<p>^^It's better to be safe than sorry.</p>
<p>The Greek life is just one reason why students self-segregate at Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Don't think my experience at Vanderbilt has been all negative. I have had some positive experiences. I've met some great professors, had great classes, found a great research job, and I love the surrounding area.
But if i could do it all over again I would probably not have enrolled at Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Ok, RoCCoLampone, let me offer you a bit of advise just in general in all decision making that has helped me a lot in my life. Gather lots of data and then make decisions based on a wide range of research, do not take the words of a couple posters on a college forum, which in and of itself is self-selecting, these kids that have time to come on here and post about how they hate it are going to obviously be a little skewed, the asians having fun are probably to busy partying/studying to post on here. I just visited recently, about a month ago, and did dore for a day, and my dore guy was I white male, his roomate an asian male, and I talked to his roomate for a bit, and he loved vandy and him and his roomate had a good relationship. My opinion is that college, and life in general is what you make of it, there will be plenty of interaction if you make it, I was admitted via early decision, and I plan on talking to all kinds of different people when I go, I would definetly not block out Vanderbilt from your list based on anything read on here, go to the campus and find out for yourself, I think you will be very pleasently surprised at the friendliness and openess on campus.</p>
<p>I'm an undergraduate upperclassman Asian male at Vanderbilt and here's my two cents.</p>
<p>First off, you seem to have a very negative initial view on Vanderbilt. You should hold judgment or at least refrain from criticizing before you get a chance to really get to know our school. I feel your presumptive accusations of this school would offend the many great people that are part of this community.</p>
<p>I think, more accurately, your question is, are there enough Asians at Vanderbilt for Asians to be comfortable. While I can't answer this question for you, I would say yes, Vanderbilt has a small but dedicated group of minorities that are very much a part of the Vanderbilt community. It is true we have problems with racial and cultural diversity but I feel that things are getting better every year. As far as racial integration, Vanderbilt can actually be more so than many other schools with larger minority populations. This is because we learn to get along with everyone, not only within our own race. We do have the typical Asian group if want to surround yourself with your own culture but there are many, many Asian students with diverse portfolios of friends. As for myself, my best friends are Caucasian, African, Asian, Hispanic, Jewish, and mixed race. I say this with all honesty. However, I do spend most of my time with other Asians, and I'm perfectly content with that.</p>
<p>Now, there are certain reasons not to come to Vanderbilt. If you wish to find yourself surrounded by Asians and are only comfortable being around Asians, do not come to Vanderbilt because it is unlikely you will be satisfied if this is your goal. It isn't that your best friends can't be all Asian but you're going to have to work, live, and play with people other than Asians. And in the off chance that you find most commonality with a Caucasian or an African American, you may have to accept it.</p>
<p>In the end, Vanderbilt is a great school and there are plenty of people who would love to attend this great university with great faculties, facilities, and other motivated students. This is an important decision for you so if you have any reservations, you should be sure to answer them before you arrive here or maybe seek an alternate school that may better suit you. Throughout my years at Vanderbilt, I've seen people love and hate the Asian culture here at Vandy and I've seen how happy or miserable they can be. If you are sufficiently informed, you should be able to avoid being miserable. Just don't have any regrets when you make your decision.</p>
<p>(As for there being more negative posts than positive about Vanderbilt on this forum, I would have to say detractors are ten times more likely to voice their opinion than people with great to average experience.)</p>
<p>pps. I agree with dirthog. well said.</p>
<p>zip - i didnt mean that at all.</p>
<p>My question is "can asians fit in with the caucasian crowd at vanderbilt."</p>
<p>Are you in any frats? did u get rejected when u tried applying? do they discriminate your bid just cuz ur asian? can you make friends with GROUPS of caucasians, rather than individuals??</p>
<p>have you been to parties??</p>
<p>thats my question. I wouldnt even think of applying to vandy if i wanted to "firend other asians". that would defeat the purpose...lol</p>
<p>let me know about your experiences, you can PM me if you want. Thanks!!</p>
<p>yes, you think you are suave for saying "these kids that have time to come on here and post about how they hate it are going to obviously be a little skewed, the asians having fun are probably to busy partying/studying to post on here."</p>
<p>Yet, I just told you I made an account a few days ago because I dropped by this website again. i used to ghost it back when I was in high school and I was bored so I wanted to check it out.</p>
<p>In all honesty, make the decision based on a holistic evaluation of the school. You will be hard pressed to find students who will actually admit the bad sides of the university because everybody wants to make it seem positive and hip hop hooray. It's a paradox, isn't it? I want Vanderbilt to be more diverse and have a more open community yet I posted here saying that you shouldn't come if you are diverse and open. But it kinda pains me to see that kids are being misled about how "awesome" this school is. </p>
<p>Rocco, unless these other guys can correct me, I do not know of any Asian guys in ANY of the top tier frats on Greek row...if there is, there is probably like one dude (frats I'm talking about are Beta, KA, SAE, pike...). They will say they don't discriminate.....but the demographics of their fraternities speak for themselves...</p>
<p>Well said freeblanket.</p>
<p>So you are talking strictly on the subject matter of white/Asian relations. I'm not in a frat and never tried to because it's not something I'm into. Although I'm not in a frat, I have minority friends that are (in major frats), and they get along with their frat brothers/ sor sisters very well. If you can act like a frat brother, talk, and hold the same interests as them, I don't think you'll have problems fitting in most greek houses. The problem then becomes, can you be like them? Not in color-wise of course but in their character. I've been to Greek parties with or without friend connections and they are not closed off to Asians. Also, I do have white groups of friends where I'm the only or one of two Asian guys. With this said, the majority of the time, I still hang out with mostly other Asians because I can relate with them a lot better. At the same time, one of my best friends is white because we share the same interests and personalities.</p>
