cativy

are the student's at Vanderbilt Cut throat or do they challenge themselves but help each other (cooperative)?

GCN2

Even the premeds are cooperative compared to peer institutions.

cativy

Wow that's really saying something! thanks a lot!

dshinka

People here seem to be cooperative, IMO.

Faline2

I think the issue of cut throat is somewhat of a myth. Now that the internet is the source of reading journal articles assigned nightly, there are not library stampedes to the Reference room for reserved readings that used to create ill feeling among students waiting their turns or unable to locate hard copies of required articles like in my era. Call me naive but in order to have the unblemished records, references and essays that most Vanderbilt students have upon admission..there is already personal discipline and self direction in place for most students. I am not saying no one at Vandy or peer institutions has character issues but I was really deeply impressed with the character of my sons' roommates at Vandy and at Duke..ditto hallmates etc. My sons at both institutions got roommates who were health nuts, had very clear goals, chose hard paths and knew how to put in study hours and appeared to be cheering their friends on daily. I really think this is a non issue in undergrad school. You really are in charge of your own destiny and standing in labs and classrooms. Teachers get a class at Vandy now where every single student was a high school standout. It is up to the student to discover how far their abilities will take them in math, sciences, foreign languages and writing skills. What was good enough for high school As however does not necessarily predict your new path. This is a hard lesson for many. An SAT high math score doesn't automatically mean you can make it to the next levels in math as successfully etc just as a good high school essay does not mean you can be a successful philosophy major.

If many of the students at Vandy are gifted, it is probably also true that the more advanced your education, the more unique each student becomes as they find their own talents..they do not resemble each other and are not alike in their pockets of giftedness.

This is actually a freeing discovery for undergrads I think. It isn't like high school where you are taught in a herd to take the same exams no matter how different you really are from each other.

We do have a friend who just started in Vandy Med and he tells me it is an amazingly positive atmosphere for first years.

Lauren:)

Everybody here, as far as I've experienced, is extremely helpful. My friend took notes for me on a day I missed class without me even asking her to, and everybody's always willing to work on the homework with you or study together. It's definitely an encouraging environment.

the o dad

Faline2: For most schools your statement is probably true "I think the issue of cut throat is somewhat of a myth". But if you posted this question on Cornell's board I think you would get a very different response. I know several kids who have expressed their fustration with the cut throught atmosphere there.

Faline2

my experience does not extend past institutions I have experience with or that I know current students who are involved with. I know tons of doctors....our town is pretty much skewed towards medical care and not much else...and they never speak of cut throat incidents in undergrad school at all..they do complain sometimes of the students who "break the curve" or "set the curve" in a way that can be adverse for others in weed out courses but I don't think students sabotage each other's work routinely at all. Obviously we could talk about things like Honor Codes and their impact and other topics. References can't weed out all dishonesty in applicants and no matter what your profession, character does count.