Student Profile
Ellie
- Class: Junior
- Major: English
- Gender: F
- High School: Saint Andrew's School
- Transfer Student: N
Big Picture
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.
Academic Life
Academics are number one here. Everyone is inspired to do their best, which arises friendly, and sometimes not-so-friendly competition. Most classes encourage students to speak their minds; this is what fuels the intellectual atmosphere on campus, making class everything but a prison: a lot of people are excited to get out at 9:00 to go to class. Whether it's the famous Beethoven and the Beatles class, Biological Anthropology, or Introduction to Philosophy, there are professors and courses that change the way you think and learn forever. The English Department is solid. There are tons of classes to choose from each semester, dealing with themes like Starcrossed Lovers, Shakespearean Sexuality, the Bible in Literature, Jane Austen, Russian Murder, and even German Fairytales. Everyone talks in class: debates occur every day. Who ever knew that a classroom could be so heated when dealing with Lancelot and Guinevere! Professors are just plain cool; they were the Danny Zuccos in their day. There are frequent class reunions at Starbucks, or even one-on-ones with faculty over lunch. All majors are tough in their own way and require hours upon hours per week of intensive studying. But in the end you finish a class more prepared for the real world, for a career than before.
Student Body
Students are different everywhere you look. You've got the Southern preps, the fake sorority girls; there are the dumb frat guys, and the down-to-earth ones. Right next to them there are the religious fanatics who go to church every Sunday and pray over each meal, and the theater/emo kids that fit into their own group. Then there are the crazy, fun partyers, the bookworm engineers, the fashionistas, the basketball players, and of course, the genuine, happy sort that are friends with everybody. Everyone fits in somewhere here; the best part is that most everybody has friends in every type of social network. Vanderbilt is trying to become more diverse, and it's showing and growing year after year.
The Best Things
Partying, taken in moderation, makes this the time of your life
The Worst Things
It rains a lot
