Vandy, wow…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:insane win - what the mom and dad dcum strivers on this site don’t realize is that yes, as intended ur kid going to an ivy would impress your work colleagues, old college friends, and people in town - however, most cool/smart kids want to enjoy their college experience - unless you’ve brainwashed ur mini me into thinking tunnel vision ivy or bust, or your
progeny is a total nerd. My daughter told me that her friend group from top DCUM private were all sending around the vandy partying / goalpost in nashville videos last night. Will 100% impact applicants

This really doesn't change anything. There are less than 10 kids at my kid's top DC private who have the stats that Vandy wants and they were already applying (or in many cases-not). it doesn't matter whether the kids in the lower 90% of the class are now on the Vandy bandwagon--they're not getting in (they get rejected from our school each and every year like clockwork.)

Kids who might have ED to northwestern or Penn might pivot to Vandy.

Nnnnoo. Not going to happen. Students who want a top10 that is slightly more social than other T10s might pick Penn or NU or Duke over other t10. No one who was leaning ANY top10 will now be leaning Vandy. Vanderbilt is fine, but let’s be real: it’s peers are Emory, WashU, Rice,Georgetown, ND. Not ivies, not Northwestern, not even Duke(head to head admit data shows Vandy is never picked over any ivy or Duke , barring a free ride).

Northwestern and Vanderbilt get the same kids. Duke students tend to be a little nerdier. And all three schools get students who are not fixated on Ivy League or bust. Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Duke typically get a large percentage of their class in the early decision round. Which means the schools were their first choice. And all of those admitted students are more than qualified for any Ivy League school, but they clearly have different priorities and wants.

Among 18 year olds, Vanderbilt more than holds its own against any school. There remains some generational bias from older people, but times change. And beating Alabama and having a fun big time sports moment is something that is very appealing to a lot of smart and social students. Watching your school beat Alabama on national television is far more exciting than yet another desultory game between Columbia and Penn. It's a vibe that's very appealing to a lot of people. And the difference in prestige or opportunities between Vanderbilt and Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, Columbia, or Penn outside of Wharton is negligible. A lot of students today would choose Vanderbilt over the Ivy League. And yesterday's game will only cement that.

Mic drop. Kids that lost years of childhood to COVID desperately want what they saw on TV at Vandy last night.

SOME kids want that. SOME. Mine both did not apply to ND or Vandy because the vibe was not right, especially ND--way too much sports focus. Felt like UVA, which they hated. They both loved Ivies, Williams, Davidson, William&Mary. Both are at Ivies and have a lot of fun, just not big game loud sports crowds fun. Picking a school for sports is unfathomable to many students. Kids are all different. Doubt Vanderbilt apps will go up.

Correct. I really doubt they will go up among kids who are actually qualified to attend Vandy.
Vandy has recently (last 3 years) required a 3.9+ from our (grade deflating) private. That means about 10 kids a year are qualified to put their hat in the ring.
Of those 10, maybe 2 even considered it for ED. The rest are going for an ED or SCEA Ivy. The two who considered Vandy definitely debated their decision at length. They're not making some last minute decision based on this game.

Agree, this game isn't shifting tendencies, however, I will say that my high stats kid who is all in for ND is also considering Vanderbilt. Academics good enough at both schools, but football much better at ND. This game did not change her mind, and she will not be doing ED there. Maybe RD as a backup. Some smart kids like the energy of football weekends. It's a work hard play hard attitude. And in my eyes, a more balanced college experience. My kid is not interested in ivies even though she has the test scores and grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:insane win - what the mom and dad dcum strivers on this site don’t realize is that yes, as intended ur kid going to an ivy would impress your work colleagues, old college friends, and people in town - however, most cool/smart kids want to enjoy their college experience - unless you’ve brainwashed ur mini me into thinking tunnel vision ivy or bust, or your
progeny is a total nerd. My daughter told me that her friend group from top DCUM private were all sending around the vandy partying / goalpost in nashville videos last night. Will 100% impact applicants

This really doesn't change anything. There are less than 10 kids at my kid's top DC private who have the stats that Vandy wants and they were already applying (or in many cases-not). it doesn't matter whether the kids in the lower 90% of the class are now on the Vandy bandwagon--they're not getting in (they get rejected from our school each and every year like clockwork.)

