Vanderbilt University

Date: May 19 2003
Major: Economics (This Major's Salary over time)
I am a recent graduate from Vanderbilt, and I have to say, if I could do it all over again I definitely would. At Vanderbilt I was able to meet so many different types of people, from all over the globe. Yes, you will find a large number of Southern Conservatives there but, I think anyone can truly find their niche if they are open to those around them.

The Greek scene is very dominant and it is hard to not get sucked in freshman year. I did take part in sorority rush and it was helpful in meeting people the first two years of college. After that, the meetings became a little pointless, and less and less people of my pledge class would show up. By the time I was a senior, maybe 10 of the 50 attended Monday chapters.
Word to the wise, if you do rush…don't beat yourself up if you don't get the sorority or fraternity that your mother, mothers sister, or neighbor joined back in 1940. It really does not mean much in the grand scheme of things. I've seen some girls transfer schools if they don't get their first choice, and I thought they were waaaaay silly for doing so.

Fraternity parties define your freshman and sophomore year at vandy. As with anywhere else, guys may try and hit on you and give you drinks to win your affections, but they may not have your best interests at heart. They especially like to prey on the "fresh meat", otherwise known as freshman girls. So be wary of this.
Big going out nites are Tuesday (Sams, Sportsmans Grille), Thursday (Buffalo), and people mostly stay on campus on the weeekends. There are plenty of good, inexpensive places to eat around campus, but I certainly suggest running (not walking) to Calypso Cafe right behind Eckerds. You can take out great food from there.

Expect hard classes. Go to teachers office hours, show them that you want the grade. Otherwise, they have no qualms about giving C's, and you'll need a high grade point if you wanna end up at grad school. Learn to prioritize your time, and get your work done before going out! You may say, I'll complete that exercise in the morning only to sleep through your alarm clock…
Stay away from the 8 ams. If you skip, teachers can send a report home that says you have excessive absences and your parents will flip. And, watch out for the VUPD when you're out at the frats. I knew quite a few freshman put on alcohol probation first semester because they drank too much and then tried to walk home, say 3 am on a Wednesday morning.

My words are not meant to scare anyone, I loved every second of Vanderbilt, but those are just the most important lessons I wish I had known going in. You will meet some of the most fabulous people ever, and learn so much. Enjoy all the time you have there, because the time certainly will fly!! :)