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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. ItÕs 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, ÒWhere is that again?Ó 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 ÒVandy.Ó 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.
Lauren Junior
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.
Jacqueline Junior
The best thing about Vanderbilt is the charismatic community, and the balance between work and play. I would change the housing situation. I love being a Peabody student because I get the priviledge of small individualized attention, but also get to take various Arts and Science classes as well. People are always very impressed that I go to Vanderbilt as the school as a very prestigious reputation. I spend most of my time during the day in between Peabody and Central campuses - I go to the library a lot or eat lunch at the Cafe's in between breaks. The rest of my time I typically spend around Branscomb with the other freshman. I love Nashville. It is the perfect college town and has so much to offer! In 5 minutes you can go from the beautiful oasis of the park-like campus to the bustling streets of West-end or 21st ave with dozens of restaurants to choose from. There is always something fun to do. I think Vanderbilt has a very qualified and dedicated administration. I think that they really care about their students which is important, although sometimes I find that grading or getting help from a professor is a bit of a challenge. The biggest controversy on campus was over housing for next year. They want to move everyone on campus but in the mean time the rising sophmores are getting put in freshman housing again which is really unfair. I think their is a lot of school pride and everyone loves it here. I wish their was more spirit though. I think Vanderbilt's location in Nashville (southern charm) sets it apart from many other ivy-tier schools. I will definitely always remember founders day walk and processing in with my new classmates.
Suzanne Freshman
Vandy is a big school with a tight-knit community. You run into people you know every day, it's easy to have lunch, dinner, or coffee with anybody on campus. There is truly an intellectual network running all over; whether it's on the famous Wall, on Alumni Lawn, or at Starbucks, people are always talking about new things they've learned and exciting prospects for the weekend. 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. Vanderbilt is truly the elite in Tennessee. People are always awed and very proud of the students that attend Vandy; we are the pride of the South! Anywhere else, the name is always linked with refinement and top-quality academics. Even the name sounds elite... The most beautiful times at Vanderbilt are the transitional seasons, autumn to winter, spring to summer. In the fall, the gorgeous multi-colored leaves give this arboretum a cool and delicious makeover, while in the spring, flowers bloom from every inch of campus. Walking to class is always a pleasure, no matter what time of day. This is a truly beautiful campus, a perfect blend of older architecture and newer facilities on a timeless piece of land in the most exciting city in the South.
Ellie Junior
The best thing about Vanderbilt is the big school/small school environment. Vanderbilt has roughly 6000 undergrads but I feel as if it is much smaller. It took me much less than a semester to get settled in and everywhere I go I run into countless people that I know. Despite its small size especially within its conference, Vanderbilt has one of the top athletic programs in the country and attending the games have been some of my most memorable experiences thus far.
Vandy2011 Freshman
The school is the perfect size. It is made a lot smaller by the division between Greeks and non Greeks, but you always walk through campus and see someone you know and so many other people you do not. Most people in the North do not know about Vanderbilt, they think it is Villanova. Sometimes they might mention that they have heard of our basketball team but overall it is not well known. But this is improving, even in the 4 years I have been here more and more people are hearing that it is a good school. It is always surprising the amount of school pride that we have. During first semester it seems no one really cares about school spirit because football should be our biggest sport but no one really cares about the actual games. But then basketball season starts and its amazing to see the spirit and community at a home game such as against UT or FL. People got to Memorial Gym over 12 hours before to get first row seats for the UT game - if you came any later than 2 hours before the game you couldnt get it!
Beth Senior
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