My experience at Vanderbilt was my first working in higher education and it has been incredibly rewarding. I think of the simple pleasures, like taking ten minutes most days to stroll across campus, being uplifted by the beauty of the terrain itself and bearing witness to meaningful student, staff, and faculty interactions everywhere I turn. Or my near daily encounters with the friendly baristas at Last Drop Coffee Shop, who sling coffee, authentic conversation, and humor in equal measure no matter how long the line on any given day. (Boston Anne, Auntie and team also remember the names of nearly every student, faculty, or staff member who darkens their door – yet another way it’s easy to feel like you’re part of a community here.) I think of working at Vanderbilt during a period of achievement in the athletics program that hasn’t been seen in a long time – honestly the ‘Dores weren’t on my radar before 2011, but I’ll sure be hollering ANCHOR DOWN from here on out.

The day I convinced Chip Esten (Deacon from ABC's "Nashville") that the show would most definitely be renewed for Season Two while standing outside the OUA (Credit: Esten's daughter)

I also think of all the learning or groundbreaking research going on at any given moment on and off campus, and how truly inspirational that has been. Each morning I opened my email to a series of stories documenting all the great things taking place in the four undergraduate schools, or how Commodore alums are impacting the world on a massive scale. I think of programs like Next Steps (the inspiration for this blog post), which allowed me to connect with the people behind the program and to be changed because of that interaction. You do not have to look far on this campus for affirmation of the goodness and potential of our fellow humans.

Inevitably, though, reflecting on my time at Vanderbilt brings me back to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and the individuals who I’ve had the fortune of working alongside through two intense cycles. ‘Admissions’ isn’t just a job to this group – it’s a calling. I could go on about the long hours they spend reading files and deliberating deep into the night while shaping the next class, or the sheer tons of energy that go into each visit program or months long tour of high schools around the world. All of that is impressive in its own right, but it pales in comparison (at least from where I sit) to the genuine love the admissions officers and staff have for engaging you in what can be an emotional process for both sides. Many of these people could work in more lucrative careers, but choose a more service-oriented profession because that’s what their hearts dictate. “I have the best job in the world” is a phrase I’ve heard many, many times without prompt from colleagues who look bleary-eyed from lack of sleep or jetlag, or who missed yet another weekend without muttering a complaint due to work commitments.

If it sounds like I’m making martyrs of my colleagues, I’m not – I just wanted to use this final post to, among other things, convey that you are in good hands with this crew. I know I have been.

Well I suppose that about does it, friends. From here you can continue to count on regular posts from Carolyn and others, and I look forward with great anticipation to seeing all the remarkable things future classes of Commodores will inevitably accomplish.

Goodbye and Go ‘Dores!

Country star Tim McGraw filming his newest music video at the Vanderbilt hospital (photo credit Big Machine Records)

One of the many perks of living in Music City is the high frequency of celebrity sightings in almost any part of the city.  From bumping into Carrie Underwood on Broadway to Faith Hill making a surprise appearance at L.P. Field, being in the hub of the country music community definitely adds an element of interest and excitement to everyday Nashville living.

It may surprise you to learn that the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) is among the places where world famous musicians are known to appear.  VUMC, which is located across 21^st Avenue from The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons and houses many research opportunities for undergraduate students, has teamed up with many of these celebrities over recent years to raise money and awareness for its patients.

Most recently, country superstar Tim McGraw reached out to VUMC to help in the creation of his new music video for “Highway Don’t Care,” which features Taylor Swift and Keith Urban.  The video, centered around a young woman injured in a car wreck, is meant to raise awareness of the dangers of distracted driving.  More than 20 Vanderbilt faculty and staff participated in making the video, which features Vanderbilt LifeFlight, Vanderbilt University Hospital and the Adult Emergency Department.

Check out this MyVU article for more details on the video shoot and the important message behind it.

McGraw is not the first Nashville celebrity to team up with VUMC to make a difference in the community.  Grammy Award winning group Rascal Flatts has raised nearly $3 million over the past several years through concerts and fundraising events for the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital.  This money is being used to build a new radiology suite, and last fall the group was honored for their philanthropic commitment with the naming of the pediatric surgical suite as the “Rascal Flatts Surgery Center.”

Country star and Vanderbilt alum Dierks Bentley has also made great efforts to give back to his alma mater through his contributions to the Medical Center.  For the last seven years, Bentley has organized the “Miles & Music for Kids” event, a celebrity motorcycle ride that starts in Columbia, Tennessee, and ends in downtown Nashville, followed by a concert that has featured the likes of Tim McGraw, Big and Rich, Sheryl Crow, and of course Bentley himself.

(My senior year I attended the concert portion of this event – not the motorcycle ride, my mother would not have approved!  Dierks himself was late for the concert, as his wife had just given birth the night before – at the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital.)

Music City, you see, is more than just rhinestones and cowboy boots and sold out concert venues.  Just like country music itself, it hinges on this idea of community and goodwill that permeates the entire city – a community that we are proud to be a part of here at Vanderbilt.

