I am applying ED, and my only concern is the prominent greek life at Vandy
Probably have said this before, but I want to join a sorority, but I have 2 major obstacles:
1: My dad. He is really afraid of all the hazing (even though I know it is incredibly rare to haze nowadays and there will always be bad people everywhere), and please dont tell me to try to talk him into it, since he is incredibly stubborn and just being protective, so he will absolutely not let me join.
2: The price. that is all.
Can I unofficially go greek (not actually joining a sorority but let it take over my social life at VU) or be moderately greek by going to their parties and attending greek events? Does it affect your social life in any way to not join a sorority but attend events?
In case you’re also worried about hazing, there is essentially zero hazing in sororities. When you join, you pretty much just get showered with gifts and attention for weeks.
You don’t rush or pledge until the second semester. During your first semester, if you’re interested in joining a sorority, you become part of a “Gamma Chi” group led by a Greek student who can help answer any questions you have. You also just get to experience the campus, meet random students, attend Greek parties, etc. to get a better feel for Greek Life before you officially decide to rush.
I’m a guy so my advice won’t be perfect but here’s my two cents:
It’s much easier being non-Greek as a girl. You will absolutely be welcome at any fraternity party, they are not exclusive to Greek students at all. I have a couple friends who regularly attended my fraternity’s events but were not in a sorority.
One issue that non-Greek girls seem to run into is that they may become really close with a group of friends during their first semester, then find that those girls all join a sorority (or a couple sororities) and start spending more and more time with other people. When you join a sorority, you suddenly have this new network of 50 other girls your year and another 150 upperclassmen who will all be inviting you to random things, arranging dinners and events, throwing date parties, etc. It can be pretty exclusive and it may be difficult to stay close with friends who go Greek, or you may constantly feel like you’re missing out or just “tagging along,” which can be painful. Of course, girls very regularly stay friends even after joining Greek life, but those friendships just can become a little more distant due to the scheduling conflicts.
As a Vandy sorority girl, I can guarantee you that there won’t be any hazing. It’s not part of the culture here (not to mention that anyone who tries it will get kicked out). I rushed as a sophomore, so I have a bit of experience on both sides of the fence. Because only about 5 sisters actually live in the house, and everyone else lives in the regular upperclassmen dorms, it’s easy to make and keep friends who aren’t Greek, though you will become close with many of your potential sisters through recruitment and other “sisterhood” activities (our family watches Project Runway and GoT every week).
In addition, Greek Life here requires you to stay involved (by going to club meetings and performances, and doing community service) with the rest of the Vanderbilt community, not just Greek life, but honestly, with all the opportunities Vanderbilt has to offer, there’s no reason why you wouldn’t want to.
As for costs, one of Panhellenic’s big pushes this year is for more and better scholarships across all sororities, so don’t let money keep you from doing something you really want to do.
If you have any questions about Vandy, applying, or Greek life, feel free to PM me! I was ED too, and Vandy was the best decision I ever made.
Vandy is fun regardless. There’s great music in Nashville; awesome breakfasts available at Pancake Pantry; and on the same block, places like Jackson’s and the Villager for libations when you’re a bit older. When I left Nashville, there were two book stores right next to each other, also on that same block at 21st and Wedgewood/Blakemore: Book Man and Book Woman. I kid you not… a used book lover’s dream, and equal opportunity.
I feel like I’m in the movie “UP!” … @Pancaked is a Guy? LOL! OP, you’ll be fine! My daughters didn’t join a sorority and both had/have active social lives at VU… almost too active. One did join a non-panhellinic sorority for STEM women, one joined the honors fraternity, both chose activities/clubs that met their interests (music, social activism, ASB, AWB) and made life-long friends. My girls have plenty of friends who are in reg Greek life and plenty who are not. I love that VU doesn’t do rush till spring semester… gives you time to get your feet wet and find your place in the school before you have to decide!
My son’s girlfriend never went Greek and had an amazing experience at Vanderbilt. She was active in campus organizations and had plenty of friends through that and also had many friends in sororities. Vanderbilt makes a point of creating the conditions for students to network and become connected to a variety of students in a variety of ways so I don’t think it’s as exclusive as it is on other campuses.
LOL @Pancaked … when Russell (the little boy explorer scout) says “Kevin’s a girl?!!” in reference to finding out the bird is a mom… not a dad. Sorry… showing my age and how many times I’ve seen that movie!
