<p>So I'm a girl from So. Cal and I got accepted into Vandy and Duke, and I'm trying to decide which one I want to attend. I've been doing research on both, and I know a lot of kids from the south attend Vandy and after I've read all the reviews it seems like all the kids tend to dress more upscale.
I come from an upper middle class family, but living in southern California my whole life I've always worn shorts and sandals. Like the more casual look. I can dress up too, I guess my styles just a little more laid back.
I'm not just interested in their fashion style, but the whole atmosphere in general being that its definitely different from California.
It seems that the south is pretty different from here so I was just wondering how California kids fit in at Vandy and its whole lifestyle.</p>
<p>I have a son at Vandy now and a Duke graduate son. Both schools are wonderful schools so you should go with your instincts and with where you think your potential major is better served. Vandy son’s frosh roommate was a great guy from the LA area and showed up with zero ties and blazers and winter coats. He checked out the winter and rain wear of his roommate and friends and purchased what he needed. He is extremely happy at Vanderbilt and is true to his own self in every way. He is in fact an RA now and helps other students get acclimated to Vanderbilt. Girls at Vandy are not all fashion focused but it is true that Vandergirls are 50% sorority and the numbers are less at Duke in sororities. Difference in my opinion is that independent life at Vanderbilt is better served with Nashville at your feet…a very good city that is accessible and reasonably safe to wander should you decide to be non Greek in your weekend and evening life. Durham is less fun as a host city. But Duke is a great college to call home and has a great alum base particularly if you enjoy Duke’s high profile sports scene which my Duke son continues to enjoy as an alum. Don’t let the fact that Vanderbilt girls are more likely to be fashion forward phase you or intimidate you. Go with your own inner voice and show up and meet your new classmates in Nashville or Durham. They are all nationally and economically and culturally diverse and you will find your way. Best wishes and congrats on your fine choices. My Vandy son knows how to dress for events that require a step up because he is from a conservative Southern town and his activities at Vandy sometimes require a tie but he is basically completely uninterested in fashion and his friends are very casual and laid back.</p>