Vanderbilt University

Date: Aug 15 2004
Major: History/Histories (art history/etc.) (This Major's Salary over time)
I just completed 4 years at Vanderbilt, and I cannot imagine having gone anywhere else. I went to Vanderbilt on a full academic scholarship, and I initally had serious doubts about fitting in (not being the Southern debutant type). My doubts were assauged instantly. I found a friendly, diverse environment where one certainly did not have to be Greek to have fun. Sure, there were look-alike sorority girls with matching Kate Spade bags, but you don't have to BE one of them. Vanderbilt's new Chancellor, Gee, is doing an amazing job of getting rid of Vanderbilt's genteel, privelaged Southern WASP image… and frankly, at this point, that image is nothing but a figment of the past. In addition to my fantastic social experience (plenty of non-Greek parties, white-water rafting with the Asian students association [and i'm not Asian], etc), my academic experience at Vanderbilt was probably better than I could have received at any Ivy League school. I had dozens of small classes and plenty of professors who were friendly, accessible, and engaging. In fact, I would say that at least 3 professors had become friends of mine by the end of my four years. I participated in the Honors History program (3 semester thesis-writing program), and the instruction I received in the program was of graduate-level intensity. I would highly recommend this up-and-coming, rapidly evolving, first-class university!!