<p>I don't know about fraternities, as S didn't pledge; however, I do know that every girl who completes the recruitment process and who maximizes their options (by being open to a bid from any house which invited them to pref night) will receive a bid. hga13's description of the week of recruitment is completely accurate and her advice sound. Cost of fraternities & sororities is included in the materials supplied to students and parents by the office of Greek Life. I expect you can access that by visiting the Vanderbilt site and searching for Greek Life. You can also get to the Greek Life area of the website by clicking on Students and then scrolling down to find Greek Life as one of the options.</p>
<p>mirimom- frats work very differently from sororities, but from what I've learned it seems the way to get into a frat is by going to the ones you like every weekend and just getting to know the brothers. Not everyone who wants to join a frat will get in, but most do. They cut gradually through first semester so if one is cut from a house early on they can start rushing another. The reputations very, but there really is not one with a terrible reputation. Where people feel most comfortable tends to depend on how serious they are academically and where they are from (some are very southern, some are very northern, and others are mixed). Hope that helps.</p>
<p>So if you don't get in to the sorority you really want can you still go to parties and events there, or does that seem weird? Do you just become really involved with your own sorority? Speaking of which, how much time would you say sorority life takes up? Does it interfere with school work at all?</p>
<p>any girl can go to any frat party it makes no difference if they are in a sorority or not, but it's not the same for the guys. Every sorority is different and your level of involvement is really decided by you. I just started in my sorority so I might not be the one to ask about this, but so far I've found it really easy to balance everything.</p>
<p>any current students--what would you say your favorite thing about Vandy is, and what is your least favorite?</p>
<p>Anyone?
Absolute best thing
Absolute worst thing
about Vanderbilt</p>
<p>I'm not sure why no students are answering you but I can tell you what I have heard from the students I know (former and current).</p>
<p>The best things about Vanderbilt are:
It is a good size. Big enough to meet a lot of people, have a large course selection, but you don't get too lost in the crowd.
There are many organizations from which to choose to get involved in. Many students are involved in some sort of community service.
There is a lot of support for Freshman in terms of getting used to college life.</p>
<p>Some of the not so good things:
There is a lot of pressure, for girls, to be pretty. It can be a very competitive social scene.
The academics can be somewhat patchy in quality and the students are not known for their intellectual curiousity.</p>
<p>Good for some, bad for others:
Southern atmosphere and all that that implies.
Huge Greek social scene.
Preppy, conservative, religious.</p>
<p>seriously,
You appear to enjoy visiting the Vanderbilt forum and making posts with an undercurrent (or more) of negativity about the school. While these forums exist to provide information about schools, one might suspect that you have other motives. </p>
<p>Specifically, you have 22 total posts on CC, 9 of which are on the Vanderbilt forum. Your next favorite school is Bennington (with 2 posts) and some commentary on the Parents board and the College Search board about schools like Hampshire, Skidmore, Marlboro, Sarah Lawrence and others of similar type. Fine schools all, but traditionally they attract a different type of student than Vanderbilt. </p>
<p>So, why the big interest in Vanderbilt and, more importantly, why all the negative commentary about Vanderbilt (heavy drug scene, racist, a lack of intellectual curiosity in your opinion, disdainful view toward "southern" schools, etc)? Actual students and others with long records of posting about Vanderbilt and other places have responded that these characterizations are mostly to completely inaccurate.</p>
<p>It appears that you are posting here just to perpetuate some bad and incorrect rumors. Would you please elaborate on the source of your knowledge of Vanderbilt, where you attend (or have attended) and if you are a student or parent? And frankly, why do you keep coming back here if you have no apparent interest or tie to the school???</p>
<p>for hopin and others, I reiterate:
To all the readers who are truly interested in learning about Vanderbilt, I suggest that you take your guidance from those who have high post counts and actual direct knowledge of the school, eg, current students, parents, alumni, etc. They know the real story about Vanderbilt and have demonstrated on CC the history and the integrity to comment on both the school's peccadillos and its many, many strengths.</p>
<p>Visited Vanderbilt for one day and spoke to four students. All four were exceptionally kind,intelligent and helpful. More importantly,they were very happy at Vanderbilt. Also spoke to two parents who beamed with pride andpraise for Vandy.</p>
