Vanderbilt University User Reviews and Ratings
Great school
By JM, Class of '21, From Nashville, TN
I've had a wonderful time here! Great faculty, fun social scene, and plenty of unique opportunities.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Keeps Getting Better & Better
By Alum - 80's, From Wisconsin
As an alum you always want your school to be better than when you left it. Vanderbilt has done this better than most national universities over the past two decades. Having a child attend now and seeing her experience versus mine is simply mind blowing. The caliber of student is so much more diverse and accomplished, but still wants an overall college experience that is not all work and no play. Nashville is the "it city" in the country right now and Vanderbilt just benefits from this phenomenon. Overall Vanderbilt has done an exceptional job taking the University to the next level where it competes for the best and brightest on a national and international level.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Would attend again!
By Ty W., Class of 2022, From Fayetteville, AR
Vanderbilt excels in every area! Their staff is phenomenal and actually cares, their food is highly ranked and accommodating, their students are extremely friendly and intelligent, and their financial aid is one of the best in the nation— one of the biggest deciding factors in choosing where to attend college.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Incredible Experience
By Danny, Class of 2022, From New York
Probably the best mix between academics and social life among any of the top schools. Nashville is growing quickly but still has a small town feel. Students are some of the most talented and motivated people I've met, but eager to help and collaborate. Also it isn't freezing for half the year.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Fantastic School
By Joe, Class of 2021, From Nashville, TN
I am so glad I got the opportunity to go here. The financial aid is very generous, classes are the perfect size, professors and nice and approachable, and the people know how to work hard and have fun.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
TOUGH TO BEAT AS AN ALL AROUND SCHOOL
By Dave, Class of 2016, From Boston, MA
Combines top notch education with awesome social activities on a beautiful campus minutes from downtown Nashville.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Vanderbilt: The gift that keeps on giving
By J., '19, From Nashville, TN
As a first generation student, I didn't know what to expect of Vanderbilt and was anxious about joining a university full of high achieving people from privileged backgrounds. During my first few days, I met 100+ of these people in a frenzy of exchanging numbers, snapchat codes and very little sleep. My expectations and beliefs were completely changed. While many of my classmates do have incredible amounts of privilege, I have have found nearly every single one of them to be outstanding, collaborative and trustworthy people. Yes, Vanderbilt can be intense and competitive: I have had more than my fair share of all nighters. But if you are the type of person that aspires to accomplish great things, this intensity is more preparation for "the real world" than I could imagine. Despite the high workload, Vanderbilt is also incredibly fun. I am not part of a social fraternity, but I have made great, lasting friends here. The Nashville night life is fantastic (especially when you turn 21!) and I have made memories here that I wouldn't trade the world for. Last summer, I interned at a top investment bank, and signed a return offer with them to work as an analyst after graduation. While money isn't everything, I sometimes find myself in tears thinking about the fact that I will be earning over 3 times the salary of my parents right out of college. I gave my signing bonus to my parents and paid off all of their credit card debt. I have received so much support from my peers, professors and alumni and I truly owe this community a debt of gratitude. Not to get too political or over-the-top here but the reality is that the American Dream does not exist for most Americans. At Vanderbilt, the dream is alive and well.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Community of brilliant, yet collaborative people
By Current student, From Tennessee
Every day I'm here, I'm amazed by the accomplishments of my classmates. Some have founded startups, others are published authors in their fields, even more
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：3
Health & Safety
Score：5
Vanderbilt is a Community of Inclusion and Collaboration
By Student Class of 2021, From Nashville, TN
I am currently a Sophomore at Vanderbilt, and it has been a great experience overall. Whenever people ask me what is my favorite part about Vanderbilt, I always say it is the people. As cliche as it sounds, Vanderbilt is one of the most collaborative communities that I have been a part of, including my high school. Vanderbilt students are constantly working together and helping each other, which isn't something I always see at other elite institutions (or hear about from friends who also attend great colleges). In addition, Nashville is an amazing city that is quickly growing and full of really fun events and activities. There is never a dead weekend, and there are constantly people buzzing up and down Broadway. Overall, I love Vanderbilt not only for its amazing academics, but everything else that really makes the overall experience much more enjoyable. I am not only learning from my professors, but I am learning from every member of my community whether they be a fellow students or someone from the Nashville area.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Great flexibility and faculty
By Chris A, class of 2018, From Washington D.C.
Vanderbilt boasts an impressive student body in each college, from the school of arts and sciences to the school of engineering. In general, friend groups at Vanderbilt tend to be fairly interdisciplinary, so students get to observe a wide variety of other majors and viewpoints. Vanderbilt also helps tailor students' majors to their interests. A number of students create their own majors, and those who do not have a lot of power to select which classes they take, and thus, what they are learning. Nashville is also an amazing city, overflowing with music and great food!
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Loved it, loved the teaching, super high quality research
By nllme, From CO
As a graduate student Vanderbilt was eye-opening ('91 to '96). The researchers in science, computers and technology were doing world-class scholarly work. It was one of my first exposures to male and female academics who strive for a level of quality that was really inspiring! Previously, I'd gone to state schools and never imagined associating with teachers, researchers and fellow students (grad. and undergrad) that were so motivated and bright. Publication preparation and attending conferences were a big part of the grad school experience and most of us had a fairly long list of citations even before graduating. The campus is beautiful and peaceful with a "tree museum". I didn't find it to be liberal or conservative but felt that people were respectful of many points of view. Tennesseans in the surrounding counties, although in some cases isolated and relatively poor were super friendly and cool.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Housing and Weed-Out Classes
By Vanderbilt Class of 2022, From Grand Rapids, MI
The housing is absolutely awful. The older houses either need to be torn down or just totally renovated. It sucks that some people get to live in large rooms with huge common spaces on each floor, while others have just pure bad (like really really bad) dorms with straight up no space. The tour guides show you the best dorms on campus so don't get your expectations up. Vanderbilt would attract more kids with better housing. In addition, the weed-out classes at Vanderbilt are HARD. One has to put in time and effort (esp if one is in a combination of chem, bio, and/or calc) everyday in order to maintain a C- and not drop to a D. With Chem and Bio freshman year, I ended up weighing my options and ended with a D in bio and a B in chem because I wanted to do good in one of them. However, Vanderbilt also does provide a strong social environment. Cuffing season is also real at Vandy. Frat Parties and rush events are fun, but make sure to keep the GPA up to be able to apply. Don't go to Rhanas because it is disgusting. Go to Friskys.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：2
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：1
Health & Safety
Score：1
Vanderbilt is a treasure
By Graduated in 2009, From San Francisco
I went to grad school here, and I still cherish the time and experience. In the years since gradation, being a Vanderbilt alumnus has also opened many doors.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
The Best of All Worlds
By Michele S., From NY
Amazing faculty, incredibly bright and motivated student body, gorgeous campus, nice dorms, friendly and collaborative campus culture, all in a great college town. So happy I chose Vanderbilt!
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Most Underrated University
By Class of 2013, From Nashville
I will never forget those years spent at Vanderbilt. My professors and cohort, they are all so warm and energetic. Nashville is a beautiful city and now I am living there happily with my family.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
