<p>I'm from an upper-middle class family, but it might as well be middle class because my parents save a lot of their money and don't spend it on really nice clothes, house, cars, etc. so I have never owned anything designer and won't until I'm an adult with my own income. Will I be ostricezed at Vandy or do a lot of people still fit in without coming from a rich family?</p>
<p>1.) Sixty percent of Vanderbilt students are on financial aid</p>
<p>2.) Wealthy Vanderbilt students are "old money" -- meaning they have class. They don't talk about their money or show it off. They don't care. Schools with lot of new money kids (Emory, George Washington, etc.) are the complete opposite.</p>
<p>Also, nobody cares about brands so much as just looking presentable for class.</p>
<p>bump......</p>
<p>Have you visited campus? I think that if you spend some time on campus, your questions might be answered. It's really hard for someone else to tell you whether or not you will feel comfortable. If you like Vandy & are seriously considering going there, please spend some time on campus. Watch the students as they go to class & hang out. Stop some students & talk to them. You will find out a lot more this way than you will by asking here. I am not saying that people can't be helpful on this forum (they are!) ... it's just that you seem conflicted, and only you can tell for sure. I will tell you that my D is very much looking forward to being at Vandy this fall. She has spent time on campus & feels comfortable. She likes wearing jeans, doesn't party, isn't into labels or fads, etc. She has already met quite a few people she really likes ... she feels that there is more than one type of person who attends Vandy! :)</p>
<p>I can't visit Vandy unless I apply and am accepted for financial reasons...so if anyone else has any input that'd be great...I feel I really would like Vandy even thought I'm not rich and am not a huge partier. That doesn't mean I don't dress up or that I won't ever have a beer....I'm also thinking of pledging ChiO cuz I heard they're known to be more religious and "wholesome". Anyone think that sounds good for me?</p>
<p>Sounds like a good plan. From my experience when I visited, I think many types of people fit in at Vandy. Keep in mind though that the dues for sororities can be expensive. I think that are somewhere in the range of $500 per semester. Also, only the sorority's officers live in the sorority house, so your dues are not paying for that, at least not at first.</p>
<p>although there is nothing wrong with your question, I would recommend coming to any highly selective school with as much self determination/self esteem as possible re your values and re the issue of how much cash you have to spend as each family is very unique in their outlook about money. Most highly selective colleges will have a significant number of kids from high income homes and SOME of those kids have access to lots of cash and privilege, and will flaunt it. You will see this same group of the carelessly wealthy at graduate school and in the job market, and you might as well find a way to view them close up with an open mind, although I know undergrad school is a more vulnerable time to deal with such things since you haven't had time yet to build up your alternative friendship circle to replace the one you leave at home. But your social life freshman year will not define the entire four years...social circles will shift and move over your career at Vandy or anywhere else as everyone frankly grows up.<br>
Most highly selective schools will have a wide range of poor to middle class kids on full and partial aid, some of whom worry/feel bad about this issue of having "less stuff", and some of whom will really surprise you by not caring a whit about the comparative privileges of the wealthy kids. It is really up to you to find your way to judging the character of who you meet and to dig past appearances in both groups. Rich kids who appear shallow at age 18-19 can surprise you by the time you are a senior by showing you that they are tremendous individuals and they just needed some time to get exposed to the real world, too!! They also can change and grow when forced by living arrangements to view their peers from other parts of the economic ladder close up. My husband had no car at Vandy grad school, lived in an apt which should have been condemned, and he did not turn on the heat all winter to save cash, and stood in line behind people with trust funds getting all new books in order to get a chance at the used books. He had friends both rich and poor and in between. He had a terrrible wardrobe, but he still came out with friends in all economic brackets. College is a somewhat, but not perfect, leveling experience where you really do get a shot at being judged on your own talent and your own personality with your parents' wealth or lack thereof in the background. I think my husband did have a bit of an attitude about being poorer, but his attitude changed when he got to know some truly gifted and ethical people at Vandy who also happened to come from families with a lot of privilege. Focus on being interested in everyone you meet when you arrive at college. Be curious and don't judge till a few months pass. It is awkward when the "herd" is putting on the status clothes or behind the wheel of cars that cost a lot at first but all of that passes as you age up and get judged more and more on your own merits.</p>
<p>s28 is correct only about 6 people live in the houses. As far as students being rich, you'll be fine. My son just finished his first year and was worried about that also. And yes you are going to have a few people that dont have to work during summer vacations, but this is true anywhere you go. My wife and brother went to Vandy, both middle class and they have great friends and have never had a problem with money issues. They wouldnt trade Vandy for anything. You need to apply, especially now with the common app. and you need to visit. Vandy is unique and if it fits for you, you will know it pretty quick once you set foot on campus. Just look at the retention rate, like 96%.