<p>Visit today's edition of The Hustler for several articles on the issue of Vanderbilt stereotypes. Here's the link for the InsideVandy homepage:
<a href="http://www.insidevandy.com/drupal/#%5B/url%5D">http://www.insidevandy.com/drupal/#</a>
Once there, find the icon for the newspaper online and you can read several articles related to this discussion, particularly those on p. 8</p>
<p>Dajada07-I am terribly sorry if I have given a bad impression of Vanderbilt, that has not been my intention at all. Perhaps it is something of a case of familiarity breeding contempt. While I have no contempt for the school, it is in my backyard, and perhaps therefore I have higher expectations of it. I have lived near Nashville and have several friends and family members who have, or are currently, attending Vanderbilt. Professionally I come in contact with many college age kids and over the years I have gotten to hear about various schools from them. In my family, as I am childless, I seem to have become, when the time comes, the one that squires my many nieces and nephews on their college tours. I have also taken some trips with friends and their children. Interestingly, for me, they have all been very different kinds of kids. I attended a large southern school myself (Duke) and feel that I know something about many of them, but the northeast alternative school genre was one that was new to me, and came as a very pleasant surprise. I learned about CC from one of my young friends right after we visited Vanderbilt and have found it to be fascinating and very informative. I think that it is important for high school kids looking for a good fit to find out as much as they can about a school, and not just from the glossy pages sent to them, but from the college books (though they are often 2-3 years out of date) and most importantly, from current students who will tell them about both the good and bad aspects of a school. </p>
<p>P.S. I just looked over my old posts, as I was somewhat flummoxed that one could perceive a negative slant from me, and I realized that a couple of the Vanderbilt posts were made by those other than myself! My nephew who looked at the school asked some of the questions. Bad idea to give out my screen name!! Again, sorry about any misunderstanding, it is a great school, for a great many people.</p>
<p>seriously,
Many thanks for your gracious reply. There have been a few posters on the Vandy forum who have foisted a few nasty comments that have been strongly refuted and/or denied by those with longtime and intimate knowledge of the school. Frankly, many of us with a stake in and direct knowledge of the Vanderbilt community are sick and tired of the criticisms we get on CC. Perhaps I was being overly sensitive to your posts, but please understand that, given this history, I wanted to better understand where you were/are coming from. Thank you for your clarification. </p>
<p>I concur with your statements about fit and this is still the case with Vanderbilt and all colleges. It is quite likely that Vandy is/was not a good fit for your nephews/nieces and that is fine and I wish them nothing but the best wherever they end(ed) up. But a lot of good things are going on at Vanderbilt and the news is getting out only slowly. The school is improving every year with the quality of the student body and the nature of the school have evolved while still retaining those unique qualities that have attracted students for many years. There are still things to improve at Vanderbilt (as there are at every school in America), but the school is getting a lot of things right and deserves better than it gets in the wider public consciousness (and that includes CC).</p>
<p>Ok, as a current student, I'd say my favorite things are:
I looooove being in Nashville!
My professors have been really good so far, and I feel like I'm truly getting a good education.</p>
<p>Worst Things:
I'm not into the whole Greek Scene, which is somewhat isolating, but I have plenty of friends who aren't Greek.</p>
<p>ok I'm a current student as well.</p>
<p>good- The people are all very intelligent and classes are challenging, but not impossible. The campus is beautiful and easy to get around once you're used to it. Everyone is really helpful and friendly. My professors almost all know my name and have even sent me emails when I had a family issue earlier in the year. The frat parties are amazing and any girl can go to them (boys you need to be in the frat or have friends in it after first semester freshmen year). Nashville is an incredible city and there are lots of good restaurants near campus. Overall I love it and practically every person I have met here. </p>
<p>worst- The weather during the winter is really bad if you are looking for Southern weather. Also although I now love greek life, it can be difficult if you decide not to join, but it gets better really quick. Also you have to deal with many typical southern school stereotypes when really they're not true. Oh and on campus food can get really old after awhile. Having a car is also really difficult.</p>