Vibe on campus: Vanderbilt versus Wake Forest versus Davidson versus Washington & Lee

[Anonymous]

Greek life is the primary social life at all three but not Vandy (probably because it is the only urban school of the four). If your kid is not so inclined, I would look elsewhere or be ok with having to actively seek out other social opportunities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Greek life is the primary social life at all three but not Vandy (probably because it is the only urban school of the four). If your kid is not so inclined, I would look elsewhere or be ok with having to actively seek out other social opportunities.

But again, how would a kid know they are “not so inclined” to Greek life as they have no idea what it’s about until they get there? Now W&L is majority Greek but I’m sure there are houses for a wide variety of kids. I’m partial to Davidson of the four and kinda wish my kids decided to go there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greek life is the primary social life at all three but not Vandy (probably because it is the only urban school of the four). If your kid is not so inclined, I would look elsewhere or be ok with having to actively seek out other social opportunities.

But again, how would a kid know they are “not so inclined” to Greek life as they have no idea what it’s about until they get there? Now W&L is majority Greek but I’m sure there are houses for a wide variety of kids. I’m partial to Davidson of the four and kinda wish my kids decided to go there.

Most kids know what Greek life is about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Greek life is the primary social life at all three but not Vandy (probably because it is the only urban school of the four). If your kid is not so inclined, I would look elsewhere or be ok with having to actively seek out other social opportunities.

I currently have a child at Davidson who does not agree with you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greek life is the primary social life at all three but not Vandy (probably because it is the only urban school of the four). If your kid is not so inclined, I would look elsewhere or be ok with having to actively seek out other social opportunities.

I currently have a child at Davidson who does not agree with you.

That’s fine, but thirty percent of male students and fifty percent of female students are Greek at Davidson. That’s a large percentage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greek life is the primary social life at all three but not Vandy (probably because it is the only urban school of the four). If your kid is not so inclined, I would look elsewhere or be ok with having to actively seek out other social opportunities.

I currently have a child at Davidson who does not agree with you.

That’s fine, but thirty percent of male students and fifty percent of female students are Greek at Davidson. That’s a large percentage.

New poster here, also with a Davidson child. Any Davidson student may attend any party on campus. My child doesn't participate in Greek life and it doesn't interfere with their social life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greek life is the primary social life at all three but not Vandy (probably because it is the only urban school of the four). If your kid is not so inclined, I would look elsewhere or be ok with having to actively seek out other social opportunities.

I currently have a child at Davidson who does not agree with you.

That’s fine, but thirty percent of male students and fifty percent of female students are Greek at Davidson. That’s a large percentage.

New poster here, also with a Davidson child. Any Davidson student may attend any party on campus. My child doesn't participate in Greek life and it doesn't interfere with their social life.

Love that. Wish it was everywhere as it can be a bummer particularly for unaffiliated guys to not be allowed in to frat parties when often that’s what kids are doing on that campus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Greek life is the primary social life at all three but not Vandy (probably because it is the only urban school of the four). If your kid is not so inclined, I would look elsewhere or be ok with having to actively seek out other social opportunities.

But again, how would a kid know they are “not so inclined” to Greek life as they have no idea what it’s about until they get there? Now W&L is majority Greek but I’m sure there are houses for a wide variety of kids. I’m partial to Davidson of the four and kinda wish my kids decided to go there.

Most kids know what Greek life is about.

No they really don’t. They know what their parents think and what the media portrays.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you that one of the four has by far the best vibe off campus.

Which one fool

Do you really not know?

Vanderbilt.

[Anonymous]

Wake Forest greek is not traditional in that there is massive overlap in friend groups and other than fraternity formals, there is not exclusivity. It may be because the school is small or that it doesn’t have fraternity/sprite house buildings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some thoughts:
- Davidson and W&L are much smaller. Not necessarily a bad thing, but the feel will be different from Wake and Vandy.
- Davidson is the least preppy and is probably the "nerdiest" of the four. My sense is that W&L would be toughest for someone who is more introverted or not as confident socially.
- I believe W&L is the most remote. Obviously, Nashville has the most going on, but Charlotte is less than 30 minutes away from Davidson. All four have beautiful campuses!
- All are strong academically. I've read multiple threads on here over the years debating which is strongest between W&L, Davidson, and Wake; Vanderbilt isn't usually part of those debates, and I think its size is a big part of that. Vanderbilt is the most difficult admit of the four, but I don't know that it's substantially better academically. Maybe?
- I think Davidson is viewed as having a very supportive academic culture where students build close relationships with professors. That could also be true of the others, I just hear it more about Davidson.
- I can't speak to W&L, but the other three have a fun (but not dominating) sports culture. Just enough to foster school spirit, but not so much that it's the main focus.
- All have fraternities, and Wake, Vandy, and W&L have the traditional sorority structure. Davidson has 3-4 sororities and then self-selecting Eating Houses. I think a student could take Greek life or leave it at any of the four and be fine socially.
- I know many alums from all four schools and view (almost!) all as smart, capable, kind, and thoughtful adults who are successful in what they've chosen to do.

My DC looked seriously at all but W&L.

Sounds about white, Pippa![/quote]

?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you that one of the four has by far the best vibe off campus.

Which one fool

Do you really not know?

Vanderbilt.

Davidson is near charlotte last time I checked

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wake Forest greek is not traditional in that there is massive overlap in friend groups and other than fraternity formals, there is not exclusivity. It may be because the school is small or that it doesn’t have fraternity/sprite house buildings

For women maybe. But wake forest frats stick to the Greek tradition of not allowing unaffiliated men to parties after spring rush is over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you that one of the four has by far the best vibe off campus.

Which one fool

Do you really not know?

Vanderbilt.

Davidson is near charlotte last time I checked

Half an hour

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I can tell you that one of the four has by far the best vibe off campus.

Which one fool

Do you really not know?

Vanderbilt.

Davidson is near charlotte last time I checked

Half an hour

?