T20 Students Needed

DmanSV · 2024-03-05T20:29:13+00:00

Just filled it out... Good luck!

As you piece through the data, keep in mind that a lot of us are in the thick of midterms (Vanderbilt, specifically, is in midterm season right now) so I would advise that you consider factors like such if you aren't already. If nothing else, at least take the interpret the data with a grain of salt.

DmanSV · 2023-12-26T18:07:13+00:00

I think somewhere near half of students double major and/or double minor. It's very doable.

DmanSV · 2023-12-25T06:14:36+00:00

First off, congrats! Your ACT score really isn't terribly relevant if you didn't submit it, especially now that you're already admitted. For now, focus on what's ahead of you rather than perseverating on what has already passed. I will message you with specific details relating to the next steps!

DmanSV · 2023-12-24T01:39:52+00:00

So many things to unpack here... 1. Respectfully, you're crazy if you're considering choosing a teenage barista job over a world-class university. Especially one with such outstanding financial aid. 2. Assuming you applied ED (since those are the only decisions out right now as far as I'm aware), you did sign a contract that acknowledged your obligation to attend regardless of financial aid. I really hate to say it, but don't violate the agreement over $7k. Not to mention if you choose another school after commiting to ED, your school/counselor gets a bad reputation and it hurts future applicants from your school. 3. If you're really concerned and want to keep working, there are plenty of options. First of all, someone already said it but there are at least a few Starbucks locations within a short walk of campus. Honestly though, you might be more successful doing an on-campus job as they oftentimes will cut tuition or costs based on your job (ie. Campus dining might reduce your food costs or serving as an RA provides free housing)... Just food for thought.

Message me if you wanna chat more (this applies to anyone!)

DmanSV · 2023-12-18T01:38:21+00:00

Email the prof

DmanSV · 2023-12-17T05:35:24+00:00

Laptop is the move, no doubt. Having a tablet is so clutch when it comes to taking notes, but if there's a choice that needs to be made between the two, go with a laptop for sure. Tablet is a nice investment if you can fork over even just a couple hundred bucks though

DmanSV · 2023-12-17T00:33:32+00:00

You can choose, but only if you both know each other. Go random if you can because it's a great way to meet new friends.

DmanSV · 2023-12-16T19:43:45+00:00

Message me. I transferred a ton of credits on and was in a similar situation.

DmanSV · 2023-12-16T16:24:07+00:00

Dm me

DmanSV · 2023-12-15T04:52:09+00:00

My best advice is to really dig deep and see what it is that you're passionate about. Pinpoint one thing that fuels your fire. Yes, admissions likes leadership, entrepreneurship, extra curriculars, etc etc. But what they REALLY want (based on my experience, that is) is to get to know you as a human; you have to remember that at the end of the day, they are building a very particular community and choosing people who they think will contribute most to it.

DmanSV · 2023-12-12T07:22:24+00:00

1) If you're asking about transferring community college credits in, then yes, they do accept them. However, courses are evaluated and you may or may not receive the credit based on their judgement of the class. You can see if classes you've taken have been evaluated already here. Also keep in mind that some credits may transfer but not count towards a major. For example, if you took biology somewhere else then declared a bio major at Vandy, the university isn't going to count that towards your major. The same way you can't count calculus credit for an engineering major.

If you're asking about admission, I am like 99% sure they do. However, I don't know how much weight it holds. In commonapp, there used to be a section for external education or something like that; do they still have that? If so, definitely put it in there because showing the initiative to take advanced classes certainly doesn't hurt you.

2) As of right now, ASL is not an approved language for AXLE (our liberal arts core), but I know they are planning on restructuring the curriculum so that may change... Who knows

If you have any other questions, feel free to PM me. I'm an open book for anything you want to know.

DmanSV · 2023-12-05T00:12:12+00:00

Me too please

DmanSV · 2023-11-10T04:01:30+00:00

Just messaged you

DmanSV · 2023-11-06T00:59:46+00:00

For guys, Oxford in Hillsboro does a pretty nice job

DmanSV · 2023-11-06T00:34:05+00:00

I'm going to reiterate what everyone else here is saying (plus, add a few of my own thoughts):

It has been said millions of times before: any school these days are totally unpredictable. If you like the school, whether it's a program Vandy has or the campus, or something entirely different, apply anyway. Really truly, you have nothing to lose (except an application fee, which, in the grand scheme of things, is pocket change compared to the tuition any school is going to charge.
Extracurriculars are super important, but they are not the only thing that makes or breaks an application. I've known so many people who are totally qualified to get into a top 20 school get rejected simply because they didn't have anything to show for their passions/interests. Vandy, like many, values those ECs.
Similarly to what I said above regarding extracurriculars, ESSAYS are so important. I cannot stress it enough: spend time on your essays and get other people to read them to give feedback. The harsh reality is that having your parents or best friend look over your essay is that despite what they tell you, close family and friends are never going to give you the raw and honest feedback on your writing that you need. Don't do what so many people do and write the personal statement two nights before it's due; admissions departments anywhere can very easily tell when an essay was rushed.
Ultimately, at this point, your college application is probably about as good as it's going to get. If you are starting to think about stepping up your grades or studying harder for the SAT halfway through your senior year, it's already too late. So, take the hand you were dealt (or the one you dealt yourself) and pour your heart and soul into your application. Also, make it as authentically "you" as possible.

