Vanderbilt University
Reviews

Strictness

Once you're an upperclassman, if you're not doing something extraordinarily stupid you'll be fine

Really Attractive

I have yet to see a non-attractive female of any sort.

School diversity

Vanderbilt has changed alot, and it can be seen from the upperclassmen to the freshman last year. While those who recently graduated seemed to fit the stereotype well, the younger classes greatly strayed away from it (likely due to the schools new attempt/success at achieving diversity on campus). I have met people from all types of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, with all kinds of different interests and styles, and can say that my fear of a homogeneous school was irrational. The guide autor must have wrote his segment a few years ago, before the school turned around completely. I loved my first year here, and with the admissions department increasing diversity even more, along with admission difficulty, i strongly encourage anyone who can get in to attend

Diversity

Vanderbilt has changed alot, and it can be seen from the upperclassmen to the freshman last year. While those who recently graduated seemed to fit the stereotype well, the younger classes greatly strayed away from it (likely due to the schools new attempt/success at achieving diversity on campus). I have met people from all types of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, with all kinds of different interests and styles, and can say that my fear of a homogeneous school was irrational. The guide autor must have wrote his segment a few years ago, before the school turned around completely. I loved my first year here, and with the admissions department increasing diversity even more, along with admission difficulty, i strongly encourage anyone who can get in to attend

Diversity

Vanderbilt has changed alot, and it can be seen from the upperclassmen to the freshman last year. While those who recently graduated seemed to fit the stereotype well, the younger classes greatly strayed away from it (likely due to the schools new attempt/success at achieving diversity on campus). I have met people from all types of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, with all kinds of different interests and styles, and can say that my fear of a homogeneous school was irrational. The guide autor must have wrote his segment a few years ago, before the school turned around completely. I loved my first year here, and with the admissions department increasing diversity even more, along with admission difficulty, i strongly encourage anyone who can get in to attend

Diversity

Vanderbilt has changed alot, and it can be seen from the upperclassmen to the freshman last year. While those who recently graduated seemed to fit the stereotype well, the younger classes greatly strayed away from it (likely due to the schools new attempt/success at achieving diversity on campus). I have met people from all types of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, with all kinds of different interests and styles, and can say that my fear of a homogeneous school was irrational. The guide autor must have wrote his segment a few years ago, before the school turned around completely. I loved my first year here, and with the admissions department increasing diversity even more, along with admission difficulty, i strongly encourage anyone who can get in to attend

Not Really Big

Not as much as at other schools. Weed and coke is present if you want to find it, but it is hard to find other kind of drugs. There is no pressure among students to join in on drugs. Also, ADHD medicine is widely used for studying and recreation. Policy enforcement is very laid back.

Partying Great on and Off Campus

On Tuesday and Thursday nights, people go to pregames at the Frat houses and then go to the tons of bar options that Nashville has. Some our 21+ and some are 18+. On Friday and Saturday nights, there are on average 3 Frat parties a night that people go to. If you are a girl, you can get in anywhere no matter if you are greek or not. But if you are a guy, it is important to be greek or else social life is not as fun. When you are on campus Vandy Vans (youtube Vandy Vans!!) are the best and can transport you all aroudn campus for here.

Vandy Vans

Vanderbilt has a great system of Vandy Vans, which make circles around campus with multiple stops. It's a quick and easy way to get from one side of campus to the other without having to walk. This is especially useful when it's dark at night.

Not Strict

Vanderbilt is not strict at all. The only places that are really watched closely are the freshman resident halls. Everywhere else no on really cares that much

Vander-BEST

Vanderbilt really takes care of their own - from the freshmab Commons experience comparable to being at Hogwarts to the 100 Days of Senior Year countdown before graduation, you will never be bored or dissatisfied. The food is great, the campus is beautiful, and the people are friendly. There is a niche for everyone, from academics to social life to arts to community service. It's really the little things that make Vanderbilt special: Holiday Dinner at Rand, Rites of Spring Music Festival, Memorial Madness basketball frenzy - I would love to choose Vanderbilt all over again.