Kids who might have ED to northwestern or Penn might pivot to Vandy.

Nnnnoo. Not going to happen. Students who want a top10 that is slightly more social than other T10s might pick Penn or NU or Duke over other t10. No one who was leaning ANY top10 will now be leaning Vandy. Vanderbilt is fine, but let’s be real: it’s peers are Emory, WashU, Rice,Georgetown, ND. Not ivies, not Northwestern, not even Duke(head to head admit data shows Vandy is never picked over any ivy or Duke , barring a free ride).

Northwestern and Vanderbilt get the same kids. Duke students tend to be a little nerdier. And all three schools get students who are not fixated on Ivy League or bust. Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Duke typically get a large percentage of their class in the early decision round. Which means the schools were their first choice. And all of those admitted students are more than qualified for any Ivy League school, but they clearly have different priorities and wants.

Among 18 year olds, Vanderbilt more than holds its own against any school. There remains some generational bias from older people, but times change. And beating Alabama and having a fun big time sports moment is something that is very appealing to a lot of smart and social students. Watching your school beat Alabama on national television is far more exciting than yet another desultory game between Columbia and Penn. It's a vibe that's very appealing to a lot of people. And the difference in prestige or opportunities between Vanderbilt and Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, Columbia, or Penn outside of Wharton is negligible. A lot of students today would choose Vanderbilt over the Ivy League. And yesterday's game will only cement that.

this describes our kid, at Vandy now. Parent #1 (ivy / ivy) took some time but they finally came around to full support for what was inevitable anyway.

Some kids really don't want ivy at any cost, just to be able to say 'ivy.' I will probably be pilloried for this. but it has been my experience that very high achieving white, non-FGLI kids are the ones who are more likely to be comfortable in their choice to skip the ivy-or-bust mania that seems to grip other demographics. Like the not-small group of kids that apply to all 8 ivy schools for some reason, as if dartmouth and columbia had similar vibes or did the same things well in similar physical environments.

+1000 Especially after touring a handful of ivies and see a TON of nerdy, bookish kids everywhere. Some smart kids want fun, sports and parties too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:insane win - what the mom and dad dcum strivers on this site don’t realize is that yes, as intended ur kid going to an ivy would impress your work colleagues, old college friends, and people in town - however, most cool/smart kids want to enjoy their college experience - unless you’ve brainwashed ur mini me into thinking tunnel vision ivy or bust, or your
progeny is a total nerd. My daughter told me that her friend group from top DCUM private were all sending around the vandy partying / goalpost in nashville videos last night. Will 100% impact applicants

This really doesn't change anything. There are less than 10 kids at my kid's top DC private who have the stats that Vandy wants and they were already applying (or in many cases-not). it doesn't matter whether the kids in the lower 90% of the class are now on the Vandy bandwagon--they're not getting in (they get rejected from our school each and every year like clockwork.)

Kids who might have ED to northwestern or Penn might pivot to Vandy.

Nnnnoo. Not going to happen. Students who want a top10 that is slightly more social than other T10s might pick Penn or NU or Duke over other t10. No one who was leaning ANY top10 will now be leaning Vandy. Vanderbilt is fine, but let’s be real: it’s peers are Emory, WashU, Rice,Georgetown, ND. Not ivies, not Northwestern, not even Duke(head to head admit data shows Vandy is never picked over any ivy or Duke , barring a free ride).

Northwestern and Vanderbilt get the same kids. Duke students tend to be a little nerdier. And all three schools get students who are not fixated on Ivy League or bust. Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Duke typically get a large percentage of their class in the early decision round. Which means the schools were their first choice. And all of those admitted students are more than qualified for any Ivy League school, but they clearly have different priorities and wants.

