<p>I keep hearing that while a school like Duke is "a northern school in the south", Vandy is "a southern school" all the way. Can someone comment on how this plays out? Will a northerner feel out of his element?</p>
<p>Hi:
Vanderbilt undergrad school was more reflective of certain affluent pockets of the South long after Vanderbilt grad schools had become diverse and reflective of many regions of the USA. The grad schools are world class and add a lot to the city. We live in the South and know Nashville well, but my husband and I are northerners. We had a wonderful decade in Nashville for grad school and for our first jobs and I can assure you that Nashville is a melting pot of a city with an artistic and progressive vibe and an almost Midwestern friendliness. The undergrad school still has a fairly large contingent of traditional frat and sorority kids, but it is my opinion that Vandy undergrad is truly altering into a school that is very welcoming to kids from all over the USA now. You can find a niche in many social groups there. Admissions are more selective and more kids from the East and Midwest and Pacific are applying. My son did an overnight at Vandy this fall. He was introduced to boys from Boston, Chicago and the usual sources of Atlanta and Birmingham. The boys he met were extremely bright and friendly and some had turned down Duke and Stanford for Vanderbilt. He attended classes and was impressed with the academic rigor. The opportunities for internships and community service are many in a capitol city and the full professors in the classrooms are outstanding.</p>
<p>I have noticed a definite trend of kids interested in the southern schools like Vanderbilt, Emory, Wake Forest, Tulane and U of Miami. A number of these kids are excellent students some of whom are enticed by some nice merit money, other just like the school better than the northern counterparts in selectivity.</p>
<p>Thanks. We're from the NY area and my son has applied to Vandy but seems concerned that it will be "too southern". He spent the summer at Duke and loved that but who knows what the result of his application will be. I will definitely encourage him to visit if he gets in because it seems to have a lot of the qualities he is looking for in a school in terms of size, atmosphere, and quality of education. Any more feedback would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Hi again:
My husband was from your area and made many life-long friends from all over the USA at Vanderbilt. The school and the city are much more eclectic than people realize. Nashville has much of the excitement of Atlanta with half the stress and traffic, and Vanderbilt is in a fantastic location. It is true that Duke's student body is more international which is commendable, but Durham is no Nashville and Nashville is much more diverse than people realize. Economy is booming and talent everywhere, but campus remains warm and personal. As parents who once went there, we can see how the undergrad school has diversified and we are certain that the admissions department is in good hands.</p>
<p>There is certainly a typical Vandy student but like any other great university of its size, there will be a welcoming mix of students from different regions and backgrounds. I personally favored Vandy over Duke. Duke is a better school but I was enthralled with the character of Vanderbilt and the big city/small town vibe of Nashville. But then I also love the south and country music so...</p>
<p>I am from Long Island, NY and I didn't have any difficulty adjusting. Many kids are from all across the country and overall very down-to-earth. I remember having the same concerns but I am very happy I chose Vanderbilt. I urge you to visit.</p>
<p>thanks for all your responses. I'll keep these responses and maybe get in touch with you (college2332) if and when we visit (which won't be til spring). What year are you in and what are you taking down there? How do you find the school socially and in terms of school spirit etc.? How do you feel about the quality of the academics?</p>
<p>I am currently a sophomore and a polisci major. My schedule this semester is political theory, irish literature, philosophy:ethics, international politics, and spanish. I find many of the students to be very friendly but well-dressed as a whole. The school spirit is high but varies with each sport. Our football team isn't very good and has smaller crowds. However, basketball games are extremely popular and the student section is commonly filled. I went to a competitive HS and the academics I feel are strong. The school also sponser many concerts/events. This weekend Gavin DeGraw and Modest Mouse are coming. If you have any other questions feel free to ask.</p>
<p>thank you for the info! I am printing this out to show to my son.</p>
<p>Is there any way to still get the Gavin Degraw tickets!?</p>
<p>they are sold out, but some kids are selling theirs on facebook</p>
<p>I am a minority and I loved my undergrad years at Vanderbilt. I am so happy I went there. Now I'm at Rice for grad school, and though it's a great school, it does not compare. I still volunteer to be on the admissions committee and interview applicants because Vanderbilt was great to me. I still keep in touch with many professors and deans. If you are deciding between Vanderbilt and Rice, you should really choose Vandy. The faculty is exceptional. The only drawback about Vandy is that most people are beautiful physically and you may feel the physical competition especially if you are a girl freshman year. However, after sophomore year no one really cares how they dress and everything is much more relaxed in the social sphere. Humanities departments are really laid back and awesome profs, especially in the Spanish department. Take classes with Edward Friedman. He is awesome. If you are pre-med, just a warning that it is competitive and graded on a curve. I remember taking biosci and the average was somewhere around 38 (yes, out of 100).</p>
<p>vg1026, you sound very knowledgeable about Vandy. My son has been accepted and is seriously considering it. When you are on campus, do you feel like you are at a "national" school, with kids from all over the country or do you feel you are at a more "regional" school, with kids primarily from the south. I think this is his biggest concern...being from NY, he doesn't want to feel out of place.</p>
<p>evil robot or college2332: if you are still on the board, maybe you could send me a Private Message with your email or IM and maybe I could put my son in touch with you.</p>
<p>One out of every four undergrads is not white. The only school I can compare it to is Rice, and appearance-wise the Vanderbilt people are just better looking and dress better. Vanderbilt is a great place to go for guys because all the girls are hot and there's more girls than guys. Academically, professors are awesome. It is frequent that you have lunch or dinner with profs and deans and many even go to their homes to hang out.</p>
<p>Congrats to your son re Vanderbilt admission. I have PM'd re our years and recent visits to Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>haha vg1026, the first thing my guy friends said to me when I told them I got accepted was "do you know that vanderbilt has the second-hottest girl population in the country?" ... looks like this girl should get on the treadmill!</p>
<p>Haha...the rec center at Vanderbilt is always full with girls waiting to get on the machines. It's well known that a significant number of girls have eating disorders, at least that was how it was when I was there, graduated 2001. Don't worry though, after the first semester no one really cares much about how they look. It's just the first semester there are so many sorority rushes and events and the girls feel the need or perhaps enjoy dressing up. They just get pretty much sick of it as they get older. At least that's how I felt. No matter how fun the social scene is, however, remember that you are there primarily for the education. The scholars there are exceptional and you should get to know them because they will definitely make time for you. Those relationships will be truly valuable for the rest of your life when you need their help to make a call to someone they know to get a job or get into a school. Their one phone call is more important than perhaps anything you can ever offer on paper because they are top in their field and highly recognized in their area of specialty.</p>
<p>If you are pre-med, just a warning that it is competitive and graded on a curve. I remember taking biosci and the average was somewhere around 38 (yes, out of 100).</p>
<p>I'm thinking of applying to Vandy next year for premed. Is the competition cutthroat for those classes?</p>
<p>Faline I disagree I dont know who you know who turned down Stanford and Duke for Vandy but I will take your word for it but that is not typical. I couldnt get into Duke maybe Stanford who takes everybody from the East who can read.. but to put my beloved Vandy in line with Duke well it aint so thats all. I love Vandy and so does everyone these days its hot because its totally a fun party school. Hillbilly Rock culture is a hoot and so are the kids who want to be part of this 4 year binge!
Duke is too highbrow and Stanford is too much studying in a laid back way lots of pressure there who needs it. Go Vandy! I cant beleive I got in!</p>