<p>I first visited vandy after 8th grade and fell in love with the gorgeous campus, nashville and the whole idea of a preppy southern student body. Academically, I am well on track to acceptance but my family is concerned about my happiness if I attend. I have a friend who will be a junior in the fall and absolutely loves the school, but she is very into the sorority/party scene. Another one of my friends will be a freshmen at blair in the fall and is extremely happy with the application process/school so far. I'm a conservative, christian girl who is very focused on her academics and future and doesn't want to spend a ton of money on an expensive school like vandy and then be too drunk/hungover to remember it or excel in my studies. I don't plan on doing any drinking and am what many might call a prude. My question is, should I still consider vandy? I would hate having a constantly drunk roommate and would want to have friends outside of the party scene. I would not mind going greek if I could do so without partying, but I know at vandy that is probably impossible. Continue aiming for vandy or look at other options?</p>
<p>I know plenty of non-partiers who were completely happy and content at Vandy. What are some of your interests? Does having friends who party bother you even if you don’t party yourself?</p>
<p>Hi unodosytracy! 
I’m a senior at Vanderbilt University. I’m so thrilled that you love Vanderbilt and are asking these great questions. I can certainly relate, because I too had a lot of questions about fitting in and feeling comfortable at Vanderbilt as a studious non-partier. And four years later, I’m very happy to be able to assure you that you can definitely have a fulfilling social life and academic life without sacrificing your values. </p>
<p>My experience was somewhat different than yours will be, as I entered the year before the Commons Experience opened and at that time had the option of choosing a single dorm, but should you choose Vanderbilt (or any other school, for that matter), check for a “Class of 20XX” facebook group. In these, you can meet a lot of people, ask questions, etc. But they will also have “Find a Roommate” surveys where potential roommates can talk about what’s important to them and find someone they’re comfortable living with for a year. The two can then request each other for housing, and voila, you can avoid a potentially awkward rooming situation first year! I have two friends who met each other this way the summer before their freshman year, and they have been close friends ever since!</p>
<p>Vanderbilt does have a reputation as a “party school.” However, it is absolutely not necessary to participate to have a good time. The great thing about Nashville is there are limitless opportunities to explore the city, go to museums, hear the symphony, see a musical, hear different live bands every night not two blocks from your dorm, hang out across the street from Vandy by the Parthenon and star-gaze (or see Shakespeare in the Park in the summers/early falls), go swing dancing or take dancing lessons, check out international cuisine, experience culture at the Blair School of Music’s free concerts, etc. The party scene on campus is only a fraction of what Vanderbilt students can participate in on any given weeknight or weekend. The choice is left to you! :)</p>
<p>Personally, I choose not to attend parties with alcohol, and I have many friends who choose the same. There are several popular parties throughout each semester that are non-alcoholic hosted by the Christian fraternity, BYX, and the Christian sorority, Sigma Phi Lambda. Some examples: JukeBYX (90’s pop music, complete with CapriSuns) Nifty "Phi"fties, Sock Hop (old school Elvis and the Beatles, complete with coke floats), etc. There are other opportunities as well for students who want to “party” without the alcohol. The BCM, a Christian organization, hosts a “barn dance” every Halloween. And some students get involved in the local swing dance scene. But, if partying simply isn’t your thing, don’t worry! There are many students who don’t actively participate in the party scene at all and still have a fulfilling social life. Whatever you love to do, even if that’s juggling, you’ll be able to find a community of people who love it to! (And actually, the Juggleville show has become a hugely popular production!)</p>
<p>Which leads me to this – you <em>will</em> find a group of friends you are comfortable with who share you interests if you actively seek them out. I won’t lie to you, freshman year can be very challenging as you leave home, navigate 1000+ new acquaintances, and figure out your classes. But don’t be afraid to be yourself, be true to yourself and your convictions, and actively seek out and explore the dozens of different student organizations where you can find a stable community and like-minded friends (or diverse friends!). The great news is that everyone is welcoming. So even if you have to go check out a new organization alone because everyone in your dorm only wants to party (which is also highly unlikely – there are more of us who don’t party than they let on!), you’ll immediately make new friends.</p>
<p>You can view some of the student organizations here: [Office</a> of the Dean of Students | Vanderbilt University](<a href=“http://www.vanderbilt.edu/studentorganizations/view.php]Office”>http://www.vanderbilt.edu/studentorganizations/view.php) The variety is vast, and its sadly impossible to try everything. But if you choose to get involved in some organizations, they can provide a lot of support and fun during your college years! </p>
<p>You can also choose to go greek! At Vanderbilt, panhellenic rush happens at the start of the spring semester to give first year students a chance to become comfortable at school before making the decision to join a sorority. Be aware that often, especially the semester you rush, you will have many new requirements and mandatory functions that could affect your academic schedule, and if you choose to rush you might plan accordingly. While parties are definitely a part of the sorority life, you can choose not to drink. It probably depends upon the girls around you as to whether you would feel pressure to drink, but I do have many friends who have chosen to join a sorority and abstain from alcohol at parties and are quire happy with that choice! If you pursue going greek, you will learn about each of the different sorority houses and determine whether they are a good fit for you. Personally, I prefer not to reiterate stereotypes, because they are just that, and I know wonderful girls from so many different houses. </p>
<p>Vanderbilt also has a national Christian sorority, Sigma Phi Lambda, that is non-panhellenic, which means it is governed by the religious organization office, not the panhellenic office. This also means it is possible to be in both Sigma Phi Lambda and a panhellenic sorority, and I know several girls who have chosen to do this. “Phi Lamb,” as it is known, functions primarily as a non-denominational sisterhood for Christian girls to grow and serve together. They have many typical sorority traditions, including colors, letters, big sis-little sis, parties (like the sock hop, which are all non-alcoholic), and formal. They also place a lot of importance on spiritual growth with weekly prayer groups, cable groups within chapter, prayer partners, and large “Nights of Prayer and Praise” each semester that invite Christian organizations across campus to join together for a night of worship. They have a week of rush currently in both fall and spring semesters, but unlike panhellenic rush, you choose to join Phi Lamb, rather than Phi Lamb choosing you. </p>
<p>I vote that you come to Vandy! But I could be a little bit prejudiced. 
