<p>I was very excited to receive my acceptance letter to Vandy the other day. From what I can tell, it is a terrific science school, which is great for me. </p>
<p>I'm just wondering if anybody can provide some insight into Vanderbilt's social layout. I'm a girl, but I'm not so into the preppy popped collar louis vuitton sort of lifestyle, and I don't drink (though.. let's be realistic, I will probably end up doing it in college). I've heard that Vandy is more dominated by the Greek scene than people like to let on, and that the environment is extremely competitive, socially. I don't know if I want to be around a bunch of catty girls who are overly concerned with their clothing. Is Vandy really like this? One of the nice things about the school is the possibility that I could run cross country/track there. </p>
<p>Any insight into the social environment there?</p>
<p>I don't drink either and I'm a girl who went to Vanderbilt, and loved it. There are different groups of people at every school. Branscomb-party people, Vandy/Barnard-quieter and more focused on studying, Kissam Quad-the ghetto, McGill- the edgy/artsy/druggy people (no offense but that's what people say), McTyiere- the internationals, female/male only dorms- nerds who just want to study, etc. Girls are dressy first semester, but then no one really cares much anymore. Lots of jeans and t-shirts, even pajamas to class. I didn't join a sorority either because I was already too committed to other organizations and simply did not have the time. I think Vanderbilt does have very beautiful girls, but really it's about confidence and focus because it is hard sometimes if you are known for good looks at your school and then you come to Vanderbilt and become "average." No one is catty though; everyone is very nice and you don't feel that much competitiveness you might feel at other schools. Science classes are graded on a curve though, which means they will only give out a certain number of As. Biosci and organic chemistry are extremely challenging. My year the average for biosci was in the 30s on some exams.</p>
<p>No prob...I'm sure you'll love it there. I'm at Rice now and I like it, but Vanderbilt is so much better in terms of the faculty attention you will get. The faculty is truly exceptional and genuinely care for their students. Many professors have lunch with their students in small groups during the first couple of weeks of class so they can get to know them better.</p>
<p>I will be attending Vanderbilt this fall. Which dorms were you refering to for the male/female only dorms? I went online to the residence halls tours and I couldn't tell which one it was. Thanks!</p>
<p>coming from middle tennessee, i've been up to vandy several times for various reasons, and i am pretty much disgusted with the social scene. most of the people that i met seemed very judgmental and country club-ish. two girls from my school didn't get in under regular decision, but their dads were alumnis and made some phone calls, and they got in, if this tells you anything. the frat/sor. scene is huge, and there is a lot of pressure to be in one. driving in nashville, i always see vandy students jogging, and one former student said that this is because anybody over a size 2 gets a second look. basically, most of the students seemed overly materialistic and pretentious, but don't let the social scene discourage you from going. college is what you make out of it, and i'm sure that you will be able to find yur niche anywhere you go.</p>
<p>some vandy kids dress well but that doesn't translate into being pretentious. If you actually attended the college you would know the student body is very down-to-earth as a whole.</p>
<p>The school does have a large amount of girls in sororities but I have never heard anybody say there is pressure to join. I am friends with many girls who are independent and they confirmed this. Who told you this and what are you basing this on?</p>
<p>You are the judgmental one that is branding people by looks. If you actually TALKED to the students, instead of just watching them your assessment would be completely different. [Look how many times you use the word "seem"]</p>
<p>btw, I'm one of those kids who likes to go jogging.</p>
<p>There are a few things that I believe you are misinformed about. I am a grad student at Vandy and went there for undergrad as well (graduated last year). First, as a freshman, you can no longer choose your dorm. You can only specify if you want a double or a single--this is meant to stop the stereotypes that the above poster mentioned. And you don't have to pay more for a single (because you are literally getting half a room--TINY!) Second, you cannot live in one of the all-girl or all-guy dorms until sophomore year (and even then it's hard to get a room in the ones mentioned, Cole or Tolman because of the lottery process). There is an all-girl dorm that is considered a "sophomore dorm" and it's called North Hall--I lived there soph. year and loved it--even had our own bathroom in our room--it is on the Peabody part of campus where most sophs live. </p>
<p>In addition, I think many of you are completely mistaken on what Greek life is like at Vanderbilt. I come from Chicago (the NORTH!) where very few people are Greek at college. Vanderbilt has so many sororities and fraternities and they can really defy stereotypes if you give it a chance. I urge you to look past some of your pre-judgments and get to Vandy in the fall without those stereotypes. I decided to go through Rush in January of freshman year because I wanted to check it out--joining a sorority was the best thing that I did. I made so many wonderful friends and got involved in so many more things because of it. There are plenty of diverse people in many of the sororities.</p>
<p>Nope. You just choose whether your preference is for a single room or a double room. And they place in of the freshman dorms. They are three: Branscomb (all doubles), Kissam (all singles), Vandy-Barnard (mixed). Each have their own pros and cons.</p>