Vanderbilt University

 I have already mentiomed vanderbilt in my list of Elite Universities and good choices for Early Decision Applications. Vanderbilt is a highly academic, top ranked ( #15)  university in Nashville, TN. It is  often referred to as "the Harvard of the South".
 Vanderbilt has an ezcellent liberal arts  college of arts  and Sciences and strong pre-professional programs through its graduate schools.
 Vanderbilt is comprised of 10 schools and colleges covering disciplines from the humanities to music to engineering. Among its graduate programs are the top-ranked Peabody College of Education and Human Development, which also offers undergraduate programs, and the highly ranked Owen Graduate School of Management, School of Engineering, Law School, School of Medicine and School of Nursing. Vanderbilt is also well known for its undergraduate Blair School of Music, and the Vanderbilt University Medical Center is ranked one of the best in the nation.
 With around 12,000 students Vanderbilt  gives one the feel of a big university yet is personal enough that a student never feels lost. Classes tend to medium sized and  student- faculty  interaction is amongdt thre highest of any university.
  Admission to /vanderbilt is amongst the most selective with an acceptance rate of just 12%.
 Vanderbilt requires a "Personal Statememt" essay along with the common app.
 The key to this is make it truly personal.  The reader should have learned something about you  after reading it. Also connect yourself to the university in some way - by academic interest, club activity or  even a love for  Nashville and country  music.