is "active review" any different than a waitlist? have there been any waitlists, or is everybody stringing along?
2011-2012 Vanderbilt University Application Thread
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Just curious, you went on to say:
I was wondering if you would elaborate on what you thought of the campus and city. Thanks!
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There have been waitlist notifications sent out via snail mail. Someone from my interview day received one months ago.
Nothing wrong with Nashville, but I couldn't see myself living there. I also had a really, really bad experience with one of my interviewers, but I'm not going to go into that here. All told, this school is not for me. I'm withdrawing, but I wish the best of luck to everyone who's still waiting for good news!
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I think everyone on my interview day had a rough time with the short interview style. Sucks considering that they only recently started using this long-short format.
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I guess I'm the weirdo who felt like the short interview went better than the long one, but I think that had more to do with the friendliness and enthusiasm of my interviewer than the actual format.
btw, also got my second active review email recently
btw, also got my second active review email recently
Wow, me too! I thought I was the only one...
I did appreciate the active review email, though. First communication I have gotten.
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Maybe I'm being picky, but I was a little annoyed the active review email didn't even reference the fact that they were way behind schedule and didn't communicate with some candidates until 10 weeks after they said they would.
Of the schools I have interviewed at, this admissions office has been the worst in terms of managing applicant expectations post-interview.
Of the schools I have interviewed at, this admissions office has been the worst in terms of managing applicant expectations post-interview.
+1. I wonder what would have happened if we had turned in our applications 10 weeks after they were expecting them and not mentioned the delay?
EDIT: Not turned in, emailed that we were working on them.
If only it worked that way. Unfortunately the demand for medical school education far exceeds supply. That's how monopoly works I suppose.
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Yeah if I was getting into Vanderbilt, that short interview would have sealed the deal for me based on what my interviewer said at the end. I was wait-listed though. I'm pretty sure the interviews don't mean much at Vandy.
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Obviously, there are many factors beyond the interview that affect decisions, but I wouldn't write off their importance at Vandy just because one of your interviewer's comments didn't match up with your decision. My impression is just as subjective, but it seemed to me that the interviews were heavily considered in the decision-making process.
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I agree with my man Percy.
I feel like the interviews and the secondary application were probably the main factors after screening the applicants for II based on stats (GPA, MCAT) and ECs.
I was visibly nervous for the first half of my short interview, but I was still able to think clearly and answered the questions well. The second interview, on the other hand, went very well, I think, as I was very very relaxed. I just hope I haven't blown my chances because of being nervous for my short interview.
Jeez, I'm just so mad at myself. The questions were pretty easy too 😡 I had 2 hrs of sleep due to a delayed flight getting me into Nashville VERY late. I really liked this school and hope I get in. The med students I met told us more emphasis is placed on the application/LOR than the interview. I really hope that's true. 👍
Jeez, I'm just so mad at myself. The questions were pretty easy too 😡 I had 2 hrs of sleep due to a delayed flight getting me into Nashville VERY late. I really liked this school and hope I get in. The med students I met told us more emphasis is placed on the application/LOR than the interview. I really hope that's true. 👍
Don't worry too much about it at this point! I suppose it's all POV, but I really believe I came off as a complete airhead to both my interviewers. (I'm really really smart in real life! Honest!) The fact that I remained under active review -- neither rejected nor officially waitlisted -- post-interview suggests to me that the interviews here play a smaller role in admissions than many of us suspect.
If anything, I know someone who thought he totally bombed the interviews (including the short one) but nonetheless got accepted. So it seems applicant profile and secondaries still play a very big role in post-interview file review.
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I thought my short interview was not particularly good, but that the rest of my day was great. Then my short interview interviewer replied to my thank you note by saying how I would really enjoy Nashville and that he hoped the rest of my interview day went as well as my interview with him. I took that as a really positive sign.
Now I am on "active review" and really lowering my expectations, though my impression is that if you are on active review, your chances of admission are hurt THAT badly. that or SDN kind of sucks this year at getting into Vandy.
Now I am on "active review" and really lowering my expectations, though my impression is that if you are on active review, your chances of admission are hurt THAT badly. that or SDN kind of sucks this year at getting into Vandy.