Among 18 year olds, Vanderbilt more than holds its own against any school. There remains some generational bias from older people, but times change. And beating Alabama and having a fun big time sports moment is something that is very appealing to a lot of smart and social students. Watching your school beat Alabama on national television is far more exciting than yet another desultory game between Columbia and Penn. It's a vibe that's very appealing to a lot of people. And the difference in prestige or opportunities between Vanderbilt and Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, Columbia, or Penn outside of Wharton is negligible. A lot of students today would choose Vanderbilt over the Ivy League. And yesterday's game will only cement that.

this describes our kid, at Vandy now. Parent #1 (ivy / ivy) took some time but they finally came around to full support for what was inevitable anyway.

Some kids really don't want ivy at any cost, just to be able to say 'ivy.' I will probably be pilloried for this. but it has been my experience that very high achieving white, non-FGLI kids are the ones who are more likely to be comfortable in their choice to skip the ivy-or-bust mania that seems to grip other demographics. Like the not-small group of kids that apply to all 8 ivy schools for some reason, as if dartmouth and columbia had similar vibes or did the same things well in similar physical environments.

+1000 Especially after touring a handful of ivies and see a TON of nerdy, bookish kids everywhere. Some smart kids want fun, sports and parties too.

agree with both of you. and agree on the demographic point too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:insane win - what the mom and dad dcum strivers on this site don’t realize is that yes, as intended ur kid going to an ivy would impress your work colleagues, old college friends, and people in town - however, most cool/smart kids want to enjoy their college experience - unless you’ve brainwashed ur mini me into thinking tunnel vision ivy or bust, or your
progeny is a total nerd. My daughter told me that her friend group from top DCUM private were all sending around the vandy partying / goalpost in nashville videos last night. Will 100% impact applicants

This really doesn't change anything. There are less than 10 kids at my kid's top DC private who have the stats that Vandy wants and they were already applying (or in many cases-not). it doesn't matter whether the kids in the lower 90% of the class are now on the Vandy bandwagon--they're not getting in (they get rejected from our school each and every year like clockwork.)

Kids who might have ED to northwestern or Penn might pivot to Vandy.

Nnnnoo. Not going to happen. Students who want a top10 that is slightly more social than other T10s might pick Penn or NU or Duke over other t10. No one who was leaning ANY top10 will now be leaning Vandy. Vanderbilt is fine, but let’s be real: it’s peers are Emory, WashU, Rice,Georgetown, ND. Not ivies, not Northwestern, not even Duke(head to head admit data shows Vandy is never picked over any ivy or Duke , barring a free ride).

Northwestern and Vanderbilt get the same kids. Duke students tend to be a little nerdier. And all three schools get students who are not fixated on Ivy League or bust. Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Duke typically get a large percentage of their class in the early decision round. Which means the schools were their first choice. And all of those admitted students are more than qualified for any Ivy League school, but they clearly have different priorities and wants.

Among 18 year olds, Vanderbilt more than holds its own against any school. There remains some generational bias from older people, but times change. And beating Alabama and having a fun big time sports moment is something that is very appealing to a lot of smart and social students. Watching your school beat Alabama on national television is far more exciting than yet another desultory game between Columbia and Penn. It's a vibe that's very appealing to a lot of people. And the difference in prestige or opportunities between Vanderbilt and Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, Columbia, or Penn outside of Wharton is negligible. A lot of students today would choose Vanderbilt over the Ivy League. And yesterday's game will only cement that.

this describes our kid, at Vandy now. Parent #1 (ivy / ivy) took some time but they finally came around to full support for what was inevitable anyway.

Some kids really don't want ivy at any cost, just to be able to say 'ivy.' I will probably be pilloried for this. but it has been my experience that very high achieving white, non-FGLI kids are the ones who are more likely to be comfortable in their choice to skip the ivy-or-bust mania that seems to grip other demographics. Like the not-small group of kids that apply to all 8 ivy schools for some reason, as if dartmouth and columbia had similar vibes or did the same things well in similar physical environments.

+1000 Especially after touring a handful of ivies and see a TON of nerdy, bookish kids everywhere. Some smart kids want fun, sports and parties too.

Vandy has an increasing number of nerdy, bookish kids as well.

[Anonymous]

Vandy is a great party school.

