Vandy Wait List Forum

[Matteliszt]

As you're tracking these numbers, you might want to also look at Duke's numbers - there's surely more candidates choosing between these 2 than any other, and I'd have to imagine that Duke tends to win that contest, opening up spots on the Vandy waitlist. This forum suggests everyone should always choose Duke over Vandy with similar $$$, but I was surprised at ASW to see about 150 of 200 people there were trying to make the exact same decision as I was between the exact same 2 schools (I clearly chose the latter). you might see a trend!

The thing I have noticed about Vandy is that, in general, if you got into Vandy you got into at least 1 t14. Since they give about 70% of admitted students schollys, it comes down to $$ at Vandy v a t14 which is a tough choice. Many of the admitted no action students have comparable offers elsewhere.

Also my data is skewed because people don't always update their LSN profiles. I have seen at least one person who was accepted at Harvard and put the attending A next to Harvard but didn't put the withdraw W next to Vandy, so for my data I had to count her as still on the wait list at vandy (I didn't want to make any assumptions)

[Matteliszt]

Accepted Attending - 10
Accepted No Action - 76
Accepted withdrawn - 120
Wait List – 115

As of 5/3/10
Jackstraw13 (161/3.7) withdraws from wait list (-1)
blahblahblah24 (165/3.79) withdraws from wait list (I didnt have his info so 0)
outlaw08 gets on the wait list (166/3.55) (+1)
barrinmb withdraws from acceptance (175/3.2) (-1)

So our totals as of 5/3/10 are
Accepted Attending - 10
Accepted No Action - 75
Accepted withdrawn - 121
Wait List 115

[Encyclopedia Brown]

I would put money on the first pull from the wait list being Encyclopedia Brown followed by a 4.0 GPA/165+ LSAT Candidate

^Would be awesome. One thing, though: You averaged the LSATs and GPAs, while the schools (for reporting purposes, anyway) use the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile in their calculations. So those numbers could be very different. If they're pulling someone off the WL for their LSAT, any score above their 75th (or median, depending on what they're trying to do) is as good as the next. So maybe not me.

That said, I hope it is me.

[Matteliszt]

^Would be awesome. One thing, though: You averaged the LSATs and GPAs, while the schools (for reporting purposes, anyway) use the 25th percentile, median, and 75th percentile in their calculations. So those numbers could be very different. If they're pulling someone off the WL for their LSAT, any score above their 75th (or median, depending on what they're trying to do) is as good as the next. So maybe not me.

I wasn't completely sure on their methodology, so I just went for an average if you are aware of how to get the data out of our sample for the other three I can do the math, I just don't know how. I can rearrange the data so we can see it in order by LSAT/GPA ect which might help as well.

You are, however, 3 points higher than the next highest LSAT (I am excluding Ahathaway since she got into Harvard) and the 174 is a 174/3.4, and the fact remains that LSATs are down for them this year in our data sample. I strongly think you and the 174/3.4 are getting the first calls

[jrobby6]

I mean, is it really a numbers game? I though the waitlist was unranked?

[TheBigMediocre]

I mean, is it really a numbers game? I though the waitlist was unranked?

It is. Now it's based on your glossy 8'' x 10'' you sent in as well as a talent show segment.

[missvik218]

I mean, is it really a numbers game? I though the waitlist was unranked?

It is. Now it's based on your glossy 8'' x 10'' you sent in as well as a talent show segment.

Mediocre ... you might get off this thing! And that's only 80% jealousy.

[Matteliszt]

My understanding is it is less about numbers than regular admissions that is true but they still have quotas they want (XLSAT 25% XLSAT 50% Xnumber of URMs etc etc) so they will probably be going to that first.

that being said, you are you and you are unique. they probably like something unique about you if you made the WL (this isn't UVA after all) and are looking to add that unique perspective to the class if someone with a similar background/experience/idea/etc drops.

[smartblonde87]

My understanding is it is less about numbers than regular admissions that is true but they still have quotas they want (XLSAT 25% XLSAT 50% Xnumber of URMs etc etc) so they will probably be going to that first.

that being said, you are you and you are unique. they probably like something unique about you if you made the WL (this isn't UVA after all) and are looking to add that unique perspective to the class if someone with a similar background/experience/idea/etc drops.

From what I understand, they pull from the wait list for diversity (female/male, regions, URM/Non-URM, etc.), although I'm sure it would be a farce to assume the numbers mean nothing.

Also, I am a high GPA splitter, but I am probably on the waitlist because of diversity - otherwise I'd have been a rejection.

[najumobi]

My understanding is it is less about numbers than regular admissions that is true but they still have quotas they want (XLSAT 25% XLSAT 50% Xnumber of URMs etc etc) so they will probably be going to that first.

that being said, you are you and you are unique. they probably like something unique about you if you made the WL (this isn't UVA after all) and are looking to add that unique perspective to the class if someone with a similar background/experience/idea/etc drops.

eh....according to lsn 40% of vandy applicants were waitlisted....that's pretty close to uva's 50%. though vandy does use their waitlist more.

[Matteliszt]

According to LSN vandy has 690 applicants. UVA has 1283.

Vandy has a 10% lower yield rate (yes I know WL, Accept is included in yield rate so maybe its not a good stat)

UVA has 66 Accepted/Attending names on LSN - Vandy has 10. So you are right about Vandy probably using the WL more.

