<p>whoa .</p>
<p>averagewoman---ditto to your question. Sounds like Vandy may be a great place for future AA members. Hope some of these people manage to grow up eventually.</p>
<p>maryc, averagewoman, stick to the parents forum.</p>
<p>maryc, your daughter has decent stats, as you mentioned: </p>
<p>"U of San Diego has offered my D $15000 year for four years as a Trustee Scholar. She also was offered $5000 a year at Franciscan Univ in Steubenville. Her stats: 2070 SAT, 30ACT, 4.36w/4.0 uw gpa.
It's great to hear of all these kids being rewarded for all their hard work and study!"</p>
<p>If she isn't open minded, why not just take the scholarship and keep her close to home in SoCal. The four years of temptation and torture that is Vanderbilt will ruin her forever.</p>
<p>maryc, making jokes about AA is unacceptable. Alcoholism is a very serious disease and should not be carelessly tossed about as an insult. </p>
<p>To address maryc's and averagewoman's "concerns," I think you are both out of touch with reality if you expect that the majority of college students do not drink, even if only occassionally. A [url=<a href="http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh284/269-280.htm%5Dstudy%5B/url">http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh284/269-280.htm]study[/url</a>] found that 68.4% of full time college students between 18 and 20 reported that they had had a drink in the past year. Add to that the fact that Vanderbilt does have a certain reputation for its parties, and, well, it's obvious that there is going to be underage drinking, and quite a bit at that. To suggest that drinking somehow represents a fault in character is just plain dumb. If that's the case, colleges across the country have quite a knack for admitting the most vile and immoral of applicants.</p>
<p>I suggest you both get off of your high horses and face the facts: underage drinking happens and, gasp!, it's not the end of the world.</p>
<p>I am the first person in my family to go to Vandy, and I have insight into many different colleges because I used to visit my bro and my cousins at their schools. I have been to the University of Virginia, University of Richmond, Virginia Tech, and I have never seen a college where students under the age of 21 weren't able to drink and weren't taking advantage of their situation. Underage drinking in college is as American as high school smoking (oh yeah, and high school drinking). The point is, college is one of the only atmospheres where drinking until you can't feel feelings anymore is social acceptable. Take full advantage.</p>
<p>In regard to the original post, I would advise anyone to explore greek life at Vandy. I didn't take full advantage of rush during the Fall and didn't get a great feel for the Greek system, leaving me to not pledge anywhere in January. It isn't for everyone, but everyone I know who pledged truly enjoys what they're doing and in my opinion is better for it. I think Greeks have the most fun on campus and friendship and brotherhood/sisterhood developed within the greek houses makes it even more worthwhile.</p>
<p>I might also add that all of my family members were in fraternities and all of them loved them. My bro's best stories came from events with his fraternity brothers and he made his best friend through his fraternity. My youngest cousin is currently at UR and loves fraternity life. The overwhelming feeling I get about Vandy is that there is a house for every type of person, finding that house can be hard, but if you go to rush events at every house, you are bound to find a place you love.</p>
<p>Dear Lyrisense:</p>
<p>You state: "As a Vanderbilt Student who reads applications for the Admissions Dept., I can personally attest that Vanderbilt, even more than most schools, weighs tertiary factors such as an applicants social qualities, personality traits and even personal ambitions nearly as heavily as they do academics or integrity. That's why Vanderbilt is the only university ranked in the Top 20 for both Academics AND Party Scene: because Vanderbilt specifically DOES take into account each applicants personality traits and tends to accept those students who WOULD want to know about the alcohol and Greek policies (hence Vanderbilt's perennial spot on the Top 25 Party School list - they pick students that like to party)."</p>
<p>Certainly, your post must be a joke, and a pitiful one at that. An applicant's "social qualities and personality traits" are totally unrelated to whether he/she chooses to drink and party, so please don't try to imply that the Admissions Committee is looking for this sort of student tbat would support its reputation as a party school.
I can predict with relative certainty, that the Admissions Department would not agree with or condone your attitude and flippant response. If, indeed, you are a employed by the Admissions Department, then I suggest you be more discriminating about the responses you post on a public forum, or your "career" in the admissions process will be short-lived.</p>
<p>I'm sorry but I agree with lyrisense. If we want to drink, why does that bother you?</p>
<p>ref: drinking</p>
<p>what is that saying about stones and glass houses or something?
