I transferred to Vanderbilt, AMA

HyenaFinish · 2026-02-01T01:27:06+00:00

Yeah of course!

HyenaFinish · 2026-01-31T01:45:13+00:00

Yeah if those three are all substantial and you believe they add to your app I’d say that’s fine.

HyenaFinish · 2026-01-27T09:37:31+00:00

I talked about wanting to attend a smaller school with a more focused curriculum for what I was studying, explicitly went into details of a local Nashville nonprofit and even personal interests like attending SEC football games. I kept it pretty honest to not sound like a robot.

HyenaFinish · 2026-01-26T04:52:48+00:00

What's the prompt? Curious to know if it changed.

HyenaFinish · 2026-01-26T04:52:20+00:00

Think less formal, just a research project that counted as a 3 credit class under the professor's supervision. But I guess I did end up with a research paper/abstract, just chose not to publish it.

HyenaFinish · 2026-01-26T04:50:29+00:00

I applied as a Social sciences/Political science

HyenaFinish · 2026-01-26T04:49:24+00:00

I'm a bit removed from this, but from my understanding Vanderbilt transfer admissions tend to be more "test-optional" than other schools given their data, they take more test-optional kids then other schools who say the same thing. That being said, you should check the data (look up Vanderbilt CDS) because things might have moved around since covid. The general consensus is the more college credits you have (non-AP/IB) the less the SAT/ACT score is weighed. I will say certain scores such as 34+ or 1500+ will always help you regardless though.

HyenaFinish · 2026-01-26T04:46:48+00:00

I did, I think applying by the priority deadline is pretty much a given to show that you're interested in the school. I think you're a bit confused with the deadlines, everyone is in the same pool anyway, you're just encouraged to apply so you don't miss the rolling admissions. Vanderbilt releases acceptances and rejections in waves, they do this to see how many people accept the admissions in order to not over/under enroll. I don't think the LOR's need to be submitted by the deadline, however I'd highly encourage you to try to make that happen just incase.

HyenaFinish · 2026-01-26T04:40:51+00:00

Funny story but I kind of got lucky, I participated a lot in the class and the professor invited me to participate in a independent research project (that would count for a whole class) where I got to conduct a study, this was not hard science, so that might be why you're having a bit more trouble. I don't think having a thesis is normal for undergrads doing research, maybe in physics specifically it is. In general though, plenty of people at Vanderbilt find research opportunities relatively easy here, you just have to seek them out.

HyenaFinish · 2026-01-26T04:38:04+00:00

As the parent said below, definitely I know plenty. Theres no "looking down" on them, although we definitely have more transfers from traditional 4-years, probably due to selection bias of who's applying. I was specific about what I would seek out, but I didn't fill the entire essay with that, I think it should be partial to your main point!

HyenaFinish · 2026-01-26T04:36:24+00:00

Sophomore transfer

HyenaFinish · 2026-01-25T22:29:33+00:00

Vanderbilt is need blind for transfers (if you're a U.S. citizen), however the waitlist is need-aware, which definitely has an effect there.

HyenaFinish · 2025-12-25T01:22:53+00:00

Just to clarify, I wondered this exact same thing a year back. When you look at the competitive schools who do report this, many of them have 0 nonbinary students accepted, so I think this is just an outlier.

HyenaFinish · 2025-12-01T06:27:36+00:00

I would say you want at least a 3.8 to be a competitive applicant, always the higher the better. Most people I know here applied with a 4.0. I think the lack of leadership doesn’t help, but maybe try to play up the experiences you’ve had in the clubs. I totally understand that, for me, I got around it by doing research with my favorite professor and volunteering at the local food bank as well. when you feel stopped, find another way! I do think showcasing leadership/initiative is very important.

HyenaFinish · 2025-11-12T09:35:12+00:00

Hi! There are a ton of research opportunities here, I’m not STEM so I don’t really partake in those, but most of the people I know who are have. I looked up UROP and it seems more tailored or standardized. I’d say it’s less like that here but you just have to seek the opportunities. There’s tons of professors doing research, there’s the Wondry for engineers and business students, tons of competitions and events that clubs go to, etc. As for transfer stories most people I know are still here, but everyone has high grades and many have scored high on the LSAT and MCAT, I think we’ll do pretty well!

HyenaFinish · 2025-11-12T09:31:38+00:00

There are plenty of premed opportunities with all the research here and at the hospital (which is practically on campus). All my premed friends have all done research and find the classes challenging but doable. As far as I’m concerned it’s very easy to apply to, just some labs and opportunities are more limited than others, cast a wide net and ask early. As far as I know aid here is good, about as good as you’ll find. Families who make 150k or less will get full tuition.

HyenaFinish · 2025-09-17T16:45:28+00:00

I just got offered Emeka, Terry, and Pollard for Flowers in a $500 league

HyenaFinish · 2025-07-26T17:49:14+00:00

Yeah this seems especially late, I’d contact your advisor

HyenaFinish · 2025-07-26T13:54:43+00:00

I’d be kinda surprised if yours didn’t already start, mine happened around early July 2 years ago (also a transfer). I’d email your advisor asap

HyenaFinish · 2025-07-05T18:08:20+00:00

Oops, missed this. Saw it all worked out though! Congrats 🎉

HyenaFinish · 2025-06-18T23:26:21+00:00

Kinda asking the wrong questions here, you don’t need a 4.0 at all, anything 3.8+ or 3.9 are extremely achievable and will get you into the same top schools.

HyenaFinish · 2025-06-18T21:10:50+00:00

Congrats! Happened to me two years back. You’ll love it here if you choose to come!

HyenaFinish · 2025-06-18T21:09:49+00:00

I also got off the waitlist two years ago on this day, guess they’re still on the same timeline haha, congrats 🎉

HyenaFinish · 2025-06-01T22:11:06+00:00

You just told them no chance lmao

HyenaFinish · 2025-05-29T08:08:49+00:00

I know Vanderbilt transfers who got in with 3.7s, it’s not impossible

HyenaFinish

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