By: Dori Middlebrook

I Visited Vanderbilt  for senior PreVU day, along with about 75 other families, in record breaking Nashville heat of 111! A very informative session on the College of Engineering and all of the offerings-Biomedical, Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Biomolecular, Engineering Science, Engineering Management, and Computer Science.  A new dean starts on Sunday and has many expansion plans, including a. new building.

Vanderbilt has risen into the "highly selective" category, admitting only 14.2% of its 28,350 applicants! The statistics from the recently admitted class of 2016-ACT mid 50% was 32-35, SAT 1450-1590 (CR and Math), and of those that report high school rank 96% where in the top 10% of their high school class.  4,000 students were admitted, over 1,000 students were waitlisted and many have been offered spots off of the wait list to create a freshman class of 1,600.

All students are expected to live on campus all four years.  Freshmen are not allowed to have cars, but the campus offers Wecars.  There are many dining and shopping options within walking distance of campus.  New upperclassmen residence houses are currently under construction. Greek houses only house the 6 executive officers and a chapter room.  Campus  offers over 400 clubs and organizations.  50% of women and 35% of men go Greek, recruitment occurs second semester.

Three merit scholarships are available, for 100% tuition.  The Cornelius Vanderbilt-for Leadership & Academics (250-300 on campus), The Ingram-for Community Service (50 on campus), and the Chancellor-for Diversity & Social Justice (100 on campus).  All scholarships require a separate application for consideration.  Vanderbilt is committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated need for all students, with no loans.

Vanderbilt competes in Division 1 athletics as part of the SEC.  

Only 12% of students are from Tennessee.  Applicants will be holistically reviewed and extracurriculars are important-they are looking for evidence of service to the community.  Vanderbilt does not want anonymous students, they are looking for students who will engage and be active on campus.