Vanderbilt University Top Questions

Do professors know your name: Yes, but I take a lot of Peabody classes. Favorite class: my favorite class was my last semester Art History class. I really liked the teacher, she made learning about artwork actually enjoyable. I had seen some of the paintings we studied before and it was really interesting to learn more about things I have actually seen. Least favorite class: My special education class. I like the teacher but I just don't like the style of the class. It's a lecture class with him just talking on and on reading notes off of powerpoint. And it's supposed to help us become teachers?! How often do students study: I think it depends on the student and on their major. My friends in A&S study much more than I do, but I do feel like everyone at Vandy wants to do well and puts in the effort to do so. Is class partcipation common: I think it depends on the class, in my larger classes I would say no, but I am taking two seminars of around 10-15 people and partcipation is necessary. Do Vanderbilt students have intellectual conversations outside of class: I certaintly do not! Are student's competitive? Yes What's the most unique class you've taken: I don't think I have found it yet. My major: Elementary Education. I'm not sure if it is what I want to do. I know it's one of the things I want, not just THE thing. I wish I didn't have to declare it first semester of freshman year, that I could have time to explore other options. Do you spend time with professors outside of class: Only if I am visiting office hours. How do you feel about Vanderbilt's acamdeic requirements: I hate that for Elementary Education I have to take sciences!! Is the education at Vanderbilt geared toward getting a job: Well, for me it is, as an Elemn Ed major.

i have some big lectures where they don't, but they do in the smaller classes. people don't participate in class/go to office hours/interact with their professors in college as much as i thought they would. i still haven't decided on a major, so i'm taking a bunch of general classes now. i'm definitely looking forward to specializing in something that i really enjoy.

Most professors know my name except in large classes. My favorite class is PSY 1630 because the professor was so enthusiastic and kept the class engaged. Least favorite class is awful because of the professor. She continually gets dates confused and is very unclear about guidelines for particular assignments. Also, she does not know much about the class topic. Students are continually studying. I feel that studying is very important to students and breaks are taken every once in a while, but most of the time students are studying. Class participation is very common. Vanderbilt students have intellectual conversations outside of class. Students are not very competitive against other students, as much as trying to do the best that they can do on their own. I do not spend time with professors outside of class, except in office hours. Vanderbilt education is definitely geared toward getting a job.

I know all my professors' names and some know my name. Really, it just depends on class size. You can find people studying at any time of the day. Vanderbilt really is a work hard - play hard school. Once people finish their work they usually go out to socialize and relieve stress. Academics are definitely very time consuming, but it's about balance.

Professors with classes less than fifty people know all of the student's names. I am in standard engineering classes right now that are not the most interesting, but it is not difficult at all to get help. I really like my lab classes. Students study a lot, but when everyone around you is studying, it is easy to get motivated. You can hear intellectual conversations all over campus. There are organizations just for that! I am in biomedical engineering which is a new field, but Vanderbilt professors are on top of it. I have spent time with all of my professors outside of class and I recommend it. They love what they do, and they want you to love it too. The classes here are tough, but again everyone around you is doing the same thing, so the community is very strong.

Academics at Vanderbilt have been incredibly challenging thus far. I typically have had one large lecture class each semester and small seminars for the rest. Teachers really make an effort to learn everyones name and are always accessible for help outside of class. While the classes are all very difficult, teachers are incredibly understanding about how well-rounded the students are and all classes are manageable. The same students that you see pulling all-nighters in the library during the week will be the same ones you see partying all night during the weekend.