When deciding where to apply and attend college, prospective students weigh various factors. For numerous applicants, Vanderbilt embodies the perfect blend of education and culture: top-notch academics, a thriving city and a work-hard-play-hard mentality. These traits explain the over 45,000 applicants to Vanderbilt’s Class of 2028 in the regular decision pool alone. The one thing that has been consistently missing from Vanderbilt is a winning football team.
Vanderbilt hasn’t quite lived up to the expectations of excitement around football that we see at other SEC schools. Universities like the University of Alabama and the University of Tennessee are known for their game day productions and die-hard fans. Even though Vanderbilt students have continued to embrace game day rituals and show their spirit, Vanderbilt Football’s performance hasn’t yielded the same level of passion over the years compared to other universities. For some prospective students, the lack of a good football team can be a deal breaker despite all that Vanderbilt has to offer.
Following historic wins this season against former No. 1 Alabama and Kentucky, this concern among prospective students is on the brink of change. These two wins, combined with an additional win over Ball State, slid Vanderbilt into No. 25 in the AP Poll — their first appearance in the top 25 since 2013. Although a narrow loss to Texas pushed the Commodores out of the top 25 momentarily, the results were better than anyone would have predicted going into the 2024 season. A win over Auburn the week after secured their spot at No. 24 in the AP Poll and their bowl eligibility, but they slipped in the rankings after a loss to South Carolina. As the season continues, the hope for more historic wins remains.
The impact of the Commodores’ hot streak could go far beyond the AP Poll: It could influence admissions, too. Universities tend to see an increase in applicants following historic wins, an effect known as the “Flutie Effect.” This pattern is named after Doug Flutie, a quarterback who put Boston College on the map following a hail-mary pass with six seconds left in the game, leading to their win over Miami in 1984. In his 2013 study on the impacts of the Flutie Effect, Doug J. Chung speculates that the Flutie Effect is a result of both increases in awareness about a school and the desire for students to be a part of this social bond.
This effect has also been seen at other schools besides Boston College. After the Hoyas found basketball success at Georgetown University, the university saw a 45% increase in applications from 1983-1986. Butler University saw a 43% rise in applications following their 2010 basketball season, where they made it to the national championship game and narrowly lost to Duke.
So, what does this mean for Vanderbilt? We can expect Vanderbilt to experience a similar pattern as Boston College, Georgetown and Butler. Vanderbilt’s appeal has been growing over the years, and a successful football season can only add to it. Not only will these wins increase the public’s awareness of Vanderbilt as a university, but it will also demonstrate to prospective students that we do have the sports-based bond that they’re searching for.
High school junior and prospective student Elias Cohen was visiting Vanderbilt the weekend of the historic win against Alabama. When asked about whether successful sports teams will matter for his college decision, he discussed the importance of tradition and meeting new people.
“[C]ollege football is probably the biggest college tradition in America, so that really does matter for me,” Cohen said. “[Sports games] are where you are going to meet people, have fun and spend your weekends doing something you want to do.”
He also reflected on his experience at the Vanderbilt vs. Alabama game, referencing the passion he saw in the stands.
“You want to be around people who are passionate about their school, that want to see their school win, that want to be around that successful and excelling environment,” Cohen said. “[T]hat’s what Vandy was doing in that game.”
Per the Flutie Effect, Vanderbilt might very well see a rise in applicants in this coming application cycle and beyond. After all, who wouldn’t want to be on the field, celebrating with fellow students after taking down the number one team in the country? It was an experience none of us will forget, and an experience that prospective students will be chasing.
