<p>Do you feel that kids from NYC could be happy at Vandy ? What do you hear about the nursing program ?</p>
<p>They easily could, which explains why so many, relatively, are already here. All I know about it is that it's easy. I took a Nutrition class in there that pretty much reminded me eating apples and brushing your teeth is healthy.</p>
<p>My understanding from my kids and the college website is the School of Nursing doesn't offer undergraduate programs. The undergraduate schools are A&S, Blair, Peabody, & Engineering. However, Vanderbilt does offer wonderful nursing education for those seeking the MSN or other graduate degrees in nursing.</p>
<p>It should be noted that the culture of Vandy is quickly changing due to the administration's intentional efforts to diversify. Some find this disconcerting, as "their" school is becoming more accessible and comfortable for what they view to be outsiders. There are students coming in who are actively changing what "Vandy's mainstream" actually will become. I urge any students interested in Vanderbilt to find out more about the most recent students who have joined the student body.</p>
<p>Are the current students welcoming to others not like themselves ?</p>
<p>I can't answer that question for certain, but I know that my D's friend (URM) feels completely welcome. However, she is not the least bit interested in being the big woman on campus, the life of the party, etc. She lives her life, goes to meetings of groups that interest her, hangs with people she likes - and she feels fine. She is pretty much unaware of and not interested in anyone who wouldn't welcome her.</p>
<p>My D has mentioned that the new freshman class is especially diverse. She did not mention that they are self-segregated. I would expect that she would mention if they were, because she refused to apply to one top school due to the extreme self-segregation of groups she saw while visiting. I will be honest, though, in saying that she is not a freshman so does not live among them. This is a case where students might really benefit from visiting and seeing for themselves.</p>
<p>I'm not sure why looking attractive is a problem. I go to a high school where people try to be aesthetically pleasing about as hard as at UChicago....maybe that's why our acceptance rate there is so high, but I digress. Is it a problem to really see a need for both a fit mind and <em>gasp</em> a fit body? I'm sorry most liberal intellectual elitists won't agree with this, but I think the Greeks had something going when they promoted it. The first thing you think when you meet someone isn't "I wonder what their intellectual capacity is", it's based on their looks. Don't call me superficial because I, like you all, am human. It's ingrained in our genetic fiber to judge looks--I'd prefer that judgement to be a favourable one.</p>
<p>Kudos VandySAE and areyouserioussss</p>
<p>I'll be completely honest.... Vanderbilt is not for everyone. As a social freshman girl I have found lots of pressure to look great, make friends with the "right" sororities, go out often, and stay on top of school work (a huge workload because I'm preparing for a double major) and clubs to boot!
With that being said, most people will find their niche here. I have friends that don't drink and they come out and party just as hard, and I have friends (male and female) that can out drink most middle aged men. In addition, there is a fairly prominent drug scene, although it is less mild from what I understand it to be in recent years due to increasing # of students on scholarship (ie they can't afford it). If these facts bother you, it is so easy to stay away from all that. I have friends here who have never even seen pot let alone harder drugs.
As for dress, yes the best way to fit in is to rock polo, vineyard vines, lily, and the like. I do know many people who don't and they have lots of friends though. However if you're looking to rush top sororities or frats, it is suggested that you dress a little classier and preppier.
There is a great going out scene in Nashville- lots of great food and 18+ clubs, bars. A very popular area is Demonbreum street and 2nd ave, so I'd suggest checking those roads out at night when you visit. Also the school plans a lot of programming on campus as well.
Basically while the southern belle and good ole boy holds true for many people here, it is not a majority and you can find other groups, though they may be less prevalent.</p>
<p>**demonbreun</p>
<p>What's wrong with going to a football game in a sundress, or wearing Lacoste or Polo? It's not like they're wearing custom tailored Armani suits to lunch AFAIK... I see no reason why dressing respectably nice is such a horror to some people? If you want to be individual and be out there, then maybe Vandy might not be the perfect place for you. There's no reason to pick on Vandy's culture just because it doesn't fit you. If it doesn't fit you, don't go there. That's really all you can say.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt isn't really tailored to accommodate students who prefer unique expression. Expect to feel like an outcast if you don't like polos, bermuda shorts, button-downs, and deck shoes.</p>
<p>exactly! The vanderbilt culture is based around traditional southern charm, and dressing to impress is clearly encompassed here. Others shouldn't look down upon it - it is merely a model of the culture in which the school flourished, and tradition tends to hold (especially in the south).</p>
<p>exactly! who wouldn't want to be told how to dress to go to football games, social events, class, and even what to wear to the library? Who doesnt want to relive the glory days of mommy and daddy dressing you in the morning? Join a fraternity or sorority at vanderbilt and you too can lose your dignity by being ridiculed for wearing clothes that cost "gasp" less than $40!</p>
<p>That's cute.</p>
<p>I don't go to Vanderbilt (UGA), but I applied and was accepted.</p>
<p>I love Nashville. I have family there and they've taken me to some of the best restaurants I've ever had the pleasure to experience (Pancake Pantry, Roteir's, Monell's, Callypso Cafe). I'm a big fan of alternative/indie/punk music so Grimey's music store treated me well. Nashville is the country music capital, but that's not a bad thing. I grow to appreciate it more every time I visit (Vanderbilt's info session struck a nerve with my music-business sister-in-law when they said that people shouldn't worry about only having country music there, as though it was a negative). I saw Band of Horses and Modest Mouse at the Ryman (the former Grand Ole' Opry), evidence that most, if not all, music is appreciated there. It's easy to get around, and there's plenty to do. That's Nashville.</p>
<p>I never really enjoyed visiting Vanderbilt. Compared to UGA, Furman, Harvard, and UVA the faculty was much less welcoming and the students (giving and taking the tours) felt spoiled (I typed then deleted specific examples of what they said, realizing that in text form it just couldn't convey the right effect). Essentially, I didn't even want to go with a full ride.</p>
<p>I think that covers what this discussion was originally about.</p>
<p>As for the aesthetic/clique/crazy argument, you'll find that to be the situation in most cases. GA Tech is the only school with a lax Greek system from what I've heard. You'll be able to find people that do and don't want to be associated with that. I think it's great, but only in moderation. If I had actually joined a frat I probably would have killed myself by now (due to [class load + crew + research + frat = no time for sleep or food]).</p>
<p>people like you **** me off. being greek is about connecting with fellow classmates just like any other club. Here, you have to pay dues for sports, art activities, etc to use and maintain the facilities, and thats how it is with greek life. You only pay for socials and other activities, NOT for friends. Or else the same could be said of club sports teams that pay $200 in dues
and what's wrong with fashion sense? i quite frankly belive i look better now than i ever did when "mommy" dressed me</p>
<p>Alright, how about a word from the other side of the railroad tracks. As a former Vandy student, I can tell you for sure that if you are not into the frat or sorority scene, then you will never ever encounter these type people on campus. With a student population of 10,000 students and a city of around 1 million, you can make your Vanderbilt experience whatever you want it to be.</p>
<p>^^^I agree</p>
<p>Just crossed Vanderbilt off of my list...this thread is intense.</p>
<p>Aw that's unfortunate. I'm still applying :)</p>