Nuts and Bolts for New Students???

<p>Starting a thread about the nuts and bolts of coming to Vanderbilt in the fall. Interested in questions like what bank is the most convenient for atms on and around campus, how much meal money is needed, should we bring dress clothes for guys in the fall (how about a tux if you have one?), is the laundry service a good service to use, do roommates usually share a mini fridge or have 2, do you want a fan in the dorm or is the ac fine?</p>

<p>Any tips appreciated! Any more ideas? Thank you.</p>

<p>Suntrust is on campus and nearby. Start with the standard amount of meal money–you can add more later if you need it. Guys might like to have a jacket and a tie or two, but you won’t need a tux! The laundry service is expensive and unnecessary–there are plenty of machines in each building. One fridge should be fine–you wouldn’t want to waste floor space on two. The dorm ac is fine–you don’t need a fan.</p>

<p>Standard amount of meal money should be fine… First years gets 3 meals a day! There’s no real advantage to meal money-- after it runs out, there’s not really a difference in using your credit card instead. I wouldn’t add any.</p>

<p>I recommend a blazer or two, 2 or 3 pairs of slacks, ties/bowties, many button downs-- especially if your son plans to join a fraternity, as there will be a lot of formal events. </p>

<p>Even at the most formal events, where a tux might be appropriate, most kids don’t wear one because they didn’t bring one. So it’s not necessary at all.</p>

<p>The Vanderbilt Class of 2017 Facebook page has a bunch of upperclassmen in it and is a good resource if your son has any questions.</p>

<p>Bring an umbrella and shoes appropriate for rain! Lots of rain in Nashville.</p>

<p>SunTrust has ATMs all over campus — its worth opening an account with them</p>

<p>I’d also suggest looking into Ally. They refund all ATM fees.</p>

<p>Any feedback on the Vanderbilt University Credit Union?</p>

<p>If you’re with any major bank, you can use any ATMs in the area for a small fee. Not sure why you’d open an account with any of the local banks just to avoid an ATM fee.</p>

<p>The reason to avoid a fee is because they add up. They get you coming and going. If you take out $40 and get charged $2 by your bank and the one you are withdrawing from, that is a 10% fee. Very steep.</p>

<p>Suntrust is by far the best choice but there are also other banks in the immediate vicinity, i.e. Wells Fargo (if I recall). A couple of my friends opened Suntrust accounts but closed them after graduating since they are regional.</p>

<p>I would stick with the standard meal money. As Pancaked stated, there’s not much difference between meal money and a credit/debit card.</p>

<p>I wouldn’t necessarily bring a tux but definitely a suit if he has one. Something that can be worn in a variety of settings - so maybe a charcoal or black? Some dress shirts and khakis with several ties is also a smart move.</p>

<p>I don’t remember anyone having two mini fridges. But a lot of people did have fans, not really for temperature reasons but for white noise and air movement.</p>

<p>those bag of rocks that absorb odors are good to plant near the laundry bag if you have a son or daughter that works out and doesn’t do laundry but once a week. A shallow rolling plastic bin for under the bed (my son kept sweaters in there in warm weather and shorts in there in the winter)</p>

<p>Pancaked is right about meal money. Either go with credit card or Commodore Cash. Meal money is only transferable from fall to spring semester while Commodore Cash transfers from year to year and is also accepted at many nearby establishments.</p>

<p>On the subject of room furnishings–don’t run out and buy one of those full length mirrors. The back of the door to the hall in my daughter’s room on the Commons had one of the full length mirrors. Not sure whether upper class dorms have those.</p>

<p>We have used those extra curtain rods you hang on the main rod that give you the chance to hang shirts and blazers in various dorm closets to give more hanging space…works well for shirts and slacks, not so much for dresses.</p>

<p>Aside from fridge/micro, I would avoid any furniture purchases until you get to Nashville. The rooms can be so different. There is a mass exodus to Wal-Mart for dorm furniture and the local walmart is well stocked for college student arrival.</p>

<p>Because so many people go to Target and Walmart during move-in, we couldn’t find a tension rod for the closet opening. We ended up having to order one, which was no big deal. But, if you can find out ahead of time how wide the closet opening is, you’ll have better luck buying a tension rod and curtain panel at home before you go.</p>

<p>There are like 4 or 5 Targets in the Nashville area and the “far away” ones really aren’t that far. If you go to a “far away” Target, you probably won’t find anyone from Vanderbilt there, and they won’t be out of popular dorm stuff. I think we went to the one on Lebanon Pike to the east of the city.</p>

<p>I know freshman are not allowed to have cars on campus, but are there long-term parking garages around Vanderbilt and how much do they cost?</p>

<p>I’ve noticed that some of the hotels near campus offer monthly parking in their garages. You might just call and ask.</p>

<p>Call the parking office and they’ll provide you with the names and rates. S parked off campus at Embassy Suites his freshman year. It was the cheapest option and cost a little under $800/year at that time (02-03). Loews and Marriott also offered parking at that time.</p>

<p>Lenny & VU -
Thanks for the info.</p>