in Academic Life, Admissions Committee, Application Process.

Today, decision letters left our office in Nashville bound for the homes of Early Decision I applicants. It is with great excitement that we tell you this, as seemingly countless hours have been spent on your end and ours getting to this point. It is also with great pride: Never before in our institution’s history has the applicant pool been so academically qualified, geographically diverse, and engaged in their communities.

If you’ve read past mailing day posts, you know that it’s our policy to publish a comprehensive post only after EDII decisions have been mailed that details the most salient data of our combined EDI and EDII applicant pool. While we can’t paint a complete portrait yet, we can let you in on a few highlights:

  • EDI applications were up significantly versus last year and the applicant pool presented the most impressive academic credentials that Vanderbilt has seen
  • Additionally, virtually all admitted EDI students were highly engaged in their communities, having received one or more significant honors, serving in major leadership positions while in high school, or distinguishing themselves in the fine arts and athletics

While this is undoubtedly an exciting time for Vanderbilt, we recognize that many of you will receive some tough news this week. And we know, of course, that telling you about the competitiveness of this applicant pool does little to mitigate the frustration of being denied admission. But we do hope you’ll take it to heart when we say that not one of our decisions is made lightly. In fact, as we’ve said before, most applicants to Vanderbilt could succeed here, which is why our counselors labor over these decisions with great care long after most have gone home for the night – for many nights on end. Regardless of the decision you receive this week, we know that you will succeed in college and beyond no matter where you land.

Before signing off, we also wanted to mention that applicants living outside the United States will receive their decisions via email Thursday, December 15. Moreover, in the unlikely event that you do not receive your decision by mail, you may receive your admissions decision via phone on or after Tuesday, December 20. During normal business hours, we will be glad to direct you to either your assigned admissions counselor (if available) or an “on-call” officer who can answer your questions.

From all of us at the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, thank you for your interest in Vanderbilt and congratulations to the first members of the Class of 2016!

Tags: , , , , ,

Responses

  • Dustin L

    December 13th, 2011

    CONGRATS to the newest Commodores! Kudos!

  • Anonymous

    December 13th, 2011

    the next 24-48 hrs are going to be an eternity!

  • Anxiously awaiting

    December 13th, 2011

    I cannot wait for my letter to get to Austin, TX

  • Kelsey

    December 13th, 2011

    how long does this takae to reach Houston? So nervous/excited! GO DORES

  • Sitting at my mailbox

    December 13th, 2011

    Ah I’m so anxious! I’ve been counting down ’til this day since I submitted my application!

  • guest

    December 13th, 2011

    Are all of the letters a standard size?

  • Jstilly1

    December 13th, 2011

    Well there goes sleep for the next two nights!

  • Kelly

    December 13th, 2011

    I live 30 minutes away from Nashville, so hopefully my letter will be here tomorrow! :D :D :D

  • Kayladore

    December 13th, 2011

    I’m just an hour outside of Nashville. The next 15-20 hours of my life will be spent pacing back and forth in front of my mailbox. Off I go!

  • Emily

    December 13th, 2011

    I’ll be the girl sitting in a lawn chair waiting for the mail every day until the letter gets here.  

  • Meberlein12

    December 14th, 2011

    I’m all the way up in Cleveland, Ohio. I have literally never been this nervous for something In my entire life! Good luck to all, and I hope we can all meet this coming fall :) 

  • Ed

    December 14th, 2011

    Let’s go Houston

  • ChrisFitz

    December 14th, 2011

    This news makes it really hard for me to study for finals!

  • Domi

    December 14th, 2011

    I know right???

  • Ben Funkhouser

    December 15th, 2011

    Definitely! I can’t wait until next year and all of us are finished by now.

  • Anonymous

    December 15th, 2011

    It’s finals week right now at Vanderbilt, no such luck…

  • Maddie

    December 14th, 2011

    My heart hasn’t stopped beating since I read this blod post.  I really can’t believe this day is finally here.  Can’t wait to finally find out :)

  • A_giedd

    December 14th, 2011

    Well I’m glad your heart hasn’t stopped beating!