Freshman Morgan Batey scores in the Commodores' victory over the Missouri Tigers in February (vucommodores.com)

Hey there, sports fans!  I know it’s been a while since we updated you on the progress and successes of our Commodore student athletes (what with that whole “admitting the newest freshman class” thing), but a lot has happened in the last few months!  Now that reading season has come and gone, I finally have the time to obsessively peruse the VU athletics website for the latest news, and I have compiled below a few highlights from the 2013 spring semester.

Basketball:  After a rocky start to the season, the men’s basketball team made a strong run in the SEC tournament in March, only to be edged out in the semifinals by Ole Miss.  Despite missing postseason play, Head Coach Kevin Stallings said of this year’s squad, “This basketball team may have improved as much as any I’ve ever coached over a single season.”  The women’s team finished with a 21-12 record (9-7 in the SEC) and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament before being knocked out by Connecticut.

Bowling: Vanderbilt students have a love for women’s bowling that not many other people truly understand.  The bowling Commodores won the NCAA championship in 2007, giving the university its first national title.  This year’s team proved that 2007 was no fluke, as the ‘Dores fought their way back to the championship match before being edged out in the final game.  The team finished the season with a #2 national ranking and has recently announced their newest signees for the 2013-14 season.

Football:  The annual spring football Black and Gold Game took place on April 13.  Head Coach James Franklin and crew put on quite the show for the 14,000 fans in attendance, as the game remained close down to the wire and ultimately came down to the final plays.  In the end, a 25-yeard field goal by rising senior Carey Spear sealed the victory for Team Black.  At halftime, Coach Franklin was given the Tennessean of the Year Award by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, marking the first time a Vanderbilt coach has received this honor.  A couple of weeks later, senior running back Zac Stacy and senior offensive lineman Ryan Seymour were drafted by the St. Louis Rams and Seattle Seahawks, respectively.

Baseball: The success of last year’s baseball Commodores, as well as the strength of this year’s incoming class, earned the team a #2 preseason ranking, the highest in school history.  Not long after, ESPN posted this article about Head Coach Tim Corbin and the program’s rise to an elite status on the national stage.  The ‘Dores currently boast a 41-6 overall record (21-2 in the Southeastern Conference), which includes a 14-game win streak and 5 SEC series sweeps.  A victory over No. 15 South Carolina last week clinched their 12^th series victory of the season as well as the SEC East division title.

Make sure to follow our baseball ‘Dores as they begin to wrap up the regular season with their final conference series against Kentucky (May 10-12) and Alabama (May 14-18), and remember it’s never too early to start getting excited for our football season opener against Ole Miss on August 29 – that’s only 113 days away!

#AnchorDown

Every year, around the first week of May, a sea of white folding chairs appears, almost overnight, on the lawn outside my office window.  The lawn is the aptly named Alumni Lawn, and the chairs are set up in preparation for Commencement 2013.  On the morning of Friday, May 8, these chairs will be filled by students of the Vanderbilt graduating Class of 2013 as they wait to walk across the graduation stage and accept their diplomas.

But let’s back up a bit, because our graduation and the annual traditions that accompany it actually start well before Commencement morning.  After finals concluded on May 2, seniors had a few days of downtime to soak up their remaining precious few remaining hours on campus, spend time in Nashville, or take a quick vacation with their classmates before Commencement events begin today.

This evening, students and their families are invited to revisit the place where their Vanderbilt experience began 4 years ago: The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons.  The Dean’s Residence and all ten houses on The Ingram Commons will host receptions before the night’s main event, THE PARTY.  THE PARTY – yes, you have to say it with the enthusiasm with which it is spelled – is a giant outdoor dance party that features a live band (this year’s performance will be by Band X) and kicks off the week’s events in a spirit of fun and celebration.

Thursday will begin with Senior Day, when graduating seniors, guests, and faculty are invited to Memorial Gymnasium to hear from a chosen speaker.  Senior Day speakers in the past few years have included Tom Brokaw, Muhammad Yunus, and First Lady Barbara Bush; this year’s speech will be given by Pulitzer Prize winning author Toni Morrison*.  This event will be followed by an opportunity for students and their guests to attend faculty seminars in each of the four undergraduate schools.

The stage is set for THE PARTY! (Vanderbilt University Flickr)

And now we’re back to the big day!  On Friday morning, all 3,500 degree candidates from each of the ten undergraduate and graduate schools will assemble themselves alphabetically and proceed onto Alumni Lawn to take their seats for the graduation ceremony.  Chancellor Nick Zeppos will address the class and confer degrees to the undergraduate students (each of the graduate schools will host their own degree ceremonies at various places around campus).

After the ceremony, students and guest are invited to my favorite part of the day: a strawberries and champagne reception on Bishops Commons.  (Fun fact: the leftover strawberries from this event are donated to the elephants at the Nashville Zoo!)

So what happens next?  These accomplished young men and women, all of whom were in your shoes just a few short years ago, will be taking the wisdom and life experiences they have acquired in their time as Commodores and beginning (or more accurately, continuing) to make their unique contributions to the world.

