@Happy2102 do you think that overall, for you, it was worth it choosing Vanderbilt over one of the less academically prestigious institutions that may have less discrimination? It is obvious that getting in Vanderbilt is difficult and an honor… but if someone can’t achieve/ enjoy him/herself it may not be the best fit?
@texaspg I’m not sure; I think you’ll have to be a bit more specific about those programs. It’s true that the Commons does its best to try to include everyone and to make a real community. However (and I think everyone will agree with me on this), I believe that the most important part of any school social scene is what goes on when the students are left alone (without RAs, heads of houses, etc). Everyone may seem nice and integrating when they have to be (such as when they are in those programs), but their true characters are shown when they are in their natural state. Just an anecdote - on the first night the freshman get on the Commons, there is a floor meeting to discuss policy, rules, etc. Everyone there was friendly, light-hearted, and seemed easy to get along with. However, after the floor meeting ended and we all went back to our rooms, I felt a sharp difference in how my hallmates treated me. Point is, those programs may seem beneficial in theory, but in practice, everyone has their own prejudices coming into Vanderbilt, and I think that it will take a lot more than preorganized programs to change those beliefs.
@andyis I’m very proud to go to Vanderbilt. I know that it is a top tier academic school, and I tell people that I go there with pride. At the same time, despite how proud I am to go there, I know that I do not fit in. I’ve pretty much accepted that Vandy only has academic value for me, and not social value (such as making connections, friends, etc). When I was a high school senior, everyone told me not to pick the school that has the most prestige, but instead to pick the “best fit” for me. I realize now that I should have listened to that advice. To answer your question, I think it just depends on what you value more in a college. For me, I wanted to go to the best academic school I could, which was Vandy. Some of my high school classmates just wanted to go to college to party and have fun, so they chose my state school. It’s true that I won’t have the typical college lifestyle you see in movies, but that’s the sacrifice I made for coming to such a prestigious school as Vandy. If you are an Asian coming to Vandy, I think that it helps if you come into college with the mindset of “I just have to endure these four years, and the investment will pay off”. That’s my mindset anyways 
This is just my personal opinion, but do not be lured into the belief that college will be the best four years of your life. I’m not saying that’s not possible, but if you’re an Asian coming into Vandy, it’s likely that you will be sorely disappointed.
I wrote about this a year ago and everyone jumped on me and said I was “spreading lies” and just “writing negative stuff about Vandy.” http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/17197646/#Comment_17197646
These were all non-minorities, Greeks, and parents who didn’t experience Vandy in the same way. Anyways, I’m just glad to have my statements validated by other students. Vandy is OK if you’re not white. But for a good time, it’s best to be white and Greek. Everyone on campus knows it. All the alumni know it. And most of the campus likes it that way. So go elsewhere if that’s a problem.
I want to quote a reply from the thread that Pancaked linked.
" I am a staunch advocate of disbanding all of Duke’s fraternities. They are like cancerous tumors that befoul Duke’s pristine campus.I also believe that it’s only a matter of time before Duke rids itself of this heinous plague."
This applies equally, if not more so, to Vanderbilt. Everyone on these forums tries to make some excuse, but the truth is that Greek life is all that matters socially. Any CURRENT student knows this, not a parent or alumni. I hear this same fact over and over on these forums: “only 40% of Vandy students are Greek”. Sure, that might be true. But say that there’s a vandy student who doesnt know this statistic. Ask him how many of students at vandy are greek. He would say something closer to 80%. Even if Greek students may be in the minority on campus, youll be hard pressed to find a student who would FEEL the same way. Like VandyDone said, if youre not white and not Greek, youll always be a social outcast. Sure, you might find your own random clique, but youll always be seen as “that kid” whos strange and a weirdo by the Greek students.
DO NOT COME TO VANDY IF YOU ARE NOT WHITE OR NOT PLANNING ON GOING GREEK.
I’m curious what both of your thoughts are about Asian students who are very socially active at Vanderbilt and not confined to just hanging out with others of their ethnicity. What was different about them?
I went through my facebook friends list to find the entire list of my asian friends at vandy. I did my best to be as objective as possible. There were three general groups. 1.) The ones who had really solid grades due to a LOT of time in the library. 2.) The ones who are socially active in their minority groups (AASA, VUCA, etc) 3.) The girls who go out to parties/bars/clubs every weekend. Perhaps its because i know the wrong kinds of asians. But for my own personal life, all of the asians i know hang out with other asians (besides the girls). Im not saying this is a universal law by any means. This is just my personal experience.
As a side note, all of the asian guys i know that are in relationships are in relationships with other asian girls. No exceptions in my experience. Just throwing that out there. Take it as you will.
If you join more clubs and organizations I think you will meet lots of people (newspaper, radio station, etc.). I had a large number of Asian friends at Vanderbilt.
As for the Asian guys dating Asian girls, perhaps that is their preference. White Girl/Asian Guy couples are less common nationally than the reverse so I don’t really think this is a Vanderbilt issue.