<p>I know it's unfair to generalize and stereotype, but the more I hear about Vanderbilt the more I worry about not just fitting in, but enjoying myself. </p>
<p>I'm an asian from Northern Virginia and the apparent lack of diversity bothers me. My closest friends at school are an Afghan girl, a Filipino boy, an El Salvadorian boy, and two white girls. I get along well enough with the stereotypical "white, rich popular kids" at school, but also very much enjoy the company of the "asian fobs".</p>
<p>I also HATE superficiality. I love meeting new and interesting people, but I don't stress over being well liked. I drink and party in moderation, but not a lot. </p>
<p>Everything I've read tells me that Vanderbilt is a terrible fit for me and I'd be happier at a school like Rice (where I was also accepted), but the school is paying for my tuition and room & board (I'm rather poor) so I'm conflicted. Could anyone please alleviate my fears or offer some insight onto what Vandy is actually like? Thank's so much!</p>
<p>School life is what you make of it my friend. Be out going and I promise you you will have no problem meeting new people, regardless of your race or ethnicity</p>
<p>True, but I would also argue that some schools are better fits than others. I guess what my question is how would you generalize the social scene rather than “will I fit in.” Laid back, superficial, etc.</p>
<p>If you hate superficiality, why are you worried about a lack of diversity in skin color? Being worried about fitting in with people around you because of their skin color is a prime example of superficiality. </p>
<p>If you feel you would fit in more at Rice, you should go there. Rice and Vandy have pretty drastically different cultures. Rice is weird.</p>
<p>Vandy isn’t the most diverse school, but it’s about 10% Asian now. There’s also two Latina-based multicultural sororities, so you could look into that. I’m not sure about frats though.</p>
<p>I think you ask some great questions. Hopefully, you’ll get some more responses. My son also basically has a full ride from Vandy but we are hesitant about the school for a number of reasons, as well. He’s never been for a visit and perhaps if he can get a travel grant, he’ll be able to visit and get to see for himself. Otherwise, he will undoubtedly have to decline admissions as he, and we, can’t imagine enrolling into a college without seeing it.</p>
<p>@sbjdorlo: In terms of campus beauty, I can vouch that Vanderbilt is breath-taking. It has both old and new architecture set among vast numbers of trees. While taking the tour this summer, both my dad and I were astounded at the money and quality put into the college’s facilities. Vandy also has much funding, so its students are granted more opportunities.</p>
<p>@YesMan: I am in your shoes, too! Got accepted by both Rice and Vandy, would like to lean more towards Rice but Vandy gives the better financial aid package. I don’t know… I still have a few more college decisions coming in (though I doubt any of them are going to pay me as well as Vandy), but for the most part, I think I’m going to Vanderbilt. It has to be ranked #17 for a good reason. While for me the 42% Greek population is intimidating (blame that fear on stereotypical movies I can’t dispel from my mind), I believe I will find my niche among other students. I’m looking to join community service, a church group, and perhaps the Asian Am Association just to learn more about my heritage. Having come from a small town in Alabama, I’ve missed out on a lot of cultural opportunities. I hope to take full advantage of them in Vanderbilt. My thought is: Nashville has got to be better than my town. Plus, this is what my parents said in helping me decide: Every place is the same. People are people. I don’t think one college would attract all the “hard-working students” (stereotype) and another the “Greek population” (yet another stereotype). I am wayy guilty for thinking this way, too, but I guess it’s just something I’ll have to overlook.</p>
<p>Mr D is finishing her freshman year at Vandy, and I think she has found that, although there may not be great ethnic diversity at Vandy, there are all types of people there. Here friends from her dorm are from all over the country and the there are two Asian girls in the dorm across the hall. There are party-hard kids, extremely nerdy stay-in-on-the-weekend kids, and everthing in between. It may take a few weeks at the beginning of the year, but everyone finds there niche. In my view, if you have a great financial package at Vandy, I would never pass it up over social concerns. There are enough people at the school that everyone finds there way there and seems to really enjoy it.</p>
<p>One more thing–I have been so impressed by all the students I have met. They all seem so smart, no matter if they are sorority/frat types, partiers, or not. These kids are really on their toes and put together. It’s a pretty challenging environment just because the students are so on-the-ball.</p>
<p>Have you asked Rice for a reconsideration on your FA package based on what you are getting at Vandy? They may not be able to meet what you have at Vandy but they might increase their offer. </p>
<p>Yes Vandy and Rice are very different. Rice is a WONDERFUL, warm and welcoming place. The residential college system sets up a family feel. No greek life makes the socialization very different. But a full ride is hard to turn down.</p>
