2010-2011 Vanderbilt University Application Thread

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I also got snail mail invite today. Also got the received-primary email on 7/21 but no other email. I live near Washington DC so probably that's why it took a bit longer. Those on the West Coast shall expect a few days longer.
 
FlowRate said:
No Vandy mail today =( I checked my mailbox like three times in anticipation but to no avail.
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Lol. Yeah I did the same thing. I got some bills instead... C'est la vie. Should be fine in the end.

I think I'm gonna have to stop looking to find out when to expect things and just let it flow.
 
I received the snail mail interview invite on Saturday. I'm West Coast.
 
Could any Vandy people please orient us about Nashville? I assumed that it is quite safe around Vandy, but I found the following from WikiTravel:

In 2009, Nashville was ranked by Forbes one of the top ten most dangerous cities in USA due to higher than average murders, forcible rapes, robberies, and aggravated assaults.
Use caution when walking around Downtown Nashville at night, especially along the South Avenues of Broadway. Use designated parking and avoid leaving valuables in your vehicle. Panhandlers do exist around these areas as well.

So for an interviewee, is it a good idea to stay in a hotel near Vandy and walk around during the night, or it is better to rent a car?
 
I've visited a couple times, and the area surrounding the campus is pretty nice. Granted, I didn't walk around at night or anything like that, but it's by no means a slum.

The campus is pretty big, so you'd probably be better off in a cab unless the hotel is RIGHT next to campus.
 
Hey!

I'm hoping to join all of you here! I'm just waiting for scores to come back.

I've been lurking a bit and I know you have a rising 2nd year to help you out some, but I can help you on Nashville details as I work here (I'm in research so don't think I'm anyone special in admissions).

Yes, Nashville got knocked for some "danger." There are areas to avoid, just like any other city. However campus does have it's own police force under Metro-Davidson County. Blue light phones abound, should you ever find yourself in a bad situation. As with any other city, use common sense: pay attention to your surroundings. Most things, from my understanding, have occurred on the edges of campus. There are escorts if you feel you need them and there are shuttles to parking areas. There have been incidents around Vandy, but at the Medical Center I have never felt unsafe. NEVER.

Please don't let some ranking scare you.

I'm sure admissions will tell you about hotels in by campus. There is a Marriott and a Holiday Inn Express (I've seen a Holiday Inn Express shuttle dropping people off by the med school library). The HIE is across the street from the Marriott. Behind the Marriott there is a Med Ctr shuttle stop, so you won't have to hike in the heat if you stayed there. Both of those hotels are across the street from Centennial Park (where the Parthenon replica was built). There are other hotels a bit further, like an Extended Stay America by a satellite building for the Med Ctr that again has a shuttle stop near it that you could take. I like the shuttles, as parking can get kind of crazy around here and the shuttles will take you right by the med school. But I'm sure this is all in the admissions info packet for your interviews.

If there is anything I can answer for you guys about Nashville or Vandy, let me know.

Much luck to everyone!🙂
 
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schlieren said:
So for an interviewee, is it a good idea to stay in a hotel near Vandy and walk around during the night, or it is better to rent a car?
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There are somethings around here, but where the hotels are (on West End Ave.) it's pretty busy with traffic and possibly some shady folks farther from the Marriott and Holiday Inn. Vanderbilt Village is a good hike on the otherside of campus from where the hotels are. Plus, there's more to Nash than what's @ Vandy. You might want the chance to see more around downtown, housing areas, etc.

If you are going to be here for a couple days where you have time to sight see, then I'd get a car.

If you are coming in the night before, interviewing, then skipping town, forgo the car and just walk around campus.
 
Thank you very much for the reply! Ya I know rankings are often distorted. I think I will rent a car and stay a few days, because I am a country music fan and have always wanted to visit Nashville. Hope I can get an interview date of Monday or Friday.
 
AP Credit question

For 8 hours of biology, i have 4 hours of genetics + 3 hours of cell biology
For 8 hours of chemistry, i have 3 hours of biochemistry + 2 hour lab, 3 hours of pchem
For 6 hours of english, i have 3 hours of british lit, 3 hours of technical writing

obviously i will need to take a cell biology lab, but does this work so far?
 
i have another biochemistry class called genes to proteins. can i use this as the extra hour of biology?
 
are they sending it to our preferred amcas address or permanent one? 😵
 
What date did you guys for interviews?
The earliest is the 17th, school starts on the 18th so this would minimize any missed class, but i really want to go here and am nervous for making this my first interview.. would interviewing after september 2nd still put me in the first batch of acceptances (if i do manage to get in)
 
Dr Gerrard said:
What date did you guys for interviews?
The earliest is the 17th, school starts on the 18th so this would minimize any missed class, but i really want to go here and am nervous for making this my first interview.. would interviewing after september 2nd still put me in the first batch of acceptances (if i do manage to get in)
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This is my first interview, too. But I decided that I would rather interview early than make it later in the year just to have experience. Mine is on 8/20.
 