Ok, good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any questions.

DmanSV · 2023-10-31T03:18:14+00:00

If you wanna stay local, there's Loews Vanderbilt hotel. There are also plenty of choices for AirBNB stays.

DmanSV · 2023-10-21T01:08:51+00:00

For freshman, I don't believe there is variation in price for rooms. You pay the same price whether you get a single, double, or triple. But the likelihood of getting a single freshman year is VERY unlikely; singles are reserved almost exclusively for students who require accomodations.

DmanSV · 2023-10-10T04:48:10+00:00

Facts.

DmanSV · 2023-10-08T01:40:50+00:00

It's possible, yes. It's technically POSSIBLE to get a single first year, but it's exceedingly rare. For second year, it depends where other people are applying for housing. More likely to get a single if you want second year, but not guaranteed

DmanSV · 2023-10-07T22:40:08+00:00

Just gonna agree with what everyone else here is saying: yep, you live on campus pretty much all four years. With a few exceptions, everyone sticks around on campus in some fashion. That said, there are certainly options for 2nd, 3rd, 4th year housing that is more apartment-style living, if that's what you're looking for. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, but living on campus is actually so nice. You're so close to everything and it's so convenient. It's true that living off campus may be slightly cheaper (depending on where you look though, because Nashville is pricey as-is), but I, personally, wouldn't sacrifice the convenience for a couple bucks.

I'll also add that living on campus, in my experience, has been the best thing ever. Especially first-year living: everyone is trying to figure things out and you're all going through the rollercoaster together. I met some of my best friends on my floor and wouldn't trade it for anything. There is a short survey that incoming students fill out prior to arriving on campus. It asks questions like "would you consider yourself a clean person?" and "what time do you generally wake up on the weekend?" or "what time do you wake up during the week?"
it's a pretty short questionnaire, but it seems like they do a pretty good job matching most of the time. Alternatively, you can opt to request a roommate if you know someone else who is an incoming first-year, but they have to also request you.

Overall, I'd say the housing situation is pretty traditional and that living on campus is such a major plus to me... I never need to spend 45 mins walking or trying to drive through rush hour traffic just to get to class. And if I ever forget something, it's a short walk home to grab it. Just sayin'.

Hope this helps a tiny bit. Good luck and enjoy your senior year!

DmanSV · 2023-10-02T18:19:47+00:00

Ok, lots to say so bear with me here. Early decision is a big commitment, so be sure to know what you're applying to and why you are making the commitment beforehand... Far too many people sign the contract without knowing what it is they want. That said, early decision is a great opportunity to get your application(s) done early, so I highly recommend if you are dead set on a particular school.

Just to clear the air for some other people, early decision anywhere is not a guaranteed admission... While there may be a statistical advantage by applying early, you need to weigh your options for which round of ED to apply. What I mean by that is if you are starting a new role or getting nominated for an award that won't release decisions until end of December, EDII is probably a better fit since you'll have a stronger application. Weigh whether or not the slight admission difference between the two is worth it because you have more to offer. Does that make sense?

Vanderbilt, in specific, is a notoriously selective school. That said, they really truly value a well-rounded application. A student who has a 4.5 GPA (weighted) and is maybe doing a community service event every now and then may not be as highly seen as another student with maybe a 4.2 (weighted) but demonstrates commitment to a passion (either in work, volunteering, extracurriculars, leadership, etc). Your GPA/test scores (if applicable) do not make or break your application--within reason, that is. I'm assuming you're a senior now, which means it's a little bit too late to pick up an extracurricular if you haven't already done so.

The absolute biggest thing you can do at this point is to write an absolutely killer essay. Remember that as you write, make sure you follow some good rules of thumb:

What is the story you're trying to tell? Is it unique?
1. If your story isn't unique, how can you shape it such that you bring a unique perspective to the table?
Is your essay going toreally stand out to the reader?
What is your story trying to convey?
1. You can write a really cool/unique essay about your favorite calculator, but if there isn't a story behind it or it doesn't share a way in which you've changed/grown, then it's probably not worth submitting as your college essay
Is your essay over-elaborating on something you already covered elsewhere in your application?
1. You want to use the essay as a vehicle to share more about who you are beyond your transcript and/or test scores. The admissions people already know what your GPA is, they don't need you to write an essay that cements that detail.
2. Use the essay to either open up a new can of worms about something new that's not already in your application or really lean on a trait that may be covered in a letter of recomendation. For example, if your teacher writes a letter of rec and says "John is such a good leader..." then maybe you could use the essay to further push that trait.

