NSCS Chapter School
UNIGO SUMMARY
The typical Vanderbilt student can best be described as “busy,” whether with classes, a full slate of extracurricular activities, or just hopping from party to party between the frats and downtown Nashville.
Stereotypical Southern culture prevails and divides the campus between the Greeks (who fit the good-old-frat-boy or blond-sorority-girl model to a T) and the non-Greeks (who are more than happy to do their own thing). Its small size and large price tag make it feel exclusive, both academically and socially. Classes are
tough, but students expect the Vanderbilt name to open lucrative doors,
especially for those looking to pursue careers in the South. The campus exudes old-South charm, but for those looking to escape the relatively small community, downtown Nashville provides plenty of options, with a number of bars, restaurants, events, and live music.
UNIGO REVIEW
Vanderbilt’s “charismatic community” has adopted “work hard, play hard” as their mantra. “I love the balance of everything here,” raves a freshman—“great academics, lots of fun things to do, and activities for whatever you are interested in.” The Southern charm and Ivy-level academics attract students from all over the country, but even though students hail from all latitudes, the campus culture remains solidly Southern. “Coming from the north, everyone associates Vandy with Lily Pulitzer, pearls, and Polo,” says a freshman. “I feel like there is more diversity on campus than an army of Lily Pulitzer clones.” Students looking to climb the social ranks at Vanderbilt (and even the academic ones) are careful to dress well, network wisely, rush the right frat or sorority, and party as hard as their studies allow. One sophomore feels the Vandy community fosters a “social pressure to party hard, because we are almost expected to from our reputation.” Still, the general sentiment in the air at Vanderbilt’s tree-lined Nashville campus is that “everyone is genuinely happy to be here and appreciates everything the campus has to offer,” says a freshman. The price tag can turn off lower-income students, or, in the words of one junior, “Vanderbilt’s too freakin’ expensive.” “But,” he continues, “look at all you get. Vanderbilt puts a lot of effort into making campus life vibrant and interesting from year to year.” And at the end of their four years, Vanderbilt students are confident their investment will pay off. If not—well, they probably had a great time.
“There is truly an intellectual network running all over” at Vanderbilt, according to one junior. And, despite their party habits, “academics are number one here.” Studious types aren’t alone in putting long hours in at the library: “The classes here are tough, but everyone around you is doing the same thing, so the community is very strong,” says an engineering student. Classes mix it up between larger lectures and small seminars, but for the most part, size is controlled to give every student a more personal education experience. “Professors are just plain cool,” says a junior—all hold office hours and are “always accessible for help outside of class,” according to one freshman. While some schools, like journalism and education, teach real-world skills, the College of Arts and Sciences (which enrolls the largest number of undergrads) features a core curriculum called AXLE designed to give students the full liberal-arts experience. “The academic requirements are stringent but do-able,” says a freshman bio major. The Vanderbilt educational value, however, isn’t just confined to the classroom, according to one junior: “The education that you receive here prepares you more for a job after graduation or further learning in graduate school. You learn how to juggle heavy course loads and extracurricular activities, and the time management skills will probably be the most useful after graduation.”
The first stereotype that pops into most Vandy students’ heads isn’t a bad one: “We have a really good-looking campus,” says one freshman. Girls put extra time and thought into their appearance, and guys adopt a khaki-and-polo wardrobe when the weather’s nice. However, “the most accurate but probably lesser-known stereotype is the high amount of Christians on campus,” says one student. And, “even though the Vandy community for the most part is made up of beautiful people, what is commonly overlooked is the fact that everyone here is smart; brilliant, even,” writes a junior. Owing to its Bible Belt location, it’s no surprise that a politically conservative atmosphere prevails, “although, as [the] percentage of students from the north increases, I would say that Vanderbilt is definitely moving in a more liberal, independent direction,” writes one freshman. Diversity is visible on campus but doesn’t seem to leave much of an impact on the overall Vandy culture. “I find Vanderbilt to be very self-segregated,” reports a freshman, with students of different minority groups tending to either stick together or blend in. There are a fair percentage of students who take out loans or use financial aid to foot the bill, but for the most part, “there really isn't much socio-economic diversity here,” says a freshman, “everyone is basically rich or richer.” However, Vanderbilt is currently trying to increase its diversity across the board, including enticing Northern-born students to check out the South. The result, according to a junior, is that the student body itself has increased in terms of diversity, but its culture hasn’t shifted too much just yet: “They get the kids from the North who want to party in the South. Students who are really liberal, poor, artsy, etc. would feel out of place.”
There’s no sacrificing grades for a good time, but the typical Vanderbilt student is clever enough to manage both. With a lively Greek scene and nearby Nashville, the social scene can be as expansive or exclusive as each student wishes. “Not only is Nashville an incredibly lively city full of fun bars and country clubs, but Vanderbilt's campus is a social hub on weekends with parties, club-sponsored events, concerts, speakers, movies, etc.,” says a junior. “Vanderbilt University is one big party starting 10:00 pm Thursday night.” Non-Greeks and Greeks alike mingle on Frat Row: "Fraternities are what run all the parties and supply most of the social scene -- with all the fraternities there are always dozens of parties to choose from each weekend," writes a freshman. Upperclassmen, though, tend to go downtown, where they can enjoy shopping, eating out, hitting the cool bars, and checking out a “variety of live music any night of the week.”
Sporting events give students a chance to dress up, tailgate, and cheer, even though it might be a losing cause. “We do not have the best football team, but…the students love it anyway,” says a freshman. “A lot of students dress up in sundresses and nice clothes to go get pumped up for the games.” Basketball games—especially when the team is on a hot streak or playing a well-known Southern rival like the University of Texas—can pack in students, as well as annual traditions like Rites of Spring, “the big end-of-year concert featuring big names in music.” There are a few non-drinkers, but for the most part, Vandy students learn how to imbibe early on, at least socially. A major portion of Vanderbilt goes Greek, which students say has its pros and cons. “Having such a strong Greek presence means that there are always great parties on the weekends, and often cool events during the week too,” reports a junior. “However, the competitive nature of the fraternity and sorority system can put a lot of pressure on students to look and act a certain way, and to not step outside the ‘Vandybubble’ to experience the rest of Nashville.” Student performances are usually well-attended, as are Christian-student group dry parties and activities.
Vanderbilt’s strong sense of culture speaks to particular kind of ambitious, motivated student who wants a well-rounded, Southern-flavored college experience. “The best thing about Vanderbilt is the combination of renowned academics and social atmosphere,” writes a junior. “It is true that the students here work really hard, but it is still possible for us to have a true ‘college experience.’” According to another junior, “You either LOVE Vanderbilt or you HATE it, and it can switch from day to day.”