Academic Life Category
Vanderbilt Changes Lives
Nov. 9, 2010—Loren Pope’s tome Colleges That Change Lives offends me. Responding to the book, however, is difficult. Here’s my dilemma: CTCL highlights 40 schools that deserve serious consideration from students as they progress towards post-secondary education. In no way do I find fault with the talented students, staff, or faculty of these aforementioned schools. These 40...
Arts & Science Update
Sep. 1, 2010—I intended to write about the Commons today. I’ll talk plenty about the first-year living experience throughout this blog. However, today I want to relay information from Dr. McIntyre, an Associate Dean in the College of Arts and Science. Admissions counselors sit through hours of update meetings from various departments across campus at the...
Counselor Conference 2010
Apr. 8, 2010—Between April 8th and April 11th the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will host Counselor Conference 2010. It’s just another way we try to reach out to our students and truly learn about the context from which they come. For the next three days we will have 100 high school counselors from 28 states, the District...
"Back to School, Back to School"
Jan. 28, 2010—Download Professor Bess’s WWII lecture. Yes, I am referencing Adam Sandler’s song from “Billy Madison” and yes, that last statement made me look old (you were probably three when that movie came out) and yes, last week I went back to school. Last week I returned to my one of favorite lectures and my favorite...
Exciting News from the International Student and Scholar Services Office
Jan. 13, 2010—The International Student and Scholar Services Office serves over 1300 internationals from 92 countries. The following are some upcoming events: International Lens– a film series with a global perspective, uses film screenings as a forum to promote conversation among Vanderbilt’s diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. International Lens strives to transcend geographic, ethnic, religious,...
Reading Day
Dec. 11, 2009—Yesterday was the last day of classes for the fall semester. Today is Reading Day. Finals begin tomorrow, and continue throughout next week. For everyone, this is an intense time of year. How to capture the feel? People head in every direction. Papers, projects, and presentations were due this week and last—and were being completed...
Greetings from the Office of Student Financial Aid and Undergraduate Scholarships
Dec. 10, 2009—I hope this entry finds you having a great holiday season! I just wanted to provide a brief update regarding processing for both merit and need-based financial assistance. Please remember, visit our financial aid website should you have any questions regarding financial assistance at Vanderbilt. Also, you may send questions via e-mail to finaid@vanderbilt.edu. Ingram...
Stress Coping Tips (from someone who's been there)
Dec. 7, 2009—I’ve had a lot of experience with school and school-related stress. Throughout my undergraduate education, graduate education, and my time here at the OUA I have developed a few coping mechanisms. As many of you await our Early Decision I letters and most of you wrap-up semesters with final projects and exams, let me hand...
On to Finals
Dec. 2, 2009—This is always an interesting time of year at Vanderbilt. Everyone has just returned from a week-long (plus two weekends) Thanksgiving Break. It’s not wise for us professors to suggest to our students that they’re going off on vacation for a week. The way our academic calendar is structured, students inevitably have some work, sometimes...
New OUA Website = One-Click Connect to Vandyland
Nov. 11, 2009—Today we debuted our newly structured and redesigned website to our prospective students families and high school partners. Features of the new site a streamlined and dramaticall simplified structure where all of the admissions/financial aid/Vanderbilt information you've asked for is one click away including a "find your major" drop down. No more having to crawl through dozens of websites just to find your major.
What You Could Learn from Rocking "Rock Band"
Nov. 6, 2009—Eran Egozy, co-founder and Chief Technical Officer at Harmonix Music Systems which develops the interactive music video game Rock Band will speak 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, in Vanderbilt's Student Life Center. The talk will address creativity in leadership and the cultural impact of the many wildy popular interactive music games on the marketplace today.
Gimme Shelter: Housing Deadline Approaching
May. 27, 2009—Your housing application is due this coming Monday June 1st. This deadline applies to any new incoming student (transfer included). Jason Jakubowski from University Housing posted a letter on Commonplace that explains how to apply. June 1st also marks the first of several important deadlines for the incoming class.