Skip to main content

‘Vanderbilt Admissions Blog’

ED1 Decisions for VU Class of 2014 Are Out the Door

Dec. 15, 2009—At 7:30 AM this morning, the US postal service carried the first decision letters of the Vanderbilt class of 2014. The momentum that Vanderbilt has been on for the last five years keeps on rolling, due at least in part to The Commons, our Expanded Aid program, and our increasingly national and international reputation.

Read more


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...

Read more


The Family Reunion Two Question Phenomenon

Nov. 24, 2009—If you're a college applying senior though the gathering of uncle Sid and aunt Colleen over the holiday means one thing, you better have an answer for those inevitable two questions you'll be getting: "Where do you want to go next year?" and "What do you want to major in?" My advice: make something up and make it awkward funny.

Read more


Waitlist Released: VU 2013 Class Full

Jul. 15, 2009—Later today we will be emailing official word that we are releasing our waitlist for the Vanderbilt class of 2013. If you have been following along, you know that we haven't made any offers to the list since late May. We had been waiting to release the waitlist just in case we needed to make more offers. Like most things in highly selective admissions, on one hand it is exciting that that we're one step closer to the next incoming class starting at Vandy, on the other, I also know that this comes as a disappointment for those of you that were still out there waiting.

Read more


Common App Available for VU Class of 2014

Jul. 2, 2009—All is still quiet on the waitlist front, and I have no news there. The waitlist is still open and active. We have officially closed all transfer admissions however for the Fall. Today we'll be sending out the following email to all rising seniors on our mailing list announcing start of a new admissions cycle.

Read more


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.

Read more


Waitlist Calling Starts

May. 7, 2009—We will start making offers of admission from our waitlist and we will begin doing so starting this evening and tomorrow.  A review of our deposits reveals that we are exactly where we had hoped to be, that is, to be able to admit from the waitlist.  I do not know how many offers we...

Read more


Senior Week: The Vanderbilt I know

May. 4, 2009—The week is senior week here at Vanderbilt. Commencement activities start winding up on Wednesday, which by the way you can follow on Twitter. There's a story unfolding at this year's graduation that reminds me why I love this time of year, and why Vandy is a special place to me.

Read more


Waitlist Check-in Emails Update

Apr. 27, 2009—Today we will be sending out an email to students who have accepted a spot on our waitlist. The email, which is included below, will ask you to visit a short online form to update us on your continued interest in Vanderbilt, specifically, if you still wish to remain on our waitlist.

Read more


A Tuesday Intellectual on a Friday Afternoon

Apr. 21, 2009—At Vanderbilt, we feel comfortable putting our classroom experience up against any University, but we're biased). What I have come to understand in my three years here though is that this highly intellectual community maintains such a high level of livability for many Vanderbilt students. To me, Vanderbilt offers Tuesday morning academics in a setting that feels like a Friday afternoon. I reject that if a student wants an elite academic experience that they have to put up with a community that is cut-throat and staid.

Read more


Waitlist Confirmation Emails Going Out

Apr. 16, 2009—A quick check-in post for the waitlist folks. Starting last Friday we started sending out waitlist confirmation emails. They will go out regularly over then next several weeks as we receive waitlist reply cards.

Read more


What To Do If You've Been Waitlisted

Apr. 2, 2009—This year, Vanderbilt's pool of applicants was so strong that many students who may have been admitted even a year ago were offered a spot on our waitlist. Keep in mind that it was equally difficult to be offered a spot on our waitlist as it was to be admitted. Still, I know that many students and families are unclear about what being on a waitlist means, and as such, I hope this post provides some insight into Vanderbilt's waitlist process.

Read more