<p>Hi everyone! So I am currently committed to GW, and I'm in the Honors Program there. However, I just got admitted from the wait list to Vanderbilt and I am so torn. </p>
<p>Obviously, if I were making my decision on the basis of academics, I would automatically choose Vandy. What changes things a little bit for me is the social scene. I am not a partier, and I am soooo not the type to put on a sundress and go tailgating before a football game. I didn't even know what the SEC conference was until yesterday. I'm really worried that I wouldn't fit at Vanderbilt, but it's hard to say no to a place with top-tier academics. (Also, I am interested in a biology major--not a strong point for GW, but definitely a strength of a great research institution like Vandy.) </p>
<p>So I guess what I'm looking for is some insight into the social life at Vandy in terms of non-frat-related stuff. Would I be a social outcast if I am more invested in academics than partying and didn't join a sorority? </p>
<p>Just to give you an idea of what other schools I'm interested in--my top choices were UChicago, Columbia, and Rice (rejected from all of them :( )</p>
<p>Vanderbilt is much stronger academically and anyone can find their niche socially. You don’t need to join a sorority to have a great social life – you are in the middle of a fun city and the school is constantly bringing in fun bands on Alumni lawn, top speakers at Impact Symposium, and D-1 sports are fun even if you don’t dress up (a majority of people just wear t-shirt and jeans).</p>
<p>Vandy’s academics and research are right there with your other top universities, UC, Rice, and Columbia. 60% of students are not involved with Greek life. As for life outside the classroom, The Princeton Review reports Vandy students have one of the highest “quality of life” scores of all US universities. All the students (even the party crowd) take academics seriously and most of the students don’t even go to football or basketball games.</p>
<p>S2 is non Greek with Dean’s list his first 2 Semesters at Vandy. Has a very active social life outside greek life. You will find Vanderbilt to be an amazing place. Have a great time in Nashville for the next 4 years.</p>
<p>thank you guys so much! this is all very reassuring to hear. I will likely be committing to Vanderbilt. :)</p>
<p>My oldest transferred from another university. She loves it there! She is NOT a partier, is not greek, and has found plenty to do. She does not go to many games, and does not wear dress code to games. There are a BILLION clubs on campus to get involved in! To give you an idea…she came home every weekend from her old school…which was not local. This year…never came home on weekends. EVER. And we’re local. She says the academics are so much harder than her old school…her words “I’ve never been so challenged and so happy in my whole life”</p>
<p>GWU just doesn’t have the same cohesiveness as a community at all, although Wash DC is a great learning laboratory that is very valuable. Our son did Vanderbilt VIEW, had a great internship and is returning to DC in another internship he got himself soon…so you can study in DC easily via Vandy.<br>
If the money is hugely better at GWU honors, that is the only reason I would consider GWU. Give yourself the gift of a truly exciting undergraduate community for four years and head off to a bigger city for graduate studies later. Classrooms are small at Vandy and professors are very accessible and part of the community. As wonderful as DC can be…the professors often scatter to the burbs after work. Nashville has a great town gown relationship. Come to Vandy and go abroad, do Alternative Spring break every year like my non-Greek son…put your energies into a couple of things at Vandy and you will make plenty of friends. Vandy has a very valuable alum network as well. I am sure you can make GWU a great experience, so good luck with your decision and congrats.</p>
<p>My D echo’s the comments from moonpie. She loves Vandy and Nashville too much to come home on weekends. She has never been so challenged and so happy. The academic and social community is great at Vanderbilt.</p>