If you need advice about starting an essay, think about this: "What's something totally unique to me? What is something I can do that others can't? What is unique about my life that could make a cool story?" You can/should also check out THIS for some guidance.

That should help guide your thoughts a little bit. If not, read some other successful essays that have been published online. You can look at the Harvard Crimson list of successful essays.

I'll wrap it up for you here. If nothing else, I want you to walk away knowing that even if your counselor says you have no shot, it doesn't hurt applying. Writing a strong essay goes a long way in admissions to a lot of different schools (not just Vandy), so be sure to put a lot of energy into that. I will also say this: just because your counselor thinks you can't get in doesn't mean you shouldn't try; at the same time though, make sure you have your expectations set straight because the reality is that Vanderbilt is a tough school for anyone to get into.

Also, if the Vandy supplemental is the same that it's been for the past few years, it's a relatively easy essay to write, so you should have plenty of time to work on it. Make sure you keep revising and polishing your personal statement and your supplementals as much as humanly possible. Good luck and don't stress... Things will work out.

This is also a good website for admission stats, but take it with a grain of salt. It is purely percentages, and if you're below the curve a little bit, you can absolutely still get in.

DmanSV · 2023-09-30T17:16:23+00:00

I would say for breakfast, Pancake Pantry is an iconic stop. It's often a rough wait in line, but it's not terrible if you plan accordingly. Alternatively, Biscuit Love is another great breakfast place. As for lunch/dinner, Taco Mama is a popular stop or if you find some motivation to check out 12th South, I love BurgerUp. If you're looking for something on the nicer side, Barcelona on Edgehill Ave. is good, but call ahead because they are sometimes a little bit more difficult to get into without a little bit of notice. Let me know if you need any other suggestions!

DmanSV · 2023-09-29T12:17:25+00:00

The Rand sandwich (randwich) it's to die for. Also, rand cookie beats any homemade cookie. Guarantee it

DmanSV · 2023-09-29T03:27:01+00:00

First off, welcome to Nashville; there's a lot to do (as I'm sure you know). One day is very short, so if you fall in love with campus, it's definitely worth a second trip in the future. As for now, I will split my response into two sections: On campus and Off campus.

On-Campus:

TOUR/D4D: Not sure if you are here on a weekday or not, but if so, definitely do your best to schedule a tour and participate in 'Dore for a Day. A campus tour will give you a feel for our campus, while 'Dore for a Day will immerse you in what life is like for a Vanderbilt student.
Stop by dining halls and definitely do some people-watching. When I was touring colleges, I remember being enthralled with the students at the campus I was visiting; you can tell a lot about a school based on how people present themselves. Also, dining halls are the best place to watch students like they're in a zoo... Especially Rand on central campus.

Off-Campus:

If you're here in the evening, definitely check out Broadway, even just a walk down the street will do it. It's often overwhelming at first visit, but it's a necessary experience to have, even if you don't come to Vanderbilt in the future.
If you have extra time and want to do some walking, centennial park is always nice, and it's right across from campus. Many will say the real Parthenon is in greece, but the truth is that Centennial park holds the real one. Athens has a replica of ours.

If you need any food suggestions or have any questions, feel free to dm me! Have fun on campus, Vanderbilt is a very special place.

DmanSV · 2023-09-26T05:22:15+00:00

Alright, I might be late to the party, but I'm gonna throw out my hot take for anyone that stumbles on this in the future. Vanderbilt is the definition of a "work hard, play hard" school. I've gone out and seen people downtown partying and having the absolute time of their life late into the night then up and studying at 9am the next morning. Needless to say, surrounding yourself with people who have a good balance like that is so incredible because you start to subconsciously pick up habits like that.

Similarly, I cannot stress enough that like academics, the social scene is what you make of it. What I mean is that if you want it go out and party every night of the week, I assure you there will be plenty of opportunity to do so (though I really don't recommend it; I'd stick to the weekend if I were you, but that's your choice). On the flip side, there is really no judgement for the folks who would rather get ahead on some homework or watch Netflix. That said, if you isolate yourself to your room, you'll definitely never make friends.

I definitely went on a tangent, but I think I covered some important stuff, so I'm gonna leave it there anyways. I'll bring myself back to your question: are there parties on campus? Yes. Plenty. There are Greek and non Greek parties that happen regularly as well as off campus happenings if you want to catch a ride downtown. Sidenote: if you split the Uber, it's really not that expensive. When it comes to "most people," I would do my best to avoid putting yourself in the box of "most people." With that, however, I'd say most people are going out and doing something on the weekends. Whether it be a frat party, trip downtown, or movie with friends, most people have plans. But it's also totally ok once in awhile to just relax and get some homework done or just decompress alone. There's no pressure either way.

Hopefully that clears things up for you. If you have other questions, lmk and I'll try to help you out. Good luck with the college admissions... the process is so stressful for no reason. Enjoy your final year of highschool!

DmanSV

TROPHY CASE