If the statistics of recent history hold true, approximately half will go into full time employment, approximately a third into graduate or professional school (with some two-thirds having gained acceptance to their first choice institution), and the remaining 15% will be putting their skills to use in the military, volunteer work, or other pursuits.  70% will have already completed an internship, 33% will have spent a semester or year studying abroad, and 30% will have completed a double or triple major.  Most importantly, 100% of them will be proud Vanderbilt alumni, joining the likes of James Patterson, Jay Cutler, Lamar Alexander, and Dierks Bentley, and many thousands more who used their time at Vanderbilt as a launching pad to pursue their dreams and passions after Commencement.

*If you would like to be a part of Vanderbilt Commencement 2013 from home, go to the Vanderbilt homepage on Thursday, May 9 at 10 AM CST to watch a live stream of Toni Morrison’s Senior Day address.

We will continue to send periodic email notifications to all students remaining on our wait list to inquire about their continued interest in Vanderbilt. Prompt responses to these emails are important as we evaluate future potential offers of admission from our wait list.

We know that the wait list process can be difficult and we appreciate your patience.  We will continue to provide updates on a regular basis.

A dogwood tree blooms on Vanderbilt's campus (Credit: Laura Sensenig)

The dogwood and magnolia trees that are currently in full bloom on Vanderbilt’s campus signify the change in seasons.  As one admissions cycle closes, another begins as we turn our attention to students who might apply in the next year or two. We’re all on the brink of a new adventure; junior prospective students are starting to visit, or perhaps continuing to visit colleges and universities they’ve been seriously considering for the past year or so.  And the pace is beginning to pick up for admissions counselors as we hit the road for spring travel.

As witnessed on the road these past several weeks, the buzz about our upcoming PreVU events has begun. Beginning in June, we will begin hosting summer visit events for rising high school seniors on Vanderbilt’s beautiful 330-acre campus, located in the bustling district of midtown Nashville – one of America’s most up and coming cities (according to the Today Show, the New York Times, and several other publications). Occurring on ten different dates in June and July, PreVU is both robust and personable, seeking to give visitors an insider’s view of the many amazing facets of Vanderbilt life.

Each PreVU includes a Student Organizations and Resources Fair, a Dean’s Panel, an in-depth discussion of our four undergraduate schools and their respective curricula, breakout group presentations for both students and parents led by admissions and financial aid staff, and a comprehensive student-led tour of campus, including viewing a dorm room on The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons.  The tour is followed by lunch in The Commons Center and the day ends with a student panel that informs prospective students about a range of topics including student organizations, Nashville, study abroad opportunities, internships, and much more.

As a fourth-year admissions officer, I am continually both impressed and humbled by the amazing accomplishments of each entering class.  As we enter this new cycle, we are once again in search of the newest class of intellectually curious, civically minded, and socially invested students. If the recently admitted Class of 2017 is any indication, we know the caliber of students we are about to meet will be phenomenal!

As you begin to make your summer plans, we hope you’ll consider joining us for our signature PreVU program, designed exclusively for rising high school seniors.

Registration is required, so check out the ten Summer 2013 PreVU dates below and click on the link to reserve your spot!

Register for PreVU 2013

• Monday, June 17, 2013
• Friday, June 21, 2013
• Monday, June 24, 2013
• Friday, June 28, 2013
• Monday, July 8, 2013
• Friday, July 12, 2013
• Monday, July 15, 2013
• Friday, July 19, 2013
• Monday, July 22, 2013
• Friday, July 26, 2013

For those of you who are still anticipating news on your wait list status, working with financial aid to finalize your packages, or in the midst of the transfer admission process, hang in there!  Have faith that the end is near and that you will have a fantastic college experience no matter where you end up.

In celebration of this glorious day, and in support of those still weighing their options, we offer you one extra Why VU? post from Vanderbilt sophomore Wendi Wang (we’ll call it the bonus track).  Wendi hails from Cleveland, OH, and has declared a major in Medicine, Health, and Society, one of our many interdisciplinary majors within the College of Arts and Science.

What were your deciding factors in choosing to enroll at Vanderbilt?

After attending the MOSAIC Multicultural Recruitment Weekend as a prospective student in my senior year of high school, it became apparent to me that there are more student organizations here at Vanderbilt than I could ever ask for, and the best part of it was that many of them were started by students themselves. This told me that Vanderbilt students are passionate about their interests and that they really embrace their cultural identities. Not only that, but they are also incredibly welcoming and non-exclusive. While visiting Vanderbilt, the current students would constantly be greeting us and telling us to come to Vandy—I had never seen such joy from any other school I visited. The students here can’t imagine themselves being anywhere else, and that’s what really set Vanderbilt apart for me–I could see myself as a student at this school.  I knew Vanderbilt was right for me!

What surprised you about Vanderbilt?

At a school with almost 7,000 undergraduates, I didn’t expect to get so much interaction with professors. But not only do professors love to be around their students– they also genuinely care about the success of each and every one of their students. If you can’t attend their office hours because of conflicting schedules, they are more than willing to try to accommodate your schedule. I have also had multiple professors stay at school until late in the evening to hold review sessions and seminars. It’s truly an honor to be taught by professors who have such a passion for what they do.

Faculty Head of House Paul Lim participates in the presentation and signing of the Common Creed with first year students.(John Russell/Vanderbilt University)

Tell us about one or two significant academic experiences you have had here at Vanderbilt.

