<p>I've noticed a lot of school-specific threads on this forum, so I would like to start my own. I am going to Vandy this fall, and I would like to see what Parents know about this school. I know there are a lot of places to ask, but I'm interested in a third party (and, hopefully ,more objective) view. I won't let what's said on this thread affect my view of the school too much, but I was just wondering if Parents had something interesting to hear.</p>
<p>And I guess it never hurt to ask.</p>
<p>A well-known elite Southern university known to graduate many famous people…including Charles Soong, Chinese missionary, businessman, and father to the famous Soong sisters and a prominent Chinese politician. </p>
<p>Those sisters were not only famous for marrying the most powerful Chinese leaders/ministers in their day(President Sun Yat Sen, President Chiang Kai-Shek, and H.H. Kung…an alum of my LAC)…but also being very powerful movers and shakers in China and in some cases…internationally in their own right. </p>
<p>HS classmates who went to Vanderbilt in the '90s tended to be those who distinctly wanted an elite undergrad experience in the South, politically/socially conservative leaning, and a bit on the preppie side. Some also looked forward to the Greek social life.</p>
<p>Outstanding school. I currently employ an entry level Vandy grad who is stellar. Another young Vandy grad I know has a terrific job in DC. I would have been delighted to have sent my kids there if they had been so inclined. You have nothing to worry about.</p>
<p>Excellent school. Neither of my kids chose to apply there, but I certainly wouldn’t have objected if they did.</p>
<p>When Gordon Gee was president of Vandy, he abolished the athletic department as a separate entity.</p>
<p>If only he could do that Ohio State!</p>
<p>Gordon Gee was also instrumental in attracting more Jewish student to Vandy.</p>
<p>Vandy is known as a school with bright students who are invested in their educations while managing to have a very good time.</p>
<p>Back in 2006 Vanderbilt made a presentation at our school saying that northeastern Jewish kids would have a real advantage in admissions as they were trying to diversify their population. It’s got a very good reputation, my younger son considered it, but decided that it had too big a Greek presence for him. (About 43%)</p>
<p>I’m the parent of a 2009 alum whose experience at Vanderbilt could not have been better. The faculty was superb, and the opportunities afforded to my daughter for community service and internships were terrific. As a liberal Dem northerner, she was initially hesitant about attending, but quickly found her niche and a wonderful core group of friends. And Nashville itself was a great town to explore for 4 years.</p>
<p>Just adding to mathmom’s mention of Greek life: the participation percentages are about 50 percent for women and 35 percent for men. My d’s observation was that it was tougher to get into a frat than a sorority. My d was in a pretty low-key sorority and even had a leadership position on the Panhellenic Council. She felt the advantages outweighed any drawbacks. Her closest friends weren’t in her sorority, and many weren’t in any Greek organization.</p>
<p>My d’s first impression as a Vanderbilt student was “everyone’s smart here.” After spending 4 years in a high school where committed students were not usually socially successful unless they were athletes too, she liked that.</p>
<p>[Vanderbilt</a> University - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/vanderbilt-university/]Vanderbilt”>Vanderbilt University - College Confidential Forums)</p>
<p>My nephew graduated from Vandy last May. I can’t tell you much since he lives on the other side of the country but I know that they wear shirts & ties to the football games :eek:</p>
<p>Also, his grades were stellar in h.s. but not as stellar in college. Tougher than he had imagined. He had a double major. Also was in a frat, don’t know which one.</p>
<p>Apparently a very beautiful college with an arboretem (sp?) Said he saw Taylor Swift hanging out in a bar…</p>
<p>I know my rising senior son has received a half a dozen mailings from them over the last few weeks. If they had an undergraduate business major, he might have applied…</p>
<p>^^^my nephew had a double major and one of those was in Economics. My S1 is studying Econ as well. Decided to not study Business as an undergrad so that he could study more Liberal Arts courses and then do an MBA later on. Could be food for thought for your S.</p>
<p>Not easy to get into. The only ones to get in from my D’s HS class were a recruited athlete and the class’s highest ranking URM. The Sal was waitlisted.</p>
<p>What are you really looking for, chaosakita? You know it’s an excellent school. There is already a forum if you have specific questions. Are you looking for reassurance?</p>
<p>I liked their admissions. S applied because they didn’t have a separate essay to write. Apparently the admissions person who read his common app essay was so taken by it that he then contacted S. It was February of his senior year, which must be a crunch time for the adcoms. Said he’s never done that before, but wanted to tell S how much he enjoyed reading his essay. (It was kind of humorous and really showed his personality.) It was the one time I felt there’s someone who actually reads essays in all that crazy application process.</p>
<p>Pizzagirl, probably wanted some reassurance.</p>
<p>At the time of graduation in 2011, 44% Of the recent graduates Looking for jobs had not secured employment and were still looking for work.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.vanderbilt.edu/career/media/pdf/PGR2011.pdf[/url]”>http://www.vanderbilt.edu/career/media/pdf/PGR2011.pdf</a></p>
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<p>Furthermore, Vanderbilt is located in chaosakita’s home town.</p>
<p>chaos-
Didn’t you say you live there and one of your parents is on faculty there? What is it you are looking for?</p>
<p>*** aahh, I see others have asked similar questions.</p>
<p>I’m just curious to see what other people have to add.</p>
<p>No, one of my parents works in the office part of the school. Thankfully, the office is off-campus.</p>
<p>Hoping you are happier about your decision to attend than you were back in April. IIRC you were not at all happy about attending.</p>