<p>Hi everyone, I'm an ED II applicant, and I'm visiting Vandy tomorrow morning (I'm actually driving there now). My question is: does anyone have any tips for my visit? Ie. a certain part of campus or a specific building/restaurant/area? I really want to make the most of my visit.</p>
<p>Let me know! Thanks so much everyone. I really appreciate any advice!</p>
<p>Are you having an official tour? I hope so, since the student tour guides do the best job of showing you around and answering questions. </p>
<p>If not and you are on your own–be sure to visit the Commons/Peabody campus where all freshman dorms are located, check out the Commons cafeteria building while you are on that part of campus–all freshman eat there (usually for breakfast & dinner) plus there are study and workout areas. Another place to visit would be the newly renovated Rand, the main dining hall on campus, and the student center that is attached–Sarratt which has study areas, campus group meeting rooms, a cinema, etc. The Pub, (casual “pub-like” restaurant for students), which is (sadly) closed on Saturdays, is on the top floor of Sarratt. The bookstore is no longer in Rand but is now on the edge of campus on West End Ave across from Centennial Park.</p>
<p>Most of the classroom buildings are close to Rand (nothing is far from anything on campus–which is nice). If you are hoping to be an engineer, check out Featheringill; if you are going for A&S look in on Furman or Calhoun. The interactive map on the Vanderbilt website is very helpful.</p>
<p>As for places to eat near campus, I feel obligated to mention the famous Pancake Pantry–casual dining-- on 21st in Hillsboro Village, close to the Commons–will be a long line since it’s Saturday. My daughter’s favorite is J. Alexanders on West End not too far from the VU bookstore–great salads and everything–little upscale. If you want to see where students can eat off campus with their meal money check out Sumi Sushi in Hillsboro Village or Cafe Coco (casual, live music venue) block or so off West End. If the weather is nice, walk/drive thru Centennial Park across from campus; students sometimes hang out there, go to plays, festivals, mingle with Nashville natives :-)</p>
<p>Have fun and enjoy your visit!! Good luck with the application process!</p>
<p>Mellow Mushroom is a pretty popular stop for visitors. Right next to the commons, and has great pizza.</p>
<p>Pancake Pantry is the most famous restaurant in the area.</p>
<p>LHSCary has some great advice. Checking out our dining areas and where we use meal money would give you a better idea of what life is like here.</p>
<p>Wow, thanks so much to both of you! I really appreciate the advice, and I will certainly share where I end up going (with all the options, it’ll be difficult to pick!). Great advice though - ill identify the areas you mentioned on the student-led tour and visit those areas myself after. </p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>We like to have lunch at Fido’s in Hillsboro Village. It has good coffee, yummy wraps, salads, etc. It’s very close to Pancake Pantry, if their line is too long or you want less carbs.</p>
<p>Fido’s was a pet shop 30 years ago when I was a student, so I like to take my son (now, a junior) there.</p>
<p>Here’s an update for future visitors from my perspective:
Went to pancake pantry for breakfast which was incredible. We managed to make it there rather early, so we got there before the long line began going into the street.
After breakfast, we took a tour of Vanderbilt which was (needless to say) beautiful. The tour guide was very impressive and the national arboretum thing is no joke - it’s gorgeous.</p>
<p>Thanks for the tips! Decisions come in 3 weeks now, and I want to go there more than ever!</p>