<p>I know that the south is kind of notorious for strong Greek life, but I was wondering if at Vandy, in order to be "cool" or "popular," do you need to participate in the Greek scene? ( I know this sounds very high school, but I can't think of a better way to phrase this at the moment. Foot injury+in bed on meds= a little fuzzy :) </p>
<p>And if so how bad is the hazing? Do they have non-hazing policy that is actually followed? Do you need to be wealthy in order to participate?</p>
<p>I assume from your forum name that you are a prospective female student. Firstly I hope your foot feels better, but after you hear some of what I have to say you may be in emotional pain.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt is a higly greek school, with the majority of party nightlife being held at the frats and sororities. About 50% of women go greek at Vanderbilt and about 35% of the men also go Greek. At Vandy frat and sorority members are required to live int he dorms unless they are ranking officers in their organizations, then they can stay in the house for about the same cost.</p>
<p>As for being popular just because you go GReek is a minomer. you can be an extremely popular kid who doesn't go greek but makes a lot of friends who have, and then goes to every party knowing someone. But if you do not make many friends the open party policy at all frats and sororities is a little intimidating. Who wants to go to a party where they know no one?!</p>
<p>When you rush or are recruited, w/e they call it, there can officially be no hazing. It is laid out in very clear terms int he greek life rules booklet, yes there is one, that Hazing, if investigated to be true, can cause a greek house to be kicked off campus. I do not personally know is that has happened to anyone yet, but I doubt people will be willing to haze to the extent of the greek life board investigating. I have heard of minor events that some may deem as a little obscure, but as with anything, you take it then give it the next go around!</p>
<p>And finally, for the wealthy part, sororities cost anywhere between $800-$1300 for the first semester. Then then avg. drops to $650-$850 per semester.</p>
<p>I hope this was helpful.</p>
<p>Thank you that was extremely helpful. I live in Los Angeles, and as social person myself, familiar with the USC scene, I understand Greeks well. I am looking into a wide range of schools right now, and want to make the list much shorter. Having a good balance between social life and academics is important to me, so I want a student body that knows how to "play hard, work hard." However, I don't have alot of experience with Vandy, so inside info helps. thanks...</p>
<p>Greek life does tend to dominate, or at least it tends to appear that way. I'd say the only way to be "popular" at Vanderbilt is to be popular within the Greek scene. Outside of that scene people wouldn't really care. You find your niche and go with it</p>
<p>You can be popular and not be Greek. There are some independents that are extremely social/popular but are highly involved with sports or other activities.</p>
<p>The way I see it, the type of people who really care about being cool and popular are the type of people who go Greek anyway. There are a plethora of geneal indepedents well-known and well-liked by the campus, of course. It boils down to fact, I think, that at Vanderbilt, people who want to be Greek will be Greek and people who don't wont.</p>