One of the first classes I took at Vanderbilt was a political science class. As a pre-med student with practically no background in political science, I thought it would be an interesting and enlightening experience. The professor was John Geer, one of the most knowledgeable and wise individuals I have encountered, and he taught me to think critically and logically. What I love most about the classes at Vanderbilt is that professors teach us the basic facts and concepts, but also stretch us intellectually, and they ask us to apply our knowledge to real-life situations. It’s not about spitting out memorized information, and because professors stick to this mentality, I have learned to take a new approach towards learning—by looking at the bigger picture.

Tell us about some opportunities you have taken advantage of outside of the classroom while at Vanderbilt.

My most beloved extracurricular is being part of the executive board of MOSAIC, since it’s something that directly affected me when I was in high school. However, I’m also secretary of Vanderbilt’s Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers and a host for VU’s ‘Dore for a Day program, through which I show a prospective student around campus and take him/her to class. I also just recently joined a sorority and I’m a member of the Asian American Christian Fellowship at Vanderbilt. In addition, being a Chancellor’s Scholar offers me even more opportunities; I have been able to meet some really amazing and talented students through the activities of this program, such as ice cream socials, fall gatherings, cultural show outings, and annual dinners. I will also have an opportunity to study aboard next summer.

What is your favorite thing about living in Nashville?

My absolute favorite thing about living in Nashville is that I get all the perks of being in a big city without actually being in a big city. Nashville isn’t nearly as populated as New York City or Chicago, but it still offers just as great of a social scene. If you go downtown during the weekends, the streets are filled with not just college students but also local residents and families. At night, the city lights up and you can hear all sorts of live music performances coming from every which way. Being from Cleveland, I must admit that Nashville offers a taste of a slightly different culture, but I simply can’t ignore the fact that it is such a beautiful and vibrant city. It’s no wonder that Nashville has quickly risen in the ranks to become one of America’s most beloved cities!

If you could give one piece of advice to high school students making their college decision, what would it be?

I think a lot of times students forget that being a college student is a huge accomplishment. You may not feel that way when you get your first subpar grade on a test and it might be easy to get discouraged, but remember that you’re in a pool of exceptionally talented students. Don’t forget to take a step back and look at all the things you did to get here; you are at the college of your choice for a reason, and there’s no doubt that you earned your spot. The admissions counselors clearly believed in you, so believe in yourself! You have the ability to do great things—don’t let a small setback put a damper on your attitude.

(Vanderbilt University/Steve Green)

Fifty years ago, a group of students founded VUcept to meet the demands of an ever-changing first-year class. Since then, VUcept has evolved into an organization that has not only enhanced Vanderbilt’s first-year orientation, now called CommonVU, but has expanded to serve as a group of peer mentors, together with faculty mentors, throughout the fall semester.

Ninety-two upperclass student and faculty teams—called Student and Faculty VUceptors—work together every year to welcome the incoming class and guide groups of 18-20 first-year students through CommonVU, weekly Vanderbilt Visions sessions, and throughout the first semester at Vandy. VUceptors help support the personal and academic growth of first-year students within the living and learning community of The Martha Rivers Ingram Commons. However, any student who has been involved in the program would tell you that there is much, much more to VUcept and to Vanderbilt Visions.

Student and faculty VUceptors are among the first people at Vanderbilt that new students meet. Student VUceptors have a passion for peer mentorship and are here because we want to make your first college experiences the best they can be. We are here to help set you up for success during the four years that you will be a part of Vanderbilt. We are involved in many diverse organizations on campus and have formed strong networks through our experiences here, so we are excellent resources for new students.

Faculty VUceptors have as much love for the university as student VUceptors. Not only are they extremely intelligent and distinguished leaders in their departments and throughout campus, but they also have a huge passion for mentorship and cherish the time they get to spend with first-year students. Faculty can give a different perspective on various topics and are genuinely interested in the well-being of their students. Overall, student and faculty VUceptors represent the Vanderbilt community as a whole, and therefore exude diversity, leadership, involvement, and scholarship and social engagement.

(Vanderbilt University/Joe Howell)

The Vanderbilt Visions program kicks off each academic year during CommonVU, as you finally get to move into one of the ten houses on The Ingram Commons. That’s when you will meet your student and faculty VUceptors for the first time, as well as the other students in your group. Through various activities, you and the members of your group get to know each other better and start building relationships that will last over your four years at Vanderbilt, which is why diving in head-first with CommonVU is so beneficial. It’s a busy and tiring week, but there’s no better way to immediately make new friends and meet some of your potential classmates.

After the excitement of CommonVU dies down, our weekly Vanderbilt Visions sessions present the avenue for you to continue learning from your VUceptors as well as from the peers in your group – it remains one of your main connections and resources for navigating life at Vanderbilt and becoming a successful student and peer. We will be talking about The Commons Reading (a book that each first-year student will have read by the time Visions starts), goals and aspirations, the truths about college life, and how to deal with academic and social pressures.

I am continually realizing the incredible things that VUcept has done not only for current first-year students, but also for the rest of the university. I’ve come to understand that one of the biggest reasons many upperclass students want to become involved as student VUceptors is because they want to give back to an organization that has given so much to them. Having had a core group of people to meet with every week played a major role in deciding how I wanted to live my life at Vanderbilt, which directions I wanted to take, and what kind of mark I wanted to leave on the university.

