2011-2012 Vanderbilt University Application Thread

[Numba1Plumma]

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what interview dates are still available when you signed up?

 

[Itsame]

what interview dates are still available when you signed up?

I just registered tonight and there were still a handful of October dates. I took one of those with no problems, but not look to see how open November was.

I think there were even some late early October dates, but I don't think the system will let you pick anything within two weeks of the day you register.

 

[tbiz12]

Signed up for my interview, there were two October spots (25th and 28th) left, and I took the 28th. Also, if anyone would like a place on campus to stay, PM me (ideally a few days in advance because I don't check SDN that regularly). All I can offer you is a couch, some pillows, and a blanket, but hey, it's better than nothing, right?

 

[Porcn]

I just got back from my interview at Vanderbilt. Just some thoughts on the process. The quick half hour interview can vary quite a bit. One of my fellow interviewees said that their interview was very conversational, another interviewee said that their interviewer basically said, "I have three questions for you. You have ten minutes per question to answer." Then proceeded to ask the first question. When the student was done answering he said, "Are you done?" and then asked his second question etc. So it can vary a lot and can be an awkward interview so be ready for that. My long interview lasted 2 hours, but was very conversational. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. Seems like a great school.

 

[NatrixCaelicola]

Eh - I think it's unnecessary. My interviewer and I talked a bit about his work after a patient called him during the interview. It was helpful to know his specialty beforehand, but in retrospect all the google stalking I did was unnecessary. Just knowing their specialty/how long they've been at vandy/if they went to med school at vandy is probably enough. You definitely don't need to read publications 🙂

My interviewer actually was weirded out that I knew where he went to school... I then told him that they told us who our interviewer was when we scheduled it and he relaxed. lol

 

[eleventwelve]

I just got back from my interview at Vanderbilt. Just some thoughts on the process. The quick half hour interview can vary quite a bit. One of my fellow interviewees said that their interview was very conversational, another interviewee said that their interviewer basically said, "I have three questions for you. You have ten minutes per question to answer." Then proceeded to ask the first question. When the student was done answering he said, "Are you done?" and then asked his second question etc. So it can vary a lot and can be an awkward interview so be ready for that. My long interview lasted 2 hours, but was very conversational. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. Seems like a great school.

For what it's worth, I interviewed here about a month ago, and felt like I had a MUCH better conversation with my short interviewer than the long one. Neither were bad, but I felt like my Vandy short interview was the best I've had this cycle. So it really varies....and don't be nervous that they have a few pre-set questions they need to ask you!

 

[nadaba]

For what it's worth, I interviewed here about a month ago, and felt like I had a MUCH better conversation with my short interviewer than the long one. Neither were bad, but I felt like my Vandy short interview was the best I've had this cycle. So it really varies....and don't be nervous that they have a few pre-set questions they need to ask you!

I completely agree with this. My short interview was longer than my long interview.

 

[lxz]

I just got back from my interview at Vanderbilt. Just some thoughts on the process. The quick half hour interview can vary quite a bit. One of my fellow interviewees said that their interview was very conversational, another interviewee said that their interviewer basically said, "I have three questions for you. You have ten minutes per question to answer." Then proceeded to ask the first question. When the student was done answering he said, "Are you done?" and then asked his second question etc. So it can vary a lot and can be an awkward interview so be ready for that. My long interview lasted 2 hours, but was very conversational. If anyone has any questions feel free to ask. Seems like a great school.

I think we were there on the same day... My short interview went better than the long one.

 

[Guero]

I think I know who you are... . . .

 

[lxz]

lol... I am being a creeper 😀

 

[Guero]

lol... I am being a creeper 😀

hahaha, nice edit! 🙂 good luck.

 

[csheng89]

Hey everyone!

I'm currently a VMS1 and I know I used SDN a lot all of last year during the application cycle so time for me to give back! If you have questions specific to vandy or applying to med schools in general, just send a message to my inbox and I'll get back to you. I'll be more than happy to share my thoughts and experiences! Hope to see you all at vandy! 🙂 terrific school!!!!

 

[indonacious]

I just scheduled my interview...it's not until the end of November. I can't believe a months worth of interview slots were filled in the span of a few days. WOW...

 

[saveourpens]

Hey guys, I'm about to book a flight. They say the interview day ends at 3pm. For those that interviewed, would it be doable to have your flight leave at 5:45pm?

 

[MilkIsGood]

Hey guys, I'm about to book a flight. They say the interview day ends at 3pm. For those that interviewed, would it be doable to have your flight leave at 5:45pm?

i think you should be fine. it only took about 20 mins to get to the airport

 

[Cinclus]

i think you should be fine. it only took about 20 mins to get to the airport

Getting through security at the Nashville airport is really fast, too.

