Concerns about Vandy Greek Life...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
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<p>I have a quick question about Vandy Greek life. I have read many different things over the past couple days about the Greek life at Vanderbilt, and I would like some more specifics. Some say that Greek life is almost "imposed" on everyone. They would also say that unless you are involved with Greek life, you will have a hard time meeting people, etc. In other words, the focus of the campus is the Greek life. Others say you can be totally independent of the Greek system and still have a great time at Vandy, meeting new people, etc. </p>

<p>So my question is how big is Greek life at Vandy? If I am not interested in joining (I'm not), will I still have a great time? I just don't want to be in a place where parties and drinking is the only thing people do. I'm not against the Greek system or anything, and I would go to frat parties and everything because I know that's what people do, but I don't want to be directly involved through joining a frat or anything. I want to focus on my schoolwork, still have fun, and meet new people. Will I fit in?</p>

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<p>I'm waiting on someone to post a concern about Greek Life not being prominent enough thread. These ones are getting to be a tad redundant. Surely it's just this entertaining forum, but it seems amazing how many people want to come to Vandy even though they've made a prejudicial decision not to be a part of the most vocal, permanent, and relevant institution on campus. You're in for an eye opening.</p>

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<p>^ Nah, most of us realize that being in a frat wouldn't be a "bad" thing (hey, I like to drink and party just as much as the next guy), but the problems are the stereotype and the pricetag that come with it. I don't typically enjoy paying to have friends. Not my style ;)</p>

<p>Does that mean I can't wear Polo, Brooks Brothers, or VV? Nope. Does it mean I can't occasionally get wasted and have a one-night stand? Of course not. I just don't have to be designated as a "brother" to do it.</p>

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<p>The Greek system is "the most vocal, permanent and relevant institution on campus"? What could I have been thinking? I thought Vanderbilt University was the most vocal, permanent and relevant institution on campus.</p>

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<p>Well thanks for the real answers guys. As for VandySAE, a simple explanation would have been just fine. I didn't need the attitude along with it. Anyone else feel free to reply with some explanations (there is no snappy attitude in explanations, VandySAE). Thanks everyone!</p>

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<p>According to the princeton review, Vanderbilt is the #11 school for "Major Frat and Sorority Scene" </p>

<p>It seems that since you have such a steadfast preconceived notion about not wanting to join the biggest social aspect on campus, why even go to the school?</p>

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<p>As previous posters have stated, greek life is prevalent on campus. However, it does not mean you have to be a part of it. I'm involved in several community service groups on campus and I've met great people through those organizations as well as my classes. If greek life is something that will bother you, Vandy probably isn't for you, but if you can tolerate its presence there are many ways to get involved on campus.</p>

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<p>You can certainly be a girl at Vandy and be happy not pledging. But as VandySAE said, if you're determined being greek isn't for you, maybe you'd be happier at a school where it's not the dominant culture. What's the point of shoving a square peg into a round hole?</p>

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<p>Might I suggest that greek culture seems a lot more dominant to those who are part of it than to those who are not? The majority of students at Vanderbilt are not members of greek organizations, and many of those who are nominal members are not particularly active as upperclassmen/women.</p>

<p>Yes, many students belong to greek organizations, and yes, they are a noticeable presence on the campus. But suggesting that students uninterested in joining a fraternity or a sorority should avoid Vanderbilt ignores the fact that half of the females and more than two-thirds of the males already on campus are also not interested in joining, but nonetheless enjoy the campus--and the education.</p>

<p>I think we are seeing non-medical examples of the phenomenon of 'tunnel vision' in some of these posts.</p>

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<p>Thanks, midmo, for providing the ratios of greeks to independents. I think that is a very important factor to keep in mind. The greeks may make their presence known in a more vocal and obvious way, but they are not the majority by any means. Half the females and two-thirds of the males certainly find a social life as independents! That's what makes Vanderbilt attractive to so many different types of personalities.</p>

