Vanderbilt University Top Questions

For the northerners you will find that many from the northeast/west (LA) are jewish and very wealthy. They do party a lot but you'll def find northerners who stay in and hit the books as well. There are a lot of jewish people. Many northerners only dress the part (i.e. wear sundresses, cowboy boots, pearls) because they're at Vanderbilt not because they actually dress like that There are some typical wealthy country club southerners and they do have their own set of beliefs and mannerisms. They see Vandy as "the Harvard of the South". The prep image is actually what they wear on a daily basis. They do party, but it's a different type of party in comparison to the northerners In general the stereotypes will be fulfilled by some but there are a lot of people who don't fit in these stereotypes. give everyone a chance and you'll find people you like. The student body also has a large portion of very religious kids.

for very few people who go here

For the most part, everything is true. Except the part about Vandy students being smart; most of them just weren't challenged enough in high school so they made good grades or they let athletes in for far lower standards. As always, not everything applies to every single student. There are some good ones out there, too.

To an extent. It's more like an image the students like to try on. I've enjoyed playing up the preppy stereotype on occasion, but I'm far more comfortable in jeans and a T-shirt, and I think that's the case for a lot of students.

There is more Old Money on campus than I've seen anywhere else in my life, but there are thousands and thousands of normal, middle-class kids. The stereotype that everyone's a Bible Belt Christian is pretty unfounded; Vanderbilt has a thriving Jewish population, and a pretty visible Muslim community, and I have many friends who are anti-religion as well as those who are very outward about their beliefs and those who are strongly religious or spiritual but keep it all private. No, not everyone is southern, but if you come from a background unfamiliar with southeastern Americans, you will most likely find your peers from that area to be very different from yourself. Everyone will say that you miss out if you don't join a Greek organization; it's definitely a huge part of Vanderbilt's social scene, but it's not as if all the cool kids are Greek and all the losers didn't make it--there are plenty of loser Greeks and plenty of cool non-Greeks, though you can definitely feel the distinction. As a freshmen girl, most people will say, "Oh, when you rush..." as if it's unfathomable that you wouldn't. And as you get older, it doesn't matter what house you're in or even if you're at all involved with your frat or sorority, but it does go noticed if you're not in a house at all and people might wonder why not.

*See Note Above

They are accurate for a large chunk of the student body but the stereotypes also leave out a large chunk of the student body.

Very much so.

This is certainly false. Despite the fact that the student body is less ethnically diverse than most colleges, Vanderbilt still has enough diversity for it to be easily recognizable. Also, the student body is very intelligent, and it's hard to meet someone who doesn't impress you in and out of the classroom.

There are people that fill the sterotype of the school - but it all depends who you surround yourself with.

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very true with a few exceptions

I would like to say no, but these kids are here.

The student body is definitely quite attractive, particularly the ladies?this is not just a rumor. Overall, we are not overly pretentious, although everyone is intelligent here, and knows it. There is definitely a certain Southern elitism that exists on campus. There is also somewhat of a lack of diversity, although, the Vanderbilt population has become increasingly diversified over the past few years.

Relatively true

While there are definitely people that fit the stereotype, you can always find people that don't. Coming here definitely inspires a better wardrobe. Guys and girls alike love the frats. Partying is big, and the girls do love their pearls.

I feel like both are not entirely accurate. While there are plenty of rich vandy girls on this campus, the majority of the girls in sororities have jobs, work hard and don't spend exorbitant amount of money on clothes, partying, etc... But you also have to keep in mind that a lot of people don't receive financial assistance and therefore are able to pay the full price tag of Vanderbilt; therefore, they are more affluent. But that doesn't necessarily make them stuck up. Some of the richest people I know at vanderbilt are the most humble. As for the racism on campus, I feel like it does exist. In fact, it's more prevlaent than most people think. The issue at rand is a good example, and this needs to be addressed in a more direct way.

most are accurate in context, obviously not everyone is like this. Not everyone is blonde, but the general stupid body is fit ( skinny). Coke heads are concentrated in certain groups, but thats everywhere. In my experience its not more than any other college, just the kids hear have money to support it. Football tailgates are more of a social see and been seen event with dresses , button downs and ties. we work hard and play jsut as hard as any party shcool, we just get better jobs when we graduate.

All stereotypes have some basis in truth; yes, there are vanderbilt students who wear polo shirts with popped collars or pearls and sundresses to class, but it's by no means everyone and you are certainly not pressured to do the same. So if you're not preppy, you should have no problem finding people who dress like u to hang out with. Personally, the frat scene is worth checking out, but it gets old. Luckily, we're in Nashville, a good-size city, and you can easily find other things to do than get drunk at a frat house. If you do not drink, dont worry- there's always something interesting to do on campus where you will not feel pressured. Some Vanderbilt students are pretentious, it's true, but there are also snobby students at Harvard, UPenn and the University of Michigan. Look, we're smart and we know it, but that doesn't mean we're all overbearing and obnoxious about it, and the ones who are dont seem to have that many friends... Vanderbilt is socially, racially, and economially diverse. We have cool people of all different backgrounds, you just have to find them.

just like any stereotypes, the stereotypes about vandy arise for a a reason. Although the people who exhibit this sort of behavior are not the majority, a silent majority is not heard.