<p>MOWC and others--D and I are going to the Vanderbilt open house on the 19th; it is fairly high on her list at this point. Any suggestions about things she should see on campus (interested in dance/film/college sports/social sciences probably) or nearby would be welcome. We have been to Tennessee (and loved it) but not to Nashville. Thanks.....</p>
<p>Hillsboro Village is the neat shopping/restaurant area that borders campus. You want to get up early and go to PANCAKE PANTRY for breakfast. It's amazing and frequently you will see country music stars there. Check on the website to see if there are some concerts you might want to go to. I would take a spin downtown to Broadway and check out the club scene (just do a drive or walk-by). It may look a little tacky, but it's actually quite fun with great performers most nights. Near the Vanderbilt campus (walking) is Centennial Park with an awesome replica of The Parthenon. Frankly, I am impressed by the whole area- the Belmont University campus, which practically bumps up to Vanderbilt, is also nice. I'm sure they will take you around the campus, which is beautiful. Come out to Brentwood and I'll take you by Dolly Parton's house!
Report back on your visit.</p>
<p>"The most famous mansion at Newport Beach is also a Vanderbilt mansion, also owned by the city or state, as the family abandoned it." </p>
<p>Its called the Breakers and its Newport not Newport Beach and its owned by the Preservation Society of Newport County. Countess Sylvia Szapary (great-great-granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt) continued to live there on the upper floors 1998. Her son Paul now is on the board of directors there.</p>
<p>patient, you mention that your d is interested in checking out the dance program. I'm sure she's already looked at the website ( Vanderbilt</a> Dance Program | Vanderbilt University ), which shows that classes are being held through 4/19, and that there's a $10 drop-in class fee. I mention it in case your d might want to take, or at least observe, a class, and in case you're arriving before the 19th. Something new since my d enrolled in 2005 is the certificate in dance studies ( Certificate</a> in Dance Studies: Vanderbilt Dance Program ) - not a major or minor, but designed to complement existing Vandy majors. Sounds interesting!</p>
<p>And you'll be there for Rites of Spring, Vandy's major end-of-year blowout. I'm kind of surprised that an admitted students day coincides with this. It should certainly give prospective students a chance to assess the Vanderbilt party scene. :) These are the artists scheduled to perform ( Rites</a> of Spring Music Festival :: Vanderbilt University :: April 18-19, 2008 ). I've only heard of two of 'em, but my d is mega-excited.</p>
<p>Hope you and your d enjoy your visit!</p>
<p>Vanderbilt said something similar (about Jews) at a presentation at our school. To be fair it was said in a completely inoffensive way, just that they were trying to expand beyond their southern Bible belt base and would look more favorably on applications from our part of the country. It's still not on too many radars here.</p>
<p>^^^ I'm glad it's not! It doesn't need to turn into Penn or NYU.</p>
<p>"Vanderbilt said something similar (about Jews) at a presentation at our school. To be fair it was said in a completely inoffensive way...."</p>
<p>Is that inoffensive as in "some of our best smart people are Jewish"? :rolleyes:</p>
<p>MOWC, I'm not sure how to interpret your comment in post #46. It might be offensive or might not. Would you rather not have lots of northeasterners at Vanderbilt because it would have a Penn or NYU "vibe" to it, or would you rather not have so many Jews at Vanderbilt because it would have a Penn/NYU vibe? (Both have a fairly substantial % of Jewish students.)</p>
<p>MOWC--what did you mean by your post?</p>
<p>Sorry to be unclear. I like the southern "vibe". Certainly no issue with increasing the Jewish population. Part of why D chose Vandy for Divinity School was because it is more liberal and diverse and focuses on different faiths. I grew up in the northeast and prefer the southern culture and "vibe", as you say.</p>
<p>MOWC, thanks for the clarification. I lived in Delaware for one year and thought I'd go out of my mind because of how slowly everyone moved. It had a southern, laid-back "vibe," which I could never get used to. To each, her own. ;)</p>
<p>I guess I haven't been clear. I have no problem with a private university recruiting any kind of students they like - it's their money. I DO have a big problem with the public patronizing of Jewish people (or anyone else for that matter), and I find the comments that have been cited extremely offensive ("in a non-offensive way" of course ;))</p>
<p>If this is the kind of presentation they are making at schools, the admissions department needs a nonviolent rap upside the head.</p>
<p>My old friend Amy-Jill Levine teaches in the Vanderbilt Divinity School, and I do wish they consulted her before making their comments.</p>
