‘Vanderbilt Blogs’
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).
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...
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...
Meet Dustin Lynn
Aug. 27, 2010—My hometown is Waynesboro, Tennessee (named, appropriately enough, after “Mad” Anthony Wayne, a US Army general known for his fiery personality) . I am the counselor responsible for the areas of West Texas, Rio Grande Valley, and San Antonio.
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...
Early Decision Quiz
Aug. 23, 2010—I am frequently asked by students whether or not they should apply Early Decision. Below are some basic questions to ask before making that decision.
Meet Amy Smith
Aug. 20, 2010—My hometown is Green Brook, New Jersey. I am the admissions counselor responsible for the New Jersey counties of Bergen, Essex, Somerset, Mercer, and Southern Passaic!!
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. ...
Vanderbilt Merit Awards
Aug. 11, 2010—In the past year I stumbled across a news story which reported that many American high school students expected scholarships to cover part or most of their college costs. As a counselor, I find this mentality alarming! While some students will receive smaller denomination scholarships from individual institutions and/or community organizations, only a fraction of...
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...
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...
Music in Music City
Jun. 9, 2010—Summer came to Nashville quickly! It’s been in the 90s all week and despite the hot days and muggy nights, the city is flourishing with activity! This week and weekend is particularly exciting because Nashville will play host to two amazing music festivals: the CMA Festival and Bonaroo. The four day CMA Festival this year...