Good Luck.</p>
<p>Everytime I notice one of these posts where the OP has preconcieved ideas about Greek life and thinks they have control over picking their house, I cringe. The rush experience can be fairly dramatic/traumatic for many girls as a variety of factors come into play - the fact that you only have 5 minutes to make conversation with someone during rounds, the role your GPA will play in how the house views you, and the other factors involved such as preconcieved ideas built on both sides (particularly in this age of Facebook) and the first impression you make based on what you wear (style as much as brand; actually probably more so).
I'll probably get slammed for saying all this, but I hate to see girls who think they will pick their house going into the process. That may happen, but just as often it may not. I think that all girls who have completed the recruitment process have still been guaranteed a bid despite the fact that more girls started recruitment last year than there were spaces in houses (or at least I think I read that in The Hustler). A number of girls dropped out (as they do each year) when they didn't receive invitations that matched their expectations. There are nice girls from all economic backgrounds and who have a variety of values in many houses. I think those that have the best experience in pledging are those who are open to a number of houses.</p>
<p>thanks 2VU, i just meant i feel chio is a perfect match for me and they will hopefully see that when i rush...im still open to other sororities...i just feel id have a greater shot at chio cuz it seems like the best fit for me in all aspects</p>
<p>Faline2's post has some really excellent thoughts. Thank you for posting that.</p>
<p>CoffeeAddict, I am a member of a sorority & was president when I was in college. I am definitely a supporter of the sorority experience. However, I also feel that it is not a good idea to go into the rush process with any preconceived ideas. First of all, be open to the fact that you might find that Vandy's greek life isn't for you ... or you may not receive a bid from a group you feel comfortable joining. You may decide not to pledge. If you are so sure you want to be in a sorority, you might not listen to your heart. Of course, you may rush & find that everything falls into place perfectly for you. But you need to wait. Please don't try to preplan, because this is one case where playing it by ear is a good idea.</p>
<p>just thought id also throw in i just graduated from vandy definitely just a middle class kid here. i felt completely fine and i might add that i did what you did - didnt visit a college until i was accepted with financial assistance, and it actually helped me in my decision immensely. i was very happy with vandy when i visited after receiving my acceptance and fin aid.</p>
<p>I agree with 2VU0609 and kelsmom, and I think it's great to hear frank advice about rush. I always think it's sad that there are so many girls who start rush without anyone fully explaining how it works to them and they end up hurt in the process.
To CoffeeAddict...I think you are headed into your senior year now. I would urge you to stay in touch with this year's graduating seniors for any school that you considering, and listen to their stories about how they settle in.</p>
<p>Since D is still heavily involved in her house, I try to curtail my comments, but it's never too early or too often to encourage girls who will be participating in the recruitment process to focus on achieving a high gpa during the fall semester. The campus gpa required for participating in recruitment is generally lower than what nationals expect from a number of the houses.</p>
<p>My daughter rushed but was only left with 1 bid soley based on her gpa (first semester ChE major, 2.7 B-). She ended up passing on the bid and is deliriously happy with her non-greek social group. She still goes to some frat parties and knows plenty of greeks so it isn't like an all or none proposition. I do agree with 2VU that if it is that important don't take any classes that could crush your gpa. They are ultimately worried about someone dragging their collective gpa's down.</p>
<p>Vandy is for a lot of different kinds of people, but that doesn't change the fact that there is a larger concentration of wealthy kids than most schools.</p>
<p>Can someone tell me how they feel a
New Yorker will fit in ?</p>
<p>
[quote]
Can someone tell me how they feel a New Yorker will fit in ?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>New York is one of the heaviest represented states at Vanderbilt. If you are from a conservative town on the north shore of LI (Locust Valley, Cold Spring Harbor, Manhasset, Garden City, etc), live in NYC (Central Park South, Upper East Side) or Westchester (Rye, Bedford) you will fit right in at Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>However, if you have dyed hair and are a "hipster" or live in a ghetto area of Bronx or Brooklyn, it will definitely be a transition.</p>