I got a Vanderbilt interview!

[wxl31]

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I'm so happy I just wanted to share with everyone. They printed the letter out on my birthday too! I live in California so I'm sure more and more ppl will be celebrating on Monday.

 

[Haybrant]

I'm so happy I just wanted to share with everyone. They printed the letter out on my birthday too! I live in California so I'm sure more and more ppl will be celebrating on Monday.

congrats! how was the secondary for vandy? what were the questions? what are your stats? how did you feel about your pers statement?

 

[wxl31]

congrats! how was the secondary for vandy? what are your stats? how did you feel about your pers statement?

They grant interviews based on just your AMCAS application. As for the secondary, I haven't even logged in yet, but I hear it's an autobiography. 33P, 3.7. Everyone said my AMCAS statement was solid. Hope that helps!

 

[junathon]

i'm happy for you. when i read your post i ran out to my mailbox to check too, but i got nothing 🙁 🙁 🙁 oh well! do you mind sharing your stats?

 

[derf]

happy B-day!

 

[lakersfan]

I'm so happy I just wanted to share with everyone. They printed the letter out on my birthday too! I live in California so I'm sure more and more ppl will be celebrating on Monday.

hey, congrats first of all! i'm from california and have virtually the same stats- a little lower gpa (33, 3.6). when did u send in ur amcas and get verified? thanks.

 

[sandg]

Just to confrim what wxl31 said, I got a letter in the mail today too. It was dated July 27 if that helps anyone. Good luck.

 

[wxl31]

hey, congrats first of all! i'm from california and have virtually the same stats- a little lower gpa (33, 3.6). when did u send in ur amcas and get verified? thanks.

verified on 6/29. submitted 6/22. it'll come =) maybe monday. mail can be a little slow.

 

[calstudent]

congrats and happy b-day.
this means i will be waiting for my mailman on monday! (why don't they have mail on sundays )

 

[captbadass]

anybody hear from vanderbilt today? i checked the mail, but the mailman forgot to put the vanderbilt invite in there. just bills. damn mailman.

capt

 

[sockandmittens]

yeah i got mine today....

 

[leechy]

got mine saturday. not sure i can afford to go 🙁

 

[superdevil]

hey everybody,

if you got the vandy invite, would you please say when your AMCAS was processed? thanks a million.

 

[junathon]

yay!!! i got mine today. my amcas was processed on 7/8. good luck everyone!! does anyone know the interview/acceptance ratio?

 

[leechy]

hey everybody,

if you got the vandy invite, would you please say when your AMCAS was processed? thanks a million.

processed 6/23.

 

[sockandmittens]

processed 6.16- i'm sure you'll be hearing soon =)

 

[superdevil]

Originally Posted by junathon
yay!!! i got mine today. my amcas was processed on 7/8.

AHHHHHHHH DAMMIT!!!!.....um, i mean, "well done, congratulations." you were processed after me, too (mine was 7/7). 😀

i know i shouldn't hyperventilate over not being on the frontlines of the vandy invites, but being ~my first choice and all....come to think of it, maybe i should just chill the hell out!

 

[futuremsfdoc]

YES! got mine today. processed 7/8. how many people do they typically interview?

 

[babyface]

YES! got mine today. processed 7/8. how many people do they typically interview?

They interview ~750-800 and accept ~280-300. Gotta tell ya, your chances are pretty good, considering you have interview this early of the game. Good luck!

 

[superdevil]

Originally Posted by futuremsfdoc
YES! got mine today. processed 7/8. how many people do they typically interview?

[in crazed, homer simpson voice] urge to kill, rising...rising...

 

[leechy]

They interview ~750-800 and accept ~280-300. Gotta tell ya, your chances are pretty good, considering you have interview this early of the game. Good luck!

thanks for the stats, babyface. are these stats available somewhere or do you happen to know them because you've been through the process? I've found # interviewed through MSAR, but have yet to find a good source for # accepted (MSAR shares # matriculated).

 

[babyface]

thanks for the stats, babyface. are these stats available somewhere or do you happen to know them because you've been through the process? I've found # interviewed through MSAR, but have yet to find a good source for # accepted (MSAR shares # matriculated).

