We are going to visit soon, and I’m wondering if there is anything special that we should see or do (off the beaten path of the tour)?
Our son wants to major in computer science or computer engineering.
I forget what’s in the regular tour. But I’d definitely check out all the STEM buildings (Featheringill, Jacobs, & the Stevenson buildings primarily), and also do an unguided walking tour of campus (see some of the other dorms for instance) & the areas around campus.
Further afield, our family quite enjoyed the Zoo, we still try to go there when we visit.
have your son excuse himself from you for a coffee or a stroll. Then parent and son can do some constructive eavesdropping and observing of actual students. example. Bowdoin has the MOST lovely Library, Middlebury which is stranded in terrible gloomy weather has spent a fortune on beautiful interiors that bring in light. Swarthmore library at 7pm is full of students in deep concentration. Walk the stacks at the Vanderbilt joint library quietly if you can…I used to study several flights up…and so did my son. Step into the Peabody Library which faces some of the Commons living quarters. grab breakfast at the Noshville Deli since the Pancake Pantry is often dealing with a line. Get a pastry and coffee in Hillsboro Village. Vandyson had Vandy on the bottom of the list until he visited and realized that the neighborhoods alone were a tonic for him (note the historic Belcourt movie house within a few blocks). If you have a need for serenity and a short jaunt in beauty and peace, go to the one mile walk around Radnor Lake, Nashville’s intown best kept nature preserve secret. That is where you will see Nashvillians who live not far from Vandy. Breathe.
Enjoy your precious time together. One of the last times discussing pros and cons with parents really counts.
Great guidance from Faline2 (as usual). That reminded me: one thing that really helped us verify the official stories was an unscripted conversation we had with a couple of students outside doing a bake sale for a cause. (“We’ll buy your bakes if you tell us about the school.”)
I would just walk around main campus and enter some of the other class buildings. They will take you through butrick, which is by far the nicest class building (Try going to the historic Furman “white” building). If you want a fun walk you can do the famous highland-med center cut, which is walking from commons through the hospital area (cross 21st in essence) and walk to the dorms/football stadium over that way… You can see the “athletic” part of campus. If you want to see computer science buildings Vandyman’s post has you covered. I would also highly recommend catching a film at the Belcourt if you can.