<p>So I'm sure this question has been asked before, but I didn't see any really recent threads so I figured I would ask. I'm Indian, from Michigan, and I've been accepted to both University of Michigan (potentially honors, will find out this week) and Vanderbilt University. I'm trying to make a decision between the two schools, and this was one of the issues that concerned me.</p>
<p>I read some things online that Vanderbilt may be a bit segregated, and that since Asians are a huge minority (~7%) versus the 15% or so at U of M, people such as myself may feel a bit uncomfortable in such a widely non-Asian student population. Current students, or anyone with knowledge of this, how valid is this?</p>
<p>Also, I was wondering about the Indian community at Vanderbilt. As much as I enjoy being around all kinds of people, regardless of race, I would like to keep some ties to my roots. Is the Indian population at Vanderbilt pretty close-knit?</p>
<p>I have not attended Vanderbilt (I was merely accepted to their Class of 2017).</p>
<p>However, my Vanderbilt interviewer is an Indian woman, and she spoke extensively about the social scene at the school. She felt like she fit in, but your mileage may vary. Whether you fit into a school depends more on your personality than your race, I think.</p>
<p>I have not looked at this website in a long, long time, but I’m glad I saw this. I’m an Indian male, and am having a great time here. The number of Indian kids in each class goes up considerably with each class; this is a very different school than it was ~6 or 7 years ago, so even take accounts from that period with a grain of salt. I should also mention that the Diwali show – the show that the Indian Club puts on each fall filled with dances, musical performances, etc) is beautiful, and the auditorium is always sold out.</p>
<p>Feel free to shoot me a private message and I’d be happy to talk to you on the phone or by e-mail if you’d like to hear more or ask more specific questions. Good luck!</p>
<p>I don’t think you would feel uncomfortable. I have some indian friends, and I know of indian kids in all sorts of social settings; from the hardest partying fraternities, to the quieter kids that like to stay in.</p>
<p>Honestly, fdgjfg is too optimistic. Being an Indian at Vanderbilt does not limit you. However, the “type of Indian” you are does. If you are introverted and quiet, you will not get into a good fraternity. However, if you are extroverted and sociable, you can surely get into a good fraternity. Will all candor, greeks and nongreeks are fairly segregated here. Naturally, most indians do not join a fraternity. That being said, the Indian community is very strong. Although I am only close with one active member of the Indian community, I know he lives a burgeoning social life with other Indians. A lot of his friends are also Asian. There are not many Asians at Vanderbilt compared to other top schools and even less for Indians. Nevertheless, I believe if you come here and want to find a strong Indian community, you will. If you are looking for a more ethically diverse community, that will be tougher and more reliant on your personality.</p>