🍦 Today's Scoops Aug 31: Why you should start attending info sessions

Good morning folks! Here’s what we have today:

1. School of the Day: Vanderbilt University

2. Admissions Blueprint: All about the resume section

3. Prep Now: Why you should attend virtual info sessions

SCHOOL OF THE DAY
Vanderbilt University

Every day, we cover a different school, helping you learn something new about your favorite schools or find a new school that could end up being your dream school.

📍 Location: Nashville, Tennessee
🎓 Undergraduates Enrolled: 7,151
📊 Acceptance Rate: 7% (46,377 applicants)
📝 Average SAT/ACT: 1530/35
💸 Tuition: $58,130 (tuition), $25,606 (average net price)
📅 Admission Options: Early Decision I (November 1), Early Decision II (January 1), Regular Decision (January 1)
🏆 Top Ranking Programs: Economics (#7), Psychology (#9), Computer Science (#14) (Niche)
📈 Most Popular Majors: Social Sciences (33%), Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies (14%), Engineering (12%) (Scoir)

Some positives

🎓 Academic Excellence Across Disciplines: Vanderbilt University is highly regarded for its rigorous academics, particularly in fields like medicine, law, and business. The Vanderbilt School of Medicine and the Owen Graduate School of Management are known for producing leaders in their respective fields. Faculty members such as Professor David Penson in urologic oncology and Professor Craig Lewis in finance offer students unparalleled expertise and mentorship.

🌳 Beautiful Campus: Nestled in the heart of Nashville, Vanderbilt’s campus is a registered arboretum with over 300 different species of trees and shrubs. The campus’s lush greenery, historic buildings, and modern facilities create an inspiring environment for students. The Bicentennial Oak and the E. Bronson Ingram College are just a few highlights that showcase the campus’s blend of tradition and innovation.

🎶 Vibrant Music Scene: Located in Music City, Vanderbilt offers students unique opportunities to immerse themselves in Nashville’s thriving music culture. Whether it’s attending concerts at the iconic Ryman Auditorium or engaging with the Blair School of Music, students can explore a wide range of musical experiences both on and off campus.

🤝 Strong Sense of Community: Vanderbilt is known for fostering a close-knit community where collaboration and support are highly valued. The Vanderbilt Ingram Commons—a first-year living and learning community—helps new students transition into college life by encouraging connections and involvement from the start.

🚀 Research Opportunities: Vanderbilt offers robust research opportunities across various fields. For instance, the Vanderbilt Institute for Nanoscale Science and Engineering (VINSE) allows students to work on cutting-edge nanotechnology projects, while the Vanderbilt Brain Institute is a hub for neuroscience research. Students can engage with faculty on meaningful projects that contribute to significant advancements in their fields.

Some negatives

💸 High Tuition Costs: Vanderbilt is a private institution with a high tuition fee, which can be a significant financial burden for students and families. Although the university offers need-based financial aid, the overall cost of attendance might still be a concern for some.

📚 Competitive Environment: Vanderbilt’s academic rigor and reputation can create a highly competitive atmosphere, particularly in pre-med and engineering tracks. This intensity may be motivating for some but could also lead to stress and burnout for others who prefer a more relaxed academic setting.

🚶 Distance from Major Cities: While Nashville is a bustling city, it’s somewhat isolated from other major metropolitan areas. Students seeking frequent weekend trips to larger cities like Atlanta or Chicago might find the travel distances less convenient.

❄️ Winter Weather: Though Nashville doesn’t experience the harsh winters of the North, it does have occasional cold snaps and icy conditions that might be unexpected for students accustomed to milder climates.

ADMISSIONS BLUEPRINT
All about the resume section

When it comes to college applications, the resume section can be a powerful tool to showcase your accomplishments, skills, and experiences. While optional, a well-crafted resume can add an extra layer of depth to your application. Here’s how to make the most of it:

🎯 Why Include a Resume?
The resume allows you to highlight achievements that might not fit elsewhere in the application. It’s your chance to emphasize extracurricular activities, leadership roles, work experience, and more, giving admissions officers a fuller picture of who you are.

📐 Keep It Organized
Admissions officers are busy, so your resume should be clear and easy to navigate. Use consistent formatting, bullet points, and section headers to break down your experiences. Stick to one or two pages maximum—brevity is key!

