Vanderbilt University Top Questions

Vanderbilt is the essence of a balanced college life. I feel like I am living the true college experience. It is an amazing school academically, but I don't have to sacrifice a social life.

The campus is stunning, and the students take full advantage. At the first hints of spring, students can be seen lying on the lawns and playing Frisbee. Last year, students set up a giant slip-and-slide on the hill of Peabody campus. It’s all straight out of one of those movies about college. An unusual amount of pastels can be seen on campus; the boys in pastel polos, and the girls often wearing pink. There is somewhat of an overemphasis on fraternities for nighttime entertainment, particularly when one is under 21 and cannot go to the downtown bars. There are surprisingly rigid social lines, as dictated by sororities and fraternities. A definite hierarchy exists amongst the 10 sororities. The student population is small enough that it is possible to feel like you know everyone, at least by face. When I tell people I go to Vanderbilt, I receive mixed reactions. Some people are impressed; while others ask me, “Where is that again?” and proceed to ask me why I would choose to go to school in Tennessee. Most of my time on campus is spent in my dormitory in my suite (with 4 other girls). Friends are usually popping in and out at all times of the day. The area directly surrounding Vanderbilt is decent, but limited. There are some good casual eateries such as Panera and Bread and Company. There are also multiple Starbucks and several nice restaurants in the area. However, in order to get downtown, to the heart of Nashville, it is necessary to drive about 10 minutes. The community feeling is most predominant on campus, and most find that this is sufficient. Our previous Chancellor, Gordon Gee, was quite beloved. He could often be seen amongst drunken students at fraternities parties. He recently left, and was replaced by a new chancellor, Nicholas Zeppos. No news to report on this yet. Juicy Campus has created a school-wide controversy. This website provides an anonymous forum in which students have the opportunity to gossip (over-honestly) about other students and occurrences on campus. Sororities have been doing their best to encourage students to refrain from using this website, but little progress has been made. There is definitely a lot of school pride at Vanderbilt. We refer to it affectionately as “Vandy.” Students wear Vanderbilt logos with pride. Stadiums are usually packed at sporting events, particularly football and basketball games. Our Housing department is known to be a hassle, and the director is widely disliked. The department is known to be rigid and apathetic to individual needs. Students also complain that there is not enough on-campus parking.

The best thing about Vanderbilt is the academics (the great professors and small classes). I would change the un-diverse atmosphere. When I tell people that I go to Vanderbilt, I do not get any type of particular response. I spend most of my time in Towers 3/4. There is a great college city surrounding Vanderbilt. I do not have much contact with the Vanderbilt administration. There is alot of school pride--especially surrounding sports (basketball and football). A frequent student complaint is that there is not enough parking on campus---and not enough off-campus housing available.

The best thing about Vanderbilt is the people. Finding the right niche is key to a good college experience. At first, looking in Vanderbilt seems intimidating, but with time everyone falls into the right place. Vanderbilt is the perfect size. Its big enough that you will always be meeting new people, but small enough where you can run into friends frequently in the dining hall. Nashville is the perfect college town. It is a big city with a small town feel. There are always things to do, but at the same time you can always stay on campus for a good time. Especially if frats are your thing.

I love the work/life balance at Vanderbilt. Students are really serious about their academics (in general) but they are definitely willing to go out hard thursday nights and the rest of the weekend. If I could change one thing, it would be the prevalence of sororities on campus. I know that many poeple have had great experiences, but I haven't, and I feel stuck as if I have stay in my sorority. For those who do not have a lot of money, it's a huge financial committment, and while that's not an issue for me, I don't really like paying $1000 a semester for something I don't like. I think the school is just right ni size. When my friends who go to school up north think of Vandy, they have that rich, stereotypical greek work-hard play-hard idea of the school. However, everyone from home is very impressed that I go to such a prestigious school. I spend most of my time on campus in towers, where I live because that's where most of my friends are. I also spend a significant amount of time in rand/sarratt and buttrick. I don't think Nashville is exactly a college town, but I like it more. I love downtown; there are tons of restaurnats and shopping. I like living in a city as opposed to a typical college town. I don't really have an opinion on the administration. Juicy campus has been the biggest controversy, and it is really affecting a lot of students. I think there is a lot of school pride which has particularly been evident with Vandy basketball. It's pretty unusual how early we get out of school, but I like it! I will always remember my experiences at rites of spring. The most frequent student complaints involve housing - everyone gets so angry about that.

College town? Can you call New York or Los Angeles a college town? Nashville isn't one either.

good size, perhaps could be more well-known. Nashville is a good town. Not enough sports pride. Administration doesn't care about students, treats us like children, and does everything they can to extract money from us.

The best thing about Vanderbilt is the combination of renowned academics and social atmosphere. It is true that the students here work really hard but it is still possible for us to have a true "college experience" outside of the classroom or the library. I love the size of the school- just large enough to have plenty of chances to meet new and interesting people while it is not unusual to walk to class and see a sea of friendly faces smiling back at you.

When I was looking at colleges, I looked primarily at schools with around 2,000 students thinking that since my high school graduating class was only 85 people, I would feel most comfortable in this small environment. When I ended up attending Vanderbilt, a larger school, I initially felt worried that I would be lost in the crowd and have a hard time seeing people I knew throughout campus. In fact, I have found the opposite. While Vanderbilt is a medium size school, I am always meeting new people but also see people I know throughout campus all the time. There is hardly an event on campus that I know absolutely no one, even if only recognizing from Facebook. I love Nashville although I wish parking was easier. Nashville is a great town not only for country music but for an alternative atmosphere that you can find at Fido, Cafe Coco, and on 12th Ave. There is always something do to, provided you have access to a car, and it's easy to leave the Vanderbubble. If you don't have a car, however, you are subjected to expensive cab rides with drivers who not only do not speak English but have no idea where they are going. One thing I do not like about Vanderbilt: the social pressure TO party hard because we are almost expected to from our reputation. I also wish I knew about the administration more--I honestly couldn't tell you who the various deans are.

The best thing about vandy is the student body. I love all of my peers!! Also, Vandy is the perfect size. People from the south are really impressed by vandy, people from everywhere else are starting to hear about it. Biggest Complaint: Almost all of the premeds I know aren't as enthusiastic about vandy. The class size is waay to large, the curve screws over half the class, the professors don't teach the material and they also don't give a shit.