Vanderbilt 1L Taking Questions Forum

[gogators]

Well it sounds like this kind of thing is in vogue right now so if anyone has any questions regarding Vanderbilt shoot away.

[cardinalandgold]

What made you choose Vandy over its peer schools? How do you like Nashville so far?

[charlesjd]

Vandy is the top school on my list. I know vandy has new regulation courses. Any info on those you can give?

[gogators]

What made you choose Vandy over its peer schools? How do you like Nashville so far?

I picked Vandy for two reasons. I had the choice of living in Nashville or living in Ithaca and after visiting both I knew I could not handle being forced inside for 9 months out of the year. I was raised in Boston and know what a real winter is like, but after going to UF for undergrad I just couldn't do it anymore. The second reason is that the students seemed a lot more laid back and enjoyable. In addition to working hard, which we do!, they also know how to kick back.

And btw I love Nashville! I was skeptical before I came to visit but after living here for a couple of months I can't believe I ever doubted it. I'm not into country music either and I still love it!

[gogators]

Vandy is the top school on my list. I know vandy has new regulation courses. Any info on those you can give?

By regulation courses do you the Regulatory State course? If so, we don't get to take that until spring semester but I have heard professors say very good things about it as it was definitely somewhere that Vandy needed to become stronger in. As one lecturer said to us, you're going to run into bureaucrats 100 times more often than you'll litigate a free speech case. I'm looking forward to the class as I'll probably be doing something involved administrative law in the future but I can't really talk anymore about it than what I've already said.

[insidethetwenty]

I'll be in Nashville this weekend to see the Rebels take on Vandy. What bars/restaurants should I hit while I'm there? Music Row?

If my Sept. LSAT comes back the way I want it to, I'll have tons of Q's about the law school, too.

[gogators]

I'll be in Nashville this weekend to see the Rebels take on Vandy. What bars/restaurants should I hit while I'm there? Music Row?

If my Sept. LSAT comes back the way I want it to, I'll have tons of Q's about the law school, too.

If you're only going to be here for one night I would definitely say you should go down to Broadway and specifically The Stage or possibly the Dueling Piano's. Just being down there at night is awesome and virtually impossible to have a bad time. Music Row I would avoid although Sam's in the Hillsborough Village is great on a weekday nite.

[encee]

I'm also a Vandy 1L and I'd say to hit up The Stage or Big Bang (the place with dueling pianos) as well. Also if you're into karaoke there's Lonnie's in Printer's Alley downtown.

Tin Roof on Demonbreun is also a personal fav of mine but you should get downtown as there's easier access to more stuff.

[charlesjd]

Vandy is the top school on my list. I know vandy has new regulation courses. Any info on those you can give?

By regulation courses do you the Regulatory State course? If so, we don't get to take that until spring semester but I have heard professors say very good things about it as it was definitely somewhere that Vandy needed to become stronger in. As one lecturer said to us, you're going to run into bureaucrats 100 times more often than you'll litigate a free speech case. I'm looking forward to the class as I'll probably be doing something involved administrative law in the future but I can't really talk anymore about it than what I've already said.

I think it was more financial regulation, but maybe I'm wrong because it was during a Vandy interview and I was in the zone.

[Bronte]

OP, did you interview?

[23fulltimecowboys]

OP, did you interview?

+1
if so, how was it

[gogators]

OP, did you interview?

+1
if so, how was it

No I did not initially interview, at least not formally. However, when I came to visit in the spring and was given a one on one tour, I basically had an interview as I met and dealt with the staff for close to two hours. While I don't think that's necessary to have an interview to get it, I think that putting a face to my application was a big deal in my situation as Vanderbilt is a small knit community and they want people who will get along with others.

[VU2011]

I am interested in what percentage of students in your class were undergrads at Vandy. I'm at Vandy as an undergrad, and I've heard that it is very difficult to gain admission to the law school as one. Do you have any information on this?

[gogators]

I am interested in what percentage of students in your class were undergrads at Vandy. I'm at Vandy as an undergrad, and I've heard that it is very difficult to gain admission to the law school as one. Do you have any information on this?

I don't have a number but from knowing my class I would say at most 10 students out of the 196.

[hypermeganet]

Any thoughts on how to get in off of the initial WL I will be certainly put on due to my numbers (164/3.85)?

I am super interested in Vandy's new focus on environmental law and I'm trying to convey that in my PS but I suspect I'll be WL bound regardless.

[gogators]

Any thoughts on how to get in off of the initial WL I will be certainly put on due to my numbers (164/3.85)?

I am super interested in Vandy's new focus on environmental law and I'm trying to convey that in my PS but I suspect I'll be WL bound regardless.

As a person who has intimate knowledge of this question I would suggest a few things:

First, Vandy puts TONS of people on the WL so if you want to go here badly, you need to stay on it for the long haul, even if that means two days into orientation (which actually happened to two people in this year's class). That being said, once you're on the WL, you MUST keep in constant contact. I would suggest calling once a week, especially right after seat deposit deadlines, just to tell them that you're still interested.