Have you guys all scheduled your interviews already? Their essays are so long. I'm taking my time to make them pretty, but I'm scared all the good interview dates might be getting taken up. Oh well. I'm thinking I would rather have nice essays.
 
I haven't. Fortunately I could recycle essays for the last two questions, but I'm writing the autobiography question from scratch. Knocked out about half today, hoping to finish the rest tonight. It's definitely a beastly secondary.
 
I just wish I got the secondary, nevermind worrying about interview dates. Dang being on the west coast...
 
Kip said:
Have you guys all scheduled your interviews already? Their essays are so long. I'm taking my time to make them pretty, but I'm scared all the good interview dates might be getting taken up. Oh well. I'm thinking I would rather have nice essays.
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Haven't scheduled yet. Right now I'm looking at a blank space where my autobiography should be. I bet a lot of other people are in the same boat.
 
Haha yeah, I'm running outta steam on the autobiography at ~700 words (they allow 1200). I'm betting the real reason they're having us write it is simply to have tidbits to talk about in the interview.

It is a little different writing essays AFTER they've already decided that they'll have a chat with you.

UPDATE: finished and scheduled my interview for 10/18. My August and September are already full with other interviews.
 
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flatlandhiker said:
Haha yeah, I'm running outta steam on the autobiography at ~700 words (they allow 1200). I'm betting the real reason they're having us write it is simply to have tidbits to talk about in the interview.

It is a little different writing essays AFTER they've already decided that they'll have a chat with you.

UPDATE: finished and scheduled my interview for 10/18. My August and September are already full with other interviews.
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Were most of the interview days still available?
 
Hotel Preston is a great hotel and pretty cheap, but it's not really by the school. It's a $20 cab ride with tip to the campus. But if I remember correctly, the hotels right by campus are pretty expensive, so you'd likely save more than that if you were to stay right by the campus. I haven't looked at the rates in a year or so though.

Just my multiple-trips-there opinion.
 
northdakota87 said:
Do any of you have recommendations for hotels close to the medical school?
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There's the Vandy Marriott right behind the football stadium. Pretty sweet. Very comfy! Stayed there for a department holiday party. If you want to shell out that cash. Next door to that is a Holiday Inn. (I think I erroneously called it an Express earlier) I don't know the pricing of the Holiday Inn. I can see both of those from my desk (sweet view!), you can walk or take shuttle over to the med school. As I said earlier, there is also an Extended Stay America up the road too, but you'll definitely have to drive or take the shuttle if you stay there. You can call these places and ask if they give a discount to interviewees or something. But really, those are your closest bets that I can think of (or I would personally consider staying at).

If you want to stay further out and rent a car, there are other places...but remember we are close to downtown, so things are pricier here.

I'll keep thinking and see if there's anywhere I've forgotten.

Edits: If you go down West End toward downtown there are a number of hotels, you're just farther away. Like there's a Hampton Inn, Embassy Suites, and a bunch of others. The ones I listed above are litterally RIGHT HERE.
 
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There is a Marriot practically on-campus that borders the football stadium/parking garages. Honestly, I think the Vanderbilt area of Nashville is really safe compared to almost any other city in the US. Very few robberies have happened to students and it usually seems to be someone who was out jogging alone at 11PM or in an alley behind a McDonalds several blocks off campus at 1AM or something.

EDIT: ninja'd by tropicalkitty...damn!
 
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Thank you tropicalkitty for all your helpful input. I really appreciate your time and effort! 🙂

Edit: you too suncrusher, thank you!
 
Speaking as a Vandy undergrad, I think Guesthouse Inn is a good deal because it is about a block or two from main campus, has a free shuttle service to-from VUMC, and is pretty cheap. Congrats to all the folks with interviews...still waiting on mine 😀
 
Just reserved the 9/7 date!

For those of you that were curious, there are a TON of dates available. They seem to do interviews every weekday except Wednesday, and almost every date was available in September. I don't think you have anything to worry about, especially if you just want to get in before 10/15.
 
ColeOnTheRoll said:
Just reserved the 9/7 date!

For those of you that were curious, there are a TON of dates available. They seem to do interviews every weekday except Wednesday, and almost every date was available in September. I don't think you have anything to worry about, especially if you just want to get in before 10/15.
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I just scheduled mine. I really like how they tell you who your interviewer is.
 
ColeOnTheRoll said:
Just reserved the 9/7 date!

For those of you that were curious, there are a TON of dates available. They seem to do interviews every weekday except Wednesday, and almost every date was available in September. I don't think you have anything to worry about, especially if you just want to get in before 10/15.
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Sometimes I curse SDN with all my heart for making me anxious, nervous, and all together pissed off. Occasionally, an extremely helpful and friendly post like this comes along and totally relieves my stress. This is giving me WAY more time to work. Mr. OnTheRoll, I thank you for reviving my faith in this weird little website.
 