Hoo rah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:biggest sports win by a T20 in god knows how long. yeah Duke blah blah coach K set college hoop back 20 years with his obnoxious control of mcdonald’s recruits - success handed to him - vandy truly a great story today. Will be harder to get in next year, with all the hs kids seeing the celebratory atmosphere - great day in nashville

Vandy is not Duke. Duke is a top10, different tier. Congrats tho on a Vandy win. Over a ridiculous school that is one of the least academically centered institutions I have encountered

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:insane win - what the mom and dad dcum strivers on this site don’t realize is that yes, as intended ur kid going to an ivy would impress your work colleagues, old college friends, and people in town - however, most cool/smart kids want to enjoy their college experience - unless you’ve brainwashed ur mini me into thinking tunnel vision ivy or bust, or your
progeny is a total nerd. My daughter told me that her friend group from top DCUM private were all sending around the vandy partying / goalpost in nashville videos last night. Will 100% impact applicants

This really doesn't change anything. There are less than 10 kids at my kid's top DC private who have the stats that Vandy wants and they were already applying (or in many cases-not). it doesn't matter whether the kids in the lower 90% of the class are now on the Vandy bandwagon--they're not getting in (they get rejected from our school each and every year like clockwork.)

Kids who might have ED to northwestern or Penn might pivot to Vandy.

Nnnnoo. Not going to happen. Students who want a top10 that is slightly more social than other T10s might pick Penn or NU or Duke over other t10. No one who was leaning ANY top10 will now be leaning Vandy. Vanderbilt is fine, but let’s be real: it’s peers are Emory, WashU, Rice,Georgetown, ND. Not ivies, not Northwestern, not even Duke(head to head admit data shows Vandy is never picked over any ivy or Duke , barring a free ride).

Northwestern and Vanderbilt get the same kids. Duke students tend to be a little nerdier. And all three schools get students who are not fixated on Ivy League or bust. Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Duke typically get a large percentage of their class in the early decision round. Which means the schools were their first choice. And all of those admitted students are more than qualified for any Ivy League school, but they clearly have different priorities and wants.

Among 18 year olds, Vanderbilt more than holds its own against any school. There remains some generational bias from older people, but times change. And beating Alabama and having a fun big time sports moment is something that is very appealing to a lot of smart and social students. Watching your school beat Alabama on national television is far more exciting than yet another desultory game between Columbia and Penn. It's a vibe that's very appealing to a lot of people. And the difference in prestige or opportunities between Vanderbilt and Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, Columbia, or Penn outside of Wharton is negligible. A lot of students today would choose Vanderbilt over the Ivy League. And yesterday's game will only cement that.

this describes our kid, at Vandy now. Parent #1 (ivy / ivy) took some time but they finally came around to full support for what was inevitable anyway.

Some kids really don't want ivy at any cost, just to be able to say 'ivy.' I will probably be pilloried for this. but it has been my experience that very high achieving white, non-FGLI kids are the ones who are more likely to be comfortable in their choice to skip the ivy-or-bust mania that seems to grip other demographics. Like the not-small group of kids that apply to all 8 ivy schools for some reason, as if dartmouth and columbia had similar vibes or did the same things well in similar physical environments.

+1000 Especially after touring a handful of ivies and see a TON of nerdy, bookish kids everywhere. Some smart kids want fun, sports and parties too.

Vandy has an increasing number of nerdy, bookish kids as well.

This. The cohort of bookish(thought provoking intellectuals ) at Vanderbilt is increasing. If they want to be seen as T15-20 this will need to increase a bit more. The level of intellectual intensity is strong at ivy-plus. WashU is on track to capture this vibe before Vanderbilt, and may have already done it. With two at top 10 (Hopkins, ivy) Iam biased toward the ivy-type nerd who is a thinker first, social being second. I think the push of Vanderbilt toward ivy-+ will only help it. Let UNC and USC and UVA continue the smart but not brilliant social life counts more vibes: Vandy should chase almost ivy students to increase their perceived worth and rank. Football presence is counterintuitive to these goals

[Anonymous]

Demographics at Vandy vs Yale
Asian 18.6 vs 16.8
Hispanic 11.9 vs 11.5
Black 10.4 vs 6.88
Two or more races 5.9 vs 5.38