Even now, as my junior year is winding to a close, I look back on my experiences during that first semester and have to admit that I probably wouldn’t be the type of student – academically, socially, and intellectually – that I am today without VUcept.

What were your deciding factors in choosing to enroll at Vanderbilt?

Vanderbilt’s pristine campus nestled right in the midst of an eclectic city like Nashville was enticing enough, but it was about more than just a pretty face. I could tell Vanderbilt would be able to accommodate someone like me who was shooting for a double major with one foot in music and the other elsewhere (eventually computer science). After meeting some of the current students, I knew that attending Vanderbilt would be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to be in a place where students of all backgrounds come together — in a city just three hours removed from my hometown.  And, interestingly enough, Vanderbilt ended up being the most affordable out-of-state school that I could attend.

What surprised you about Vanderbilt?

The d-word: diversity. I was growing weary of its usage after ten-plus college applications, but it rings true at Vanderbilt. Before I came here I knew a mere handful of people from outside the Southeastern U.S., but just recently I counted all the states that I know people from, and I lost count at around 35. Of course, that’s not including international students. Thanks to such a wide variety of students, I’ve had some awesome opportunities to spend time during the summer with friends in New England, falling in love with a region of the United States that I had previously never explored. Vanderbilt’s universal appeal is truly remarkable.

Tell us about one or two significant academic experiences you have had here at Vanderbilt.

One nice thing about being a music major is that my musical experiences are actually academic. Thanks to my jazz band professor, I’ve had opportunities to play with professional musicians in Nashville, including getting to sit in on a Nashville Jazz Orchestra rehearsal. My music theory professor asked me to sing for the premiere of a musical for which he composed the score. My oboe professor secured me several paying gigs around the city – nothing beats getting paid to essentially practice.  Even beyond performances and playing, my interactions with professors have been nothing short of life-changing. My musicianship professor once bought me lunch at Pizza Perfect and took ninety minutes out of his day to talk to me about what his college experience was like. I never have to worry about feeling like I’m wasting a professor’s time when I talk to them because Vanderbilt fosters an educational environment that makes students and professors feel like colleagues.

Tell us about some opportunities you have taken advantage of outside of the classroom while at Vanderbilt.

There’s no denying that I love making music, and Vanderbilt has given me a lot of different outlets for such. I currently play oboe in the Vanderbilt University Orchestra and Wind Ensemble, alto sax in Blair Big Band, and I sing in the Blair Chamber Choir. Outside of music, I’m the secretary of the Vanderbilt Bowling Club, and one of the incoming Recruitment Chairs for Vanderbilt Tour Guides. I studied abroad in Aix-en-Provence, France, last summer, through the Vanderbilt Musique Academie, and will be spending the first two months of this summer in Fukuoka, Japan, studying Japanese, after which I will return to the U.S. to participate in the Bang on a Can Contemporary Music Festival at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams, MA.

What is your favorite thing about living in Nashville?

The proximity I have to some of the most beautiful and interesting areas in the United States, let alone the Southeastern U.S. So far I’ve visited three amazing national parks, all of which are within a three hour drive of Nashville: Great Smoky Mountains, Land Between the Lakes, and Big South Fork. The Chattanooga Aquarium offers a breathtaking display of aquatic life from both inside and outside Tennessee and is a mere two hours away from Nashville. Even within the city limits you’ll find Percy Priest Lake, Radnor Lake, Percy Warner Park, and a host of others. Nashville is the perfect gateway to a vibrant and exciting outdoor lifestyle.

When speaking to high school students who are in the process of making one of the most important decisions of their lives, I always encourage them to tune out other people’s opinions every once in a while so they know for sure what they are looking for in a college experience.  From time to time, however, family quite simply knows best.

Junior Kaila Brown of Atlanta, Georgia, knows this all too well.  Read the post below to find out how she came to be a Vanderbilt student and Sociology major in the College of Arts and Science.

What were your deciding factors in choosing to enroll at Vanderbilt?

All three of my older cousins attended Vanderbilt, so I grew up always hearing about the university. When it came time for me to decide which schools I wanted to apply to, they each told me that I should go to Vanderbilt. Naturally, like any other typical adolescent teenager, I rebelled. I refused to go to the same school that the rest of my family attended. Despite this rebellion, when I visited Vanderbilt for the first time, I WAS HOOKED. When picking my new home, I wanted to be somewhere that I would be able to find the perfect balance of academics and social life. I wanted to be challenged as a student, but at the same time I wanted to be able to get involved on campus and in the greater community. I am so grateful that I have been able to find all of those things and more here at Vanderbilt.

What surprised you about Vanderbilt?

Transitioning into college, I was extremely nervous about adapting to collegiate classes. I had heard horror stories about how scary professors could be, and I dreaded the idea of potentially being in a class where I become lost. Professors at Vanderbilt do whatever they can to make sure that this does not happen. Initially, I was so surprised to see how invested professors are with the students. Many of my professors have met with me outside the classroom, whether to grab a drink at a local coffee shop, or even inviting the class over for dinner. They are not only interested in me as a student, but as a person as well.