USNews, if you pay the online fee, actually lists # of applicants/# interviews/#accepted/#matriculated (at least last year's version). It's probably the only thing on usnews that I found helpful...enjoy Vanderbilt, it's a great school with great students and staff. The interview lunch was probably the best I've had outta all my interviews =)

 

[Yogi Bear]

from my understanding, vandy's really highlighting the newly-created 'emphasis program' right now. keep in mind that w/ the emphasis program, u'll be required to work a project (research or community service) (about 10 hrs/wk) first year, fulltime funded 8 weeks summer, and 2nd year (10 hrs/wk). so, if u've have good research background, then it'll work out pretty well. i.e. vandy doesn't only want good researchers, they'd also recruit students who could do something "different"...like start up community service programs, get involved w/ the nashville community, etc. thus, the emphasis program is meant to give both the researchers and the activist something structured to do. u might want to do a search of vandy's website for 'emphasis' program to read more about it and incorporate it into ur essays/interviews. g'luck! average section MCAT over past two years has been something like 11.2 in 2002 and 10.8 in 2003, and average gpa has been like 3.78 or 3.77.

 

[futuremsfdoc]

hmm, now the question is should i sell myself to be more research oriented or activist oriented. i've had about equal experience with both. 😕

 

[Yogi Bear]

here's link to vandy's admissions page: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/medschool/admissions/whyvandy.php if u look on there, u'll find link to emphasis program. i'm not too familiar w/ it as my class didn't participate in it.

Here's a link to emphasis program: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/root/vumc.php?site=emphasis

and here's a link to their faq section: http://www.mc.vanderbilt.edu/root/vumc.php?site=emphasis&doc=1880

in terms of the 'activist' side of ur app, i'm not sure how it'd fit into the new 'emphasis program' and the direction that the class of 2009 adcom is taking. it'd be best to read through the emphasis website to get a feel of the direction vandy is taking, and what the adcom might be looking for. lemme know if u guys have any other questions. g'luck!

 

[wxl31]

So I tried twice to call and set up my interview today with no luck. The first time I called, they said to call back after 2pm their time. The second time I called, they were closed. Ugh. I hate the time difference.

I'm going to run into this probblem again and again since I'm running around like a chicken at work and can't get to a phone easily.

My questions are:

1. Do LORs have to be in by the time of the interview?
2. How does this scheduling work? Do you call the school and set up a date and then buy your plane ticket or the other way around?
3. Has anyone called them yet? When is the first day that they interiview? I need to start looking for cheap tickets.
4. Has anyone scheduled via email yet? That would be so much easier w/ my phone problem.

Thanks!

 

[kikkoman]

1. Do LORs have to be in by the time of the interview?

No - you just have to have your secondary in.

2. How does this scheduling work? Do you call the school and set up a date and then buy your plane ticket or the other way around?

I would call first to make sure the time fits.

3. Has anyone called them yet? When is the first day that they interiview? I need to start looking for cheap tickets.

August 17th is the first day I think. They have a LOT of days open for interviewing. I think they do all weekdays except for Wednesday (although it could be all weekdays except for Thursday, I don't remember). They seem to be willing to take really good care of the interviewers, and will even schedule meetings with professors you are interested in meeting.

Anyway, I'll be there on the 20th, and I hope that helps...

 

[calstudent]

yes, i am paranoid missing the secondary/interview.
i was wondering if those of you who have it could post what the username and password are (e.g. AMCAS ID, or ssn, or date of birth), so I can try to log in. If it is something that Vandy gives in the snailmail packet, then don't worry about it.

Thanks in advance.

 

[wxl31]

yes, i am paranoid missing the secondary/interview.
i was wondering if those of you who have it could post what the username and password are (e.g. AMCAS ID, or ssn, or date of birth), so I can try to log in. If it is something that Vandy gives in the snailmail packet, then don't worry about it.

Thanks in advance.

came in my letter. if it makes you feel better, no love from ucsf and i just realized that i can't apply to usc after paying $30.

 

[SuziQ]

I'm an undergrad at Vanderbilt, and it is an incredible place! I love it. Congrats!

 

[Ranger47]

I emailed them about them and this is what they said:

"Interviews start August 17th, below is an approximate schedule for the day...times may vary:

8:15 AM-8:30 AM Orientation at 215 Light Hall

8:30-11:00-Scheduled Interviews

11:30-12:00 Information Session at 215 Light Hall

12:00 PM-12:30 PM Student given TOUR

12:30-1:00 PM free time for lunch

1:00 PM - 4:00 PM- Scheduled Interviews

Allow 45 minutes to 1 hour for interviews.

If you drive in to town park at the 25th Avenue Garage and Report to 215 Light Hall

If you fly in have transportation drive you to Medical Center North and walk 20 yards to building."

Good luck to all, maybe we'll see ya there.

 

[kikkoman]

yes, i am paranoid missing the secondary/interview.
i was wondering if those of you who have it could post what the username and password are (e.g. AMCAS ID, or ssn, or date of birth), so I can try to log in. If it is something that Vandy gives in the snailmail packet, then don't worry about it.