  • Patrick

    December 14th, 2011

    It felt like we had 60 days left about a week ago. Now we have one day left!

  • NERVOUS

    December 14th, 2011

    I have never been this nervous about anything. Will be sleeping by the mailbox until it comes!

  • Katie

    December 14th, 2011

    freaking out right about now, so nervous!

  • FRANTIC

    December 14th, 2011

    Pitching a tent by the mailbox. 

  • Trotter Kj

    December 14th, 2011

    So nervous but excited! I’m tired of waiting!

  • Cmrice13

    December 14th, 2011

    Well, there goes my sanity for however long it takes to get a letter.

  • Vn713

    December 14th, 2011

    Accepted! I live about twenty minutes from Vandy and my letter came today in the mail! So happy, good luck everyone.

  • Domi

    December 14th, 2011

    gratz

  • Domi

    December 14th, 2011

    I’m so scared to check the mail tomorrow. T_T

  • Jim

    December 14th, 2011

    Got my letter!! I am in !!! Only to find out that I get only $2,200 of aid( for working) .
    No way my family can afford $64,000 cost…

    Devastated :( ( .sort of wish I was not accepted…

  • waitingbythemailbox

    December 15th, 2011

    That’s really a shame that a kid that is bright enough and worked hard enough to make it into such a great school gets slammed with nothing but the offer of an underpaid job.

  • TX Mom

    December 15th, 2011

    Jim – Have you completed the FAFSA to see what grants and loans are available?  There is financial aid out there. Don’t give up until you have called Vandy and looked everywhere for financial aid.

  • Ryan Burleson

    December 15th, 2011

    Hi Jim. Please contact the financial aid office with your concerns. And congrats on being accepted. 

  • Jake

    December 14th, 2011

    Are the decisions supposed to arrive on the 15th at the latest?

  • Ryan Burleson

    December 15th, 2011

    Hi Jake. Unfortunately we can’t say for 100% certainty that all letters will arrive by today. In the unlikely event that your letter doesn’t arrive by the 20th, you are welcome to give our office a call. 

  • Zoe

    December 14th, 2011

    Ah! Up in Boston, MA right now freaking out! This blog post just increased my anxiety…good luck everyone!

  • Megan

    December 14th, 2011

    Oh my gosh, I hope a letter is in my mailbox tomorrow. The wait is just unbearable!

    Good luck everyone! (:

  • SamR

    December 15th, 2011

    Did anyone else’s gut drop when they read this? The day I get this letter could either be the worst day of my life or the best… not sure if I should be excited or scared :( gahhh!!!!

  • Jstilly1

    December 15th, 2011

    Completely agreed!

  • Ben Funkhouser

    December 15th, 2011

    Yup, sanity absolutely gone…I have around 15 hours to wait for the email, and I am seriously considering not sleeping until I receive it.

  • Charles

    December 15th, 2011

    Is there not an email being sent?

  • Meher

    December 15th, 2011

    Has any international student received the email so far?

  • Ryan Burleson

    December 15th, 2011

    EDI decisions will be sent to students living outside the U.S. today.

  • Kayla

    December 15th, 2011

    i know of one person who got the email, but i still haven’t gotten mine. :/

  • will

    December 15th, 2011

    what time are the emails being sent?

  • waitingbythemailbox

    December 15th, 2011

    Curious why Vanderbilt uses snail mail rather than email for the notifications. 

  • Anxious Parent

    December 15th, 2011

    Or have an online notification system like many other university do.  Log in and check your application status…then a snail mail letter is sent as a follow up.

  • Relieved parent

    December 15th, 2011

    I work at a Big Ten university and I wondered the same thing. Emails are sent out at 5 p.m. on the day decisions are released and students can also check online to see if they were admitted. The traditional letter follows. BTW, my son did get his letter today (we’re in Indiana) and he got in! 

  • Lcalvert4

    December 15th, 2011

    As an alumna, I am VERY proud that Vanderbilt uses a dignified manner of correspondence such as the United States mail. 

  • Calvin

    December 15th, 2011

    True, but still why not email the decisions and free stress from the applicants, and also send snail mail to the people who were granted admission? Saves paper, time, and most importantly, shows that Vanderbilt is with the times.