Tell us about one or two significant academic experiences you have had here at Vanderbilt.

For one of my classes this semester, our assignment is to create a documentary (no this is not a film studies class, rather a sociology class). We have spent the whole semester interviewing and constructing individual sections of the film that will soon be compiled into a documentary about the intersection of class status and life at Vanderbilt University. This is the first time that I have ever been a part of a film project this extensive, and it has been really rewarding. I have interviewed a number of fellow students and staff and have worked with technology in new ways. It has been a cool experience to study and address the subject matter in a creative way, rather than merely writing a paper or giving a PowerPoint presentation.

Vanderbilt's hip hop dance troupe, VIBE (Vanderbilt / Daniel Dubois)

Tell us about some opportunities you have taken advantage of outside of the classroom while at Vanderbilt.

Over the years, I have become more involved in a number of organizations on campus. This past year I became the President of The LIFE Project. The LIFE Project is a mentoring organization that partners with two Nashville high schools in order to provide roughly 15 high school women with Vanderbilt mentors. This has been one of the most rewarding experiences that I have had. As an executive board, we plan bi-monthly meetings that address specific womens’ issues in a friendly manner. For example, a couple of weeks ago we had a dance workshop where we invited Vanderbilt’s hip-hop troupe to teach us a routine. We discussed the importance of staying healthy and ways to exercise while also enjoying the experience. It is easy to get involved on campus in hundreds of organizations and I am so glad that I have been able to do so!

What is your favorite thing about living in Nashville?

It is pretty hard to pick just one thing about Nashville that I love! There are so many great things that this city has to offer. One thing that I love is the number of cool and hip areas springing up across the city. For example, walking right up 21^st avenue you enter into Hillsboro Village, which borders campus. From Fido, one of the best places to grab a cup of coffee, to the best boutique to find gifts, Pangea, this area has so much to offer. What I love is that this is not the only area like this in Nashville. There is also 12^th South, which is home to the best popsicle shop EVER, and the Gulch, which has some of the best places to dine! These unique parts of town have only added to my experience at Vanderbilt.

If you could give one piece of advice to high school students making their college decision, what would it be?

Go where you feel you belong, a place where you can thrive. I know a lot of students who feel pressured by their parents and family to attend a certain school. At the end of the day, it is your experience, not theirs, and it is important to remember this. At the end of your college career, you want to be able to look back and say, “Yeah I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

As in the inaugural post, the format is as follows: Artist, Album or “Song Title” – Short Explanation (of why we’re spinning any given tune at the moment). Let us know what’s providing the soundtrack to your life in the comments below!

Rising R&B star Miguel performing at Rites of Spring '13 (Credit: Creative Services)

Luke Anapolis, Inside ‘Dores Blogger (College of Arts and Science, 2014)

Lana Del Ray, Born to Die – What’s not to love about this up and coming music star? Lana Del Ray writes beautiful, yet mysterious and eerie music, which leaves you craving more. Definitely a great summer album!

Explosions in the Sky, The Earth is Not a Cold Dead Place – I started listening to Explosions in the Sky because they are very similar to my favorite band Sigur Ros. All of their music is instrumental (no there’s no lyrics to sing along with), but it makes for beautiful, unique, and inspiring study music to get keep you grooving for finals!

Sarah Quin, Assistant Director

Ellie Goulding, Lights – Because when is indie/synth-pop NOT appropriate??!!!

Robyn, Body Talk – Who doesn’t enjoy a favorite artist from their childhood coming back 10+ years later with awesome, danceable jams?!

Julianna Staples, Assistant Director

Kacey Musgraves, Same Trailer Different Park – Kacey is awesome and writes my life.

Ricky Thrash, Assistant Director

Kendrick Lamar, good kid m.A.A.d city – Because it’s the most gripping album I’ve heard in years.

Frank Ocean, channel ORANGE – It’s so smooth … and so weird in the best way possible.

Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill – Because, for me, the classics never die!

Stevie Wonder, Songs in the Key of Life – It reminds me of home. Side note: the song “Knocks Me Off My Feet” is literally the greatest love song of all time. #IMO

Harper Haynes, Senior Assistant Director

Kacey Musgraves, “I Miss You”

Lindsey Holden, Admissions Counselor

Emeli Sande, Our Version of Events – The album is upbeat and a little laid back, which is perfect for spring!  The songs “Heaven” and “Next to Me” are on repeat.

John Nesbitt, Senior Assistant Director

Hello from the streets of Abu Dhabi, where I am currently in between high school visits on the other side of the world and this is what I am listening to today:

The Beatles, Abbey Road, “The End” – Because there are two kinds of music, the Beatles and everything else. This song finishes a true album where each song is perfectly placed. “The End” is the final song recorded by the Fab 4 and what an exclamation point and coda for our Liverpudlian friends.

Sufjan Stevens, All Delighted People (EP), “All Delighted People (Classic Rock Version)” – Sufjan’s homage to Paul Simon is easily one of my favorite songs ever.  Why you ask? Most likely due to the fact that every time I listen to it I hear something new and find new meaning.