Not really sure why your white kid is soo much more comfortable at Vandy, but .. whatevs. On our Vandy tour, the guide was Indian and said they had a more robust Indian community than the more prestigious schools she considered.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Demographics at Vandy vs Yale
Asian 18.6 vs 16.8
Hispanic 11.9 vs 11.5
Black 10.4 vs 6.88
Two or more races 5.9 vs 5.38

Not really sure why your white kid is soo much more comfortable at Vandy, but .. whatevs. On our Vandy tour, the guide was Indian and said they had a more robust Indian community than the more prestigious schools she considered.

There is a contingent on DCUM that is heavily biased towards Ivy and against southern and midwestern schools. Basically, if a school is not in the NE, by definition, it can’t be good or of similar quality. And, by definition, non-NE schools are non-diverse and racist. Turns out, progressives are just provincials.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Demographics at Vandy vs Yale
Asian 18.6 vs 16.8
Hispanic 11.9 vs 11.5
Black 10.4 vs 6.88
Two or more races 5.9 vs 5.38

Not really sure why your white kid is soo much more comfortable at Vandy, but .. whatevs. On our Vandy tour, the guide was Indian and said they had a more robust Indian community than the more prestigious schools she considered.

There is a contingent on DCUM that is heavily biased towards Ivy and against southern and midwestern schools. Basically, if a school is not in the NE, by definition, it can’t be good or of similar quality. And, by definition, non-NE schools are non-diverse and racist. Turns out, progressives are just provincials.

I disagree w this. I think there’s a huge DCUM cohort (maybe majority) who are always talking about getting away from the DEI-driven, woke virus, they/them ivies. Their kids are “normal” non-needs who like to party and hook up w other kids who are their same race. They think places like Vandy are the answer for their white kid. But (see above) your white kid is going to be run into as many POC at Vandy as they at Yale (which, at 4% admission rate maybe isn’t really such a worry). And if your 50 yo brain can’t wrap its head around saying “their”, well, good thing you’re not the one going to college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Demographics at Vandy vs Yale
Asian 18.6 vs 16.8
Hispanic 11.9 vs 11.5
Black 10.4 vs 6.88
Two or more races 5.9 vs 5.38

Not really sure why your white kid is soo much more comfortable at Vandy, but .. whatevs. On our Vandy tour, the guide was Indian and said they had a more robust Indian community than the more prestigious schools she considered.

There is a contingent on DCUM that is heavily biased towards Ivy and against southern and midwestern schools. Basically, if a school is not in the NE, by definition, it can’t be good or of similar quality. And, by definition, non-NE schools are non-diverse and racist. Turns out, progressives are just provincials.

I disagree w this. I think there’s a huge DCUM cohort (maybe majority) who are always talking about getting away from the DEI-driven, woke virus, they/them ivies. Their kids are “normal” non-needs who like to party and hook up w other kids who are their same race. They think places like Vandy are the answer for their white kid. But (see above) your white kid is going to be run into as many POC at Vandy as they at Yale (which, at 4% admission rate maybe isn’t really such a worry). And if your 50 yo brain can’t wrap its head around saying “their”, well, good thing you’re not the one going to college.

Agree , every other thread lately is about the ivies being too nerdy: they often mean too asian as they use the term nerd for how kids look on tours. some posters outright say they want more white. In either case, data shows the demographics are similar. Experience with kids who go to various schools, nerdiness/intellectual intensity is a dominant feature among Vanderbilt as well as ivies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Demographics at Vandy vs Yale
Asian 18.6 vs 16.8
Hispanic 11.9 vs 11.5
Black 10.4 vs 6.88
Two or more races 5.9 vs 5.38

Not really sure why your white kid is soo much more comfortable at Vandy, but .. whatevs. On our Vandy tour, the guide was Indian and said they had a more robust Indian community than the more prestigious schools she considered.

There is a contingent on DCUM that is heavily biased towards Ivy and against southern and midwestern schools. Basically, if a school is not in the NE, by definition, it can’t be good or of similar quality. And, by definition, non-NE schools are non-diverse and racist. Turns out, progressives are just provincials.

