BY JOSH STOLL
Vanderbilt University
Undergraduate enrollment: 7,057
ACT composite: 34
Percent of applicants admitted: 9%
SAT composite: 1505
Tuition estimate for on-campus: $58,130
How did you prepare to go to college and how did you feel before going?
To prepare to leave for college, I spent a lot of time at home with my family and friends. I also shopped with my parents to find everything I would need to get set up in my dorm. Before going to school, I met people who were also attending and I made friends with people who had similar interests as me. I was both excited and anxious before going to college because I really did not know what to expect, but at the same time, I had heard so much about it that I knew I would have a good time.
What made you want to apply and select this school?
I wanted to apply to this school because when I visited, I felt the community and saw how happy other students were there. Overall, I selected Vanderbilt (Vandy) because it was the perfect size, great academically, and also has a really warm and friendly environment for the student body and professors. Also, Vanderbilt is located in the South, and I liked the idea of going to school in a different environment than I was used to.
What is your favorite part about the school and why?
My favorite part about Vandy is the flexibility and balance. All the administrators and professors at Vanderbilt are so kind and friendly and they really promote a focus on student happiness and mental health. They are extremely understanding to students wishing to change majors and anything else that may be making a student unhappy. It really helps to attend a school that focuses on these particular aspects because it makes my experience better and I know that I can always go to someone, such as an advisor, if I ever need it.
What are you majoring in and what classes are you taking for that major?
I am majoring in business. The classes that I am taking are Spanish, psychology and ethics. Classes that have a closer relationship to my major are Business 101 and macroeconomics. I really enjoy taking psychology, and I did not want to major in it, so I decided to take it as a class and I really like it. I was also pretty good at Spanish in high school and wanted to continue taking it and learning more.
Is going to school out of state challenging and how did you adapt?
Going out of state was challenging at first because I was not used to being so far away from my family for such a long period of time and it also took time to get used to the culture and how things work here. To adapt, I keep in contact with my family and friends back at home. I also explored the city of Nashville to get used to my new surroundings.
What do you like about the campus?
The campus is a perfect size and is not too big or small. Coming from The Bay, a huge school with many students, I wanted to attend a university with a campus that wasn’t so small because of what I was used to. The Vanderbilt campus has the perfect amount of old-style buildings and architecture while also maintaining modern elements. An amazing part about the campus is the weather. The weather is pretty good in Tennessee and I have enjoyed experiencing a little bit of the cold weather for a change. I also like that Vanderbilt has many different spots to eat and there is always something for everyone!
Why did you choose to leave Florida?
I chose to leave Florida because I wanted a change of scenery and to meet new people. Many people from The Bay go to instate schools such as Florida State University (FSU), the University of Central Florida (UCF) or the University of Florida (UF). I have lived in Florida my entire life and I wanted to get out and see and try new things. Vanderbilt is in the South, so I get to experience new things and a different culture than I was used to in Florida and that makes things more interesting.
What are some of the differences and similarities between college and high school?
As someone may expect, in college I get a lot more freedom than I used to in high school. Living on your own is a big change and something that takes getting used to. Although high school and college are similar academically, you still have exams and homework that you have to complete. In college, the learning is more lecture-style with many activities and projects to complete within classroom hours. Coming from The Bay, I was very prepared for university and knew what to expect academically.