  • shelby

    December 15th, 2011

    Regardless of where we live in the U.S., will we receive our letters today?

  • Ryan Burleson

    December 15th, 2011

    Hi Shelby. I can confirm that all letters left here together on Tuesday, but can’t confirm that everyone will receive their letters on a certain date, unfortunately. I know it’s a long time to wait, but if for some reason your letter doesn’t arrive by December 20th, you are welcome to give our office a call. However, it’s unlikely that you will have to wait that long.

  • Waesfv

    December 15th, 2011

    has anyone recieved their letter yet?

  • NERVOUS

    December 15th, 2011

    have all the emails been sent out yet? 

  • anon.houston

    December 15th, 2011

    has anyone in houston recieved their letter yet? my mail just came and i live by rice university (so close to post office) and i got letters but none from vanderbilt….anyone else in houston in same position?

  • Kel

    December 15th, 2011

    I’m houston too! And I haven’t gotten my mail today yet (it doesn’t come until around 7 at night which hasn’t been an inconvenice until this haha) but I’m hoping for tomorrow! I think tomorrow we definitely should hear! Good Luck!!

  • mnm

    December 15th, 2011

    I live in Kingwood (20 miles north of Houston) and I just got my mail but no letter from Vandy.

  • anon

    December 15th, 2011

    What time will decisions be emailed to international students (Nashville time)? I don’t want to be waiting up all night refreshing my email if it’s coming in late.

  • emma

    December 15th, 2011

    did anyone else not recieve their letter today?? i live in ny and ive been so crazy all day, but it didn’t come!!! 

  • Robbie

    December 15th, 2011

    I live in CT and didn’t get mine either

  • Aeckstein93

    December 15th, 2011

    same!!!

  • Guest

    December 15th, 2011

    I live in PA and didn’t get mine either!

  • guest

    December 15th, 2011

    im in texas and didnt get mine

  • Sunshine

    December 15th, 2011

    I live in NJ, still no response… crossing my fingers for tomorrow! Good luck everyone!!

  • anxious

    December 15th, 2011

    I’m still waiting it out in Nebraska. These past few days have been killing me!

  • ChrisFitz

    December 16th, 2011

    From Colorado, not here! Why must I be tortured like this?

  • Ben Funkhouser

    December 15th, 2011

    Accepted, one of the happiest moments of my life! :D
    Wasn’t there supposed to be some sort of preliminary financial aid information along with acceptance letters, because I didn’t get anything like that, just my email of decision…

  • Classicalgeek11

    December 15th, 2011

    I’m in Branson sweating it out!! Will be sleeping in the mailbox for the next couple days…..

  • Jstilly1

    December 15th, 2011

    If they’re checking this, I send a huge thank you to the Admissions Office from Indiana!

  • Ryan Burleson

    December 15th, 2011

    We’re here!

  • anxious

    December 15th, 2011

    I live in Florida – no letter :(

  • Jake

    December 15th, 2011

    If they’re checking this, why don’t you guys just email everyone on the 15th?

  • FRANTIC

    December 15th, 2011

    Pitched a tent all for nothing. It didn’t come ):

  • guest

    December 15th, 2011

    Are the letters sent out by priority or regular mail?

  • Charity

    December 15th, 2011

    Checking my mail everyday as soon as I get home. (: I’m so excited I can’t even wait!

  • Kayla

    December 15th, 2011

    Have all of the e-mails for students overseas been sent yet? I still haven’t received mine :/ 

  • Ryan Burleson

    December 19th, 2011

    Yes, all emails have been sent. Please make sure to check your junk mail/spam folder if you haven’t received it.

  • Taylor

    December 15th, 2011

    My mom flagged down our mailman three blocks from our house just see to if my letter had come. I live in MS, near Memphis, so we assumed it would be here on the 15th.   Thankfully, my extreme embarrassment was offset by the simple fact that I was accepted!! Good Luck to everyone else!

  • parent

    December 16th, 2011

    Given how stressful this whole process is, I don’t understand why Vanderbilt doesn’t simply do the kinder thing and let the kids know by email, like most of the other schools. 