 

[percy]

Hey guys, I'm about to book a flight. They say the interview day ends at 3pm. For those that interviewed, would it be doable to have your flight leave at 5:45pm?

My flight left just after 5.

 

[PYITE]

Does anyone know how quickly we should expect to receive a decision? Also, will it be by email or snail mail?

 

[fizzgig]

finally got the essays in and scheduled an interview! october is going to be NUTS...

 

[csheng89]

If it's similar to last year, people will start hearing back late October. If I remember correctly, last year was snail mail and a phone call from Dean Zic.

For those of us who interviewed early - does anyone know how quickly we should expect to receive a decision? Also, will it be by email or snail mail?

 

[takk]

Last year, I interviewed in mid-September and got the call in mid-October. so if that timetable still holds this year, hopefully people will start hearing things in a few weeks!

 

[babydragon]

i think you should be fine. it only took about 20 mins to get to the airport

How did you get to the airport that fast? Did you go by taxi. I'm looking at using the bus system, but if there's a faster method please share.

 

[kduck]

How did you get to the airport that fast? Did you go by taxi. I'm looking at using the bus system, but if there's a faster method please share.

I personally used grayline, as did pretty much everyone else at my interview day (at least those of us flying out). It was pretty quick, we all got picked up together, and there was very little delay in getting through security.

 

[MilkIsGood]

How did you get to the airport that fast? Did you go by taxi. I'm looking at using the bus system, but if there's a faster method please share.

i did grayline. vanderbilt is the last stop they pick up at before heading to the airport. was worth the $22 roundtrip. smooth and easy

 

[babydragon]

Where exactly is the grayline stop at Vanderbilt?

 

[MilkIsGood]

in front of a building called something north (med center north?). the details are foggy, but it is where all the public buses pick up at.

 

[saveourpens]

Thanks for the help so far guys. So am I the only one that is coming into Nashville the morning before my interview? I feel that it would give me a day to walk around and not be a walking zombie on the big day.

 

[kduck]

Where exactly is the grayline stop at Vanderbilt?

The admissions people walked us over when we had all gotten changed. I'm sure if you ask they will provide thorough instructions/guide you over. 🙂

 

[Nomdeplume]

The admissions people walked us over when we had all gotten changed. I'm sure if you ask they will provide thorough instructions/guide you over. 🙂

I would just like to chime in real quick here and give props where props are due. The Vanderbilt admissions staff really goes above and beyond the typical responsibilities of jobs like theirs. They were easily one of, if not the, most helpful, hospitable and welcoming admissions staffs I've met. 👍

 

[Cinclus]

i would just like to chime in real quick here and give props where props are due. The vanderbilt admissions staff really goes above and beyond the typical responsibilities of jobs like theirs. They were easily one of, if not the, most helpful, hospitable and welcoming admissions staffs i've met. 👍

+1

 

[JSU]

I got the II at the beginning of this month and there were only November dates available. How are there October dates now? Weird...

 

[MilkIsGood]

I got the II at the beginning of this month and there were only November dates available. How are there October dates now? Weird...

probably because people rescheduled

 

[JSU]

probably because people rescheduled

Do they make rescheduling easy?

 

[MVKC7210]

Hey all,
Current First Year here! We just heard today that the adcom is meeting today and throughout the weekend for the first decisions on October 15th. If you are accepted, you will receive a phone call from Dean Zic. If you don't hear by the end of the week of the 15th, it probably means you will be sent a waitlist or rejection letter (though from what I hear, many are waitlisted, not rejected post-interview).

 

[Cinclus]

Hey all,
Current First Year here! We just heard today that the adcom is meeting today and throughout the weekend for the first decisions on October 15th. If you are accepted, you will receive a phone call from Dean Zic. If you don't hear by the end of the week of the 15th, it probably means you will be sent a waitlist or rejection letter (though from what I hear, many are waitlisted, not rejected post-interview).

Sort of frightening, because I still haven't sent my update letter to them. I'll finish it up now, I guess. Good stuff to know, though. Thanks for the inside info!

 

[sibitrum]

Hey all,
Current First Year here! We just heard today that the adcom is meeting today and throughout the weekend for the first decisions on October 15th. If you are accepted, you will receive a phone call from Dean Zic. If you don't hear by the end of the week of the 15th, it probably means you will be sent a waitlist or rejection letter (though from what I hear, many are waitlisted, not rejected post-interview).

Hey, do you know if they are reviewing everyone who interviewed before today, or just those those who interviewed early in the process? Thanks

 

[minerva3121]

I just registered tonight and there were still a handful of October dates. I took one of those with no problems, but not look to see how open November was.

