Student Profile
Suzanne
- Class: Freshman
- Major: Other Interdisciplinary
- Gender: F
- High School: Weston High School
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
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.
Academic Life
I think that some professors know my name, but I am usually not in a class where they have to call on specific people so I do not really know. My smaller HOD classes they know me well. My favorite class is Microbiology - I am interested in the 3-2 masters program to become a nurse practioner. Although I loved HOD last semester, I have found HOD to be more fustrating second semester. It is a very interesting class involving group theory, but I am not really fond of the way it is set up. Students are studying all the time. When I first came to Vanderbilt, I loved that everyone was studious like me and was really dedicated/involved in many activities. Depending on the type or set-up of the class, participation will be more/less common. As someone who frequently contributed in high school, I find that more focus/attention is geared toward the lecture or presentation versus student discussions. I think the conversation topics definitely vary from groups and types of people. I sometimes carrying on intellectual conversations with others and when I do people are always very informative or like to speak their thoughts. Even though Vanderbilt is a very competitive and challenging environment, I find that students are much less competetive than they were in high school and really do try to help other people out. The most unique class I have taken is HOD:1000. It was one of my favorite classes and is a class I believe every student should take because its essential a class about life and how to be successful. I do not spend time with professors outside of class, but all of my professors are always willing to meet/work with me whenever I need help. I think that Vanderbilt does have a lot of academic requirements, but the core AXLE classes is definitely important to give every school a well-rounded background for any field of study they decide to pursue. I think the Vanderbilt education is definitely geared toward both. I think the option to double major definitely allows students to learn about something they love, but also focus on a major that they readily apply or use in the future for jobs, etc.
Student Body
One thing that surprised me when I came to Vanderbilt was how religous some students were. Since then, however, I have not come into that much contact with it. I think that many of the students come from very similar socio-economic backgrounds and was surprised to find Vanderbilt less diverse than I had imagined. For that reason, I have less experiences with other races and relgions than I did in high school, whether good or bad. I think that for this reason, anyone that did not fit the Vanderbilt "norm" would feel out of place when first coming to a school like this. Everyone becomes very superifical at the beginning of school, because everyone compares themselves to others and tries to see where they fit in. Students who were poorer or of a different race might find it harder to connect from the start, yet would definitely be welcomed in and find their place after some time. In the fall and spring, students dress up a lot for class. Students are always very fashionable and classy and looking their best. In the winter, the dress becomes much more casual and people revert to their ugg boots and north faces for warmth. But as soon as the spring arrives, people begin wear dresses again. Because everyone at Vanderbilt comes from all over the country, many types of students interact. Although people tend to form similar groups of friends that they hang out/go out with, individuals interact with all types of students through the array of classes, organizations, and projects people are involved in on campus. The financial background that is most prevalent is definitely middle to upper class. Although this is by no means a set norm, Vanderbilt students typically come from wealthy backgrounds. I think like any college student, Vanderbilt students would be much more aware/active if they had more time. Students are always inundated with work and meetings, but some of them still are, you just dont hear about it as much. I would say that most students are conversative, although as percentage of students from the north increases, I would say that Vanderbilt is definitely moving in a more liberal, independent direction. Students do not talk about how much they'll earn one day, although everyone is definitely hear to get a very good job and hopefully make a lot of money and/or make a big difference in the world.
The Best Things
The unique and friendly student body.. and the beautiful campus!
The Worst Things
nothing