[Matteliszt]

totals as of 5/3/10 are
Accepted Attending - 10
Accepted No Action - 75
Accepted withdrawn - 121
Wait List 115


As of 5/4/10
-1 wait list (double listed)
3 Rejects

Totals
Accepted Attending - 10
Accepted No Action - 75
Accepted withdrawn - 121
Wait List 114


I called admissions today and they wont give interviews at this point

[ziggystardust23]

anyone else planning a visit?

[TheBigMediocre]

anyone else planning a visit?

already did, pre-WL. I don't know if a post-WL is worth it.

[luhrenzo]

I called admissions today and they wont give interviews at this point

yeah i got the same news. trying to get my parents to understand the importance of making a visit but they're not excited about paying for a trip..

[najumobi]

I called admissions today and they wont give interviews at this point

yeah i got the same news. trying to get my parents to understand the importance of making a visit but they're not excited about paying for a trip..

i'm not convinced that visiting is going to make much of a difference. if you're not able to get an in-person interview what would be accomplished by a visit? if you sent a LOCI then they probably get the message that you're still interested.

[luhrenzo]

I called admissions today and they wont give interviews at this point

yeah i got the same news. trying to get my parents to understand the importance of making a visit but they're not excited about paying for a trip..

i'm not convinced that visiting is going to make much of a difference. if you're not able to get an in-person interview what would be accomplished by a visit? if you sent a LOCI then they probably get the message that you're still interested.

I think level of interest it shows is greater than with an LOCI. seeing as my only other WL id consider is NYU (and I dont think i have a prayer there) and NO acceptances I want to make sure i let Vandy know I am more than interested.

[Matteliszt]

i think Naj is right, if you aren't getting an interview you are shelling out $500+(flight+motel+car) for a tour.. probably not worth it, they wont really go "oh applicant X visited over applicant Y who didn't visit"

[JOThompson]

i think Naj is right, if you aren't getting an interview you are shelling out $500+(flight+motel+car) for a tour.. probably not worth it, they wont really go "oh applicant X visited over applicant Y who didn't visit"

According to the adcomm I met, they do note in your file if you've visited. A tiny boost at most probably but maybe worth it if you're pressing every possible advantage.

[missvik218]

i think Naj is right, if you aren't getting an interview you are shelling out $500+(flight+motel+car) for a tour.. probably not worth it, they wont really go "oh applicant X visited over applicant Y who didn't visit"

According to the adcomm I met, they do note in your file if you've visited. A tiny boost at most probably but maybe worth it if you're pressing every possible advantage.

+1, I visited post-WL and definitely think it was worth it. They won't "interview" you but they will meet with you, give you a tour, sit you in on a class, you can talk to students and profs, etc. You're having visited is noted in your file, and while you can probably send an LOCI saying all the same things I think it carries a little (and that may be all that you need) more weight if you've actually been to the school, made the extra effort, and can speak honestly and knowledgeably about the school and programs. Basically if you're going to send an LOCI saying "I will definitely attend if admitted" it's more believable if you've already been to the school, looked around, and can illustrate that you REALLY know what you're saying and getting into with that statement.

Also, Vandy is big on their tight knit community and their reputation as being a collegial school; if you can make a good impression and if you think you "fit" what they're looking for being able to make a face to face connection would only be beneficial.

[jillybeans688]

I was waitlisted awhile ago... 164/3.8x... I withdrew soon afterwards. Good luck to everyone waiting!

[ziggystardust23]

i think Naj is right, if you aren't getting an interview you are shelling out $500+(flight+motel+car) for a tour.. probably not worth it, they wont really go "oh applicant X visited over applicant Y who didn't visit"

According to the adcomm I met, they do note in your file if you've visited. A tiny boost at most probably but maybe worth it if you're pressing every possible advantage.

+1, I visited post-WL and definitely think it was worth it. They won't "interview" you but they will meet with you, give you a tour, sit you in on a class, you can talk to students and profs, etc. You're having visited is noted in your file, and while you can probably send an LOCI saying all the same things I think it carries a little (and that may be all that you need) more weight if you've actually been to the school, made the extra effort, and can speak honestly and knowledgeably about the school and programs. Basically if you're going to send an LOCI saying "I will definitely attend if admitted" it's more believable if you've already been to the school, looked around, and can illustrate that you REALLY know what you're saying and getting into with that statement.

Also, Vandy is big on their tight knit community and their reputation as being a collegial school; if you can make a good impression and if you think you "fit" what they're looking for being able to make a face to face connection would only be beneficial.

I agree, I interviewed back in October and the alumni kept stressing the importance of visiting. I'm thinking a visit can only help so I may drive up there next week and hopefully charm them into an admit!

[84Sunbird2000]

So, to those who are also still waiting - I'm on hold at WUSTL and on "Reserve" at Cornell, but have deposited at William & Mary. I'd be looking at no $ (I'd guess) at Vandy, and probably 70k or less total debt at W&M (3/4 ride). Do you folks think Vandy is really worth the extra 100-150k? I feel like I should withdraw from the waitlist if there's no compelling reason to stay on.

[NU_Jet55]

I don't know if you're still keeping track of TLS'ers that are sticking out the Vandy Waitlist, but count me in. (High GPA splitter)

[NU_Jet55]

So, to those who are also still waiting - I'm on hold at WUSTL and on "Reserve" at Cornell, but have deposited at William & Mary. I'd be looking at no $ (I'd guess) at Vandy, and probably 70k or less total debt at W&M (3/4 ride). Do you folks think Vandy is really worth the extra 100-150k? I feel like I should withdraw from the waitlist if there's no compelling reason to stay on.

As you'll learn is the answer to so many questions in the legal world, it depends...I think most of us wouldn't mind too much though if you took your name off of the waitlist