As a student at Vanderbilt, you will have the opportunity to take classes from some of the leading researchers and scholars in the nation. I never cease to be amazed by the incredible depth of intelligence my professor's possess. And what's so great about them is that they truly go out of their way to get to know you, in both and academic and personal setting. It is not uncommon for professors to go out for lunch, coffee, or coffee with their students and engage in intellectual discussions, as well as just taking up the opportunity of getting to know their students better. For example, I met one of my professors out for lunch for help on a paper, and we ended up discussing not only my paper but delving into political theory for an hour and a half. I have gone into my chemistry teacher's office, a class of about 200, and she knew my name individually and asked me questions about my future, my major,etc and ended up giving me some of the best academic (and life) advice I've received.
This learning experience does not stop in the classroom, however. First of all, you are among some of the smartest students in the country. Students are not competitive and legitimately enjoy helping each other, resulting in study groups as well as close friendships. Being around peers of various backgrounds who've had their own unique experiences has been a learning experience in and of itself. Vanderbilt also offers students several one-on-one opportunities with scholars from all around the country. The school hosts seminars and lectures from experts in every field, allowing students to get up close and personal with people such as international diplomats, former presidents, famous writers, and medical experts.
Do you enjoy the experience at your school?
I could not be happier in my college experience than I've been at Vanderbilt for the last year and a half. Vandy offers students rigorous academics, an engaged student body, and an active social scene all located in one of the most exciting locations, Nashville, Tennessee. What I like most is that Vandy is all about balance-a work hard, play hard mentality. Vanderbilt students are some of the brightest in the country, but you would have a hard time finding any that are not involved in AT LEAST two or three extracurricular activities, ranging from volunteering to student government to Greek life to multi-cultural clubs. Vandy students are very engaged in their community on and off-campus, and their passionate, outgoing personalities balance the challenging academic load wonderfully.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
The resources and opportunities available to you as a Vanderbilt University graduate are definitely worth the hefty tag. First of all, the financial aid and scholarship program are fantastic! The new expanded aid program assures no student graduates owing the university any money, a huge relief to students planning to continue to graduate school, and to me, a great indicator of how important the quality of life is to university administration.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Getting in to Vanderbilt is certainly not easy, but definitely worth striving for. You will need a well-written essay that reflects your interests and personality in a way the rest of the application does not. Your standardized scores and high school record are important as well. Make sure you demonstrate that you have taken every opportunity to challenge yourself in your high school career. The admissions office will take into account the high school you went to and the opportunities that were available to you, so be sure you show that you took advantage of what was available. Finally, be sure you demonstrate your well-rounded qualities. Vanderbilt students are more than just academic, so admissions wants to see that you were involved outside of your schoolwork, including your volunteer activities, leadership positions, and extracurricular involvements.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Vanderbilt is ideal for students looking for more than an academic experience in college. Sure, you will receive on of the best educations available (#18 in the country to be exact), but if you plan on sitting in your room and studying all of the time, not taking an active and participatory roles in on-campus organizations or off-campus opportunities, Vanderbilt is not the school for you.
As a student at Vanderbilt, you will have the opportunity to take classes from some of the leading researchers and scholars in the nation. I never cease to be amazed by the incredible depth of intelligence my professor's possess. And what's so great about them is that they truly go out of their way to get to know you, in both and academic and personal setting. It is not uncommon for professors to go out for lunch, coffee, or coffee with their students and engage in intellectual discussions, as well as just taking up the opportunity of getting to know their students better. For example, I met one of my professors out for lunch for help on a paper, and we ended up discussing not only my paper but delving into political theory for an hour and a half. I have gone into my chemistry teacher's office, a class of about 200, and she knew my name individually and asked me questions about my future, my major,etc and ended up giving me some of the best academic (and life) advice I've received. This learning experience does not stop in the classroom, however. First of all, you are among some of the smartest students in the country. Students are not competitive and legitimately enjoy helping each other, resulting in study groups as well as close friendships. Being around peers of various backgrounds who've had their own unique experiences has been a learning experience in and of itself. Vanderbilt also offers students several one-on-one opportunities with scholars from all around the country. The school hosts seminars and lectures from experts in every field, allowing students to get up close and personal with people such as international diplomats, former presidents, famous writers, and medical experts.
I could not be happier in my college experience than I've been at Vanderbilt for the last year and a half. Vandy offers students rigorous academics, an engaged student body, and an active social scene all located in one of the most exciting locations, Nashville, Tennessee. What I like most is that Vandy is all about balance-a work hard, play hard mentality. Vanderbilt students are some of the brightest in the country, but you would have a hard time finding any that are not involved in AT LEAST two or three extracurricular activities, ranging from volunteering to student government to Greek life to multi-cultural clubs. Vandy students are very engaged in their community on and off-campus, and their passionate, outgoing personalities balance the challenging academic load wonderfully.
The resources and opportunities available to you as a Vanderbilt University graduate are definitely worth the hefty tag. First of all, the financial aid and scholarship program are fantastic! The new expanded aid program assures no student graduates owing the university any money, a huge relief to students planning to continue to graduate school, and to me, a great indicator of how important the quality of life is to university administration.
Getting in to Vanderbilt is certainly not easy, but definitely worth striving for. You will need a well-written essay that reflects your interests and personality in a way the rest of the application does not. Your standardized scores and high school record are important as well. Make sure you demonstrate that you have taken every opportunity to challenge yourself in your high school career. The admissions office will take into account the high school you went to and the opportunities that were available to you, so be sure you show that you took advantage of what was available. Finally, be sure you demonstrate your well-rounded qualities. Vanderbilt students are more than just academic, so admissions wants to see that you were involved outside of your schoolwork, including your volunteer activities, leadership positions, and extracurricular involvements.
Vanderbilt is ideal for students looking for more than an academic experience in college. Sure, you will receive on of the best educations available (#18 in the country to be exact), but if you plan on sitting in your room and studying all of the time, not taking an active and participatory roles in on-campus organizations or off-campus opportunities, Vanderbilt is not the school for you.