<p>So I'm an Asian from the New York metropolitan area and have pretty much finalized my college search. Two of the colleges I am considering are Georgia Tech and Vandy. While these colleges are expensive for me, my parents are worried that these colleges will not be a good fit for me, them especially having reservations towards Vandy since going to the South would be a big culture shock from the north. Any advice on this situation?</p>
<p>I can’t speak to Vandy, but I can offer some insight into GA Tech. I went to HS in GA (mom still lives there) and several of my closest friends went to or are currently at Tech (my BFF is currently getting her PhD there; got her BS & MA there too!). You will definitely experience some culture shock. For one, you’ll be going from a public transport heavy area to one where everyone drives. You can live on/around Tech’s campus without having a car but if you want to do anything in greater Atlanta, you must drive. On the plus side, ATL is much cheaper–you’ll be amazed how far your money goes!</p>
<p>The South is an odd place, especially in a city like Atlanta. ATL is modern but still quintessentially Southern. There’s a lot of diversity, it’s relatively progressive, but there’s still an undercurrent of racism/bigotry. Instances of it will be more in your face than in the North (though as I’m sure you may know, the North has plenty of bigots, they’re just a bit more insidious sometimes). However, if you avoid older Southerners and hang out primarily with people under 30 who are college educated, you won’t notice it as much. Southern culture is warm and friendly, very social. You’ll either love it coming from NY or hate it–people will totally try to talk to you in lines, chat you up with small talk in public. Personally it just developed my social skill set but I secretly was very happy to get back to the North for college b/c I’m an introvert who doesn’t like small talk 
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<p>So it’s different, but something you can adjust to, maybe even love. Tech is a great school with a nice campus. Atlanta’s become a pretty fun city–there are great restaurants, bars, shops, etc.; the people I know who live there enjoy it. It wasn’t for me personally, but everyone likes different things (I do still go back for DragonCon though!) The people I know who went to Vandy loved the school… just can’t comment on the area, personally. </p>
<p>I used to live in NY, and I’m familiar with Nashville because my daughter lives there. </p>
<p>Nashville’s a fantastic town. I don’t think it would be that big of a culture shock to go to Vandy.</p>
<p>There are certainly going to be some cultural differences between NYC and Atlanta or Nashville just as there would be cultural differences between NYC and LA. I don’t think they’re insurmountable, and you may be pleasantly surprised! Both schools have a diverse student body. Around 17% of students at GT are Asian, 55% are White. At Vandy, they have a smaller Asian population at about 8%, with 61% being White. I don’t think you’d feel out of place at either school. Have you visited both schools? </p>
<p>The main culture shock of going to Georgia Tech will be adjusting to a car-centered city (Atlanta) from the public-transportation dense northeast city more than being in “The South”. The other big difference is public behavior; I found people in Atlanta much more polite with developed social skills (saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’, ‘yes/no, ma’am/sir’) but some NY’ers admit to be unnerved hearing these things.</p>
<p>There’s a huge difference between ATL and rural GA. Huge. You’d experience a greater culture shock if you moved from NYC to Dehli, NY than you would going from NYC to Atlanta, GA.</p>
<p>Speaking as a Chinese American who grew up in NYC and went to college in NYC, and now my son is going to school in Alabama, going to a southern college would be a good experience. You won’t find much difference between NYC and Atlanta. GT is smack in the middle of downtown Atlanta, easily accessible by MARTA. Nashville is smaller but still a good sized city. The bigger question for the OP is whether he/she wants to be around other Asians, or would be comfortable with all other ethnic and racial groups. If you’re the adventurous type, either of those two schools would be fine.</p>
<p>OP, my D is a Freshman at GTech. We are from Eastern PA (Lehigh Valley area). She is having a great time at GTech, both academically and socially. PM me if you would want more details or even chat with her.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt’s freshman class is 13% Asian. (The Asian presence increases every year so I wouldn’t be surprised if next year’s % is higher.) My (white) NY-bred, sophomore son has Asian friends. In general, the Vanderbilt vibe is not very political nor divisive. It seems to self-select for super smart kids who work very hard but are also looking for a social/friendly campus-based college experience, whatever their race, ethnicity or religion. Nashville is a “hot” city that has become a draw for the young and college-educated from all over the country. So I don’t think it would be an uncomfortable environment for an Asian student.</p>
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<p>What kind of shock?</p>
<p>Would you be bothered by meeting nice and friendly people while living in a more moderate climate? Would that upset you and make you run back to the cold less-friendly north?</p>
<p>I don’t believe that the OP said anything about the weather.</p>
<p>ok…here’s the deal…</p>
<p>Every state has “city people” and “rural people”. “City people” from State A will likely be more similar to “city people” from State Z. The same goes for rural folks…the rural folks from an another area will likely be more similar to rural folks from the south. </p>
<p>Many/most univs are in areas surrounded by “city people”…even if they’re not in big cities. </p>
<p>The differences will be minor…things like …type of BBQ, condiments put on food, use of certain words (shopping cart vs buggy), and so forth. </p>
<p>@mom2collegekids It’s not really anything on my part. My parents and I have talked over this and they said the South isn’t really the best place to go to college, but then again it could just be them</p>
<p>@oldmom I think you missed my point. lol</p>
<p>@RacquetSmasher76 Well the best cure for this would be a VISIT.</p>
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Some of the elite schools in the South have sizable Asian student populations. Duke is about 25% Asian, many of whom come from California, New York, and New Jersey. They fit in just fine. </p>
<p>GTech 2014 Freshman profile</p>
<p><a href=“Blow the Whistle! (404 error: page not found) | Undergraduate Admission”>Blow the Whistle! (404 error: page not found) | Undergraduate Admission;
<p>As you can see, over 27% Asians. It is time to educate your folks . Don’t let this bias follow you in life…</p>
<p>I have lived in three very distinct states, attended and received degrees in all three, and know students that attend Ga Tech, Vanderbilt, Univ of AL etc.</p>
<p>If one KNOWS they want to stay in NE. However if one wants to truly see what a school and area offers, then a visit is in order.</p>
<p>However you cannot totally formulate an opinion w/o a school visit. Some have done a visit to eliminate, only to find it is a potential college match.</p>
<p>Some students will like a college in a college town; others will like a college in a major city. Some just totally fall in love with a school and the programs it offers.</p>
<p>I hope you can properly evaluate with a visit, if your parents and you will consider attending a school out of your geographical area.</p>
<p>My daughter is at school at an Ivy in the Northeast; she was astonished and appalled at the attitude toward Asians displayed by some of her classmates, both behind their backs and to their faces. She has a lot of Asian friends; her roommate is Asian; and she belongs to a sorority with a high Asian percentage. Just because there are lots of Asians on a campus does not mean that there is not a lot of anti-Asian feeling among those whose sense of privilege involves race. This doesn’t mean that every Asian will experience discrimination, but that the mere presence of Asians on campus does not indicate “tolerance” of Asians. Quite the reverse, in fact. I have no personal experience of southern schools and their attitudes toward other races, and I am not prejudging southern schools, but it is important to say that no person in a dominant social position in a community is qualified to speak to the experience of discrimination or racism by persons not in a dominant position in that community. Talk to Asians at the college you’re exploring before you decide.</p>
<p>New York is second heaviest represented state at Vanderbilt – there are a ton of kids from Manhattan, Westchester, and Long Island especially.</p>
<p>@warblersrule: You’re right, 30 percent of Duke’s just-enrolled undergraduate class ('18) are Asian/Asian American . . . and the percentages in the graduate/professional schools are even higher. </p>