I really love Vanderbilt.....but I have some questions

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

<p>I really like Vanderbilt as it has so many features that I was looking for in a college. In fact it seemed almost too good to be true.</p>

<p>First of all I'm from California as my name suggests, so I was wondering how much of a culture shock it would be for a guy like me to come to a place like Vanderbilt?</p>

<p>Second of all I have a question about what effect fraternities have on social life? Are the fraternities really seperate from the colleges and involve lots of involvement for membership or are they more open and less demanding on time? Does this create a division on campus.</p>

<p>I know this is a very academic school, but how serious are the students? Do they just do the work to get the grades or do people actually care about learning? For the amount of money I'll be spending I want to be in at least a somewhat intellectual environment. Also is cheating and dishonesty big around here? Not asking this to start a fight or anything.</p>

<p>I know there is a thread about culture of Vandy, but it kind of digressed into a flame war. I hang out with the alternative crowd (basically non preppy crowd since i go to a catholic school). Not to say i'm a counterculture by any means, I just listen to alternative rock music and don't dress in expensive American Eagle clothes or the like. Is it all preps or are there some of these types of people as well?</p>

<p>Lastly is the girl hotness level as good as it's hyped up to be?</p>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to read my questions. There are a lot of things i like about ths school, location, Southern cooking, size, sports etc but i just wanted to be cleared up again.</p>

<p>Also does Early Action have a noticeable effect on acceptance rates?</p>

<p>A little stats about me:</p>

<p>SAT Scores from May (I retook the SAT's twi days ago so they hopefuly improve as I studied a lot for them)</p>

<p>Reading 660
Math 640
Writing 690</p>

<p>3.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale. #22 out of 120 or so (My class is one of the most academic in school history I've heard)</p>

<p>Some AP's and honors courses (Not many AP's were offered)</p>

<p>Band for 3 years
Drama for 1
Pep Band (played at basketball games and rallies and such)
Small role in Fall Play this year</p>

<p>Clubs are a joke at my school's so I didn't really get involved in any unfortunately.</p>

<p>Thanks again in advance</p>

2

<p>Expensive American Eagle clothes? Really? </p>

<p>It sounds like you're the type of applicant that would learn A LOT from a visit. </p>

<p>Also, I have friends from Southern California that kind of fit well here, but don't really know anyone from Northern California, I'm sure they exist though</p>

3

<ol>
<li><p>Not much of a culture shock if you stay inside the Vandy Bubble. Big time culture shock if you want to get involved in certain things in the Nashville community, especially once you get outside of the city.</p></li>
<li><p>Fraternities dominate social life, they do create division on campus and they do demand a lot of time.</p></li>
<li><p>Students here are very smart and work hard to get the grade, but Vanderbilt isn't the place for you if you want to have scholarly conversations at the lunch table and talk about academics during your free time (this may be changing somewhat, but I don't have enough contact with the freshmen to have perspective on this). Generally, students feign disinterest in academics, even if they work hard and achieve much.</p></li>
<li><p>You shouldn't have a problem finding a group of friends.</p></li>
<li><p>Among juniors and seniors, yes. Among sophomores, almost. Among freshmen, no. Female hotness is down at least 30% in the newest class, and I imagine that trend will continue. However, there's still really no comparison in this regard between Vandy and other top 20 schools.</p></li>
</ol>

4

<p>That post is very accurate, but I do love me some of them freshman girls. They're not all ugly after all.</p>

5

<p>VandySAE lol I don't know why I said that. </p>

<p>You know sometimes when you're typing fast you get these "why the f*** did I say that?" moments. This is one of them.</p>

<p>I meant to say expensive clothes in general, I like to look nice just not blow a whole lot of money on expensive clothes.</p>

6

<p>mjc thanks for the help, I appreciate it.</p>

<p>Thanks for the info on fraternities....I might have to reconsider a bit based on what you said. Trust me I like to party and destrpy my liver but I'm not big into the idea of spending a lot of time in a fraternity or that most people are in fraternities either. </p>

<p>I still like Vandy the best, but I'm not sure about fraternities.</p>

7

<p>eh, i wouldn't stress over the frat thing. It doesn't really dominate social life, but it definitely is present. Frats don't run the school at all. I hear that you can still be in a frat, and not even live in the house...but a dorm instead. Plus, all freshman are required to live in "The Commons" for the first year anyway. You'll find your niche and a good group of friends.</p>

<p>I'm a hopeful too who is applying early...and trust me, I'm far from the american eagle type. I'm really nervous too that if I get in, and I have to go, I'll be stuck with a bunch of blonde preppy uncultured racist pricks. But don't lose sleep over it. Make sure you visit, if you haven't already done so! I'm going down there this weekend</p>

8

<p>You can be an Independent and still have a good four years here, but like I said before, you will learn a great deal from a visit. There are very few schools in the country that parallel that Vandy experience (work hard play hard, top academics top athletics, good looking student body, private school, etc...), USC is one of them, but is also very different in a lot of aspects. 1) Greek life dominates social life here 2) There is a heavy Southern feel here, There is a heavy Southern (Californian) feel there 3) Just a very different feel on campus, my aunt moved out there so I looked at the school ...vveerrrryyy different</p>

