Vanderbilt U. - anyone had a child accepted here?

[coopers5]

Hi - we were just wondering about the success of homeschoolers getting accepted into Vanderbilt University in particular.

Any and all comments regarding your own experience or that of a friend, perhaps, would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
Jo

[PamJH]

Someone was asking about college reviews a few days ago, and one respondent said she didn't get a good feel for Vanderbilt. Perhaps do a search for the thread or just look back a few days.

I have no experience with the school, but this respondent had some remarks, both good and bad. I hope that helps.

[Lisa in TN]

Yes, my daughter is a sophomore at Vanderbilt, and she knows at least a couple of other homeschoolers there.

I'm not sure what to tell you about admissions. She applied in 2007, using Vanderbilt's own application. Since then, Vandy has apparently switched to using the Common Application exclusively.

There was a homeschooling supplement that asked specifically about science labs, foreign language study, and the names of the primary textbooks used in each course. I believe it also asked why the student was homeschooled and whether the student would be considered a high school graduate by state officials.

My daughter submitted ACT scores and two SAT II's, but not the SAT I. She had taken several community college courses but no AP's. Her ACT scores were well within their 25-75 range.

Also, she's a music major who had completed Vanderbilt's pre-college music program and had studied with one of their teachers for several years. This may have helped, or the school may have just needed someone who played her instrument. I don't know how important these factors were in her admission.

What other questions can I try to answer for you?

[coopers5]

Thanks - sent you a private message.

[Lisa in TN]

Hi Jo, I have responded by private message.

[Lisa in TN]

Correction to my message above: My daughter actually submitted *three* SAT II scores -- literature, U.S. history and math level 1. At the time, Vandy recommended that homeschoolers submit three SAT IIs, including one in math. Since then, Vandy appears to have changed this recommendation slightly. The testing page (http://www.vanderbilt.edu/Admissions/applyTest.php) now says that "SAT Subject Tests are strongly recommended for home schooled applicants," but it doesn't specify how many tests or which subjects.