Ryan Burleson, Interactive Project Strategist, Editor

Balmorhea, Stranger – As with most people, my taste shifts with the seasons and even within the day sometimes. Whether it’s the slow creeping of Spring or various life changes going at the moment, I’m finding that instrumental music provides an appropriate soundtrack to my days right now. Balmorhea is comprised of friends of mine from Austin, TX, who make gorgeous, pastoral music in a variety of contexts: They can go really soft or really loud and it all works in equally majestic fashion.

Four Tet, There is Love in You – This record is also vocal-less and would classify as another meditative effort, though Four Tet is less classically-influenced and more focused on rhythm. There is Love in You is a subtle electronic album that packs a disproportionate amount of emotional punch. Play it in your car when you need to think or simply want to drift elsewhere.

Daft Punk, (Everything) – When I don’t feel like drifting into the ether, I feel like drifting to the dance floor. Or bobbing my head incessantly wherever I go. The French dance masterminds Daft Punk make music that seems to make sense for me only 2PM and after, whether I’m on the beach, driving around on a sunny day in Nashville, or hosting friends on the porch. DP’s just-released “Get Lucky,” the first single from their much-anticipated Random Access Memories, is practically an update on Thriller-style pop, a blast and an inspiration simultaneously. Stop reading and add it to your summer playlist now.

Ryan Higgins, Content Editor, Inside ‘Dores (Peabody College of Education and Human Development, 2013)

Fun., Some Nights – Chill enough for study music, but interesting enough to keep me awake.

Mumford & Sons, Babel – Because I just can’t stop.

Nicki Minaj, “Starships” – My guilty pleasure

Ashlin Philip, Inside ‘Dores Blogger (College of Arts and Science, 2014)

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, The Wine We Drink – Inspired by my recent Rites experience, this song is so darn cute and has the perfect study music vibe for me!

Mat Kearney, All I Have – Again, inspired by my recent Rites experience—it’s a fun little song that I play over and over again. I call it study music but I usually find myself singing along rather than doing work. Oops.

Andrew Belle, All those Pretty Lights - Going with a cutesy vibe here, as you can see. I heard this song about a year ago but it’s the perfect sing-along, feel-good song.

Alex Hershberger, Student Systems Analyst

Loma Prieta, I.V. – It’s pretty hard to describe Loma Prieta, especially on I.V. They bounce between melody and dissonance quite frequently and most of the songs are jarring. It’s like I’m just discovering punk again.

Norma Jean, Bless the Martyr and Kiss the Child – Whenever I’m nostalgic for the music of my youth I either put this or As I Lay Dying’s Frail Words Collapse – this time Norma Jean triumphed.

Old Gray, An Autobiography – I never thought I would be listening to an album that is partially spoken word, but Old Gray does a great job of blending multiple vocal styles into some of the most emotional music I’ve listened to in a long while.

Circle Takes the Square, Decompositions ­– I honestly forgot I ordered this record; it took so long to release that I was genuinely surprised to see it on my doorstep this week. But am I glad that it arrived. Nearly eight years since their last full-length release, it’s great to see that a band can get right back into their old groove.

Eileen Robinson, Co-Editor-in-Chief, Inside ‘Dores (College of Arts and Science, 2014)

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, The Heist – The geniuses behind “Thrift Shop” created a fun album (favorites include “Can’t Hold Us” and “Cowboy Boots”) with some deep material too (check out “Same Love”).

Selena Gomez, “Come & Get It” – This song is super catchy and a good dance break from studying.

Jessica Forinash, Senior Admissions Counselor

Alabama Shakes, Boys & Girls – Brittany Howard’s gritty voice is just amazing.  I can’t get enough of them.

The Lumineers, The Lumineers – I love their laid back songs.

Justin Timberlake, Suit &Tie (featuring JAY Z) – There will always be love in my heart for JT.

Caitlyn Durning, Inside ‘Dores Blogger (College of Arts and Science, 2014)

The Hives, Lex Hives–This Swedish garage rock is my amped-up study music (AKA what I listen to when studying for anything remotely urgent or when I need an extra boost without consuming any more caffeine).

The Beach Boys, “California Girls”–This song reminds me of sunny California summer days and going to Disneyland and California Adventure when I’m home.  With only two weeks ‘till I’m back in the Golden State, I listen to this on repeat!

Cassandra Mychajlowycz, Inside ‘Dores Blogger (Peabody College of Education and Human Development, 2016)

P!nk featuring Nate Ruess, “Just Give Me A Reason” – I have always loved P!nk’s spunky style and incredible voice.  Nate Ruess (lead singer of Fun) has also recently been on my radar as an incredible performer.  This song combines the two together to produce a gorgeous and empowering love ballad, complete with beautiful harmonies and strong vocals.

Priyanka Aribindi, Inside ‘Dores Blogger (College of Arts and Science, 2016)

Drew Holcomb and the Neighbors, “Fire and Dynamite” – These guys set a perfect tone for the second afternoon of Rites of Spring, and this song was one of my favorites from their set. Drew and Ellie are such an incredible duo and their band is one of Nashville’s best.

