Has anyone ever been able to discern a pattern for applicants who get in there RD? I mean assuming tests scores and GPA are excellent. Leadership? Some uniqueness? How important is the supplemental essay? Appreciate any thoughts.
Common Data Set shows that acdemic rigor, class rank, EC activities, and essays are very important in their application process.
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The supplemental essay is VERY important here for RD
Be specific on why Vanderbilt and sell yourself as a match who has found the perfect place
They care about yield at this point
A lot
Also looking for fit and likely to attend based on fit. Voted happiest campus bc they take kids who being there and will thrive there.
Visit if you can and meet with your admission advisor
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In my neck of the woods (urban Northeast) Vandy RD chances are usually very high for kids with very high scores and grades even if the rest is meh. So the kids without a lot of EC’s or teachers who’ll say “This is one of the top students I’ve ever taught” often take their shot in the early round with one of the “Highly rejectives” and then once they are deferred or rejected outright, decide that Vandy is one of their favorites. So they show the love, and it pays off.
These kids do very well at Vandy btw… they find their people early on (these kids aren’t huge partiers, often not very sporty either) and it seems like a good fit.
I don’t know how relevant these observations are to the rest of the country… but it’s part of the “received wisdom” around here that if you aren’t getting into Penn or JHU or Northwestern because your application lacks some oomph factor- Vandy is a solid backup. YMMV.
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The supplemental is really more Vandy asking “what is special about you as an applicant” than “Why Vandy”, isn’t it?
My S had high grades, a rigorous schedule and a top test score. However, if I had to guess what helped him get in RD over some of his high school classmates I would say it was the quality of his essays and his leadership.
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If I remember right, the supplemental is about Vanderbilt University’s motto, Crescere aude, Latin for “dare to grow.” Not sure if the other posters are talking about previous years where they may have had a more direct why college/major prompts.
Yes, here is the prompt: “Vanderbilt University’s motto, Crescere aude, is Latin for “dare to grow.” In your response, reflect on how one or more aspects of your identity, culture, or background has played a role in your personal growth, and how it will contribute to our campus community as you dare to grow at Vanderbilt.”
Vanderbilt is not considering demonstrated interest.
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I’m going to disagree - not just on vandy but also on all elite schools - some demonstrated interest matters. An unusual name for example who logs into all the virtual what not and the admissions knows this kid wants to be there when they see that name again. The “not considering demonstrated interested” was put in place for kids who cannot afford to visit, if you can, get your butt there.
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And if Vandy is sending a rep to a regional admissions event near you- show up, register at the table, introduce yourself, ask a question.
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Makes sense. We visited a year ago, hopefully they kept track. D25 got admitted to two other places already and basically checked out, lol, it would be tough to talk her into going to Nashville again. Although Vandy and Duke are the best names in the Southeast.
I am not sure what is there to disagree with - Vanderbilt’s policy? OP is asking about pattern for RD admission. Of course it is great to visit schools you apply to if you have resources and time to do it.
D23 was accepted through RD. I think academic rigor, essays and ECs made difference in her case.
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