Second, you must either interview or RE-interview. This won't be called an interview, just a visit, but it will basically be an interview and can be crucial to getting in since Vandy is a very small law school community and they want to put a face to the name. Make sure you come prepared with good questions and knowledge (all of which can be found on their website).

Finally, literally start asking ANYONE you know or meet if they have any connection whatever to Vandy law. I know someone who probably didn't have a realistic shot off the WL but because he asked around and found a friend of a friend of a friend who was friends with someone in the admissions office was able to have a good word put in and BOOM here they sit next to me.

I hope that helps but the bottom line is that if you want in and you're on the WL, you need to scratch and crawl your way in.

[rundoxierun]

Hi, I will be applying to vandy as one of my top choices next fall (Fall 2010 cycle) and I am looking for a bit of advice. For a little perspective I will be applying straight from undergrad and my numbers look to be around 164 LSAT from sept.(retaking in dec.) with a gpa around 3.55-3.65. In addition I am a URM(Black male), first gen college/professional school student and other things that show social disadvantage. Obviously I am a borderline candidate and I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas about anything I can do to improve my chances if my LSAT doesnt improve much. Does it help to show interest early?

[gogators]

Hi, I will be applying to vandy as one of my top choices next fall (Fall 2010 cycle) and I am looking for a bit of advice. For a little perspective I will be applying straight from undergrad and my numbers look to be around 164 LSAT from sept.(retaking in dec.) with a gpa around 3.55-3.65. In addition I am a URM(Black male), first gen college/professional school student and other things that show social disadvantage. Obviously I am a borderline candidate and I was just wondering if anyone has any ideas about anything I can do to improve my chances if my LSAT doesnt improve much. Does it help to show interest early?

Definitely helps to show interest...and a LOT of it. Interview, visit, call once a week, send LOCI's, do anything if you're WL'd because they put a lot of people on the WL and only the ones that really want to go to Vandy will come through and shine!

[ruleser]

Can you tell a little about your classmates? Are they mainly from a certain region or really from all over, how diverse - to breakthrough any Southern stereotypes, are there a fair number of jews there and do they like it.

Also, any open mics where you can embarrass yourself doing a West Coast version of Brad Paisley music?

[gogators]

Can you tell a little about your classmates? Are they mainly from a certain region or really from all over, how diverse - to breakthrough any Southern stereotypes, are there a fair number of jews there and do they like it.

Also, any open mics where you can embarrass yourself doing a West Coast version of Brad Paisley music?

My class is VERY diverse with people literally coming from all four corners of the country (including Alaska). Granted, there are more east coast people than west coast, but the number of people from Cali is staggering. So while yes it is somewhat of a southern school because it's in Tennessee, it really doesn't feel like it, especially within the confines of the law school. In fact, professors use Tennessee as a state in hypos so often I almost think better of the state than I did before moving here. Believe me, its a very relaxed environment, more so than any I've heard of in the top 25, and EVERYBODY makes friends even if they don't want to lol.

[DoctorNick189]

Would I need a car in Nashville (and if so, is Zipcar available)?

How splitter-unfriendly is admissions? (2.99/176)

I'm interviewing on my campus on Nov.2 -- any suggestions for things I should say/ask?

[gogators]

1. Would I need a car in Nashville (and if so, is Zipcar available)?

2. How splitter-unfriendly is admissions? (2.99/176)

3. I'm interviewing on my campus on Nov.2 -- any suggestions for things I should say/ask?

1. Not if you live close to campus-ish. I have a friend who doesn't have a car and is able to get around via bike and nice friends. Yes, there are zip cars, but I would say that if you can bring a car, then do so just to get around Nashville. So sufficient but not necessary.

2. I was a splitter in a similar situation, altough not as drastic. My guess is that you would be at the very least WL and then admitted as long as you show continued interest. That would involved actually visiting the school though. However, I think you would be admitted because they're GPA is already getting pretty high and they would love to hit 170 for the 75th percentile.

3. Depends on who you're interviewing with. If someone from the admissions office, then you should definately dive into the website and find very specific things to name drop. also, talk about liking a small school atmoshpere and a more relaxed environment. If its an alumni, then you should probably research some social things around Nashville and see if they click with the person (as they probably will).

[Apple Tree]

I actually interviewd with an alumni from Vandy and he loved the school....
The only thing I'm very worried about is the job prospect. I know all the schools have been hit pretty hard, but it seems like Vandy places most(?) of its students in Atlanta which was hit extra hard by the economy. I know you just started school there, but do you get any senses on the job situation for recent Vandy graduates?

[hypermeganet]

My interviewer bailed on my interview that he scheduled on Monday and hasn't responded to my attempts to contact him. Thoughts?

[gogators]

My interviewer bailed on my interview that he scheduled on Monday and hasn't responded to my attempts to contact him. Thoughts?

I would call the law school and see what they think.