I disagree w this. I think there’s a huge DCUM cohort (maybe majority) who are always talking about getting away from the DEI-driven, woke virus, they/them ivies. Their kids are “normal” non-needs who like to party and hook up w other kids who are their same race. They think places like Vandy are the answer for their white kid. But (see above) your white kid is going to be run into as many POC at Vandy as they at Yale (which, at 4% admission rate maybe isn’t really such a worry). And if your 50 yo brain can’t wrap its head around saying “their”, well, good thing you’re not the one going to college.

Agree , every other thread lately is about the ivies being too nerdy: they often mean too asian as they use the term nerd for how kids look on tours. some posters outright say they want more white. In either case, data shows the demographics are similar. Experience with kids who go to various schools, nerdiness/intellectual intensity is a dominant feature among Vanderbilt as well as ivies.

As a non-DMV private high school south Asian, I say this:

It may be disconcerting for some kids to go to a college that is so heavily Asian when it does not reflect the population of the United States or any other environment that they’re normally in.

My kids are generally never an environment that is 30-40%% Asian. It feels nerdy and intense. And not in a way they want for the next 4 years. And that’s ok. They’ll pivot with their top stats elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:insane win - what the mom and dad dcum strivers on this site don’t realize is that yes, as intended ur kid going to an ivy would impress your work colleagues, old college friends, and people in town - however, most cool/smart kids want to enjoy their college experience - unless you’ve brainwashed ur mini me into thinking tunnel vision ivy or bust, or your
progeny is a total nerd. My daughter told me that her friend group from top DCUM private were all sending around the vandy partying / goalpost in nashville videos last night. Will 100% impact applicants

This really doesn't change anything. There are less than 10 kids at my kid's top DC private who have the stats that Vandy wants and they were already applying (or in many cases-not). it doesn't matter whether the kids in the lower 90% of the class are now on the Vandy bandwagon--they're not getting in (they get rejected from our school each and every year like clockwork.)

Kids who might have ED to northwestern or Penn might pivot to Vandy.

Nnnnoo. Not going to happen. Students who want a top10 that is slightly more social than other T10s might pick Penn or NU or Duke over other t10. No one who was leaning ANY top10 will now be leaning Vandy. Vanderbilt is fine, but let’s be real: it’s peers are Emory, WashU, Rice,Georgetown, ND. Not ivies, not Northwestern, not even Duke(head to head admit data shows Vandy is never picked over any ivy or Duke , barring a free ride).

Northwestern and Vanderbilt get the same kids. Duke students tend to be a little nerdier. And all three schools get students who are not fixated on Ivy League or bust. Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Duke typically get a large percentage of their class in the early decision round. Which means the schools were their first choice. And all of those admitted students are more than qualified for any Ivy League school, but they clearly have different priorities and wants.

Among 18 year olds, Vanderbilt more than holds its own against any school. There remains some generational bias from older people, but times change. And beating Alabama and having a fun big time sports moment is something that is very appealing to a lot of smart and social students. Watching your school beat Alabama on national television is far more exciting than yet another desultory game between Columbia and Penn. It's a vibe that's very appealing to a lot of people. And the difference in prestige or opportunities between Vanderbilt and Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, Columbia, or Penn outside of Wharton is negligible. A lot of students today would choose Vanderbilt over the Ivy League. And yesterday's game will only cement that.

this describes our kid, at Vandy now. Parent #1 (ivy / ivy) took some time but they finally came around to full support for what was inevitable anyway.

Some kids really don't want ivy at any cost, just to be able to say 'ivy.' I will probably be pilloried for this. but it has been my experience that very high achieving white, non-FGLI kids are the ones who are more likely to be comfortable in their choice to skip the ivy-or-bust mania that seems to grip other demographics. Like the not-small group of kids that apply to all 8 ivy schools for some reason, as if dartmouth and columbia had similar vibes or did the same things well in similar physical environments.

+1000 Especially after touring a handful of ivies and see a TON of nerdy, bookish kids everywhere. Some smart kids want fun, sports and parties too.

