2015-2016 Vanderbilt University Application Thread

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As blasphemeous as this may be to @Cyberdyne 101's ears, Dr. Zoe Hart > Taylor Swift any day of the week 😛
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:laugh:
 
no secondary yet and my stats are above the cutoff form last year.
 
Best of luck to everyone! Also sitting around waiting for that secondary to hit my mailbox
 
I am just a little worried, because I took the MCAT twice and got a 10 on verbal the first and a 9 the second... Will that look bad even though my overall score improved by four points the second time around?
 
I am just a little worried, because I took the MCAT twice and got a 10 on verbal the first and a 9 the second... Will that look bad even though my overall score improved by four points the second time around?
Theres always a +/- fluctuation in MCAT scores, hence the range of percentiles that AMCAS puts you in. I think its safe to say a 9 vs. 10 verbal is not much of a difference.

For me though, does anyone think I will run into any trouble with schools this year with a 13P,8V,13B? It is a 34 total, but an 8 verbal is pretty low 🙁
 
I am just a little worried, because I took the MCAT twice and got a 10 on verbal the first and a 9 the second... Will that look bad even though my overall score improved by four points the second time around?

This shouldn't be a major problem. As @derrick rose mentioned, there will be fluctuations across multiple MCATs and one point lower is pretty unsubstantial. Don't fret!

Theres always a +/- fluctuation in MCAT scores, hence the range of percentiles that AMCAS puts you in. I think its safe to say a 9 vs. 10 verbal is not much of a difference.

For me though, does anyone think I will run into any trouble with schools this year with a 13P,8V,13B? It is a 34 total, but an 8 verbal is pretty low 🙁

Those science scores are competitive for most schools haha. While an 8V is slightly on the lower side, I don't think it should stand too much of a hindrance. Plus, even if it was, it's already done and submitted so there's no point in worrying about it! Kick back, churn out those secondaries, and have fun with the cycle 🙂.
 
Does anyone know if Vandy has any specific requirements regarding the LORs? It doesn't say much on the website other than that it wants 3.
 
Did anyone receive a secondary yet? I know on their website the first day is today, but I haven't gotten one.
 
Can I send more than 3 letters of recommendation?

While there certainly are no rules against sending more than 3 letters, we recommend that you limit the number of letters sent to those that are requested. We do not recommend over 5 letters. If your school attaches letters of evaluation to their committee or pre-med advisor letter, we view that as one letter.



I read this as meaning that they recommend 3, but can send up to 5.
Yes, that what it means. My brother applied and interviewed, sent in 5 letters, no issues. Just don't send any more than 5, as they may start to ding you about it.
 
If your school attaches letters of evaluation to their committee or pre-med advisor letter, we view that as one letter.

Interesting, so my committee packet that has the letter written by the committee and the five letters they required us to turn in only counts as one letter?
 
Interesting, so my committee packet that has the letter written by the committee and the five letters they required us to turn in only counts as one letter?

I'm not completely sure, but they might mean that the evaluation letter written by the committee would count as +1 letter in addition to the letters that would be attached to it. Just my interpretation of it
 
My committee letter has 6 individual letters attached to it. No way of detaching specific letters to specific schools.

Hopefully this isn't held against me!
 
My committee letter has 6 individual letters attached to it. No way of detaching specific letters to specific schools.

Hopefully this isn't held against me!
If your school normally does well sending kids to Vandy, then I wouldn't sweat it--your committee knows what they're doing!
 
If you don't mind me asking, where are you from and what are your stats? Thanks!!
Haha I am IN/3.9/522. I don't think they've started sending any out at This point though, I'm sure that at least ONE SDNer would be in the first wave. Wouldn't sweat it at any rate! Would anticipate it being by the end of the week.
 
Haha I am IN/3.9/522. I don't think they've started sending any out at This point though, I'm sure that at least ONE SDNer would be in the first wave. Wouldn't sweat it at any rate! Would anticipate it being by the end of the week.
I thought +1 meant you got a secondary. oops! haha. Regardless, thanks for replying and for the reassuring words. Good luck to everyone!
 
It's all quiet here around Nashville as well. I swear I've refreshed my email and this feed at least once every minute for the past two days.
 
It's all quiet here around Nashville as well. I swear I've refreshed my email and this feed at least once every minute for the past two days.
Haha well I thought I read somewhere that the first secondaries would be sent out July 6 so that's the only reason I'm just a tad bit surprised there's been no movement yet. All in due time though!!
 
Haha well I thought I read somewhere that the first secondaries would be sent out July 6 so that's the only reason I'm just a tad bit surprised there's been no movement yet. All in due time though!!

I like your attitude haha! I read the same thing... But you're right! We've all got to be patient! There's nothing more to do now but wait and we know we've given it our best effort!
 
Peeked at your MD Apps and was floored. From previous Vanderbilt threads, it looks like you'll have no problem getting an early-batch secondary.

I'll be here in my web, hoping Vanderbilt gives my <3.7 cGPA some attention.
You're so sweet, thank you! 😳 I'm sure at the end of the day, med schools like Vandy just want students who "fit," you know? It's much more than numbers, and I'm sure we all have great stories to share! I'm sure plenty of us will be receiving secondaries soon! :clap:
 
Another incoming MS1 checking in here. I fell in love with Vandy during my interview day and am so excited that this is where I ended up!! I'm also happy to try to answer any questions you guys might have about the school or application process.

And a little nugget of encouragement for those of you with stats below the auto cut off for secondaries--I got in, albeit off the waitlist, with stats pretty close to or even below the 10th percentiles listed on MSAR. I know it's so hard to be patient, but if they think you're a good fit, they'll give you a chance to prove it eventually. 🙂
 
Thanks penutbutterdaisy 🙂 I am just curious to know what is the good "fit" for Vanderbilt?
 
Just got the secondary email!

Verified 6/8, 3.9/522
 
I just got the email too. My heart sunk when I saw it because I thought it would be a pre secondary reject. At least there's still hope! Congrats panda16! Good luck!!
 
I assumed from last year, the automatic secondary screen would be a 3.8+ and 37+, which I have. But I got the screening committee email not secondary so idk..
 
I received an email saying my application will be reviewed but no secondary invite. Does this mean that I was prescreened and will probably not end up getting a secondary?
 
I received an email saying my application will be reviewed but no secondary invite. Does this mean that I was prescreened and will probably not end up getting a secondary?
I would take it to mean that they will review your app more closely before sending a secondary, i.e. if the rest of the people who have already gotten one this morning were given it purely because of stats. Hoping for the best!
 
dang they must have increased the stat screen this year to 3.9/37 or 3.8/38 or something! really hoping for a secondary soon!!
 
Also for those wondering, prompts are the same:

1. Write a brief autobiography. As completely and precisely as possible, give a picture of yourself, your family, and events you consider important to you. In doing so, identify the values that are of greatest importance to you. If you have completed your undergraduate education, please comment on what you have done or have been doing since graduation. (1200 word MAX)

2. Please discuss a challenging situation or obstacle you have faced in the past. Why was it challenging? How did you handle it? Knowing what you know now, would you do anything differently? What did you learn? (500 word MAX)
 
Will they send you an email if you get pre-screen rejected? Or do I just wait until March next year and assume I'm out of the running?
 
Secondary received and submitted! LizzyScore=80.
Same prompts as last year!

Good luck everyone! If you haven't received a secondary yet, just hold on tight!
 
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