I hope, though, that you do keep seriously considering Vanderbilt among other options where you could be happy. The party culture here is really only influential to students if they choose to participate in it. If you have any other questions, specific or general, just send me a message! I love to talk about my school and would be more than happy to hear from you.</p>
<p>I have a non-partying senior daughter who is very active on campus in the activities SHE enjoys. There has been plenty to keep her active & engaged. She has no interest in the greek scene, although she has friends who are greek. She does her own thing, has found others who enjoy what she enjoys, and has been very happy. She thinks Vandy is top-notch academically, and she LOVES Nashville.</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all of your insights! The whole Christian Notoriety thing sounds right up my alley. I’m absolutely in love with nashville and the huge music scene is something I expect to take full advantage of if I attend. I’m really into orchestra, chorus and model UN at my high school, so I plan on continuing those interests no matter what college I end up at. Thanks again!</p>
<p>Thank you so much for all of your insights! The whole Christian sorority (just noticed this was wrong on the first time I posted this- stupid spell check) thing sounds right up my alley. I’m absolutely in love with nashville and the huge music scene is something I expect to take full advantage of if I attend. I’m really into orchestra, chorus and model UN at my high school, so I plan on continuing those interests no matter what college I end up at. Thanks again!</p>
<p>For anyone reading this, our son is not interested in Greek life and is not a big party person. </p>
<p>I just wanted to say that there are many non Christians who are also fairly sober re their outlooks and in how they spend their time…still attending lots of concerts and out late doing plenty of things that are cool around town and campus. (I am not going to swear my son has never tasting alcohol) but he is not interested in joining any religiously oriented group on campus and still has a ton of friends whose evenings out and about are on the sober end of things–</p>
<p>he had so many ticket stubs to show us when he visited us this summer falling out of a jammed folder…I was rather stunned and wondered how he found that much leisure time
…just tons to do if you manage to steal time away from homework and lab hours. </p>
<p>Vandy is so diverse that there are many religions among his friendship circle (seriously…he has friends in about six religious orientations that I have met so far) and this diversity of religion is becoming quite common at Vanderbilt. There are many students who would also not be interested in the Christian frat/sorority options on campus who are very happy with their full social lives. </p>
<p>Because he is not seen drinking heavily … he has been asked before by students in other religions if he is a fundamentalist Christian. I don’t want to go into his current religious outlook since it is his business and no doubt in flux like most people his age…and as a parent my days of influencing how he views the big questions of life are somewhat over…there are a million ways to explore spiritual questions at Vandy however…so many opportunities with the Div School on campus and a lot of great speakers coming all the time.
He had an admirable roommate from CA who was sober based on his religious outlook and was so great as a roommate…complete health nut, regular sleep habits, studied hard, considerate…
actually many of his friends are like his roommate</p>
<p>All part of the fun of Vanderbilt…you will meet people from many countries, states and heritages.</p>
<p>Harpsong…always great to read a thoughtful student posting here…so welcoming and informational for readers</p>
<p>I will second Faline2 … it is possible to be a middle-of-the-roader & be happy! When I say my D is a non-partier, I don’t mean that she is a tee-totaler; she is 21 & enjoys a tasty beverage from time to time. Her religion is a personal thing, so that’s not something that is a basis for the friends she chooses. She just finds many things to do that do not involve “just drinking” - keg stands & beer pong just don’t excite her as a way to spend her time - yet it’s not because she is opposed to them (she just isn’t interested). I do think it’s important to point out that there are MANY types of people at Vandy. You will run across the stereotypical Vandy student (whatever your stereotype of a Vandy student might be), but you will also run across just about any other kind of bright, high achieving young person you would find at other colleges across the U.S.</p>
<p>Yeah, I really like the idea of a sorority but don’t want to be forced into awkward situations because of my choice not to drink. As a strong christian and a conservative person, the idea of a christian sorority is perfect. While I recognize that there are many good people who aren’t big partiers who aren’t christians, the idea of a sisterhood of people who all have the same beliefs and morals is extremely appealing to me. College is a great place to meet people with other backgrounds and outlooks on life and also I plan on taking full advantage of those opportunities.</p>