Who out there has not had a drink? you parents are being a little nutty.
you can have a beer and not be a wild and crazy troublemaker that gets expelled! let everyone get accepted and enjoy this moment before you start fighting over everything.</p>
<p>I can't speak for the other members of this forum, but I believe you are missing the point of my own post entirely. Yes, students drink--at any college, not just Vanderbilt--and that is their personal choice. My beef was with this particular poster who seemed to imply that being a drinker/partier was a prerequisite to getting admitted and/or fitting in at Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>By the way, for those who are interested, I have it on very good authority that this student misrepresented himself and does not read applications for the Vanderbilt Admissions Department.</p>
<p>I won't go to a school that doens't have a substantial party scene and loads of drinking. I've worked hard in high school so I can have the luxury of making my college choice based on social life.</p>
<p>Yes, I would agree that drinking is part of college life. Not everyone drinks, but as the "study" referred to earlier would indicate, it seems the majority may have a drink now and then. And what's really wrong with that?
It has been my experiece that the frat boys drink differently that the rest of the student population. I have observed that the frat boys simply don't hold their liquor very well. Oh yes, they drink lots of it and drink it fast. They like to brag about their drinking and how blotto they got. But they don't really "hold" their liquor well. They pass out and seem to enjoy being "ripped." They play games with their drinking, etc.<br>
Whereas the rest of the student body seems to drink socially, have a few, enjoy some laffs, maybe meet a few new people, etc. Getting "ripped" in this case might be a matter of inexperience, not knowing your limits, etc - something we all have to learn.<br>
I would say that one style of drinking is more dangerous than the other and that's probably where all this disagreement is coming from. Whadya think?</p>
<p>Sorry if I came on too strong. Binge drinking on campuses is a big problem and a first step toward alcoholism, which I do not think is funny. I drink, I drank in college, but as Stonedimmac pointed out, there is a big difference between social drinking and getting ripped on purpose over and over again. I've had three other kids graduate from college, one from UCSB, so I am aware of drinking as a part of college life. Maybe I'm just a bit paranoid since reading I Am Charlotte Simmons</p>
<p>Hey Bandmom,</p>
<p>As my earlier post clearly states, I am not advocating drinking, or partying, or social status, or anything... but merely stating that it is irresponsible of a person to only weigh academic factors in picking his or her university.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt is renowned for it's high quality community and friendly residential atmosphere. In potential students at my high school, a Vanderbilt representative spoke proudly of students' unique experience at a rigorous, competative school that is also known for having fun.</p>
<p>In no way did I ever imply that "being a drinker/partier was a prerequisite to getting admitted and/or fitting in at Vanderbilt." I merely stated an opinion based on who I am. </p>
<p>There must have been a reason why half of the members of my hall freshman year had been camp counselors; there is a reason why so many Vanderbilt students participate in community service or Alternative Spring Break; there is a reason why so many Vanderbilt students report having been "sold" on the University simply after visiting for a few hours.</p>
<p>Why? Because the students at Vanderbilt University possess more qualities than merely "academic success" or "integrity" alone. How about honor, interest, charity, leadership, restraint, benevolance... </p>
<p>Bandmom, you seem to have lots of contact with the "authorities" of the admissions office. Hmm... I wonder if the strong feelings you seem to have against a little web post somehow are related to the email I just received from the Dean. I think you're the one misrepresenting your identity. Either that or you must really like arguing with proud Vanderbilt students trying to take a break from a long day of midterm studying and possibly help a young pre-frosh by offering a sophomore perspective. (both?) Grow up!</p>
<p>I would like to point out, Bandmom, that Chancellor Gee has spoken in public before about his pride in Vanderbilt's place as an amazing academic institution with a fun and relaxing residential atmosphere. I never once said that admission was contingent on or even focused on "partying" in any way. In fact, even the Party school ranking is not contingent on the use of alcohol. Come on... you are attacking my honest attempt to help students understand that Vanderbilt has even more than amazing courses (such as a beautiful metropolitan campus tucked in neatly among the best of Nashville, or our commanding Women's Basketball and Lacrosse teams, or just the simple fact that the Vanderbilt Card allows students to access many services quite easily).</p>