<p>So your question is, are Vandy frat boys more racist than in other schools. I would have to say no. However, there is an atmosphere of Southern culture within them, which I believe, many Asians can't relate to; but if you think you can, I'm sure you'll fit right in. (There are one or two frats I would stay away from though) If not, you'll have to actively search for people, be they white or Asian, that fit your personality. In summary, if you're not in a frat or frat mindset at Vandy, you'll have to actively search for friends. (But I would have to assume it's the same in most other colleges) And if all this still sounds sour to you, you're probably better off looking elsewhere to spend your four years and loads of money. While segregation is partly a product of cultural differences, I observe most segregation anywhere to be self-perpetuated.</p>
<p>Hmm....well...I'm an African American applicant and vandy is definetly one of my top choices. However, some of the stuff in here has stimulated thinking on whether or not its the school for me. I live in a heavily white society at a school with only about 20 other blacks. All of my friends are white with a few Asians here and there. Are the social barriers based strictly on race, or is it because the interests of whites and blacks are somewhat different? I would hope that I would fit in fine at Vandy, but this thread makes me think that it would be difficult.</p>
<p>It's really hard to say. I think it'd be extremely ignorant to attribute the Vandy social divide exclusively to race and it'd be just as ignorant to attribute it to "different interests." I highly recommend you visit and try to stay over for a weekend as that will give you a good idea of what to expect.</p>
<p>i find it funny that your guidance counselor told you you wouldn’t get laid.</p>
<p>I find it very disappointing and disheartening that so many people are trying to convince prospective students from NOT attending. Granted you shouldn’t necessarily be trying to get them to come to the university either. However, you can be truthful while also acknowledging the fact that everyone’s experience is different.</p>
<p>PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS: You should not judge the school simply by what one or two posters have to say. Visit the school and see for yourself!</p>
<p>freeblanket, do you have any statistics on how many Asian males have attempted or even wanted to be in the fraternities you mentioned? I bet it’s almost none. It has more to do with the students themselves than the frats. I was friends with many Asian students while at Vanderbilt and the truth of the matter is that most like to keep to themselves or those in their own ethnic group. </p>
<p>Rocco, the fact that you are asking this question tells me that you should have no problem at Vanderbilt. You seem to be outgoing and looking to have a good time which most other Asian males appear to shy away from. If you want to join a frat then go for it. If you are genuine and likeable you will find at least one that likes you as much as you like them. </p>
<p>I didn’t mean to offend anyone with this post, I am simply stating what I know.</p>
<p>^ In other words you’re perturbed, because not everyone holds your opinion about Vanderbilt?</p>
<p>Prospective students, I warn you against the vast amounts of zealots that monitor these message boards. Please vist the university for yourself.</p>
<p>^No, don’t get me wrong. I had my share of bad experiences at Vanderbilt. But like you stated, I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. Prospective students should not be making decisions based on zealots or those in opposition. This message board is a great place to get information but I don’t think opinions should be taken so seriously and it seems like they have been. A prospective student could have a great experience or a horrible one and it would have nothing to do with what either you or me has said.</p>
<p>^ That’s true. </p>
<p>Now in regards to the topic at hand, unless you absolutely need to be around other Asians, I really wouldn’t worry. The people at Vanderbilt are extremely friendly!</p>
<p>While segregation could be a problem at vandy, I also have many friends for whom vanderbilt is their DREAM school and they seem to have no problems being friends with me (I’m asian). There are some people who probably do have issues with race, but there are also going to be many fantastic people who don’t and are open-minded and friendly.</p>
<p>if you’re asian and you already mostly only hang out with other asians then yes, you will most likely only be hanging out with asians when you come here. there are plenty of groups of asians here that only hang out with themselves and don’t really try to integrate.</p>
<p>if on the other hand you’re not that type of asian, then you will have NO problem fitting in. I’m asian and from southern california and I have had no problems making friends here. in fact all my closest friends are not asian and I’m a member of a mostly southern frat.</p>
<p>I am currently a student at Umiami…voted #1 for race/class interaction…</p>
<p>and here’s the deal that applies to pretty much ALL schools. I have several friends at Vandy who have shared their experiences and I have visited Vandy. </p>
<p>Asians, blacks, whites etc tend (I use this loosely) to have things in common. yes this is a generalization but it’s true…if you have no friends at first you may be more comfortable talking with someone of your own race. At UMiami, with a ton of racial diversity, there is still self-segregation…is it to say whites dont wanna hang out with blacks…NO. it just happens to be that many of their friends are of the same race. (I myself am white but 2 of my best friends here are black). The point I’m trying to make is, at least here, and other schools I’ve stayed over at, kids don’t care what color you are…they care if you get along with them and have stuff in common.</p>
<p>Does an athletic black guy from a primarily black school in detroit have a ton in common with an Asian from California who is into music? No…and as stereotypes are often wrong but can be used when making generalizations. </p>
<p>SO at Vandy…would a black, white and asian be friends with each other if they got along? Yes… The problem is at Vandy lots of kids who are friends most likely came from similar backgrounds, same interests, same experiences (ie played HS sports at a rich suburban HS and also are majoring in economics). If these 2 were different races it wouldn’t so much matter.</p>
<p>Does Vandy have great racial interaction? Maybe not…but when I stayed over it was definitely NOT racist.</p>
<p>People hang out with people who share similar interests as them. I’ve never been to Vandy before but if you’re Asian/Indian and you went to a prep school, play lax/golf/etc. and partied a bit in high school, I doubt you would get cut from a top frat just based on your ethnicity.</p>