<p>I was accepted into Vanderbilt with a financial aid package better than any other school i was admitted to (the next best package was from Northeastern where I would have to pay approximately 8k more a year, and 2/3rds of that would fall on me in the form of loans). I've seen a lot of threads asking whether the op would fit in, but my situations a bit different. I am not as studious as the people who make these thread, and I like the fact that vanderbilt has a strong party scene. I hate to go by stereotypes, but i guess id call myself somewhat artsy (I'm into indie music, literature, politics, stuff like that), and I am worried that I will not fit in at the supposedly preppy culture of Vandy. So I ask you guys, am I rightfully worried? Is Vanderbilt culture, now in 2011, still predominantly preppy (I understand the schools been trying to be more diverse, but has this attempt been successful)? Should I instead try to negotiate a better financial aid package from Northeastern?</p>
<p>Are you coming to an accepted student’s day? if so, perhaps you could meet my son briefly…he is very involved with the political, writing and film and art scene on campus.
Boston is a superb college town…but I am just going to say it. Vanderbilt is a degree that will take you places and they spend a lot more $ per student on your education no matter what portion of the costs your family incurs. I think students are unaware of the relationship between an education and the funds spent on the experiences of each student. No college is perfect or has it all. Nashville is no Boston! But our son has had many many perks at Vanderbilt because of its resources devoted to student experiences, research and service. Nashville doesn’t have the Boston Symphony or the world class art museums but it has a bang up Symphony Hall and plenty of artists of all kinds living there. Think Austin Texas or Santa Fe…there are plenty of cities that are not Boston or Philly that have a wide cultural array of festivals, speakers events constantly swirling around. don’t make me cry and turn down Vandy for NEstern 
…seriously. Think of the kids on the waitlist who are stellar students. Think hard before giving up your chair.</p>
<p>Thank you Faline for your thorough response. Although I can’t make it to admitted students day, I do appreciate the offer. I will, however, be visiting on Saturday, April 21st because that works better with my family as we live in New Jersey. Although I like Boston better than Nashville, that is not the reason I’m considering Neu over Vandy. I’m more concerned about Vandy’s reputed predominance of the preppy culture and lack of diversity. What are your son’s opinion on this?</p>
<p>you can drop down on my silly CC screen name and read back on my posts in the last…omg…since 2005. I am married to a guy from Jersey and he went to a grad school at Vandy…we have lived there twice as 20 and 30 somethings. We love love Nashville and Vanderbilt is an uber exciting school and place to be. East coast West coast heavily present there now. son’s first (very nice! Non Greek…now an RA saving his parents his board fees and making freshman feel at home)…roomie from LA. sophomore roomies in a Mayfield Lodge (take a look on the website)…2 Polish Americans, 1 Pakistani American, 1 native Chinese student, I New Yorker of the Jewish Faith, One girl from Florida, another from …I forget…but she was great…One guy from the Midwest, and our son whose heritage is sort of along the lines of Mayberry RFD.<br>
Yes it might be more diverse on the streets of New York but Vandy is very diverse.<br>
The Preppy Greek thing.<br>
It is real. It is present. Half the school not involved. Personally think it is a mistake to eliminate colleges because of Greek life…even though it is NOT my thing. Who wants to eliminate UVA, Duke, Chapel Hill, Davidson, Emory and on and on…
The Grad schools are fab fab and offer much to the landscape.<br>
Son currently lives in a dorm where I doubt anyone Greek lives but I could be wrong. He went abroad for a semester…many people do. By the time you are midway into your sophomore year the whole Greek thing just isn’t oppressive if it is not your thing. Please try to think ahead. Much of Vandy goes abroad, does service projects, does Alternative Spring break…where our son works with Green and non Greek kids every spring quite happily…
You have an invitation to be part of the exciting thing that Vanderbilt is becoming. With a 12% admission rate, they must really like you.<br>
You can PM me for more specifics and if my son is in town April 21…I am sure he would say hello to your family and get a cup of coffee with you.</p>
<p>There is a place for you here. It’s a dorm called McGill. Google it. We have such a diverse student body. Yes, there are preppy and rich people here, but it’s kind of entertaining. And Nashville is super artsy. PM me if you want. I’m a sophomore and I really enjoy this school.</p>
<p>The preppy stereotype is exaggerated. People do tend to be a little preppier due to the strong Greek community (and just being an expensive school) but it’s not like you won’t get along with these “preppy” types just because of the way they dress. Everyone can fit in here. The freshman retention rate is something like 97%. Pretty good indicator that the vast majority of people come here and fall in love with this place.</p>
<p>McGILL dorm. YES!</p>
<p>you will definitely find your group here. its not just preppy white kids, vandy has a lot more diversity than people realize. Come to Vandy. you won’t regret it. a degree from vanderbilt will take you places</p>
<p>swaggems,
My son was a bit like you- a liberal who was into alternative music and not preppy. He got amazing grades at Vanderbilt, but he always felt socially behind the cool, rich kids who permeated the student leadership at Vandy. You should realize that even though there will be others like you, you will have an uphill battle -socially- at a school like Vanderbilt. Your fit is more forced at Vanderbilt than it would be at, say… a school like Michigan.</p>
<p>And yes, definately call for a better financial aid package, especially telling them that the finances are leading you in Vanderbilt’s direction. I will add that piece of mind and feeling connected to your school is critical to a student’s contentment. Good luck!</p>
<p>snajean, when did your son go to Vanderbilt?</p>
<p>Snajean, I find your comment about leadership interesting. My D graduated last year. She did not even rush, that’s how removed she was from greek life. However, she had two difficult-to-get leadership positions. Sure, she came face-to-face with friends who wanted friends to get certain positions … but that happens even without greek life on campus. It’s life.</p>
<p>I will admit that my D sometimes felt just a bit out of place. There is certainly a preppy vibe on campus. However, she found her niche, she made the most out of her time at Vandy, and she is glad she went there. The campus vibe is one thing … the individual’s experience is quite another. The education is fabulous, the town is great, and on & on.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt’s retention rate is 96% — nearly everyone loves the school. There is a sizable faction of indie kids (not as large as the preppy kids, but you will find your niche and be happy) and tons of indie bands have come to campus — Modest Mouse, Flaming Lips, Feist, Wolfmother, Edward Sharpe, Passion Pit, Spoon, etc.</p>
<p>[Where</a> the Freaks Are | Features | Nashville Scene](<a href=“http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/where-the-freaks-are/Content?oid=1190512]Where”>http://www.nashvillescene.com/nashville/where-the-freaks-are/Content?oid=1190512)</p>
<p>If McGill seems too extreme, lots of indie kids live in Chaffin, Mayfield, or Towers Suites.</p>
<p>swaggems,</p>
<p>5 years ago. It sounds like the student body is considerably less preppy and intense. I guess vandy will be looking more like the student body of Penn and Northwestern. That is what happens with a current admit rate of 12%. Admittance was in the high 30’s and even low 40’s when he started looking at vandy in high school. </p>
<p>You just may have more peers among the current accepted students. Good luck to you.</p>
<p>Definitely check out McGill if you visit. Sounds like your scene plus it couldn’t be much closer to the admissions building</p>
<p>Do you know anything about the History major at Vanderbilt?</p>
<p>no, i dont know anything, why?</p>