Application Process Category
Thanksgiving Week Information
Nov. 23, 2010—Hopefully the information below helps keep you in the loop this holiday week! I hope you have an amazing time with friends and family on Thanksgiving. Relax and give yourself the break you deserve.
How We Read a File
Nov. 19, 2010—In a previous post I walked readers through how all of our mail makes it into a complete application file. I ended with the file landing in the “Read me!” bin of my office. The question begs, then what? How does an admissions counselor actually read a file, what are we looking for, and where...
TROUBLESHOOTING the Alumni Interview
Nov. 18, 2010—Here are a few troubleshooting tips for our alumni interview process. If you have additional questions, please feel free to post in the comments and we’ll get you an answer shortly!
If you received an incomplete notice…
Nov. 10, 2010—Yesterday we sent out several hundred incomplete notices to students intending to apply Early Decision I. We understand that many of these items are in our office and simply have not yet processed. If you received a notice, don’t stress out, you will receive consideration under our ED I plan as long as your application...
Application Status UPDATE
Nov. 3, 2010—You hit submit. Whew. Take a breather, you’ve earned it. I understand that now you want to follow up and confirm we’ve received materials. However, give us some time. We have HUNDREDS of applications and pieces of applications pouring into our office every day. It takes time to process all of that snail mail and...
Early Decision on the Mind
Oct. 26, 2010—Yesterday I was sitting in a coffee shop in Bloomington, Indiana spacing off and thinking about the small joys of life – I had my first John Cougar Mellencamp sighting! I spent four years in Bloomington and it wasn’t until I came back several years after moving that I saw JCM milling about. This was...
Tips for Your Alumni Interview
Oct. 20, 2010—Interviews for college admissions can be a stressful experience. Let’s admit it, a large portion of the college application process can be stressful. Try to squash the stress. This should be fun. During your senior year of college you have the opportunity to dream about what could be, about the possibilities, and you can imagine...
Alumni Interviews NOW Available!
Oct. 18, 2010—I can’t believe I’m wrapping up my final week of fall recruitment. Hopefully, I’ll see many of the students I’ve met these past few months on campus next year! As we reach the peak of application season, be aware that alumni interviews are an optional part of the application process at Vanderbilt. Alumni interviews at...
Wrapping Up Travel Season – What Comes Next?
Oct. 11, 2010—Hopefully, you’ve had the chance to meet an admissions representative from our office in the past few months. Officers (including myself) from Vanderbilt traveled extensively this fall in order to meet prospective students in their hometowns. If you didn’t get to meet one of us in your region, come visit us! OUA is open six...
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....
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...