  • matthew

    December 16th, 2011

    Vanderbilt needs to get with the times and send out emails.  the us postal service is very slow and causing my nerves to freak out!!! i want to get my letter already!!!

  • Guest

    December 16th, 2011

    anyone in pa receive their letter today- 12/16?

  • waitingbythemailbox

    December 16th, 2011

    Apparently in PA we have a Vande envelope waiting for us.  According to witnesses … its a regular size envelope with possibly two pieces of paper in it.  What have people been getting as far as rejections/acceptances?? Will be a long wait to get home today.

  • guest

    December 17th, 2011

    its a normal size envelope but you can definitely tell if its thick or not because if youre accepted you have about 4 pages in there. good luck!

  • anonymous

    December 16th, 2011

    People that have been accepted – did you letter come in a regular size envelope or a big one?

  • Alexshecht

    December 16th, 2011

    Regular. A friend who got in early last year warned me not to be scared if the envelope was small because they don’t send the big packet until April along with the regular decision applicants – my envelope was small and I GOT IN :)!

  • ZMK

    December 16th, 2011

    Regular size

  • kristin

    December 16th, 2011

    i’ve checked my mail about 3 times…so nervous. vandy, please send emails!

  • waitingbythemailbox

    December 16th, 2011

    Great ACT scores, the IB program, great GPA, tons of activities, a summer of PAVE …REJECTED.  Thanks,Vanderbilt

  • Taylor_jeanne

    December 18th, 2011

    Same thing with me. Don’t know exactly what they’re looking for. They missed out, that’s for sure.

  • jimhalp

    December 19th, 2011

    1440 on SAT math/reading, valedictorian, capt. of football team, SCA VP, NHS treasurer, a million other activities, even had an rotc scholarship placed at vandy- rejected. oh well, like goes on.

  • Vandyguest

    December 16th, 2011

    Denied. Heartbroken. I have wanted to go since 10th grade. it was my main motivation since then. it was why i studied that extra hour, why i went to the early morning review, why i stayed up late to get ahead. and now it is all over. never felt this bad before. I cant think of anything else i could have done. i interviewed, visited kept in contact with the rep and it was all for nothing. 

  • Concerned Teacher

    December 16th, 2011

    Vandyguest, I’m a teacher of someone who is waiting by the mailbox as you were and I do a lot of college advising in my school and in the community. I’m here to tell you there ISN’T anything else you could have done. The numbers didn’t add up for reasons that probably had nothing to do with you. You sound like a bright, well-intentioned kid with a big heart. Have a good cry, then get off the deck and follow your bliss to the next stop. You’re going to be fine. You will make it all work and you will wind up with a magnificent college experience that will be one of the great joys of your lifetime. Hang in there. There are wonderful days ahead!

  • parent

    December 17th, 2011

    Vandyguest, as a parent of a kid who went through the same thing 3 years ago and was completely devastated, I can tell you with a good amount of confidence that it’ll work out for you, and you will end up in a school that will make you very happy. And you will see that while Vanderbilt may not be in the cards for you, all your hard work will have paid off. You will also take away from this a very valuable lesson…that there are always other options to happiness. It may not feel that way now, but I’d be shocked if you don’t end up feeling that way.

  • concerned parent

    December 16th, 2011

    I too am an axcious parent! Patiently waiting for this letter. It is painful to watch my daughter stress to no end waiting to hear when all her friends all received some form of communication that they have been accepted to the school of choice. I so hope we get the letter tomorrow (Saturday). Good luck everyone!

  • OneProudSister

    December 16th, 2011

    You guys missed out on a great girl. Best of luck to everyone else.

  • Anonymous

    December 16th, 2011

    Accepted!!!!

  • haley

    December 16th, 2011

    I live in san diego and i just got mine today! I got in!! :) Soo excitedd!

  • Allie

    December 16th, 2011

    I am in Boston and still have yet to receive mine, this wait is killing me!

  • Aeaton12

    December 16th, 2011

    has anyone from the west coast gotten a letter? specifically California? 

