<p>I am not sure if me being black is going to make much of a difference at either college, but i would appreciate any information you can give me on these colleges... </p>
<p>I am interested in pursuing Pre-Med.. I play violin.. hmmm I also want to be active in Student Government, but i guess both UVA and Vanderbilt can give me that experience.</p>
<p>So i open this thread to personal opinions... in terms of prestige, parties, ladies =), and overall happiness of both schools.</p>
<p>In terms of girls --
Derrick Byars, future NBA player, is African-American and transferred from UVA to Vanderbilt. He said that Vanderbilt had the hotter girls in an ESPN article.</p>
<p>Prestige: Comparable, but UVA wins by a slight margin
Parties: Comparable, but small edge goes to Vandy
Ladies: Ooooo.... o.... man, this is so easy. Vandy ladies are HOT.</p>
<p>I think your race shouldn't be any consternation to you @both schools. Last time I heard, both schools are now diverse enough. </p>
<p>So, basically it will come down to the same ole "fit" factor, but I would cautiously suggest UVA just because it has more racially/socioeconomically diverse student body (read: state school).</p>
<p>i don't think i can be fit in any stereotype to tell you the truth jags. i'm not a prep but i dont dress like a stereotypical black male... i'm just me, whatever that is lol
People don't question my "blackness" because they all know i take pride in my color.</p>
<p>I visited Vanderbilt for their "MOSAIC" weekend... and i have to agree the girls at Vanderbilt are beautiful... but doesn't UVA have at least some beautiful women? lol</p>
<p>Thanks for all the responses, i will be waiting for some more! =)</p>
<p>Maybe because I'm white...but at UVa I feel that black kids who want to identify with what is traditionally considered black or urban culture are outcasts who solely hang with themselves. Black kids, for the most part, hang with themselves. They don't participate in what is considered "UVa" things (the things that people always say are great about UVa)--going out to bars/frat parties/participating in non-culture specific clubs.</p>
<p>When I asked if you're "a white guy who happens to be black" is because...there are black people, few but there are some, who have i guess "assimilated" into the more common culture at UVa.</p>
<p>There are plenty of hot girls at UVa. Vandy definately has a greater percentage of hot girls, but I put the top ones at UVa up against any school.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt & UVa are both 8% Black so I don't see race being a major issue. The main differences are size: UVA is public and will be larger while classes at Vanderbilt will be smaller. Vanderbilt will also have more students from the Northeast and West Coast.</p>
<p>Also -- UVA is much more rural than Vanderbilt. At Vandy, you have the traditional college campus but downtown Nashville is only a 2 mile cab-ride away.</p>
<p>you may not see race as a big factor, but as a student at UVa, I can tell you that black students do not heavily participate in anything that I would consider "main stream" at the school. I don't know if its like that at Vandy.</p>
<p>Its been an often spoken about topic recently that UVa is losing black applicants in recent years.</p>
<p>Wow, this has proved to be invaluable information... no doubt.</p>
<p>thanks alot guys for your responses... now to reply to some..</p>
<p>I attend a predominately(sp?) white, private high school. I get along with literally everyone at my school (race-wise). To emphasize this, two of my main friends that I hang out with alot are white and indian... I am a guy who likes to reach out to all races. Is it really that bad for African Americans to reach out to other races? I mean, I know I will have a base of black friends, but i definetely, most definetly will want friends from other races, you know? </p>
<p>"Um self-segregation is the name of the game at UVa."
^this scares me... simply because I am not about that at all.</p>
<p>I was pretty much set on UVa because I thought it would be more integrated than Vanderbilt was... but hey, I might be going to Tennessee after all =P lol</p>
<p>PLEASE PLEASE continue to post, you don't know how important your opinions are to me at this point!!!!</p>
<p>"'Um self-segregation is the name of the game at UVa.'
^this scares me... simply because I am not about that at all."</p>
<p>Thats good. You SHOULDN'T be about that. A lot of black kids at UVa are. Let me state that black people are in no way ostricized from the community. Many choose to seperate themselves. If you don't want to be, thats great--and I commend you for that. My recommendation is don't come to UVa and when everyone is all uncomfortable about who to hang with...go over and chill with the other 3 black dudes you see. You'll find out that its hard to break out of a group you're expected to be part of. Join some sort of NONCULTURE based activity in order to get a group of friends. This way you will truly meet a diverse group of people that has nothing to do with skin color.</p>
<p>Jags, you use some interesting language sometimes. </p>
<p>
[quote]
Maybe because I'm white...but at UVa I feel that black kids who want to identify with what is traditionally considered black or urban culture are outcasts who solely hang with themselves. Black kids, for the most part, hang with themselves. They don't participate in what is considered "UVa" things (the things that people always say are great about UVa)--going out to bars/frat parties/participating in non-culture specific clubs.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Notice how you don't mention how white kids self-segregate themselves? Also you say "what is considered UVA things," do you really mean "what are considered white UVA things"?</p>
<p>You wanna come to Vanderbilt. The parties are crazy. The girls are beautiful. The academics are top of the line. Plus, if you're interested in playing violin, Vandy has a very respected symphony orchestra.</p>
<p>Hey, slightly off topic but I am a black guy considering both schools. Doctorsboy, are you a senior that has been accepted to these schools? If so, as a high achieving african american, which school do you feel has catered to you best thus far. I know some schools recruit URM's heavily so how was the financial aid from each of them? Did you recieve any?</p>
<p>This thread is fascinating me because i've always assumed that since UVA had the highest AA graduation rate they would be much better for black students.</p>
<p>Jags, thanks for the tip. But i think that Just_Browsing has a point as well. Do you think that the white community self-segregate themselves as well? I sorta noticed that when i when to Vanderbilt's MOSAIC weekend... I was hoping for something different at UVA.</p>
<p>To mono, I have been accepted to both schools. As far as financial aid goes, my father is a successful cardiologist, and I am not sure I will be getting need-based financial aid. However, I have applied to as many scholarships as possible, including the "Ridley Scholarship" at UVa. </p>
<p>Both times I've visited UVa, I didn't really get a sense of segregation... however, this thread is sort of breaking down that facade for me. Perhaps Dean J and a representative from Vanderbilt could comment on this issue?</p>
<p>As always, thank you for your responses. But, i NEED more. This is a very tough decision for me, and any information i can get from this thread is invaluable. Share your opinions PLEASE! Post away!</p>