Vandy has an increasing number of nerdy, bookish kids as well.

This. The cohort of bookish(thought provoking intellectuals ) at Vanderbilt is increasing. If they want to be seen as T15-20 this will need to increase a bit more. The level of intellectual intensity is strong at ivy-plus. WashU is on track to capture this vibe before Vanderbilt, and may have already done it. With two at top 10 (Hopkins, ivy) Iam biased toward the ivy-type nerd who is a thinker first, social being second. I think the push of Vanderbilt toward ivy-+ will only help it. Let UNC and USC and UVA continue the smart but not brilliant social life counts more vibes: Vandy should chase almost ivy students to increase their perceived worth and rank. Football presence is counterintuitive to these goals

This is why Wake Forest is finding its own moment/niche.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Demographics at Vandy vs Yale
Asian 18.6 vs 16.8
Hispanic 11.9 vs 11.5
Black 10.4 vs 6.88
Two or more races 5.9 vs 5.38

Not really sure why your white kid is soo much more comfortable at Vandy, but .. whatevs. On our Vandy tour, the guide was Indian and said they had a more robust Indian community than the more prestigious schools she considered.

So, Yale is less Asian (and less black) than Vanderbilt? Assuming its just more white? Andis this a surprise?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:insane win - what the mom and dad dcum strivers on this site don’t realize is that yes, as intended ur kid going to an ivy would impress your work colleagues, old college friends, and people in town - however, most cool/smart kids want to enjoy their college experience - unless you’ve brainwashed ur mini me into thinking tunnel vision ivy or bust, or your
progeny is a total nerd. My daughter told me that her friend group from top DCUM private were all sending around the vandy partying / goalpost in nashville videos last night. Will 100% impact applicants

This really doesn't change anything. There are less than 10 kids at my kid's top DC private who have the stats that Vandy wants and they were already applying (or in many cases-not). it doesn't matter whether the kids in the lower 90% of the class are now on the Vandy bandwagon--they're not getting in (they get rejected from our school each and every year like clockwork.)

Kids who might have ED to northwestern or Penn might pivot to Vandy.

Nnnnoo. Not going to happen. Students who want a top10 that is slightly more social than other T10s might pick Penn or NU or Duke over other t10. No one who was leaning ANY top10 will now be leaning Vandy. Vanderbilt is fine, but let’s be real: it’s peers are Emory, WashU, Rice,Georgetown, ND. Not ivies, not Northwestern, not even Duke(head to head admit data shows Vandy is never picked over any ivy or Duke , barring a free ride).

Northwestern and Vanderbilt get the same kids. Duke students tend to be a little nerdier. And all three schools get students who are not fixated on Ivy League or bust. Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Duke typically get a large percentage of their class in the early decision round. Which means the schools were their first choice. And all of those admitted students are more than qualified for any Ivy League school, but they clearly have different priorities and wants.

Among 18 year olds, Vanderbilt more than holds its own against any school. There remains some generational bias from older people, but times change. And beating Alabama and having a fun big time sports moment is something that is very appealing to a lot of smart and social students. Watching your school beat Alabama on national television is far more exciting than yet another desultory game between Columbia and Penn. It's a vibe that's very appealing to a lot of people. And the difference in prestige or opportunities between Vanderbilt and Dartmouth, Cornell, Brown, Columbia, or Penn outside of Wharton is negligible. A lot of students today would choose Vanderbilt over the Ivy League. And yesterday's game will only cement that.

Mic drop. Kids that lost years of childhood to COVID desperately want what they saw on TV at Vandy last night.

SOME kids want that. SOME. Mine both did not apply to ND or Vandy because the vibe was not right, especially ND--way too much sports focus. Felt like UVA, which they hated. They both loved Ivies, Williams, Davidson, William&Mary. Both are at Ivies and have a lot of fun, just not big game loud sports crowds fun. Picking a school for sports is unfathomable to many students. Kids are all different. Doubt Vanderbilt apps will go up.

i have one at Vandy and one at an ivy - let’s just say my son always visits my daughter and wishes he went to her school, while my daughter never has had any interest in visiting my son in Ithaca