Vanderbilt University
Reviews

Great Food

Nashville food is amazing. So much deliciousness. There is so much to choose from, and a lot of the restaurants are on the commodore card, which is great. The meal plan comes with meal money that can be spent at these participating restaurants, so it's great to go out and explore the food scene.

So Much Fun

Fun fraternity parties every weekend, with a substantial amount of bar going as well. Tuesday and Thursday nights are big bar nights too, with most people going to Sportsman's on Tuesdays and to Demonbreun or downtown on Thursdays. Most people get cabs to go to bars, which usually don't cost too much and can be paid with on your commodore card.

Good Looking and Preppy.

You'll find a lot of different people at Vandy but the majority of girls and guys are preppy and good-looking. We get a lot of northern people and they definitely bring their style down here. Expect Sperry's, sunddresses, pastel polos, and cowboy boots. Despite the "Vandy Girl" stereotype, girls are smart and the fratty boys are smart too. All are friendly!

Overall Experience

My overall experience has been amazing. I love Vanderbilt so much and I would never want to go anywhere else.

Greek Life

Greek life is awesome on Vanderbilt's campus. You definitely want to be involved in it. It's something that the majority of people do.

Human and Organizational Development

Fantastic for job opportunities. You can take HOD anywhere and do anything, but that flexibility can make finding your passion for a job difficult. Students get incredible internships through HOD and are paid more than any other major at Vanderbilt after graduation. HOD teaches you to find your own internships, but also provides some help in your search.

Strictness

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

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

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.