I think there were even some late early October dates, but I don't think the system will let you pick anything within two weeks of the day you register.

I shouldn't have taken so long to submit my secondary 🙁. 2 weeks ago October dates were available, now the earliest date I can pick from on my calendar is in January!!!!! I'm wondering if I should wait to see if some spots in November/December open up later...

Update: I waited a few days instead of scheduling right away. A few spots actually did open up in November/December 🙂

 

[ButImLETired]

I'm not taking this personally at all. I just don't think the kind of stereotyping that you're doing is right. I'm well aware you admitted it to it previously, but that doesn't mean it's right. It's pretty ridiculous to try to look up papers on this stuff, especially if it's just papers that state the obvious (Hey, as we get older and go to really tough grad programs, we'll go out less -....um, of course??). This'll happen at all med schools too, so it's not like your state school is full of people partying all the time. Why be so dead-set on looking down on those who want to have fun in their lives? Anyway, I don't wanna get into a huge argument and derail this thread, I just wish you'd have a bit more of an open mind with this process, especially since there's a lot of advantages to going to your state school ($$) and I doubt your class is going to be like your prediction.

I'd also like to point out that the plural form of 'anecdote' is not 'data'.

PS- I didn't quote this post because I'm talking to this user specifically, it was just referring to the topic at hand. PPS- I agree.

Hey guys,

Vandy 3rd year here. I haven't been on SDN in forever (Step 1 and third year will do that do you 😉) but do feel free to PM me with questions that haven't been answered already, and I'll try to come on here a little more when I can.

I've been reading some of the comments on here and I wanted to say something. This process is not at all predictable. It just isn't. You might think you know how you're coming off, but you don't. Stop trying to figure it out cause it's just pointless and frustrating.

Another point I wanted to make is that top 20 schools, while "research-focused" don't just look for research-focused people. I did a couple of years of clinical research, have absolutely terrible lab etiquette, and told them straight up that I had zero intention of ever pipetting anything. Let me tell you, I did not get in here because of my research skills. I also didn't spend every weekend studying every minute of the day. I was really involved in music, and international clubs, and poetry, and a couple of jobs and I didn't have a 4.0, far from it. And I'm in no way the exception here. The vast majority of my classmates are unique, multifaceted, brilliant people. Some love lab research, but many hate research in general. We have a bunch of majors, a bunch of countries represented, etc. There is zero reason to believe that being a 4.0 research nerd makes you more qualified to be at a "research school" than the athletes or the musicians or the writers or the economists. We don't sit around pushing our glasses up our noses and discussing how cool DNA is because this is a top 20 school. We do keg stands at tailgates and have awkward drunk conversations and have lives outside of school. We run marathons and sing in acappella groups and I don't think I've ever talked about my research projects with anyone, nor would it ever occur to me to bring it up. We don't talk about science and medicine 24/7, that's just boring. Research schools are interested in people who are intellectually curious, who want to be exceptional, who want to base their practice on evidence and data but who also want to innovate. That can look very differently depending on who you are and what your interests are. It's not high school anymore- it's not about the "jocks" and the "nerds" and the popular kids. It's about being surrounded by people who are as smart or smarter than you, and who have a bunch of different interests and passions. Instead of trying to group people into categories, I recommend you look around and let yourself be humbled by just how amazing all of your classmates are, regardless of what school you go to. You'll be liked more, and you'll be a better doctor for it.

Another point I'd like to make is to not get too stuck in the trappings of prestige. I cannot stress this enough- we ALL do the SAME things. Third year varies because hospitals vary, but the first two years are the same everywhere you go. You can become a plastic surgeon or a neurosurgeon regardless of where you go to med school. The earlier you realize this, the better.

And finally, I strongly suggest that you don't think of yourself as God's gift to med schools. Every year some people seem to think they're owed an acceptance somewhere. Get over yourself. So you worked hard in college? Have a cookie, so did everyone else. If you get into a state school, thank your lucky stars that you got in somewhere and prepare to work 10x harder than you ever had before, and to make worse grades than the muscly kid who never goes to lecture and somehow manages to get honors in everything anyway. That's how it is. And prepare yourself for the harsh reality of third year, when most of your grade is based on residents' subjective view of who you are, and you can spend every minute of the day in the library and still barely pass a rotation because your resident thought you were arrogant or annoying or awkward.

 

[Guero]

Absolutely *loved* and echo that post.

Great posts in general, too. I hope Vandy's MSTP likes me enough, 'cause if they do, I intend to buy you a beer.

 

[ButImLETired]

Absolutely *loved* and echo that post.

Great posts in general, too. I hope Vandy's MSTP likes me enough, 'cause if they do, I intend to buy you a beer.

