<p>So...I'm new to this site and have tried to take in as much as possible over the past couple of hours. </p>
<p>My Dilemma: I have a long, very eclectic, list of colleges that I am interested in and I need some help shortening the list, but I do think I have a top 3. Vanderbilt, Richmond, and Boston College. But there is still some dirt I need on these three choices, so if you have answers to any of the following questions for any of the three schools I would be very appreciative.</p>
<ol>
<li>How approachable are teachers? (I value a close bond with at least one teacher)</li>
<li>Is there a core curriculum? (This would help in developing my scattered interests)</li>
<li>When do you have to declare a major? (I'm very undecided)</li>
<li>Require SAT IIs? (I haven't taken them yet, but this would need to be done soon if neccessary)</li>
<li>How important is greek life? (I've never really pictured myself in a frat)</li>
<li>Of Nashville, Richmond, and Boston, which city has the best nightlife? (I need a city with a nice scene I can escape to if campus is beat)</li>
<li>How are gay men accepted at each campus? (I'm not out and I look to college as a possible opportunity to do that)</li>
<li>Which has the happiest students? (For obvious reasons, I want to be happy where I go)</li>
</ol>
<p>Speaking as a BC grad here, let me go through this list:</p>
<ol>
<li>Very approachable and friendly. I was close with a lot.</li>
<li>15 Course Core including English, Writing, Math, Art, Science, Philosophy, Theology, Social Science, History, etc. </li>
<li>End of your sophomore year, no sooner.</li>
<li>Yes, two (I think one is math but not sure)</li>
<li>Does not exist on campus</li>
<li>The Boston area has 64 colleges and universities. We are a city that caters to the young in every aspect. </li>
<li>Despite being a Jesuit school, the BC community is very accepting. Kids and professors won’t care at all, although sometimes the administration is less tolerant (although when compared with schools across the country, we’re pretty good). Also, Massachusetts was the first state to legalize gay marriage and the city of Boston has a thriving gay community. The ideals trickle onto the campus. </li>
<li>BC has one of the highest freshman retention rates. That means that almost everyone who goes their freshman year comes back their sophomore year. Look at this number to determine happiness of students.</li>
</ol>
Most everyone at BC is extremely approachable. Especially student services.
BC has a huge core, but more leaning towards social sciences and humanities. Vandy doesn’t have a core.
You can hold off until the end of sophomore year. Pretty typical for college.
Most top schools require two SAT II’s (that includes BC). Vandy doesn’t require any, but it is highly recommended.
Non-existent at BC. Vandy has a lot, though.
Boston is wicked awesome. So is Nashville, but I find Boston more fun and diverse.
This is where I find BC falters a bit. BC (and Vandy, to a much greater extent) are a bit less accepting to gays than liberal colleges (because of conservatism that runs in the schools). However, BC does have an active LGBT community with approval from a lot of the administration. Just don’t expect to host a queer dance and have it approved by the administration (this is probably the most “suppression” that the administration did).
School spirit is high and centered around sports at BC. Vandy’s school spirit is also high, but it is centered around frats.
I would say that BC is a very good choice all around. I would also suggest Georgetown, which also fits on your list.</p>
<p>small addition: BC and Vandy will accept the ACT+W in lieu of SAT+Subject Tests.</p>
<p>Vandy is literally in the city, walking distance to all the bars and nightclubs. BC borders the city-line and is a short-subway ride to downtown (aka “T”). Richmond’s campus is a little more secluded, but city life is readily accessible. I’d guess that a car would be handy. Due to it’s history, UR also separates men’s and women’s dorms across a lake (or they used to).</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Most are pretty approachable. Today, both of my professors emphasized that they’re there to help in any way possible and to feel free to drop by during office hours and that if you really need to contact them, you can call their cell.</p></li>
<li><p>Yeah, but it varies by school. AXLE, which is the CAS core, is pretty aggravating, at least for me it is.</p></li>
<li><p>I think most people do it by the end of their sophomore year, but you’re allowed to stay undeclared until second semester junior year, I think.</p></li>
<li><p>Not sure</p></li>
<li><p>Greek life is pretty big, especially for the females. You can still have fun and meet plenty of people, but it’s just a little bit easier if you’re Greek.</p></li>
<li><p>Nashville has good nightlife, but typically, most of the freshman and sophomores stay relatively close to campus, whereas juniors and seniors are more likely to venture further off campus, usually to clubs/bars.</p></li>
<li><p>I guess you could look at freshman retention rates, but there really isn’t that big of a difference between a school with 97% coming back and 94% coming back.</p></li>
</ol>
<ol>
<li>Very approachable. there are a lot of opportunities to develop a good relationhip with professors. As a freshman, you’d live in the commons with a faculty head of house.</li>
<li>For A&S, there’s AXLE which isn’t that bad</li>
<li>I’m pretty sure by second semester sophomore year</li>
<li>idk should be on the website</li>
<li>greek life has a HUGE presence on campus. You dont have to go greek to have a good social life though.</li>
<li>Nashville is decent. There are bars/clubs downtown.</li>
<li>i honestly don’t know. there is a LGBT organization on campus and they throw a drag show on campus every year.</li>
<li>Most people I know at Vandy love it here. There are a few that aren’t too crazy about the school, but they’ve adjusted</li>
</ol>
<p>Vandy may not immediately come to mind as a gay-friendly campus, but it is much more accepting than folks would think. Gays have had an official organization on campus for more than 20 years. I recommend reading the article about Vandy’s retired Dean of Students who did so much in the 80s and 90s to establish an accepting atmosphere on campus for gay men and lesbians.</p>
<p>At this past year’s Phi Beta Kappa ceremony, the outstanding student award was presented to a graduate who had been very active in Vanderbilt gay organizations. (I think he won a research award, as well - very talented guy.) My d said he was an amazing leader on campus. Just a small data point for you to consider.</p>
<p>My take on some of your other questions: Boston and Nashville are very different, but each offers terrific nightlife. Vanderbilt is on the edge of the city - it’s very easy to get downtown and to different clubs, restaurants, etc. Greek life is important at Vanderbilt, especially to people in it (and, it would seem, the people who don’t like it. ) But there are actually a majority of guys who aren’t fraternity members (1/3 Greek vs. 2/3 non-Greek).</p>
) But there are actually a majority of guys who aren’t fraternity members (1/3 Greek vs. 2/3 non-Greek).</p>