<p>To emphasize what Lenny said, it’s really incredible how work-hard party-hard this school is. There are people who out 3 or 4 times a week and are still pulling A’s in their engineering classes. Being a part of the Greek system doesn’t make you less intelligent like people seem to imagine. Greek or not, they were admitted to Vanderbilt, all have great scores, and all came from the top of their highschool class. Greek systems may be full of neanderthals at many schools but that’s just not the case here. It’s not even possible.</p>
<p>Rice is pretty stingy with FA and I doubt they will reconsider but it’s worth a try. I’m personally very glad that I turned down my offer from Rice, even though I originally had it ranked higher. I love this school and hate leaving it for any reason. I’m dreading the summer,</p>
<p>Sorry, I’m just speaking from experience. They estimated my need as significantly lower than any other private school I applied to. They met this “need” 100%, but it was not realistic, and they refused to budge. My EFC at Rice was over double that at Vandy even though I submitted the same forms and they both claim 100% need met. But that may just be an isolated case, sorry.</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies everyone! To be honest, I think I was just a little stressed over making the “perfect” decision which led me to over think some things. There’s so much about Vandy that I like that I’m sure I’ll find my niche somewhere. I still prefer Rice, but I don’t feel nearly as worried about Vanderbilt and it’s social scene. I’ll definitely ask Rice to reconsider my financial aid, but in the worst case I’m incredibly fortunate to have a full ride to Vandy as plan B. </p>
<p>Also. @Pancaked: I think everyone is superficial to a certain extent. I simply meant I don’t care for the egregious superficiality of some social scenes. Also, diversity doesn’t just mean skin color. It also refers to socioeconomic status, life experiences, personality etc. I don’t believe I’m superficial for wanting to attend a more diverse student body. Also, your entitled to your opinion to Rice, but let’s not resort to name calling. Still, I appreciate your feedback nonetheless.</p>
<p>I thought Rice had some “Rice is weird” campaign, no joke. I used the word weird because I’m pretty sure that Rice calls Rice weird. I don’t mean it as an insult at all. Rice is a fantastic school. I seriously considered picking it over Vanderbilt myself.</p>
<p>Anyways YesMan, what I meant to imply that the student body can be diverse even if there isn’t a huge diversity of skin color.</p>
<p>I’m looking to join community service, a church group, and perhaps the Asian Am Association just to learn more about my heritage. Having come from a small town in Alabama, I’ve missed out on a lot of cultural opportunities.</p>
<hr>
<p>You can definitely do all of the above at Vanderbilt. D’s community service of choice was Habitat, but there are plenty of other service activities available. Nashville is FULL of churches, so you have your pick there. My D liked the non-campus churches - there are some very active churches in the area that welcome Vandy students. I am sure there is an Asian-American club; if not, you can start one. As for culture, Nashville certainly has plenty of that! There are cultural opportunities right on campus, but there are plenty in the area, too. Music is all over Nashville, and it’s not just country.</p>
<p>Speaking from experience, I love the school. I think you put too much emphasis on the “rich white prep” stereotype. The stereotype does exist for a reason, but at the same time – it’s not like you’ll be hanging out with them all the time, and I tend to stray away from “superficial” friends.</p>
<p>You find your own niche here. My friend’s circle is predominantly white, involved in greek life, but they’re down to earth, go out and party, study hard, and do community service/activities. However, if you’re worried about the diversity, there are “Asian groups” here where Koreans form their own friend’s group, AASA kids/Asian Americans form their own “Asian group”. I’m friends with some of them, but it’s not my closest group of friends. You can choose who you want to be close friends with, be selective about your friends, and you won’t run into the trouble of trying to fit in with the “Southern prep” people. </p>
<p>My background:
I had never visited the school prior to applying (It was just a simple check mark to apply to the school on the Common Application and I decided - sure why not?)
It is very far from home (15-16 hour drive) and I grew up in the northeast area.
I’m Asian American and grew up in a school that was predominantly Asian. My pictures for prom (closest friends included) was a horde of 50+ Asians/Indians, and maybe a couple of Caucasian kids.</p>
<p>Our Vandy son was full price at Rice. Rice is not stingy on financial aid that is need based but their most common signature scholarships are both more plentiful and more heavily shared across the freshman class for merit dollars (which is so “Rice” actually…it is a school that is very egalitarian and it is hard to fathom how they pick merit winners at Vandy these days from a cohort of equals) --and smaller in size re tuition discounts. </p>
<p>However, he did love those Rice Residential Colleges and we have the best memories of touring Rice~ ! What a splendid school! </p>
<p>However, he is making his way as an independent at Vanderbilt and has had so many fabulous experiences provided by Vanderbilt. The student body at Vanderbilt is undergoing a tremendous sea change and his attitude is “I want to be part of that.” We hope that you will trust your instincts, come see Vandy for yourselves on an accepted student day if at all possible.</p>