😀, well I'm not one to say no to a beer.

 

[MVKC7210]

Sort of frightening, because I still haven't sent my update letter to them. I'll finish it up now, I guess. Good stuff to know, though. Thanks for the inside info!

I just want to clarify that I do not specifically know who will be in the most recent ADCOM decision meeting. I will try to find out with the admissions office on Tuesday (as the first years have a retreat on Monday so we won't really be near admissions related things til at least Tuesday). However, if you interviewed in August or early to mid-September, you should definitely be in the admissions pool decisions. But just to clarify, I DON'T KNOW specifically who is in the decision pool yet but will try in earnest to get a good approximation of it! Good Luck Everybody! You'll get into a great med school wherever you go!

 

[Sitagliptin]

Quick question: would I still have hope for admission with a early December (Dec. 9th) interview date, or would I be essentially applying for a wait list? Thanks for your feedback.

 

[cowsgomuon]

I just want to clarify that I do not specifically know who will be in the most recent ADCOM decision meeting. I will try to find out with the admissions office on Tuesday (as the first years have a retreat on Monday so we won't really be near admissions related things til at least Tuesday). However, if you interviewed in August or early to mid-September, you should definitely be in the admissions pool decisions. But just to clarify, I DON'T KNOW specifically who is in the decision pool yet but will try in earnest to get a good approximation of it! Good Luck Everybody! You'll get into a great med school wherever you go!

Also, do you know if they are doing decisions on the 15th even though it's a Saturday? It seems like most places have said they'll be waiting until the 17th.

 

[Guero]

Also, do you know if they are doing decisions on the 15th even though it's a Saturday? It seems like most places have said they'll be waiting until the 17th.

Dr. Zic has often called people on the weekends in recent years. I'm not certain, but would count on weekend calls.

 

[MVKC7210]

Quick question: would I still have hope for admission with a early December (Dec. 9th) interview date, or would I be essentially applying for a wait list? Thanks for your feedback.

Hey, Vandy was actually my last interview and interview in mid december (I think December 15th). They actually sent me an invite in August but it got lost in the mail and I didn't get a letter until around late October lol! And I still got in and I know a number of people who interviewed later and still got in. All I'll tell you is this. Earlier is generally better but there is a WHOLE lot of serendipity in medical school admissions. Trust me on that. However, based on my perceptions on Dean Zic and the admissions committee here, they take EVERY candidate very seriously and especially the ones they invite to interview. Good Luck!

 

[MVKC7210]

Also, do you know if they are doing decisions on the 15th even though it's a Saturday? It seems like most places have said they'll be waiting until the 17th.

Yes! He does call on Saturday! I was shocked when he did this too me. And if you miss the call, Don't worry! He'll leave you a voice message as he did for me and a couple of my friends. But just to clarify, the call is not exclusively made on the weekend but some of them are made on Saturday night after they've made decisions on some of the acceptances on Friday and Saturday of ADCOM meetings.

 

[Sitagliptin]

Hey, Vandy was actually my last interview and interview in mid december (I think December 15th). They actually sent me an invite in August but it got lost in the mail and I didn't get a letter until around late October lol! And I still got in and I know a number of people who interviewed later and still got in. All I'll tell you is this. Earlier is generally better but there is a WHOLE lot of serendipity in medical school admissions. Trust me on that. However, based on my perceptions on Dean Zic and the admissions committee here, they take EVERY candidate very seriously and especially the ones they invite to interview. Good Luck!

Thanks! That puts my mind at ease. 🙂

 

[csheng89]

As another first year vandy med student, I can vouch that MVKC is dead on with his statement. There will certainly be plenty of spots for everyone 🙂 but definitely as general advice, try to schedule your interviews as early as possible if the school is at the top of your list. It shows that you're just as/if not more interested in the school as they're in you!

Thanks! That puts my mind at ease. 🙂

 

[docntrainin]

received an email about two weeks ago saying that the school had received my AMCAS. holding out hope, but i haven't received anything in the mail yet... thoughts?

 

[Sabriel]

I just want to clarify that I do not specifically know who will be in the most recent ADCOM decision meeting. I will try to find out with the admissions office on Tuesday (as the first years have a retreat on Monday so we won't really be near admissions related things til at least Tuesday). However, if you interviewed in August or early to mid-September, you should definitely be in the admissions pool decisions. But just to clarify, I DON'T KNOW specifically who is in the decision pool yet but will try in earnest to get a good approximation of it! Good Luck Everybody! You'll get into a great med school wherever you go!

Do you recommend that we send an update letter to the school if anything has changed since our interview?

Also, if we interview mid sept, we should hear back by 16th and if not, we are probably waitlisted??