<p>Hey everyone! I'm a current freshman at Vanderbilt and I thought I'd come on here to answer some questions. I lurked on these forums all through high school, and I loved it when current students could answer questions, so now I'm here. Some general thoughts first.</p>
<p>Oh, I'm currently in A&S for Biology, and I might transfer to Peabody or double major in Peabody for Special Education. I also might minor in Theatre. I'm service commissioner of my house, involved with the Next Steps program at Vandy, and a member of VU Theatre.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Academics are top tier. End of story. No one decides against Vandy because of academics.</p></li>
<li><p>Social life is probably the best you'll find in a top 20 school. I'll compare a lot with Duke because I'm from NC and I've spent a bit of time there, but Vandy has a wayyyy better atmosphere than Duke.</p></li>
<li><p>Greek Life isn't everything. I'm not planning to rush, but as a freshman I can go to whatever frat party I like and that's true for all Vandy students. I can also find plenty of other parties; I barely spend time at the frats.</p></li>
<li><p>Campus security is awesome; I've had several fantastic experiences with them so far.</p></li>
<li><p>The campus is stunning. 1 issue? Allergies suck.</p></li>
<li><p>Nashville rocks, but when you're in the Vandy bubble you tend to forget you live in Nashville...that is, until Taylor Swift walks into the Wendy's on West End after winning multiple CMA's (not my story, but a friend's).</p></li>
<li><p>Campus involvement is crazy. Everyone does everything and everyone's always here since we all live on campus. The freshman are all very close with each other and involved because of the Commons set up. It's pretty awesome. Also, our dorms rock.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>That's all I can think of off the top of my head right now, but hit me up with questions!</p>
<p>Hockeydude664, you can definitely enjoy the greek life social scene if you want to - some of my hallmates here are engineers and have been heavily partying at the frats and rushing while still managing their studies fairly well. It’s up to you to make that effort if you can manage your time well and enjoy that kind of social scene.</p>
<p>Apoc and Pancaked, that’s very comforting news as I LOVED Vandy when I visited but was concerned about feeling left out. What is the rush scene like? Is there a lot of hazing? Do most frats take many of those who choose to rush?</p>
<p>The rush scene is basically going to frat houses tuesdays/thursdays nights and hanging out with brothers. Usually fun. </p>
<p>Pretty much everyone who actively rushes will get a bid somewhere, as long as you don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Fraternities are good at cutting people they aren’t interested in so it’s not like you’ll be rushing all semester only to find yourself without a bid on bid day. Towards the end of rush you should have a pretty strong feeling of if you want to be Greek or not, and which house(s) you are likely to get a bid from.</p>
<p>The fraternaties do haze, as they do at most Universities, unfortunately. I’ve heard mainly of excessive drinking (drinking Solo cups full of vodka until you throw up, that sort of thing). It’s bad enough that I would not want my son to rush and probably wouldn’t let him unless I knew that he would refuse to partake in that sort of thing despite any peer pressure.</p>
<p>Lenny’s remark about excessive drinking is totally inaccurate. Most fraternities have a dry pledgeship and are pretty strict about it actually. Not going to say anything else about the topic though.</p>
<p>I have a few questions, and if you could give me any idea about anything I would be so pleased. I’m fairly new to all this, and to be honest I’m a bit overwhelmed. I’m not a first generation college student, but I might as well be. I’m homeschooled and have little insight into the application process for a school like this. Right now I’m just on part one, working on the essay. I guess I was just wondering what are they looking for in the application essay? What doesn’t sound corny? What should I focus on to stand out? I know this is a more technical question, but I’m just reaching out because I really don’t want to screw this up.</p>
<p>I suggest you buy Harry Bauld’s book on College Essays. It is pithy and to the point and not overly long. You can of course buy books of “winning essays” just to get your sea legs on the big variety that is part of the essay challenge. But Bauld’s books have exercises. Do them! Take time! I am not going to kid you. Our two son’s essays didn’t get into final form until very very close to midnight on deadline dates. But make yourself begin. very hard for busy busy seniors with long days of school work and after school work. But worth it! You do NOT have to have national accomplishments or state medals to write a good essay or two! Don’t be a stranger. This is hard at age 17 because you are in some ways a stranger to yourself at that age. So…do Harry’s essay prompt exercises, read winning essays. Sleep on it. Edit, change, start over with a new idea. You are not writing War and Peace…just something that shows something about your character, values and fitness for a challenging life on your own in a college community. My last message is that you are “good enough” just as you are today to share something well in a few paragraphs. Be yourself…you are a work in progress, not someone looking backwards after a long life. It is OK to be 17 and not sure of your future identity. Know thyself to the best of your ability today. And if you don’t know yourself yet and are not ready to promise your first-born or to name your career path…then know where you are now and win your reader over with your good heart and insights into the world around you in your own backyard. Just like Dorothy says. There really is no place like home. Begin with your roots and find one story to tell. good luck.</p>
<p>Wow, thank you so much for this! I didn’t realize until just now that I had been looking at it in the opposite perspective. I will definitely look into that book, and see if I can get a hold of it. What you’ve said already makes alot of sense, and already gives me some confidence. Thank you. (Now this over-worked Senior is going to sleep on this and work on her essay when she isn’t ready to collapse on the computer keys.)</p>
<p>both my sons chose to make up a question and to answer it. the essays must incubate, so do the exercises. Show don’t tell. Points go to Powers of Description and insight. Neither son liked doing the essays and here is why: at age 17, they were raised in culture where you are seen and not heard when it comes to your own voice and point of view. They don’t like to brag or boast or sell themselves. </p>
<p>It took them a while to realize that they had five minutes to tell one little story and to have images that counted in making that story real and interesting.</p>
<p>I made them each read Michael Chabon’s essay on his upbringing. He has a sublime voice and tells a story very accessible for anyone who has ever been a child. It is too long for a college sort of essay but this is a very high standard for story telling about…yourself and the people and places you love. I personally believe everyone has a Maps and Legends essay in them to share. [English</a> Teaching Forum Online – Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs](<a href=“http://eca.state.gov/forum/vols/vol42/no2/p35.htm]English”>http://eca.state.gov/forum/vols/vol42/no2/p35.htm)</p>
<p>It tends to be preppy, lots of people start dressing “preppy” once they come here, but there’s also a large segment of the school that doesn’t. You won’t be out of place either way, but if you plan to rush, many of the houses expect somewhat preppy clothing, or at least expect you to not be wearing cargo shorts and a hoodie every time you go out.</p>
<p>Preppy for guys really just means khaki shorts and boat shoes, it’s not a big deal.</p>
<p>You mentioned the boys’ attire/style, but how do the girls dress, typically? Would you say its easier for a guy or girl to fit in at Vanderbilt?</p>
<p>How was the financial aid process for you? Now that you are a freshman and getting comfortable at Vandy do you find yourself worrying about money? The only con I can think of for Vandy is MONEY</p>
<p>Girls really just wear whatever. I mean you’ll probably see fewer girls here in sweatpants and tshirts than most schools but it’s still common. Not really sure how to answer.</p>
<p>Financial aid situation is very different for everyone. Vanderbilt is incredible with meeting your need as determined by the CSS or whatever but some people have an expected contribution from the CSS that they can’t afford and there’s nothing Vandy can do about that. Not really sure how to answer your question.</p>