<p>In my college search, I think that it is important to consider the political atmosphere of the campus. My impression of Vandy is that it has plenty of students on both sides but is much more Conservative than its peers. Is that about right? As a right-wing Conservative, I just want to make sure that I would have people to agree with me.</p>
<p>I don’t go to Vandy, but I do know that many more colleges than not are predominately liberal. However, Vanderbilt is also more conservative than its peers, and if you’re looking for conservatives, I’m sure you will be able to find them there :)</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.vanderbiltpoliticalreview.com/wp-content/uploads/Fall-2012-No-Bleeds.pdf”>http://www.vanderbiltpoliticalreview.com/wp-content/uploads/Fall-2012-No-Bleeds.pdf</a></p>
<p>Vandy definitely leans liberal, as with most selective schools. Vanderbilt being more conservative is just another one of those untrue Vandy stereotypes!</p>
<p>@Pancaked</p>
<p>I think that those #s are more conservative than many of Vanderbilt’s peers. Having 40% Conservatives would definitely be an improvement on what I am used to at my (socially) liberal high school. The problem is not finding fiscal conservatives at any of these places; rather, it is knowing that social conservatives exist, as I am of the far, maybe even extreme, right.</p>
<p>That poll actually said 36% conservative. That may be higher than some of Vandy’s peers, but even still, the “Vandy stereotype” would tell you we’re 50%+ conservative, and that’s just not the case.</p>
<p>Anyhow, the political environment at Vandy is MUCH more balanced than at most top schools.</p>
<p>As a Conservative, I know that a near-even split is all that I can hope for at one of the top schools. I wonder what the split seems to be on campus- which groups are more active?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Democrats, Republicans and Libertarians are active on campus. Dems and Republicans do formal debates annually on policy topics. There is a liberal rag and a conservative rag on campus besides the general newspaper The Hustler. Classrooms are not full of people who are all one party in affiliation; discussions include many voices…which is actually a bit unusual in a top university. You can certainly feel at home in the state legislature these days. When I was young in the 80s in Nashville, the undergrads actually favored Reagan in a poll which made Vanderbilt unique. The graduate schools have always been more liberal so prepare to expect a lot of diversity in outlook in the Div School and Law School. One of the great things about attending a school the size of Vandy is the opportunity to hear nationally known speakers any day of the week in the undergrad or in the graduate schools.<br>
Things have changed. </p>
<p>If you are interested in politics, you will love the Impact Symposium held each spring.
Here’s a link to last year’s speakers <a href=“http://studentorgs.vanderbilt.edu/vpb/speakers/impact”>http://studentorgs.vanderbilt.edu/vpb/speakers/impact</a>.
A facebook link gives a little history with some impressive speakers from the early yearshttps://<a href=“http://www.facebook.com/pages/Impact-Symposium/184589504912013?sk=info”>www.facebook.com/pages/Impact-Symposium/184589504912013?sk=info</a>.</p>
<p>I’ve attended a few times in past years. Saw Paul Bergala/Tucker Carlson when S was a student and D was ready to apply. Other times I saw Rep. Harold Ford and in 2009 I saw Madeline Albright. Always an interesting experience
</p>
<p>Vandy brings in so many speakers and political figures. It’s great. Just saw Morning Joe and his co-anchor the other week (Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski). </p>
<p>One of the most interesting talks this year was Kal Penn… Can you imagine starring in the Harold and Kumar films and then going on to work for the White House? What an interesting life that guy has had. Just three of several figures Vandy has brought in the past few months.</p>