💡 Focus on Impact
Rather than just listing your roles and responsibilities, focus on the impact you made. Use action verbs and quantify your achievements where possible (e.g., “Led a team of 10 to organize a fundraiser that raised $5,000”).

📅 Prioritize Relevant Experiences
Tailor your resume to emphasize experiences that align with the programs you’re applying to. For example, if you’re applying to an engineering program, put more emphasis on your STEM-related activities.

🖋️ Include Keywords
Some schools may use software to scan resumes for keywords. Make sure to incorporate terms that are relevant to the field or program you’re interested in, such as “research,” “leadership,” or “innovation.”

🔍 Proofread!
Spelling or grammar errors can leave a bad impression. Double-check your resume for mistakes, and consider having a teacher or mentor review it for you.

📄 Use a Standard File Format
Save your resume as a PDF to ensure that formatting remains consistent when admissions officers open it. A PDF also prevents unintended edits.

❓ FAQ: Do I Really Need a Resume?
While it’s not required, a resume can be a valuable addition to your application, especially if you have significant experiences that don’t fit neatly into other sections. If you feel confident in your achievements and how they align with the programs you’re applying to, it’s worth the effort.

PREP NOW
Why you should attend virtual info sessions

When applying to colleges, it’s easy to focus solely on GPA, test scores, and essays. But here’s a secret weapon that many applicants overlook: virtual info sessions. While they might not seem as exciting as campus tours or in-person interviews, these online sessions can be a game-changer in your college application journey. Here’s why:

🎯 Get the Inside Scoop
Virtual info sessions are hosted by admissions officers and current students who know the ins and outs of the college. They offer insights into what the school values in applicants, the unique programs available, and even what the campus culture is like. This insider knowledge can help you tailor your application to stand out from the crowd.

📝 Perfect Your Essays
Ever struggled to come up with a great “Why This College?” essay? Attending a virtual info session can provide you with the specific details and anecdotes that make your essay shine. Mentioning something you learned directly from the session shows genuine interest and effort, which admissions officers love to see.

💼 Network with Admissions Officers
Believe it or not, admissions officers remember students who engage during virtual info sessions. By asking thoughtful questions and showing enthusiasm, you can make a positive impression that might just give your application a little extra boost. Plus, some sessions offer follow-up opportunities, allowing you to connect further with the admissions team.

📚 Discover Hidden Gems
Sometimes, the colleges that end up being the best fit aren’t the ones you initially had on your radar. Virtual info sessions give you the chance to explore schools you might not have considered otherwise, potentially leading you to a hidden gem that perfectly matches your academic and personal interests.

🧑‍💻 Pro Tip: Make the Most of It
To get the most out of a virtual info session, come prepared. Research the school beforehand, have questions ready, and take notes during the session. These notes can be invaluable when you’re filling out applications or prepping for interviews.

In a nutshell, virtual info sessions are a must-do for any serious college applicant. They offer valuable insights, help you craft stronger applications, and give you a chance to connect with the people who may ultimately decide your admissions fate. So, don’t miss out—attend as many as you can! 🚀

LINK LOUNGE
Key Resources & Scholarships

In the Link Lounge section, you can find links to great resources such as scholarships during the college application process. These links can be really helpful and will be updated every Wednesday, so be sure to check back frequently!

Inside the Yale Admissions Office - This podcast by the Yale Admissions Office gives great insights into what goes on behind the scenes at many selective admissions offices. A great listen, especially if you’re interested in applying to Yale!

Federal Student Aid Guide on Finding Scholarships - This website by the Federal Student Aid program (a government program!) provides steps to prepare yourself for finding scholarships for college. It also includes many links to other great resources.

MathGPT - Not so much college-related, but a great tool for high school or college, that lets you create Khan Academy-style videos on any math topic or to answer any math question you might have.

DAILY DEADLINE UPDATES
Important testing dates are coming up!

In the Daily Deadlines section, we will keep you updated on upcoming deadlines in the college admissions world. Remember to not procrastinate and stay ahead of these deadlines!

September ACT: Saturday, September 14
University of Texas/UNC Chapel Hill Early Action Deadline: October 15
Most ED, REA & EA Deadlines: November 1

THE ARCHIVE
Looking for past mailings?

You can view all our previous posts at our website at https://scholarscoops.beehiiv.com

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