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This is just speculation like the rest of you, but I also don't think interviews play as big a role as at other schools. Not saying they're not important, just less of a factor relative to other schools. The reason I feel this way is because they interview a lot more people than they accept compared to other schools, so I assume things like the secondary and an overall review of the file still play a pretty major role in determining who gets in
I can't imagine only ~30% of people interview well enough to get in. There have to be other factors at play.
I can't imagine only ~30% of people interview well enough to get in. There have to be other factors at play.
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Have you met pre-meds?
Also, this reasoning is specious. You could also argue the opposite--that, for a place like UMich (which accepts the vast majority of its interviewees), interviews don't mean as much (e.g. are more of a formality or a way to weed out any last weirdos). Why would Vanderbilt submit so many applicants to the interview screen if they weren't using it to differentiate their large pool?
Even then, that's not why I decided to weigh in. In my personal experience, both times Vandy called me, they alluded to something an interviewer had said or written. Moreover, after chatting post-acceptance with one of their folks, it is apparent how much care and effort they put into choosing their class. Again, I wouldn't undersell the interview.
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I guess that's legit reasoning, but I also figure the secondary essay plays a big role, since it isn't used to determine interviews, but obviously it's used somewhere.
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I guess that's a good point tooI wouldn't say the interviews are useless. I think they play a role, but how much? However, I was told by a faculty member that the main goal of interviews is to find the best fits for Vanderbilt.
I'm just praying my interviewer from the short interview didn't write: "Student was nervous and showed lack of composure. Student is not a good fit and I would not recommend him for admission."
I'm just praying my interviewer from the short interview didn't write: "Student was nervous and showed lack of composure. Student is not a good fit and I would not recommend him for admission."
Is there a reason that everyone is treating active review as a negative thing (I got my email two days ago)? It seems like it's just Vandy's way of apologizing for taking longer than they said that they would.
Right, I forgot about that. WAMC NOW????!?!!
B
Black Knight
Does anyone happen to know when the last interview date is?
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I don't think it's really a negative. I just think it's neutral. I feel like the reason some people think it's negative is because there have been acceptances already, so obviously if they absolutely loved you, you would have gotten in by now.
I'd still rather be on active review then have been waitlisted or rejected. Obviously, those are both still possibilities when under active review, but as long as I still have a chance at this school, I'm gonna
and hope for the best.
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I feel your pain kduck. Interviewed mid-August and got 2 active review emails too. The wait is getting brutal. I guess us Illinoisans will just have to sit tight and stay strong. Good luck!
You too!
I guess I just feel that them being "neutral" about us for months on end is inherently negative, if that makes sense.
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Yeah I know what you mean. They had so much time to get positive, and haven't yet. Obviously, they can't accept everybody and there's probably tons of good applicants, but doesn't change the fact that I wanna get in haha.
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Hi all,
What address are you sending emails to and are they confirming receipt of update? I've sent an update but have yet hear a reponse of receipt?
What address are you sending emails to and are they confirming receipt of update? I've sent an update but have yet hear a reponse of receipt?
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Tonight should be the 6th, if calls go out tonight. I'm just estimating. Please correct me.
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when do they usually start going out? im hoping against hope.
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Lol I started the cycle with low expectations, so I'm thrilled to have gotten in anywhere. BUT I absolutely loved Vandy on my interview day, so can't help but wanna get in.
Understandable. I don't have any acceptances yet so I'm trying not to hit the panic button yet lol
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¿Any calls?
👍👍👍 Every other Sunday night, I spend my life on this forum haha. C'mon Vandy! Gimme some love. 😀
Do they really go out that late?
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if vandy rejects me, i will forever hate them for interviewing me and putting these incredible fantasies in my head haha
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Anybody else interviewing here tomorrow?
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What number do I call if I just want the admissions office? On the website, I just see Dr. Sagen's number.
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That's the number to call. It doesn't actually lead directly to her, but to the admissions office.
I suppose this wasn't an admissions weekend, seeing as nobody reported receiving a call.
I really doubt that us active review folks are going to hear back until after Feb 10th (which somebody reported is the last interview date).
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