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‘College Admissions’

Secrets from the Admissions Office

Sep. 15, 2010—While I know everyone reading our Vandy Admissions Blog loves hearing from me, I want to point readers today to a Newsweek Education article.  Our Dean of Admissions sat down with Newsweek Education and answered critical questions we hear everyday in OUA.

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Writing a Personal Statement

Sep. 13, 2010—Last year I was responsible for approximately 1,000 applications.  Numerically, far too many of my students look identical.  It’s the intangible pieces: essay, letters of recommendation, and extracurriculars that set one student apart from another.  The essay is my personal favorite.  I love a good story.  I know, though, that this can be a stressful...

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Meet Andrew Moe

Sep. 10, 2010—My hometown is Janesville, Wisconsin. I am the admissions counselor responsible for Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, North Carolina, Central America, and South America.

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Theme Words

Sep. 9, 2010—I hear about colleges all day long.  It’s (obviously) what I do for a living.  I know from my own college search experiences and my day-to-day job that many institutions begin to blend together and sound exactly alike.  Students and families seek to understand what’s different about Vanderbilt.  How does Vanderbilt set itself apart from...

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When in Rome?

Sep. 7, 2010—OUA counselors and student tour guides are frequently responding to myths about going to college in the South.  Perhaps most often we’re asked, “Is it true that girls wear dresses and guys wear button-ups to football games?!”  I find myself, fellow counselors, and student guides falling over ourselves trying to explain the tradition.  Sometimes our...

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Inside Dores

Sep. 3, 2010—We’re currently working on developing a new landing page for our Black and Gold Bloggers.  In the mean time, don’t forget to check out our student blog, Inside ‘Dores!  We’ve got some great new material posted this week.

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Meet Maria Ornelas

Sep. 3, 2010—My hometown is Denver, CO. I am the admissions counselor responsible for Eastern and Middle Tennessee (except Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, and Montgomery Counties) and Ohio (except Cincinnati/Dayton).

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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...

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College Rankings: Everybody is an Expert

Aug. 30, 2010—Last night I thought it would be a rather clever time for me to write my Monday blog about college rankings.  Today I woke up and everybody is writing their Monday blog about college rankings!  My Twitter feed is overwhelmed with opinions on the topic and all the major newspapers have an angle on the...

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First Day of School

Aug. 25, 2010—School is now in session!  Today marks the first day of classes for Vanderbilt student.  Campus was quiet and pastoral all summer; it’s wonderful to have this infusion of energy in town.  Throughout the summer I told visiting families to come back for a visit this fall.  So sign up for visit programs now!  They...

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The Campus Tour

Aug. 18, 2010—If you attended one of our Road Show events this past week you know we highly encourage a campus visit to follow.  There’s simply no replacement for standing in the middle of Alumni Lawn, hearing music resonate from the sky, and knowing this is where you want to spend the next chapter of your life. ...

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Summertime at OUA

Jun. 29, 2010—People I meet throughout life often believe my job is on a 10-month contract with summers off work.  Contrary to belief, however, there is a great deal of behind-the-scenes work to be done in the summer months and I am here at OUA year-round. So what exactly do admission counselors do when they’re not traveling...

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