Vanderbilt University

Date: Jan 04 2008
Major: Other (This Major's Salary over time)
I applied early decision to the school of Arts and Science thinking that the professors and graduate students were knowledgeable and accessible, the students were bright and friendly, and the campus was beautiful. I thought this was the campus where I could explore and grow into an intelligent, developed individual, but I've found that individual is more threatening in the Vanderbilt social scene than accepted.

Vanderbilt consists of those who want to fit into a clique or certain social group, and in order to be in the more visible cliques such as greek life (which dominates the social life), you subscribe to their cultural norms in order to be accepted. Also, if you are a woman, consider the rumor that around 60% of the women on campus are in the education school. While this happens to a degree no matter what group you decide to join, there is little room for exploration and acceptance of other ideas: it's not about cultures, it's about the culture. There's a lot of apathy towards pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, and a lot of political apathy: people like for things to stay the same. With this said, many student leadership positions are meant to give students benefits and a pat on the back. Most are social positions for helping with parties or banquets for non-profit fund raising.

Sure, there is diversity, but there is not much intermingling among the different cultures. I've spoken with many students that this bothers, but they say they stay at Vanderbilt for the name on the diploma. To me, it seems one either love vanderbilt, or one is coping and getting by for name's sake.

The professors are very intelligent and smart. It depends on who you get as far as accessibility and helpfulness, but most professors are open for office hours. Many professors will drill you on how you can feed back to them what they taught you and not what you learned.

Chancellor Gee did more to loosen the conservative belt on diversity, student life outside of greek life, and competitive university standards. However, now that he is gone, I'm concerned that the transition that Vanderbilt has been making into a progressive campus will regress into it's comfort zone as an ol' south school.

Also, if you are interested in environmental studies, they only provide geology. Most of the interdisciplinary classes have not been offered for over 7 years, and they will not be offered again. I've checked with the head of the department.

THE GRADUATE SCHOOL IS VERY DIFFERENT. If you like the graduate school programs, do not take this commentary to heart.