Thanks in advance.

Here are the essay prompts, let me know if you need anything else.

Page 3: Essays

M.D. applicants please complete the following three essays.

Autobiography: 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. (2000 word limit)

Skills: In addition to preparing you to be an excellent physician, Vanderbilt is committed to educating leaders and scholars in clinical practice, basic research, clinical research, education, and health policy. Describe any skills or experiences that have prepared you for one or more of these broader missions. (500 word limit)

Research: Discuss the scholarly work or research you have done of which you are most proud. What did you find? What might be the consequences of your work (500 word limit)

IMPORTANT:

M.D. applicants please go to Page 4.
M.D./Ph.D. applicants please submit the following 2 additional essays.

Significant Research Experiences: Describe any research experiences that might be of interest to the admissions committee.(2000 word limit)

Career Goals: Describe why you would like to complete M.D. and Ph.D. degrees. How would you like your career to develop? What are your goals?(2000 word limit)

 

[latinfridley]

so is it worth doing the 2ndary if you havent recieved an interview invite in the mail?

 

[LUBDUBB]

so is it worth doing the 2ndary if you havent recieved an interview invite in the mail?

I don't think so...because you only get the secondary if you have an interview.

 

[junathon]

the secondaries are killing me. do they really need 2000 words?? 😱 😱

 

[futuremsfdoc]

after reading over the site and curriculum, i think vandy might be my top choice.

 

[Dr Turninkoff]

no letter in tuesday's mail. vandy hates me. 😕

 

[Yogi Bear]

the secondaries are killing me. do they really need 2000 words?? 😱 😱

u prob don't need to fit in the 2000 words...though i went pretty close...it was an epic essay for me. ;-) however, i actually didn't have to put too much extra work since i pretty much reused my autobiographical sketch for my recommenders as well as for ucsd's autobiography. i.e. i gave all of my recommenders 1) personal statement 2) 2-page resume 3) 5-page double-spaced autobiography. the atuobiography that i'd written in May prior to getting LORs eventually became my Vandy 2000-word essay and ucsd's autobiography. I thought it was particularly useful for the profs who didn't know me too well, but was willing to help me out w/ a LOR. And, if u arrange it well enough, sections of ur autobiography could be cut/pasted into various secondaries. I don't remember what was on my essay but major themes like: 1) how ur background motivated u to want to be a doc 2) 1-2 activities u didn't put into ur personal statement 3) a single unique experience not in ur ps 4) explanation of any potential weakpoints of ur application.

just remember: don't put all of ur eggs in one basket. don't describe everything in ur autobio...just enough that would lead to more questions being asked during interview and that u could bring up during interview.

 

[futuremsfdoc]

anyone gonna be there with me on aug. 19?

 

[leechy]

wow, you folks are going so early. i'm thinking about postponing it until like november or so... wait and see if i get into closer schools first...

 

[sistahnik]

congrats on the invites! that's pretty awesome to have gotten them so quick, but no one should be complaining just be excited. 🙂

 

[leechy]

Whoa, I read on SDN's interview feedback that they pay for you to come to their second look (IF you get in)! That's some incentive to apply... a free 2nd trip to Nashville.

 

[kiahs]

Congradulations great job I hope everything goes well and you get in. Thanks for sharing.🙂

 

[madrigail]

Woo! I'll be there August 20th 🙂

I'm a little scared though, I was hoping to "warm up" on some schools that were not ranked so high on my "dream school" list. Nerves!!!!

😀

 

[futuremsfdoc]

apparently they don't place that much emphasis on the interview, according to interview feedback. anyone know how true this is?

 

[marr]

Congrats to you people for having being invited!!!!!!!!!!

Don't worry about the interview, be calm, and be respectful. Also, get to know your future classmates. Cheers and Good luck

 

[wxl31]

i scheduled mine for 10am on aug 23rd. anyone going on that day? i'm so nervous already.

 

[nasdr]

does anyone know if vandy has a student host program or something similar? i scheduled my interview for sept. 7 and will be arriving the night before. thanx and goodluck everyone!

 

[Shorty43]

Were any of you that got an interview at Vandy processed after the 11th of July? I'm assuming I got screened out too... but I'm just curious if they've started taking people who applied a lil later then you "on top of your game" SDNers 🙂

Thanks.

 

[futuremsfdoc]

Were any of you that got an interview at Vandy processed after the 11th of July? I'm assuming I got screened out too... but I'm just curious if they've started taking people who applied a lil later then you "on top of your game" SDNers 🙂

Thanks.

i was processed july 8. that's the latest that i've seen on sdn of the vandy interview bunch. good luck!