<p>Has anyone else spent much time thinking about these two options: BME at Vanderbilt or pre-engineering at UW Seattle hoping to get into BME (not direct admit)? How would a more liberal Seattle type guy fare in the social life at Vanderbilt? Not opposed to the fraternity scene per se, but definitely not a stereotypical frat-boy type. Never owned a pair of boat shoes. Progressive, not conservative. Not at all religious. Any input?</p>
<p>A lot of frat-boys-to-be come to Vandy never having owned boat shoes. Pretty common! There’s a place for everyone here. Some fraternities are less “fratty,” and they’d all be receptive to the progressive/liberal type. Plus, there’s plenty of social life outside of Greek life- only something like 30% of guys go Greek. Greeks kinda dominate the social scene because they throw social events often, but they are actually way outnumbered by independent guys.</p>
<p>Good luck with your research and decision.</p>
<p>Prospective student himself here:</p>
<p>Thanks for your input, I’m not really anti-greek quite so much as I’d have no idea what I’m getting into. What I’m really worried about though is the influence religion has on Vandy culture. I’m not religious at all, and growing up in a town that seems like it is half Mormon and half Protestant, I’ve found myself frequently looked down on and socially stunted because people never see me at church. Should I expect a culture shock in moving to the south for Vanderbilt? Or are my worries unnecessary?</p>
<p>You won’t have any trouble fitting in if you are not religious – I’m Christian but I had plenty of friends who were agnostic or atheist.</p>
<p>Wait are you thinking the Greek community has a religious presence or something? They don’t!</p>