I am applying to ED, so I just want to make sure that the people at Vandy are nice. I love almost everything about it: the sports, the party, academics, location, etc.
But the fact that they have lots of spirit, are preppy, and in the south give me a slight impression that they are a bit conceited? Please correct me if I am wrong though, I am sorry if I am and if I have offended anyone!
I wanna make sure that if I am applying ed to a school, It won’t be like another UVA!
Don’t apply ED unless you want to go there. If you’re accepted you have to withdraw all the other colleges
Vanderbilt draws from the exact same pool of students that end up at other top 20 schools. It’s not like Vanderbilt somehow selects a group that’s more conceited!
I highly recommend you visit campus in the Fall if you haven’t already, should clear up any concerns you have.
The students here and at other top schools are definitely proud to be there. It may be considered arrogance, but it is not at a higher level than other schools. Also, I kind of want to dispel the preppy stereotype-- we really don’t compare to the level of peppiness at places like princeton. On the average class day everyone is dressed… averagely.
Stereotypes about UVA or Vandy (substitute any college) are always…stereotypes. Just the word “Vanderbilt” sounded so posh my own Vandy grad son who is very lefty/liberal-minded …didn’t want to apply! Whatever you do, remember that 17 and 18 year olds really do want to understand the social world of the colleges they target. But prepare to change your outlook many many times before April of your senior year. Vanderbilt students and UVA students are not monolithic or that much like each other. Highly gifted academic students tend to have unique interests that do not resemble the interests of the next guy or girl.
Secondly, don’t agonize about the stereotypes. Worry about getting admitted to the schools you feel are matches for your credentials, then visit your top choices in April. Visiting always dispels incorrect outlooks. If you can’t visit, read the school papers, watch the School youtube videos. I remember my Duke grad son (who adored Duke after five minutes of living there) came home all gloomy and uninterested in Duke after his first visit there. He didn’t think he would get in, it was raining, he had a lot of homework to do at home etc etc.
stay open-hearted. And UVA is a great place with a lot of alternative subcultures within it. In general, Vandy is a school where people meet and greet each other and the surrounding town gown relationship is positive which is great. Nashville is proud of Vanderbilt which is one of the top employers in Tennessee