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‘Vanderbilt Admissions Blog’

Need-Based Financial Aid at Vanderbilt

Aug. 9, 2010—Talking about need-based financial aid is one of my least favorite tasks as an admissions counselor.  My students and their families hear the sticker price and absorb little of the discussion that follows.  But stay with me through this conversation.  Those who tune me out are often those who would benefit the most from Vanderbilt’s...

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Meet Mary Beth Hettinger

Aug. 6, 2010—This year we’ll be profiling each of our admissions counselors here in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Through these profiles you’ll see that we’re from all over the world, we specialize in different tasks, and we really love the city of Nashville!  This week I’d like to introduce you to Mary Beth Hettinger… My hometown...

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Connecting with Your VU Admissions Counselor

Aug. 4, 2010—I just finished a book titled “Don’t Stalk the Admissions Officer” where the advice was average at best, but the humor was timely.  Many of my students want me to have a face to put with their name, but in the quest to become real to me, a few students exhibit unreal behavior.  Examples include...

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What College Admissions Officers REALLY Want You to Know

Aug. 2, 2010—Standing in the reference aisle of Border’s yesterday I found myself both overwhelmed and amused with the plethora of admissions advice displayed on the shelves. One book, in particular, jumped out at me, the subtitle was “What College Admissions Officers Don’t Want You to Know”. As I flipped through the chapters I found absolutely nothing...

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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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On Summer Time

Jun. 2, 2010—In the summertime, I sometimes take to walking our campus to get some air and clear my head. Vanderbilt's resplendent campus in the summer morning sun - it's extraordinary.

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2010 Waitlist Information

Apr. 2, 2010—I know that being on a waitlist isn't ideal, and after all of this time applying to college you probably are not that psyched about more waiting. We will do all that we can to keep you informed. For those of you who have been offered a space on the waitlist I wanted to draw your attention to a post we made last year that addresses many of the questions and concerns you may have (and that I see in your posted comments).

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Letter Checking Nearly Complete: Mailing Currently on Schedule

Mar. 25, 2010—Everything is still looking good for a tomorrow morning mailing of our decision notifications. Decision checking went very well and we are now into the letter checking phase, where we will check each letter that will leave our office tomorrow to make sure that the envelope and the letters match. Barring any last minute delay the letters should leave here tomorrow.

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Part III – Tips For Applying to College

Mar. 8, 2010—This is part III of a three part series entitled The Dos and Don’ts of Applying to College.  In the first two entries I covered the Dos and the Don’ts for the college search process. In six months time you will finally be applying to colleges, so when that time comes here a few final thoughts...

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#12 UT @ #24 Vanderbilt – ESPN 7 pm EST

Feb. 9, 2010—It is Rivalry week in college basketball and our cross state rival Tennessee comes to town. Vandy Fanatics, our school spirit org. called for a “WHITE OUT” so all fans will be wearing white to support the ‘Dores. We will need sophomore star Jeff Taylor and freshman John Jenkins to return to form tonight in...

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#23 Vandy @ #1 Kentucky- 4 pm EST ESPN

Jan. 30, 2010—Don’t forget to watch the Commodores big game today at #1 ranked Kentucky. The game is on ESPN and starts at 4 pm EST. This is yet another huge game for the ‘Dores, as we head into Rupp Arena looking to hand Kentucky their second straight loss. We take our ten game win streak on...

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Vandy @ UT tonight

Jan. 27, 2010—Don’t forget to watch #23 Vandy tonight at rival #14 Tennessee on ESPN U at 7 pm EST.  Vanderbilt is off to its best SEC start since the 1965-66 season and the campus is excited for the first big SEC game of the season.  Vanderbilt is in middle of a tough road game stretch with a huge upcoming showdown at #1...

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