Vandy Culture

<p>I was disappointed by the ladies at the Vanderbilt campus as well. I stayed there for an entire week as well and was really surprised by the lack of quality women. The only places where I found what many people consider a "classic" Vanderbilt lady was at the SAE and KA houses.</p>

<p>define what you mean by "classic"...</p>

<p>How sad is it that I have to even give a definition.</p>

<p>Using Wikipedia as a reference; flame away guidos.</p>

<p>Southern</a> belle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p>

<p>Lulu says she is from Mobville, I think she knows what a Southern belle is. Also, I don't know anything else about you other than the two posts I just read, but you don't seem real and I definitely wouldn't let you into my parties if that's your attitude. Just to make things clear though, I also hate cargo shorts, gelled hair, most aspects of the north, and guidos. KA isn't a "classic" fraternity at all, at least half their fraternity went to the Northeastern boarding schools and their president is a Jewish fellar from New York. DKE and Sigma Chi both are more "classic" than them.</p>

<p>I just returned from a visit to vanderbilt this past weekend. The stereotypes of Vandy being overly preppy and overly wealthy are by no means the majority of the student body. Vandy is not as ethnically diverse as other schools, but very few of the students seem to care (they are not stereotypical southern racists!). Liberal culture exists but as a whole the school seemed conservative. Also, pretty much everyone there drinks (from what I saw), but there are plenty of people who do not drink during the week and limit their intake on weekends. If I had to describe the typical vandy student from what I saw, they would be a smart (borderline nerdy) and well rounded, very outgoing person.</p>

<p>While many students drink ... I can assure you not all students drink.</p>

<p>So, VandySAE, you hate most aspects of the north. Have you ever spent time in the north? Or does your small minded bigotry spring from your ignorance?</p>

<p>"Or does your small minded bigotry spring from your ignorance?"</p>

<p>That's clever.</p>

<p>Yes, I've spent a lot of time in the North. I did a summer analyst internship for Goldman Sachs in the North and my father worked for Bain & Company for about fifteen years in the North. Thankfully he had the good sense to have me live with my Vanderbilt alum grandparent in the South during some of this time. My cousin got married on one of those islands off Massachusetts in the North. Whoa! Does that mean I'm not allowed to hate a lot of aspects of the North?</p>

<p>You're hilarious. Grow up I pity kels.</p>

<p>Wouldn't let me into your parties?</p>

<p>Too bad I was there about a month ago and attended one of your parties.</p>

<p>Too bad I didn't meet the e-frat star you are.</p>

<p>lol vandysae sounds like a complete tool. although a lot of kids are like that here it is not completely representative of the fraternity population.</p>

<p>I promise not to judge all southerners based on some of the posts on this forum (yes, I'm from the north ... but not the eastern north). :)</p>

<p>Some of VandySAE's quotes:</p>

<p>
[quote]
Nashville obviously, like any other city, has a indie hip artsy thing in some areas. Vanderbilt, as is easily inferred from the term "VanderBubble", is a cultural bubble. If you want a better idea of the overall "feel" of Vanderbilt, take a drive over to Belle Meade while you're in Nashville. There are some Nantucket types here, but most of the "preppy" kids you see are Southern "preps" and there isn't really a "jock" feel here, more of just a general athletic, "good shape" feel.</p>

<p>Belmont is the Nashville university where most "hipsters" go.</p>

<p>You could feasibly fit in here if you're kind of a hipster, and there's a dorm building on Alumni lawn where most of them live, but it would be a very different experience for you than say, NYU.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>
[quote]
To answer your question, it is a healthy thing derived from coming to Vanderbilt with a general recognition of the importance of appearance.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>
[quote]
Seriously, grow up, looks matter, presenting yourself well matters, and Vanderbilt students, like at most other SEC schools, recognize that

[/quote]
</p>

<p>I challenge any current student at Vanderbilt to dissent with these characterizations of the school.</p>

<p>In my opinion, as a sophomore in A&S, he's correct.</p>

<p>Thanks, but if I were to guess, I'd say that there is definitely a current, former, or prospective Vandy student on the Web, probably a hunchback in serious denial who will take up your challenge.</p>

<p>My D is a jr at Vandy and refers to the Vandybubble all the time. She and I often talk at length regarding the atmosphere et al. She has no problems rolling out of bed and heading to class without spending a half-hour getting ready. Looks matter in all aspects of life, no matter where you are but people there aren't crass. She has never once complained about how people act or how people are treated on campus.</p>

<p>Did our old friend Palmettotree pledge SAE?</p>

<p>This thread pretty much told me not to apply to Vanderbilt.</p>

<p>I really think that an online thread that anyone can post anything on shouldn't have the power to sway people's opinions so.</p>

<p>It only has the power to sway opinion if someone is weak enough to allow it. There is no way to know if someone posting here really has any affiliation or knowledge of any school. Some of the haters towards any school could be disgruntled rejects looking to cast a pall over the school. It's always best, when possible, to visit and determine for yourself what you think.</p>

<p>Though most kids at Vandy are what most would call "preppy," I have to remind you that Nashville is HUGE in the music scene :)!! Which would probaly mean amazing shows all around the school area--however, you should consider visiting, maybe get a few shows out of it? I am certain if you look in the tour schedule of some of your favorite bands you would see they do visit TN and often :)</p>

<p>I think that the posts on this thread are a fair reflection of a substantial part of Vandy culture. Vandy isn't for everybody. It has a distinct identity, it can appeal to a wide variety of kids, but if you are someone who has a strong aversion to frat/sororities, dressing up in expensive/fancy clothing, SEC sports, and rich kids with a sense of entitlement-- I think you'd be happier elsewhere. Someone with an aversion to all that will definitely find others at Vandy who share his/her views, but they will not be in the Vandy mainstream. There are lots of colleges that have academics that are just as good as Vandy's where someone with those sensibilities would fit right in. Vandy's kids are proud of their culture, and I think that is why they are so unabashed about describing what makes some of us shudder in such a clear way. But it does nobody any good to pretend that something so pronounced as Vandy's hard-partying (and hard-studying) preppy culture doesn't really exist.</p>

<p>Great post. A good way of thinking about our culture is the stress most Vandy students put on being very good at everything, ie school, social life, etc...</p>