<p>Also, regarding clothes,
Almost nobody here wears American EAgle, Hollister, Abercrombie, etc
The brands you will see worn are likely the same brands that a lot of parents wear; Brooks Brothers, Patagonia, Polo, North Face, women's stuff, etc</p>

<p>Vanderbilt is a pretty classy place. That first set is the whole "collar poppin prep" thing that in no way represents anything that Vanderbilt is about, fyi</p>

9

<p>My D is a jr. at Vandy and she really wanted to do the whole greek thing until her first semester grades kept her from getting a bid with a sorority she wanted. The lack of being greek has not impacted her in the least. She still goes to fraternity parties and has many friends who are greek. I have never once heard her say that greek life dominates campus and, as an ATO, we have discussed camps life on many occassions. I think a lot of it is in what you are focusing on and perceptions. If 50% are greek that means that 50% are not.</p>

10

<p>duke or vandy? which has a better social scene/girls? </p>

<p>instinctively id say duke...but now that it seems now vandy takes the prize...</p>

<p>lol i didnt know where to post this btw...any thoughts?</p>

11

<p>Please go away. I like to be tolerant but I honestly cannot believe you even thought to compare Duke to Vanderbilt in that sense much less 'instinctively say duke'. There are only a handful of kids that are legitimately considering both schools based on how completely different the experiences are, and the ones that choose Vanderbilt do so because of the absolutely massive differences in demographics and social life. Have you even visited here?</p>

12

<p>"Have you even visited here?"- No, thats why I'm asking. Your honestly offended because I asked a question....You sound like a high school girl..</p>

<p>Duke and Vanderbilt are both perceived to be elite, southern schools, with a heavy emphasis on greek life. Both have strong programs in engineering, and offer buisness (Duke offers public policy). I am considering both, and Vanderbilt in opinion reminds me of a southern version of USC...</p>

<p>Apparently you think I'm wrong, so maybe you can explain to me Vanderbilts social life.</p>

13

<p>First of all I'm from California as my name suggests, so I was wondering how much of a culture shock it would be for a guy like me to come to a place like Vanderbilt?
Depends on the Cali life you lead. If you're coming from Van Nuys, it might be a little hard to adjust. Vandy is very old money and kind of pretentious. While most people are accepting, many (read: top tier frats) won't give a second look at a guy with gelled, frosted hair and an A&F shirt. Trust me, I have seen people like this get bounced at SAE (grnted, they were acting like tools and deserved it lol)
Conversely, if you are from the OC or somewhere you should be fine.</p>

<p>Second of all I have a question about what effect fraternities have on social life? Are the fraternities really seperate from the colleges and involve lots of involvement for membership or are they more open and less demanding on time? Does this create a division on campus.
Yes, there is a clear division between greeks/non greeks although the people who choose to intermingle have no problems making friends. It's easy to get lost in the greek scene but people can join clubs to expand their social circles.
On pledging/time commitment, it depends on the frat. There are some who will take anyone and not haze, while others are highly selective and have a lot, and require a lot of time commitment. Again it's what you make of it.</p>

<p>I know this is a very academic school, but how serious are the students? Do they just do the work to get the grades or do people actually care about learning? For the amount of money I'll be spending I want to be in at least a somewhat intellectual environment. Also is cheating and dishonesty big around here? Not asking this to start a fight or anything.
I personally care a lot about my grades and spend a lot of time studying, but I go out most nights a week and am involved in several extracurriculars. I think most students are somewhere around this level of commitment. </p>

<p>I know there is a thread about culture of Vandy, but it kind of digressed into a flame war. I hang out with the alternative crowd (basically non preppy crowd since i go to a catholic school). Not to say i'm a counterculture by any means, I just listen to alternative rock music and don't dress in expensive American Eagle clothes or the like. Is it all preps or are there some of these types of people as well?
I can tell you're a little lost lol. American Eagle is by no means a good Vandy status symbol. Try polo, vineyard vines, J.Crew, etc. Lots of people ilsten to alternative rock, although the frat scene is more about chill music, like Allman Brothers, Dave, etc. Rap and country are also big here but people won't judge you on what you listen to. Now if you walk around in all black with chains...... haha
Yes there are a variety of people here, but preps and I guess "neutral" dressers are the most prevalent.</p>

<p>Lastly is the girl hotness level as good as it's hyped up to be?
Yes, although the class of '12 is no where up to par with older classes.</p>

<p>Thanks for taking the time to read my questions. There are a lot of things i like about ths school, location, Southern cooking, size, sports etc but i just wanted to be cleared up again.</p>

<p>Also does Early Action have a noticeable effect on acceptance rates?
If you aren't cut out for Vandy, you won't get in no matter when you apply. Only do ED if you're 100% sure.
Also, I would retake the SATs 1 more time, work hard on your GPA for this fall, adn try to get a leadership position just to be sure you'll get in. We are top 20 after all!</p>