The Vandy Girl

A local coffee shop offered a drink called "The Vandy Girl": a tall, vanilla, skinny latte. Thoughts?

Amazing Aid

This school has hands down the smoothest financial aid process of any I have come across. You fill out and submit appropriate forms, and, within a few weeks, you get a letter detailing your eligibility for a ton of money. AND- it's money that you don't have to pay back. GANGSTA money.

You Can Go Here, No Matter How Much Money You Have

I'm going to Vanderbilt, a top-20 institution and private, out-of-state school, and it's less expensive for me than the University of Georgia (in-state for me) would have been. The financial aid awards are great and totally loan-free, and I've never had a hiccup in the process.

Good....If Open

The food isn't bad, especially compared to the food at my friends' schools. However, a lot of places aren't open on campus for a large percentage of the time, which is rough when you're hungry past, say, 7:30 at night, or at all on the weekends.

Vanderbilt Spirit

Support for Vanderbilt athletics varies with the season. Vanderbilt is not strong in football and those who attend games usually leave at half time. There is much greater turn out at basketball games, and Vandy fans are more enthusiastic, dressing up for "black-out" games. Not many people go to other kinds of sports games.

Financial Aid

After completing the necessary forms including FAFSA to apply for financial aid, my family received a generous amount of financial aid and I believe that about 60% of students receive a similar amount of aid.

Couldn't Be Better

Vanderbilt has THE BEST financial aid around! It is all grant based which means that I won't have to take out loans! I honestly am going to one of the most prestigious universities in the country at a cost lower than that of my state school! The best of both worlds!

Vanderbilt- the Balance of Life

The greatest thing about us Vanderbilt Students is that, well... we are very smart, obviously, or else we would not have gotten into this top-ranked school. We do not, however, study constantly. We have a lot of fun, too. Vanderbilt is the ONLY University in the U.S. that is ranked as a top 15 academic school, and well as a top 15 party school. We know how to live a balanced life. We know how to work and how to play.

Alcohol More Prevalent, but Can Get Drugs If You Want

Every school has drugs. Every school has alcohol. Alcohol is more common at Vanderbilt, but you can have fun without it. Drugs are less common, but still popular, though more behind closed doors.

Lacking

Self-segregation is rampant at Vandy, for better or worse; although, technical diversity is largely present due to the Admission's Office's desire to see a increase in national rankings.

Work Hard, Play Hard Mentality

If you're intelligent enough to get into Vandy, you should be able to know how to balance a social life with academics, so be prepared to be expected to "be more" by faculty, peers, and upperclassmen. Most students are not only dedicated to their studies, but highly involved in multiple student organizations and maintain very active social lives - be it Greek or Independent.

Vandy's latent southern feel is extremely welcoming, as are most people on campus - be they from Georgia or Manhattan. Geographical diversity is largely present, and racial diversity is too, students really self-segregate by race and ethnicity. The hoards of Malaysian students contribute to Vandy's "diversity," but they are a prime example of the flaws of academia's desire for greater cultural understanding and interconnecting among students. The Commons living-learning experiment as well as the semester-long VuCept first-year orientation program successfuly is able to pull students from different backgrounds into micro-forums of sharing.

Follow the Honor Code

The Honor Code is strictly enforced. This is a good thing however, because all of the students work so hard to achieve their best.

Living on the Commons

The dorms where most sophomores get stuck are all singles, small, and in an awful location. However, the freshman, who all live on the commons, have excellent dorms with their own dining hall and workout facility.

Fantastic

You have to make sure to do your work—going to class helps—but it would be a crime if you didn't party and experience all the great things that Vanderbilt offers every day. I've been five feet from the stage at the Jay-Z concert, which I paid $40 for, but I've also been just as content at a frat party where they bring in bands, as well. The school is bustling with activity. Balance is the word that you must remember, though.