<p>Vanderbilt looks like an amazing school, with a beautiful campus, lively city, awesome academics, etc etc. The only thing I'm worried about is the conservative "bro" presence. I've lived in Houston all my life which is pretty liberal, so I'm worried I might not fit in at Vandy due to my progressively liberal ideology and a supposed big emphasis on greek life at Vandy. </p>
<p>Thoughts?</p>
<p>The campus is split politically which makes it more conservative than its peers, but much more Democratic in things like Presidential elections than it was 15 years ago… but we have decided (very liberal politically active Democrat Vandy son) that our son dealing with the alternative voices for four years is probably a better segue to the workplace and to reality (also he got a scholarship to Vandy and thus turned down his liberal oriented college admissions offers). </p>
<p>There are many politically active students at Vanderbilt on both sides of the fence. Classroom discussions therefore are not one-sided and there are newspapers on campus for both sides as well as the main paper. </p>
<p>The Greek life thing is prominent at Vandy but also at UNC, UVA, Duke etc, so we decided to not draw the line on this factor although I will admit my son might have been more at home at a college a bit more left than right. Maybe he will graduate a stronger thinker, able to go solo when necessary in life and a more articulate person however since he took the life at Vandy on as a liberal Democrat and non-Greek student. </p>
<p>Not knocking Greek life although it isn’t my cuppa…eldest son went Greek at Duke and I have to admit it was a big help to him emotionally and academically. Vandy son would never pledge no matter where he landed. </p>
<p>Get to April first and assess your options and visit Vandy if admitted. Visiting completely opened my VAndy son up to what has been an amazing four years. Vandy is big enough to have a great fluidity about it socially and there are many places to find your niche(s)</p>
<p>Thanks for your response. I feel more confident about my application now and I love that I won’t be alone at Vandy when it comes to being a GDI (god damn independent). </p>
<p>:D</p>