<p>When we go back to Phila to visit my family or WildChild, my Texan husband claims it "is like sticking knives in my eyes" to deal with the traffic, people and "vibe". </p>
<p>Mini- Jill Levine is AWESOME. She spoke at our church and D can't wait to take a course from her.</p>
<p>Can't we just deal with the issue at hand? Many people like and even love their schools and I don't like hurting anyone. To compare them based on programs, philosphies, etc., would certainly give the OP a much better grasp of the situation. I have heard a great deal of good about Vandy, and its reputation is consistently going up. I, too, would compare it to Rice, etc., but would wish it would stay just Vandy and just keep getting to be a better and better Vandy, for each school is unique in its own way.</p>
<p>I hope I'm not rude in wondering why this discussion has evolved to focus on something that was occuring in the 2001-02 admissions cycle under Chancellor Gee's administration. I guess I just don't think it's relevant to judge the school as it exists today by statements that were made 6 years ago.</p>
<p>Here is the original post from confusedjunior:</p>
<p>
[quote]
What is everyone's view of Vanderbilt from across the country.</p>
<p>As far as your opinions on the school based on where you live...</p>
<ul>
<li>academics</li>
<li>prestige</li>
<li>social life</li>
<li>etc</li>
</ul>
<p>Also, what schools would you compare it to?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>From where I live, middle midwest, the academics and prestige--among those who know anything about universities, and that is not everyone--are considered top-notch. For the most part, I am talking about academic types, medical professionals, and lawyers.</p>
<p>The social scene is an interesting point. I find most people here who have not attended Vanderbilt are unaware that it has a reputation for a particularly vibrant party scene. </p>
<p>Here is a comment on the "etc" part of your question. Every contact I have had with administrators and professors, and every contact my kid has had that I know anything about has been overwhelmingly positive, in the sense that this university has a great concern for the well-being of its students. (I don't doubt others could chime in with counter-examples, but that has been the experience of my family.) Deans and professors seem very accessible (I'm referring to engineering faculty for the most part here).</p>
<p>The new chancellor (Nick Zeppos, with a long history at VU and its Law School) is unquestionably devoted to undergraduate education.</p>
<p>I have a friend who has a s in his second year at Vandy. He's doing well now but had a bit of an adjustment period in the first year. Didn't like the frat scene but has finally found his own niche.
Very few (if any) students go to Vandy from our competitive PA high school. It's just not on the radar screen yet. I mention it to some of my friends with kids who are looking and I tend to get a surprised look followed by some comments about it being a conservative southern school for rich kids. I KNOW it's changing but it seems the word hasn't spread widely yet...at least around here. I have to say Rice isn't very big here either.
One thing to mention is that a lot of kids from my son's high school class ended up transferring from southern schools that are starting to catch on in our area. Wake Forest, Clemson, Elon, USC. Mostly girls. The school counselors are now warning kids to make sure they're comfortable adjusting to a southern culture before making a choice. So I guess it's not everyone's cup of tea.</p>
<p>"I hope I'm not rude in wondering why this discussion has evolved to focus on something that was occuring in the 2001-02 admissions cycle under Chancellor Gee's administration. I guess I just don't think it's relevant to judge the school as it exists today by statements that were made 6 years ago."</p>
<p>Because, if Mathmom is to be believed (and I do), such statements are still being made by the Admissions Office in 2007-2008. </p>
<p>I have no dog in this hunt. As I said, Vanderbilt has NO reputation where I live (outside of football or basketball) - I have never heard it come up in discussions, I have never heard of a local high schooler applying to go there, I have never met a graduate (either undergraduate or graduate work) out here, and, as far as I am aware, they haven't made any presentations at area high schools. If Mathmom is correct, I'm very glad they didn't, and that has nothing to do with the quality of the school.</p>
<p>The percent of undergraduate students from "the west" (as distinct from the midwest and the southwest) in 2007 was 6.67%, a rate that has not changed over the last several years.</p>
<p>I suppose there might somewhere be a more specific map, but I believe mini when he says it is not on the radar in his part of the northwest.</p>
<p>mathmom's son was looking at schools when Gee was still chancellor. Gee is gone. I have no idea whether or not Gee had anything whatever to do with what the traveling admissions officers said, or how they said it, but the new chancellor, Zeppos, is a very different person.</p>