Vanderbilt University

Date: Feb 21 2003
Major: Language - French/Spanish/etc. (This Major's Salary over time)
Basically, Vanderbilt is synonymous with Hell. I decided to attend after being offered a generous financial aid award. I've lived in Nashville my entire life, the campus was beautiful, and the school had a great reputation, so I decided that I'd give it a try. My friends who were going off to exciting places like Brown and University of Chicago tried to warn me, saying that it wouldn't be a good match, but I foolishly chose to attend VU.

Coming here was one of the worst mistakes I've made in my life. This place is nothing like what I dreamed college would be. Every day is an exercise in trying not to think about how much better life would be elsewhere (almost ANYWHERE else, it seems at times). The classes and teachers are disappointing, the social life is non-existent if you aren't very into drinking, and the student body is so homogenous that it's sickening. I went to a large, diverse public high school, and this bubble of a school is a nightmare. Even the few who try to be "different" and rebel against the norm end up being clique-ish and superficial.

The girls are walking stereotypes of shallow, clothing-obsessed sorority brats. Blonde hair dye and treacherously high-heeled shoes (which are worn even with 6 inches of snow on the ground) are inescapable parts of VU. The guys are obnoxious beyond description, interested mainly in competing with other fraternities to see who best holds their liquor and showing off their stylish polo shirts. Everyone looks the same. This is a haven for spoiled, rich, conservative, close-minded jerks.

You will not find interesting, unique individuals here. Intellectuals do not seem to exist at this place. Students do not enjoy discussing ideas or even thinking about meaningful things. Not only are people not particularly deep, but they're also judgmental and cruel.

Vanderbilt is a stagnant wasteland. I would do anything to be able to transfer, but I'm afraid that another school wouldn't be as generous to a transfer student, and I have literally no money. I thought I was getting a good opportunity to come here for free. The only problem is I HATE IT HERE.