<p>I just got accepted to Vanderbilt as a transfer student but am trying to decide between it and South Carolina. I want a college that is balanced with social activities and academics and don't want to hurt my GPA too much. (3.4 GPA from the University of Colorado-Boulder) They don't have my major (International Studies) but do have similar majors such as Russian, German, European Studies. I am really not "into" the whole Greek life scene and don't party too much. Not fond of dorms that much but can put up with them. I love Nashville. And really want to get a great education. Would Vanderbilt be a good fit for me? And what are the dorms like for so., jr., and sr. years? Does greek life really rule the atmosphere? And how challenging are the academics (would I hurt my GPA)?</p>
<p>Are you looking for a smaller school than Colorado? South Carolina is going to be about the same size - pushing 30,000 enrolled students. While Vanderbilt is going to have less than half that (and about a fourth as many undergrads). It is a much more close knit community than any state school. Vanderbilt definitely has the balance of social activities and academics. I don’t know about Colorado, but the Greek scene is pretty prominent at South Carolina. It’s definitely noticeable at Vanderbilt and plays a major role, but just because you aren’t “into” it doesn’t mean you will be negatively affected by it. </p>
<p>As far as your GPA, I majored in engineering but took several classes that you might end up in (a Stalinist Russia class, and a general European Studies class) to fulfill requirements. I found them very doable, receiving an A and B+ respectively. They were not intro classes by any means so I think you shouldn’t have a problem while you transition. </p>
<p>None of the upperclass dorms are any spectacular, but they aren’t horrible either. As a sophomore, you don’t have much choice. Single or double dorms in several different buildings is all you can manage. As a junior and/or senior you could wind up in a suite or apartment-style with other students. Most buildings feature a small market where you can buy food and other items. The most popular dorms (Towers) has a Quizno’s and another restaurant on the bottom floor. Plus they are close to everything. </p>
<p>If you want to know anymore feel free to PM me.</p>
<p>Colorado’s greek scene was pretty big, even people who weren’t in frats or sororities acted as if they belonged in that type of lifestyle. Size to me does not matter that much. I realize Vanderbilt is small which is a definite plus. I didn’t realize the dorms offered those amenities. That will now be something to consider.</p>
<p>My main concern is just how active the Greek scene is. It was probably the main reason I left Colorado. At Colorado, everywhere I went, I kept running into people who were very snobby or just the types to flash their money around. I’m worried that with the Greek scene so big at Vanderbilt and the cost of living there that I’ll run into the same type of people just as often as I did at Colorado.</p>
<p>Fun Fact: I go to vandy and I’m from Colorado haha. Greek life is what you make of it at vanderbilt–greek row is kind of set off from parts of campus and you can choose to ignore it. (I went to a frat party the other week at boulder. I still can’t believe that they have frat parties in the summer haha.) People have money at vanderbilt, but tend to not flash it around from my experience. I’m not that affluent but I don’t think it’s caused too many issues for me. I loooooveeee vanderbilt and from what I’ve experienced, the people are very different than those at CU. Also, FWIW you can create your own major at vandy if they don’t have it. Also, graduate schools know the different grade inflations/deflations at different schools and they take that into account, so the GPA thing should not be your main concern.</p>
<p>abreed08,</p>
<p>I think South Carolina will be pretty similar to that of Colorado. Any school in the Southeast is going to be highly Greek centered. You’ll notice it at Vandy for sure, but it’s a lot different than your larger schools. The houses aren’t huge mansions and only a handful of officers actually reside in them. I was not in a fraternity and never felt pressured or ostracized for it. I come from a pretty average income family and never really felt overwhelmed by any sort of wealthiness around me. Sure some people are obviously wealthy but it certainly isn’t the majority.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input guys. I’ve seen a lot of threads about the “wealthiness” part and from what most said, it was a school where you have to spend a lot to keep up, but from what you all have said its really not prevelant. I think where I go i’ll probably encounter a lot of greek life but it seems you all have assured me that Vandy is not “crazy” about it like Colorado.</p>
<p>My daughter has no interest in greek life & it hasn’t been an issue for her. She has found plenty to do both at school & in the surrounding area, and she has found people to do things with. She doesn’t have money to blow, and it hasn’t been an issue for her. She has commented that there is definitely some big money at Vandy … she said that the rich kids at Vandy make the rich kids at her private high school look a lot less rich! … but it has not affected her negatively in any way.</p>
<p>Thank you all, I will be attending this coming year. I really look forward to it!!</p>
<p>I hope you enjoy it as much as my daughter does!</p>