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<p>Gee whiz, it is so gracious of you frat and sorority linked fellow Dores...to kindly redirect prospective independent students (the majority in your college BTW) to "other colleges" where "square pegs" might find happiness.<br>
"the most vocal, permanent, and relevant institution on campus" was probably not intended to create hoots of laughter for readers here.</p>

<p>golfrguy4, my son is going independent at Vandy. I guess he is just "taking his chances" that he will survive the horrors of not fitting into "the round holes" and discovering that he really should have enrolled else where even though 60 plus percent of males at Vandy are not rushing.</p>

<p>He has a brother that went Greek and really appreciated that aspect of his life at Duke. Vandy admit son is charming, active, and highly social and will join you in the Square Peg society. He knows that tons of Greeks at Vandy are smart, charming and fantastic people, although he probably would "skip" listening to VandySAEs modest accounts of his frat's dominance in the "hierarchy" of frats. </p>

<p>He probably will not be cowed by VandySAE's "You're in for an eye opening." statement above either...oooohhh. </p>

<p>Anyone who opts to enter Vandy needs to respect that this is a school with tradition of many alum who were Greek, and who have many cherished memories of their college days, many kids have family Greek traditions..but not the majority!..and that this is a prominent aspect of the scene. Although the school is no longer regional and draws a very national student body now..certain traditions will likely hold firm..more social, a sense of warmth in the culture..people speak in passing, professors are mannerly, it is a college tradition to dress up more for events like football like it is at UVA and other colleges..</p>

<p>One should show up cheerful about it, and perhaps should also have a really good sense of humor. And prepare to meet a lot of great people, Greek and nonGreek. </p>

<p>Square Peg looks forward to meeting you.</p>

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<p>^ hahahahaha aaaaaaamen.
I think the fratboys need to remember that they're outnumbered, even at Vandy.</p>

<p>If you want a REAL Greek majority, try W&L...Sheesh, that place is messed up.</p>

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<p>You're really missing the point here, when I was trying to offer some honest, helpful advice. Obviously my choice of wording ruffled some feathers.</p>

<p>Yes, half of students at Vandy are not Greek. But much of what goes on at Vanderbilt is populated by Greek students--that's why I say it's the dominant culture. </p>

<p>Certainly you can be independent and be happy. My point is that there are a lot of great schools out there that that have no greek system or where it's a much smaller part of the campus community. If you're anti-greek, there may be schools that are a better fit.</p>

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<p>There is no "helpfulness" when you apparently can't tell a prospective student that your (more than 50% are independent) classmates who don't choose to go Greek also enjoy a high quality of life at Vanderbilt. </p>

<p>The OP, a prospective student who it seems likes to play golf, stated in his post he is not "anti Greek."<br>
Being independent doesn't equate into being "anti Greek."</p>

<p>Do you really think that the Majority of your classmates aren't having four interesting and challenging and memorable years in Nashville (a very cool city) doing it their way?</p>

<p>I have lived in nine states...and Nashville is in my opinion, one of the friendliest places we ever settled in.</p>

<p>Vanderbilt classrooms are warmer and smaller than at many other colleges of its size, the campus is more beautiful, and the town offers many distractions and options for students not looking to their frat or sorority for weekend plans.</p>

<p>My point from my years of living in Nashville, waiting tables in Hillsboro Village, going to concerts, hanging around on Elliston Place, eating in places on West End, interning downtown, catching shows at the ExitInn, killing afternoons in the parks, going to hear great speakers in the grad schools, attending sporting events, studying on campus myself, knowing scores of alum, and my marriage to an alum..is that life for independents is actually more fun at Vandy than at more isolated colleges where you really will have much less to do socially if you don't want to be in Greek societies. (There are some fantastic universities and colleges which my son also applied to with similar Greek percentages but in much less accessible and exciting locations for independents.)</p>

<p>Your skewed perception of the quality of life of Independents in your own school is what I am challenging. No one is denying that Greek life at Vandy is very visible and traditional.</p>