Humming House, “My Love (Justin Timberlake Cover)” — I’m clearly in a little post-Rites daze right now, but this may’ve been my favorite performance of the whole weekend. To my knowledge it’s not currently recorded (I’ve been watching the same video of their set on Facebook for the past 3 hours), but lead singer Kristen Rogers makes the poor audio quality worth it.

Hoodie Allen, “Joy & Misery” — I’m all about binge-listening, and this two-verse rap is perfect to throw on repeat for a little while studying. Plus, the Florence + The Machine sample is to die for.

Maria Ornelas, Senior Assistant Director

Muse, The 2nd Law – As a die-hard Muse fan, I think the new album keeps true to the electronic/alternative style which they are known for.

Thousand Foot Krutch, “War of Change” – Having Sirius XM in your rental car introduces you to some great artists you may not have heard of.

Rani Banjarian, Inside ‘Dores Blogger (College of Arts and Science, 2016)

P!nk, The Truth About Love – I just recently discovered this little gem. Study music galore!

Melodores, Encore – The amount of work and talent put into this is phenomenal. I can’t wait till I play a more active role in the CD-making process!

Carolyn Pippen, Admissions Counselor, Editor

Mariah Carey, Daydream – An icon at her best, and an infallible mood-booster.

Macklemore, The Heist – “Can’t Hold Us” almost makes me want to buy the new version of Outlook.  Almost.

While many of you have clear educational and professional goals going into your college experience, it is important to keep in mind that these goals may change, and they may change drastically, as you begin to explore different academic areas at the college level.  At Vanderbilt, that’s okay – in fact, we encourage it!  A changed mind is an open mind, and the liberal arts foundation built into each of our four undergraduate schools allows for enough academic freedom to explore multiple different areas before you settle on a major field of study (or two).

The next installment of our “Why VU?” series comes from Chris Fink, a senior from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who is double majoring in Secondary Education (in the Peabody School of Education and Human Development) and History (in the College of Arts and Science).  The post below shows how Vanderbilt helped him pursue his many academic interests and provided enough freedom to shift courses in the middle of his college career.

You think you know, but you have no idea.  This is the diary of Chris Fink.

What were your deciding factors in choosing to enroll at Vanderbilt?

I knew that the resources at Vanderbilt were incredible. I initially thought I would use the Medical Center for research and shadowing opportunities while on the path to medical school, but my interests now lie elsewhere. Vanderbilt also has incredible educational resources and coursework that have only made me want to get into a classroom sooner! At the same time, the social side of Vanderbilt is unrivaled. We have amazing Division I sports, and in particular, a football coach in James Franklin who loves the Vanderbilt community equally as much as his team. We have more than 510 student organizations, so students will always feel connected to the community, whether you love service or the environment or hang gliding. Finally, we live in the best city known to man (which I will talk about later). So, whatever you’re looking for, Vanderbilt has it.

What surprised you about Vanderbilt?

Hands down the flexibility of the academics. Like I said, I came to Vanderbilt thinking I was going to be a doctor and remained on that track until first semester of my sophomore year. As it turns out, I wasn’t ready to give up interacting with kids, I loved history and government, and I wanted to do something with that after graduation. I transferred to Peabody, and have had zero problems fulfilling their requirements to become a teacher. The whole process was so easy, and goes to show how much Vanderbilt encourages its students to DISCOVER what they want to do and not to ASSUME what they want to do.

Tell us about one or two significant academic experiences you have had here at Vanderbilt.

Earlier this year, I was part of a group of students that had the chance to meet with Former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell, who also served as U.S. Special Envoy for Middle East Peace in the Obama administration until 2011. We were able to ask the Senator questions about his career, motivations, choices, and opinions for about an hour. This was undoubtedly one of the most enlightening experiences both politically and personally, not to mention I got to see a national leader as a person, not just a figurehead.

Tell us about some opportunities you have taken advantage of outside of the classroom while at Vanderbilt.

I have had the opportunity to travel to Latin America twice during my time at Vanderbilt. In Guatemala we painted an orphanage and entertained the kids, and in Ecuador we painted a library and helped run their English programs. These countries also provided hot springs to swim in, boat rides to the Caribbean, humongous churches, and expansive local markets. While all the kids thought I looked like Harry Potter, I was able to learn so much about the culture, people, and language of two countries which I never would have visited had it not been for Vanderbilt’s vast number of student organizations.

What is your favorite thing about living in Nashville?

Not only is there so much to do here, but also there are so many different parts of the city to enjoy. There’s the downtown music scene, or the trendy Hillsboro Village coffee shops and dessert spots, or the famous restaurants and boutiques of East Nashville. Not to mention you see celebrities all the time. There is honestly always something going on for any interest. Last semester, I got the chance to attend the Grammy Nomination concert with Hunter Hayes, Luke Bryan, Fun., Maroon 5, and the team of Taylor Swift and LL Cool J who hosted. I think they filmed a Super Bowl commercial during it. No big deal…

If you could give one piece of advice to high school students making their college decision, what would it be?

Just chill! You’re not out of high school yet, and if you’re like me, you’ve already mentally moved on to college. Enjoy what your senior year has to offer (debatably the best semester of high school) and take in your friends, families, and hometowns before you head off to college. Also, hug your parents a lot…it will do WONDERS for you later in life.