Matthew Weinger, M.D., left, works with prospective medical student Sam Wilkinson in the Center for Experiential Learning and Assessment. (photo by Anne Rayner)
Record numbers turn out for VUSM’s Second Visit event
Radiation therapist Dustin Jordan conducts a tour of Radiation Oncology. (photo by Anne Rayner)
A record 172 students who have been invited to join Vanderbilt University School of Medicine's Class of 2012 took a second look at the school last weekend.
Prospective students visited campus to talk with current students and faculty, learn about the curriculum, tour Nashville and the Medical Center and decide if Vanderbilt is the place to earn their medical degrees.
“The weekend is designed to be experiential, with active participation in many learning and social activities,” said John Zic, M.D., associate dean of Admissions for VUSM. “We maximize interaction with our present medical students because they are our best recruiters.”
Second Visit weekend began in 2001 and has been a resounding success in luring top students from around the world.
“Each year this event has increased in size,” said Steven Gabbe, M.D., dean of VUSM. “Our experience has been that once a student meets our outstanding students and caring faculty, they choose to come to Vanderbilt. It's a fantastic opportunity to recruit our best applicants.”
The weekend began on Friday afternoon with a “Meet the Students” fair highlighting student organizations. A dinner with the VUSM deans and the students bands “Immune Response” and “Biorhythms” capped the day.
Saturday morning, the students were formally welcomed by Vanderbilt Chancellor Nick Zeppos, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Gabbe and Zic.
This year the weekend showcased the new Center for Experiential Learning and Assessment (CELA) and the new anatomy lab. “Very few of the prospective students had an opportunity to see these exciting new facilities on their interview day with us in the fall,” Zic said.
The students also participated in “Meet the Faculty” sessions and enjoyed dinner and entertainment at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The weekend ended with a bagel brunch on Sunday morning at Vanderbilt Hillel.
“What makes this weekend so special is the significant role played by our students — welcoming the applicants, describing our wealth of student organizations, and demonstrating their talent at the dinners,” Gabbe said. “Clearly our students are one of our most important factors in recruiting the best and brightest to Vanderbilt.”