A question about the autobiography. I know "What are they looking for?" is the wrong question here, but does anyone have an idea of what level of detail is appropriate? I started out just writing it the way I wanted to write it (to NOT sound like an admissions essay), but I'm at 650 words and I haven't even gotten to high school yet. I'm just curious to hear how other people have approached this question.
 
tr0gd0r said:
A question about the autobiography. I know "What are they looking for?" is the wrong question here, but does anyone have an idea of what level of detail is appropriate? I started out just writing it the way I wanted to write it (to NOT sound like an admissions essay), but I'm at 650 words and I haven't even gotten to high school yet. I'm just curious to hear how other people have approached this question.
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I did it from childhood to present. Going into detail major events/influences that led to my pursuit of medicine.

For those of you that have also completed the secondary and got the confirmation email: Was the link for suggested housing not working for you guys as well?
 
tr0gd0r said:
A question about the autobiography. I know "What are they looking for?" is the wrong question here, but does anyone have an idea of what level of detail is appropriate? I started out just writing it the way I wanted to write it (to NOT sound like an admissions essay), but I'm at 650 words and I haven't even gotten to high school yet. I'm just curious to hear how other people have approached this question.
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I decided to focus more on my family situation and some random key events rather than do a traditional autobiography that walks through life in sequential order.

I really don't think it matters all that much as long as you paint a good picture of your background.
 
^^Thanks. I'm trying to go into too much detail about too many things. There's A LOT to say about my family situation and I'd like to talk about it, but I don't know if it should be my focus. Hmm. More thought required.
 
4th year here. Regarding safety, I live adjacent to campus, and I am going out to walk my dog right now (1am). There are some areas of Nashville that I would not do this, but the Vandy area is pretty safe overall.

I will be doing some Q&A stuff this week for interviewees, so hope to see you around 🙂
 
bretticus said:
4th year here. Regarding safety, I live adjacent to campus, and I am going out to walk my dog right now (1am). There are some areas of Nashville that I would not do this, but the Vandy area is pretty safe overall.

I will be doing some Q&A stuff this week for interviewees, so hope to see you around 🙂
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I'll be there this week! Look forward to meeting you. Any interview tips specific to Vandy?
 
mccarty7 said:
I'll be there this week! Look forward to meeting you. Any interview tips specific to Vandy?
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Not really. Be yourself and be nice to everyone. If you know your interviewer, you might look up their bio beforehand to see what field they are in. Potential point of conversation.

We are pretty chill here. Good luck 🙂
 
I wish they would just reject me already. All of this waiting around is getting to me.
 
Well I got a secondary from Vanderbilt, but I think it's just automatic mostly cause I'm applying MSTP. I have to fill out the secondary before I can be considered for an interview, not really looking forward to the autobiography.
 
chutzpah said:
Well I got a secondary from Vanderbilt, but I think it's just automatic mostly cause I'm applying MSTP. I have to fill out the secondary before I can be considered for an interview, not really looking forward to the autobiography.
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Hi Chutzpah, I'm also an MD/PhD applicant. Did u receive the secondary by e-mail or mail? I'm a little concern because I'll be traveling soon. And I submitted my primary late on early August. Did u mean u get your secondary as soon as u submitted ur mstp primary on AMCAS?
 
In a very successful attempt at putting off writing secondary essays, I spent the last few hours making this sweet excel sheet to help me keep track of the status of all my applications. Then I thought, "Maybe other people would also find this useful/distracting." So I put it up online here:

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?evqpv17j70olmgm

It's an excel sheet, and uses two macros (so be sure to have them enabled!). Unfortunately, I think you need to have Excel 2007 to use it because of the conditional formatting. I haven't tried it in 2003 though, so I guess I don't really know. Anyway, enjoy!

PS- I haven't tested it very much, so if there are bugs then I apologize 🙂
 
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is anyone else interviewing/has interviewed in the past with Dr. Kirshner, Professor of Neurology and Professor of Psychiatry? Interestingly, I wrote my PS on a psych patient..hopefully won't get grilled to hard...

anyways, going up on Oct. 1st
 
washupremedSV said:
is anyone else interviewing/has interviewed in the past with Dr. Kirshner, Professor of Neurology and Professor of Psychiatry? Interestingly, I wrote my PS on a psych patient..hopefully won't get grilled to hard...

anyways, going up on Oct. 1st
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I wonder if our interviewers selected us beforehand. My interviewer went to the same undergrad as me, and is also in the same field as something I wrote about in my PS. I'm thinking that's probably not a coincidence?
 
RB93 said:
I wonder if our interviewers selected us beforehand. My interviewer went to the same undergrad as me, and is also in the same field as something I wrote about in my PS. I'm thinking that's probably not a coincidence?
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I kind of doubt it, but I could be wrong. How could they allow you to choose from a variety of dates and at the same time have specific interviewers matched to your background? These interviewers are supposed to have tight schedules.
 
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