  • Fauxreal

    December 16th, 2011

    There will be celebrating tonight in Tampa Bay……

  • M2vander

    December 16th, 2011

    Newport Beach, Ca.—-Long miserable wait, but worth it.  Regular size envelope; thick with 5 pages and return envelpoe.  WOW.  Couldn’t be happier. 

  • Charity

    December 16th, 2011

    Accepted! And the financial aid package is enough I can go. So happy! I can’t wait for next year now. (:

  • Chris

    December 17th, 2011

    Well the letter didn’t show up Friday as hoped, now I have to board a flight for North Carolina without even knowing. 

  • matthew

    December 17th, 2011

    GOT MY LETTER!!!!! ACCEPTED!!!! CAN NOT WAIT FOR NEXT YEAR! ITS GONNA BE CRAZY

  • Mailbox mom

    December 17th, 2011

    Anxious parent……Mail comes at 6:30pm and mailman had to slam on his breaks to avoid hitting me as I was dashing to the curb mailbox.. No letter. Got his phone # and he promised first delivery next day. Letter finally made it and so did SHE!!!!   Good luck everyone!

  • Crushed

    December 17th, 2011

    Devastated :( Vanderbilt was all I wanted for so long and my motivation through all the hard times this year. I just wish there was something I could have done. 

  • Fan of Dandy Vandy.

    December 19th, 2011

    Accepted! Best news ever! Congrats to everyone else who made it in and I hope those who didn’t continue their academic lives happily! Have a great remainder of your senior years and I will see ya’ll next year!!!!! :D

  • Anonymous

    December 21st, 2011

    I still haven’t gotten my letter….

  • Ryan Burleson

    December 22nd, 2011

    I’m so sorry to hear that. Please call our office today at 800-288-0432 and you will be directed to the appropriate contact.

    Note that our office will be closed tomorrow, December 23rd, as well as December 26th and December 30th, in observance of the holidays.

  • waitingbythemailbox

    December 22nd, 2011

    It’s interesting that with great ACT scores, GPA, a summer at Vande and recommendations from their own staff, I was rejected and yet the other schools I applied to, equally as good, not only accepted me but also offered me incredible scholarships.  Vande, you really aren’t all you’ve cracked yourself up to be!

  • guest

    December 22nd, 2011

    that is the truest thing i’ve ever heard. i met with admissions counselors, had extraordinary recommendations, outstanding alumni interview… everything, and I didn’t get in.. Oh well! Vanderbilt is too glamorized for all that it is. 

  • SamR

    December 23rd, 2011

    Didn’t get in. Crushed. I do not even care where I go now. Experiencing identity crisis since Vanderbilt is the goal I have always had for myself. I am so done. I guess I wasn’t good enough, ha story of my life. Oh well…. I guess I can just hope that I can get a job at Wal-Mart. FML

  • Jstilly1

    December 30th, 2011

    Is there a way to confirm if the matriculation deposit has been received of which anyone knows? 

  • Carolyn Pippen

    December 30th, 2011

    Hi Jstilly! You can call or email your admissions counselor to inquire if your deposit has been received. Make sure to leave several days for processing, seeing as we are getting so much mail at our office this time of year. Contact info for your counselor can be found here: http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/counselor.php

  • Upset kid

    December 30th, 2011

    It’s been almost 2 weeks and I still am fuming over denial. My entire work ethic was based on trying to gain admission into my dream school. I did everything possible. Stayed up to study. Woke up early for reviews. Took harder classes. Killed myself on papers. Spent money I didn’t have on a trip to Nashville for a black and gold day. Went to road shows. Went to fairs. All for not. I had great numbers and I couldn’t even get a second chance. I would do anything to go here and it looks like my only hope is a transfer. I don’t know how to handle this dissapointment. I have never worked this hard for anything before and failed. Thanks a lot admissions team.

  • FX2112

    January 9th, 2012

    I’m still waiting for mine.

  • Ryan Burleson

    January 9th, 2012

    Please give our office (or your admissions officer) a call.

    Office of Undergraduate Admissions: 800-288-0432 (toll free)

    Your Admissions Counselor: http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/counselor.php