<p>My son (like hundreds of other class of 2013 hopefuls) has applied to several other colleges with vibrant Greek worlds (where he does not believe he is a square peg anywhere) and has applied to a couple of places without Greeks. Most but not all of the colleges he applied to have Greek societies that are quite central to campus life and important to those who join up. He is a Virginian and Greek Row is hugely gorgeous, traditional and fun at UVA, but life for (the majority of) independents in Charlottesville is also quite excellent. UVA grads...and I know hundreds of them, always say UVA gave them the happiest four years of their lives, and yet most of them were independent just based on numbers and stats.</p>

<p>Vanderbilt graduates who opt to go with the majority..the independents.. can also enjoy four of the best years of their lives.</p>

<p>Most students smart enough to get into Vandy have their eyes wide open, and are making choices they understand perfectly. Choosing to be independent at Vanderbilt does not segue into waking up to find yourself in a "mismatch" college because you are not pledging.. and certainly doesn't segue into viewing the majority of your classmates who made intentional independent decisions.."square pegs." </p>

<p>In a few weeks, his father and I will be attending two senior graduation/parent/family parties sponsored by his Frat for the senior brothers at Duke. We will be thrilled to cheer for our son's Greek brothers and for his many independent friends when they graduate and they all move on to do wonderful things with their lives, just as we expect to be cheering for our Vandy son and his varied friends in four years--if he makes the final decision in April to go with Vandy.</p>

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<p>If you come to campus and do not want to be apart of the Greek system that is fine. You can get by without and and have one hell of a time here.</p>

<p>You WILL be affected by the greek system at one point. Whether they kill your study time with loud parties, or you go to one of their "philanthropy" events. If you want to come to a campus where the greek influence is weak, this is not the school for you. If you want to come to a campus where you can tolerate greek life and do your own thing, well than yeah you'll be fine here.</p>

<p>Edit: As far as stats go, 60% of men do rush. About half that actually pledge. With a delayed pledge process at Vandy everyone ends up on the rush list at one point haha.</p>

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<p>Edit: As far as stats go, 60% of men do rush. About half that actually pledge. </p>

<p>ahh..you are correct, I garbled that one. :)</p>

<p>all well put and accurate.</p>

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<p>Whoever wrote the comment about Vanderbilt University superseding Greek Life in the qualities I referenced, clever, but I can think of at least two fraternities off the top of my head that have been on this campus (what was University of Nashville) well before Vanderbilt was endowed. Also, at least 75% of independents are somehow involved in Greek Life through things such as social affiliations and philanthropic endeavors.</p>

<p>And hookem, your notion of what Greek Life is sounds more like something I'd see in one of those "College" or "Miss March" movies which more closely resembles bottom feeders at Penn State than our system (something more analogous to what you might see at Cambridge's Drinking Societies or any older European university's social system where good old fashioned hard work is rewarded by nighttime fun). The people that do fit your description just also happen to be the most successful academically.</p>

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<p>Let me get this right, Faline2, you did not go to Vandy?</p>

<p>You're writing about Vanderbilt as an expert based on having lived and worked in Nashville and a husband and friends who went there 20-30 years ago. </p>

<p>Don't you think current students might provide a more accurate perspective of what student life is actually like?</p>

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<p>The problem is, you don't care to take the word of any current student who does not share your point of view. Faline2 offers some excellent points that, frankly, are timeless. We old folks were your age once - we do know where you are coming from, believe it or not. We also know that many young people believe that their view of the world is the correct view - and some of us who have been there/done that understand that there are many views of the world, and each is correct for the person who holds a particular viewpoint. There is more than one path to follow.</p>

<p>The non greeks are not sitting around wishing they could be greek. They are not depressed or lonely. They do not lack for things to do. Believe it or not, they are actually having a great life. Their own groups of friends are the groups they choose to join - they may be square pegs in your world, but they are not square pegs in their own world. If your life would be less than complete without greek life, that's fine - but that does not mean others feel as you feel - and it does not mean they should not be at Vandy or that they are square pegs.</p>

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<p>geez. I don't disagree with any of that--I believe I actually said you could not be greek and be happy at Vanderbilt. My point, which has been made by other current students on other threads as well-- is that Vanderbilt might not be the BEST choice for students who have no interest whatsoever in greek life.</p>