<p>So Ive gotten accepted at Vanderbilt, Rice, and UPenn, but my parents are pushing me to go to Vanderbilt mostly because of financial reasons and closeness to home. I need to know as a gay, black student, will I fit in at Vanderbilt? I really want to be an active part of the social scene and date in college. Will this be easy to do or even possible, at Vanderbilt?</p>
<p>You’ll find all types of people no matter where you go, but you have to keep in mind the demographics of Vandy. It’s in a city, and it’s a college so it’s typically more accepting of different types of people than the rest of the South, but it’s also widely conservative politically and white racially. Intolerance isn’t an overwhelming issue but it’s much more present than it would be at Rice, for example. Go with your gut, but just don’t expect everyone you come across to welcome you with open arms. Good luck.</p>
<p>If I were you, I would look around here [The</a> Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Life | Vanderbilt University](<a href=“http://www.vanderbilt.edu/lgbtqi/]The”>The Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Life | Vanderbilt University) and try to find some current lgbt students you could contact to talk about this. Look under “resources” for access to information on student organizations, such as Delta Lambda Phi Fraternity for Gay, Bisexual, and Progressive Men. You can contact their officers to get their views.</p>
<p>Is there anyway you can visit the campus and stop by the Office of LGBTQI Life located in a historic building located (somewhat symbolically) behind the Tri Delt Sorority house on Greek Row and McGill Residence Hall on Alumni Lawn–it is in a building named after now retired long-time, well loved Dean of Students KC Potter (who himself was gay). Talk with them, then head over to McGill, a dorm that has been known for welcoming and nurturing free thinkers for many generations at Vanderbilt and talk with some of those residents about the atmosphere at Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>I said “symbolically” because I feel that traditional/stereotypical Greek life, LGBT life, McGill-ites and everyone in between can coexist peacefully at Vanderbilt and have been for many years. Brainnanic^ is correct that there are a lot of conservatives on campus but I think I saw the stat somewhere that the campus is self identified as almost 50/50 Democrat/Republican. </p>
<p>Good luck with your decision making, you have 3 wonderful schools from which to choose!</p>
<p>Since coming to Vanderbilt last year, I haven’t gotten a chance to know many LGBTQI people; it’s not as common to find a gay person as it is in more northern schools of similar academic caliber. However, the campus is, for the most part, pretty tolerant (I have never heard of anyone being badgered or made fun of for being gay). It is also getting better and better, from what people of upper classyears tell me. </p>
<p>In addition, the political landscape has changed a lot. The campus is split evenly down the political spectrum in greek life, but the majority of students outside of greek life are liberal (something like 60% liberal, 30% conservative, and the rest made up of libertarians and moderates…). Most people that identify with republicans, that I have met, are fiscally conservative and less so socially. A study was recently published showing these data and how the campus is moving more and more away from its southern, conservative “heritage”.</p>
<p>I hope this helps.</p>
<p>To tell the truth, I don’t think political spectrum even matters that much. There are conservatives, but they will not try to hunt you down or attack you if they know you are gay. Top universities are usually home to very thoughtful people, and Vanderbilt is no different. A conservative here will most likely treat you with the same respect and politeness as other students. I have also noted an effort by the school to bring up the LGBQTI office and LGBQTI issues more to the forefront of campus life.</p>
<p>Personally, I know quite a few gay students and they are enjoying themselves and have plenty of friends.</p>
<p>It depends upon what you mean by “fit in.” Will you find a community of people within Vanderbilt that you fit in with? Absolutely. However you may also find that you have some difficulty relating to the student body as a whole. Vanderbilt students, as with all young people, are overwhelmingly tolerant. No one will persecute you here. That being said, if you identify solely as being a “gay, black student” you will have trouble connecting with people. You have to be more than that - e.g., a “gay, black student who sings a cappella and is interested in microfinance and entrepreneurship,” or whatever. Let people get to know the other aspects of your personality and they will have something they can share with you and connect with, even if it isn’t being gay or black.</p>