Senior Allison Wulff has made moves to get herself ahead in the tough college application world. Whether it’s joining many clubs, like being a leader of FCA and Morgan’s Message, or attending summer classes at the University of Georgetown and, most recently, attending summer class at Vanderbilt, Wulff is ahead of the game.

While some students take trips to the beach with their friends, senior Allison Wulff took a different kind of trip. Wulff spent a week of her summer at Vanderbilt University participating in the “Doctor To Be” program.

“I went by myself to Vanderbilt and also went on a plane by myself. I took a summer class, last summer, at Georgetown, so I wanted to do another one with a college I’m interested in. My mom really pushed for me to apply for the ‘Doctor To Be’ program,” said Wulff.

Each year, Vanderbilt offers summer classes through their Vanderbilt Summer Academy, which is “an intentionally designed, accelerated summer experience for academically advanced students, grounded in academic rigor and scholarly exploration, while also focused on fostering a strong sense of community and friendship” according to their website.

Wulff’s time included six hours of class a day and even a field trip to the CELA center, where current med students practice on stimulations before performing surgery.

“It was very different from what I was expecting, but I liked how structured everything was. Some of the lectures were about functions of the cardiac cycle, nervous system, and respiratory system. We also talked about disease and ways to prevent/treat those illnesses,” said Wulff.

Vanderbilt summer classes are taught by Vanderbilt experts like professors and instructors from various academic departments.

“I met a couple professors, and the professor that taught my class is a current med student at Vanderbilt; She was in a PhD/MD program that they offer. A professor that left an impact on me was the guest speaker from electrocardiography. His name is Dr. Richardson and he showed us how to take a heart rate and respiratory rate with a stethoscope,” said Wulff. “We also took blood pressure with the sphygmomanometer and we were able to take the tools home with us.”

To attend a Vanderbilt summer program, students have to apply months in advance in order for their applications to get reviewed and receive a decision.

“I first visited Vanderbilt in March 2024. I decided to go back for a camp in December, and I applied for the program in January 2025. I was accepted in February, and I was back in Nashville July 12-20.”

Wulff loved her time spent in Nashville, as she got to meet new people, experience new opportunities, and get a preview of college life.

“When I visited both times, I loved the campus. I loved how secluded and private it seemed from the city, but also how it’s not a far walk from the heart of Nashville,” said Wulff.