Vanderbilt University Top Questions

I'm almost finished with my major, and the Communications department is small enough that I know all of the professors and they all know me. They're all cool in their own ways, and it's great to know them on a personal level. I took Interpersonal Communications with Carole Kenner my sophomore year, and at the end of the semester she always invites her students over to her house for desserts and coffee. It was honestly an incredible experience -- we summed up the semester and chatted. I still see her around campus, and it's amazing that she never forgets any of her students.

I have loved most of the professors I've encountered. There certainly have been a few duds, but they are the minority. I find that most professors learn my name quickly, I even have one 100 person lecture where the professor greets me by name.

Professors do know my name Students study a ridiculous amount Class participation is common in smaller classes

Students are very competitive in the pre-med track. The most enjoyable class I've taken is the Neurobiology of Behavior with Prof. Catania. I think that a lot that is learned in Peabody, such as how to write a resume, how to interview, how to get an internship, are extremely helpful in the real world. Some of these classes would be very helpful for A&S majors.

Most of my profs know my name and what I look like....and how often I attend class.

I have been inspired by most of my professors, especially the ones within my department (Communications). Most professors are truly eager to help you learn. The worst part about academics at Vanderbilt is the AXLE core course requirements that all Arts & Sciences students must fulfill. Some of the requirements are reasonable and make sense, but some of the requirements are hard to figure out and fit into your schedule.

I think that some professors know my name, but I am usually not in a class where they have to call on specific people so I do not really know. My smaller HOD classes they know me well. My favorite class is Microbiology - I am interested in the 3-2 masters program to become a nurse practioner. Although I loved HOD last semester, I have found HOD to be more fustrating second semester. It is a very interesting class involving group theory, but I am not really fond of the way it is set up. Students are studying all the time. When I first came to Vanderbilt, I loved that everyone was studious like me and was really dedicated/involved in many activities. Depending on the type or set-up of the class, participation will be more/less common. As someone who frequently contributed in high school, I find that more focus/attention is geared toward the lecture or presentation versus student discussions. I think the conversation topics definitely vary from groups and types of people. I sometimes carrying on intellectual conversations with others and when I do people are always very informative or like to speak their thoughts. Even though Vanderbilt is a very competitive and challenging environment, I find that students are much less competetive than they were in high school and really do try to help other people out. The most unique class I have taken is HOD:1000. It was one of my favorite classes and is a class I believe every student should take because its essential a class about life and how to be successful. I do not spend time with professors outside of class, but all of my professors are always willing to meet/work with me whenever I need help. I think that Vanderbilt does have a lot of academic requirements, but the core AXLE classes is definitely important to give every school a well-rounded background for any field of study they decide to pursue. I think the Vanderbilt education is definitely geared toward both. I think the option to double major definitely allows students to learn about something they love, but also focus on a major that they readily apply or use in the future for jobs, etc.

Professors tend to know my name, but it could be because there are a total of 5 girls in most of my classes. My favorite class is something non-engineering and my least favorite class is Math 155B. Students study depending on the classes they are taking. For the most part, they study a good amount. Class participation is not common in engineering--> its more like pulling teeth. Students may have intellectual conversations but most of us are sick of it by the end of the day we just get drunk or watch brainless tv. I try not to spend too much time with profs outside of class--> that isnt really an 'engineering thing' and would probably think I'm wierd or a total brown-noser. The vandy education is geared toward improving their rankings and research. definitely not toward getting a job

Academics are number one here. Everyone is inspired to do their best, which arises friendly, and sometimes not-so-friendly competition. Most classes encourage students to speak their minds; this is what fuels the intellectual atmosphere on campus, making class everything but a prison: a lot of people are excited to get out at 9:00 to go to class. Whether it's the famous Beethoven and the Beatles class, Biological Anthropology, or Introduction to Philosophy, there are professors and courses that change the way you think and learn forever. The English Department is solid. There are tons of classes to choose from each semester, dealing with themes like Starcrossed Lovers, Shakespearean Sexuality, the Bible in Literature, Jane Austen, Russian Murder, and even German Fairytales. Everyone talks in class: debates occur every day. Who ever knew that a classroom could be so heated when dealing with Lancelot and Guinevere! Professors are just plain cool; they were the Danny Zuccos in their day. There are frequent class reunions at Starbucks, or even one-on-ones with faculty over lunch. All majors are tough in their own way and require hours upon hours per week of intensive studying. But in the end you finish a class more prepared for the real world, for a career than before.

All of my professors know my name except for my chemistry professor (where my class has just under 200 people). Nonetheless, chemistry is my favorite class, while french is probably my least favorite. Everyone here is competitive and studies hard to make good grades, but having fun is just as important. I can't speak for everyone, but I don't typically take part in intellectual conversations outside of class. The academic requirements are stringent, but doable; I also like that its focused on a liberal arts education. I think some tracks, like premed, are geared toward getting a job more than others, but not all majors are like that.