<p>I mean, honestly, if the school was not proud of its Greek atmosphere AND the parties that come with it, then why does Chancellor Gee stroll along Greek Row and enjoy visiting with students as they... party.... (oh my god, did he just say PARTY?!)</p>
<p>One final clarification. User posts represent their individual beliefs, no matter what is said, because this is a 3rd party website and provides the means for some Americans to discuss topics of their choosing. For example, I completely disagree with STONEDIMMAC's assesment of "frat boys" and believe it is based on absolutely no evidence or even an argument worthy of a substantive review... but it's his opinion. </p>
<p>To all high school seniors debating your college future, I recommend Vanderbilt whole-heartedly and encourage you to visit the campus for it is absolutely gorgeous.</p>
<p>Dear Lyrisense:
Thanks for the clarification and for helping to put a better light on Vanderbilt in this "ready-to-be-retired" thread.</p>
<p>You indicated that you never said that partying was a prerequisite to getting admitted/fitting in at Vanderbilt. I got that impression from your claim "...Vanderbilt specifically DOES take into account each applicants personality traits and tends to accept those students who WOULD want to know about the alcohol and Greek policies (hence Vanderbilt's perennial spot on the Top 25 Party School list - they pick students that like to party)." Glad to know this isn't the case and sorry if I misunderstood your statement.</p>
<p>I do value the input of all the students and parents on this forum, and I certainly didn't mean to sound like I lecturing. However, just as I value your opinions and your right to it, you must also respect the opinions of "average woman" and "maryc" et al . Dialogue must be a two-way interaction allowing for a mix of ideas. That is the beauty of a discussion forum--we can all learn from each other.</p>
<p>Thanks for setting the record straight on how you really feel about Vanderbilt :)</p>
<p>Thank you for forcing me to clarify further... I hadn't realized that I had not explained what I meant by "Vanderbilt specifically DOES take in to account..."</p>
<p>The point I wanted to get across regarding the admissions was that, even as acceptance rates continue to fall and Vanderbilt's ranking continues to improve, the campus remains distinguished as a "party school" etc. I mean to make the point that if Vanderbilt was not picking kids that like to party, the Greek system would have drastically declined and our prominance in the party rankings would have lessened immensily.</p>
<p>That's what I mean. Even then, I am not saying Vanderbilt doesn't ALSO pick students who like to jog or others who like windsurfing, I merely focused on alcohol in response to the comments above.</p>
<p>All is well.</p>
<p>PS: honestly though do you admissions people troll this site? and the notion that administrators have made it practice of funneling comments directly into the whirlpool of administrative bureaucracy is quite amusing. </p>
<p>cheers</p>
<p>I think it is funny that a post founded on the principles of Greek Life and what rush and brother/sisterhood are all about at Vanderbilt has been reduced to questions of alcohol abuse. Let me make one thing very clear: alcohol, getting drunk, passing out, and the like may be part of any college experience, but they are certainly not unique to greek life. This thread gives the impression that all Greek Life is about partying and getting wasted. If you are looking for a drinking club, there are far better ways to get wasted in college, without joining a fraternity. The Greek system at Vanderbilt is far to great an entity on campus to be reduced to debates on the ethics of underage drinking and other irresponsible behaviors. Greek houses raise money for charities, show high levels of volunteerism, and organize events for all of campus to enjoy. Greek life at Vanderbilt prospers and receives esteem from the administration because it is well-grounded in principles essential to a democratic society. I stand by my assertion that Greeks at Vanderbilt make up the best groups on campus.</p>
<p>you're on the money Dores</p>
<p>I disagree that Greeks make up the best groups on campus. Sure, there are lots of people who are Greek who are awesome people, but there are also a ton of people who didn't go Greek who are just as amazing.</p>
<p>When the independents and Greeks are so integrated here, it doesn't make sense to say unequivocally that one group is better than the other. I mean, lots of my friends are Greek and lots aren't and I don't notice some overarching difference between them.</p>
<p>I was saying that Greek organizations are certainly among the best groups. They, along with other organizations, make up a list of great organizations at Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>oh, then i would definitely agree with that</p>