<p>I really like Vandy, but I am very confused about the party and greek influence. I have heard lots of negative things. I am concerned about the predominance of the greek culture on campus - with the implication that if you don't participate, that you'll be missing out. Numerically speaking 40-50% of undergrads are affiliated with greek. I have no idea if I want to be a part or not. That means 50-60% aren't. But, that's 1/2 the student body.</p>
<p>At their parties, I was at one last weekend, there was cocaine and binge drinking. People were going nuts. I had to leave. I don't mind a beer or two, or people having a few beers through the evening, but I am not at all interested in binge drinking. There were even police officers around.</p>
<p>Nashville has a fantastic street, Broadway, with lots of bars, etc. It all looks like a lot of fun. I understand that all students have fake IDs, so that they can go. </p>
<p>I know that all these things would be my choice. That's not the issue though. I am afraid of the social pressure to join in. I certainly want an active social life and maybe even join the Greek system, but I am not interested in drugs and alcohol. Other people I know have visited Ivy's, State, and other southern schools and have told me that Vandy is the extreme for this behavior.</p>
<p>There's so much else to like about Vandy. Its seems hard to believe that a strong academic student body forsakes their grades and gets wasted every week. I never asked the question about the GPAs of those in the greek system and those outside.</p>
<p>So, I'd like some more insight. And, whether you think, with my concerns, I should look elsewhere.</p>
<p>The figure is around 40%. </p>
<p>First I’ll say that the party scene is definitely not predominated by drugs at all. In my three years here I have never stumbled into people doing cocaine, as you did on your visit, though I do know that it happens. It really is not prevalent.</p>
<p>Binge drinking is pretty prevalent in the Greek community. Do understand that a single Greek house will have one or maybe two parties a month. The rest of the month they’re, well, not throwing giant parties. The Greek community actually has a higher GPA than the rest of the school. They contribute to something like 60,000 documented service hours and $400,000 in philanthropy. The party scene is also really geared towards younger students, honestly. People get tired of them pretty quickly and start going downtown, where the environment is much more casual.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt students do tend to be very social, meaning they “go out” more frequently than other schools. That said, I don’t think the behavior here is extreme compared to other colleges in any way. In fact, Vanderbilt is a lot more tame than the nonsense that goes on at big state schools. It is perhaps more widespread at Vanderbilt, but not more extreme.</p>
<p>Remember where ALL of these students are coming from, whether or not they are in Greek life-- they came form highschools where they had great GPAs and incredible test scores, and plenty of leadership and service. Trust me, they (almost) all care very much about their grades. Also remember that these are college students- these are the only four years in your entire life that you will be able to behave this way without real consequences. Your GPA will be meaningless 2 years out of college, but these memories will last a lifetime. Vanderbilt’s (unofficial) mantra is “work hard, play hard” for a reason.</p>
<p>I never saw hard drugs at any Vandy parties (Greek or non-Greek) but I know there were isolated cases. Also not everyone has a fake ID. From my experience state schools have way more drug/alcohol abuse.</p>
<p>One thing that impressed me was how little tobacco use I saw over the 9 years I had someone on campus full-time (S’s law school stint extended my full time parent status until '11 and I continue to be on campus occasionally with part-time grad child). I teach at a 2 year school where I’m amazed at how many low income students struggle with finances, but find money for cigarettes, so I notice this more than most people might. I know it’s not drugs or alcohol, but I did feel like it was a big plus for the student body that they weren’t caught up in that terrible web.</p>
<p>Greek life definitely does dominate the social scene and there is a lot of drinking. Several frats are on or near probation. Like Pancaked said, binge drinking is common. Girls can go to frat parties regardless of whether they’re in a sorority. If you aren’t in a frat, and your friends are, your social life can be pretty lame in the first couple of years. Upperclassmen tend to go to the bars on the weekends more than to the frat, unless there are organized parties. </p>