<p>I'm a liberal middle class kid from the upper Midwest. Would Vanderbilt be a big contrast to me? That is, is it as full of conservative rich Southern types as some people say it is? Not that that would bother me too much, I figure its just worth knowing.</p>
<p>I think you would find plenty of company. My son is a student at Vanderbilt, is definitely not a "conservative rich Southern type". His friends are from all over the place.</p>
<p>That said, there is plenty of evidence of wealth at Vanderbilt, just as there is at any private school. However, Vanderbilt has diversified quite a bit in recent years, offers a lot of merit scholarships and good need-based financial aid, so the student body is not at all homogeneous. </p>
<p>I will admit that I shared your stereotype just a few years ago, based on people I knew long ago. Fortunately, my son did not know those people and did not share the stereotype. He made a couple of visits, determined that he would have a fine time and get a great education, and that has been the case.</p>
<p>If you are from the upper Midwest, you might be interested in knowing that the weather in Nashville this week was very nice. I'm in the midwest, and I've been chipping ice off everything for days. Just for your information.</p>
<p>All you have to do is visit the school, and you'll see (and hear) the diversity. My tour guide was from Oregon, I'm applying Early Decision and I'm from San Francisco. My cousin is there and her best friends are from New York, Maine, and Washington State. I hope I get in, and frankly, I hope some of my best friends ARE from the South. After all, what a great time in my life to learn about another part of the U.S. But for sure, Vanderbilt draws from all over the nation/world.</p>
<p>Far from being alone, you will have much company. D has friends from all over the country including Alaska. Conservatives? Yes. Liberals? Yes, and everyone in between. I've watched this board for four years and every year this question comes up time and time again. When we first visited my D's junior year, everyone told us that she would never fit in with the "Southern Greek rich kid party scene." I suppose that may exist somewhere on campus but in two years I haven't really heard it from D. My experience has been that it is a great school with so many things to offer that there truly is something for everyone. There is nothing better than a visit to dispel myths about Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>I'm also a liberal, middle class, Midwest student, and I have loved every minute of my time at Vandy. Are there rich Southern people here? yes. Are there a ton of other people as well? Definitely.</p>
<p>My midwestern daughter turned down Vandy for another southern school this year. She hopes to transfer to Vandy next fall (likes the school she chose ... just changed her mind about what she wants to study). She went to accepted student day last spring & met many non-southerners (as well as many very nice southerners). When she decided to transfer, she spent a day on campus a month or two ago. She talked to random students & found only really friendly, down to earth kids. While many of them are southern, that doesn't mean they fit into any particular mold. </p>
<p>One thing I will caution you about is religion. There are certainly a number of people at Vandy who are not particularly religious. If you are not, you will be okay. But be prepared for the fact that religion is a much more integral part of students' lives in the south than it is in the midwest. It's not "Do you go to church?" It's "WHERE do you go to church?" Again, those who don't will be fine. You just need to be prepared, because it is VERY different than we midwesterners are used to.</p>
<p>My son's answer to that question is, as always, "nowhere", and it doesn't seem to be hurting him at all.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses. In another thread it was said for the most part that the only parties are at frats. Is this true/ does the Greek scene really dominate?</p>