@texaspg I’m not sure; I think you’ll have to be a bit more specific about those programs. It’s true that the Commons does its best to try to include everyone and to make a real community. However (and I think everyone will agree with me on this), I believe that the most important part of any school social scene is what goes on when the students are left alone (without RAs, heads of houses, etc). Everyone may seem nice and integrating when they have to be (such as when they are in those programs), but their true characters are shown when they are in their natural state. Just an anecdote - on the first night the freshman get on the Commons, there is a floor meeting to discuss policy, rules, etc. Everyone there was friendly, light-hearted, and seemed easy to get along with. However, after the floor meeting ended and we all went back to our rooms, I felt a sharp difference in how my hallmates treated me. Point is, those programs may seem beneficial in theory, but in practice, everyone has their own prejudices coming into Vanderbilt, and I think that it will take a lot more than preorganized programs to change those beliefs.
@andyis I’m very proud to go to Vanderbilt. I know that it is a top tier academic school, and I tell people that I go there with pride. At the same time, despite how proud I am to go there, I know that I do not fit in. I’ve pretty much accepted that Vandy only has academic value for me, and not social value (such as making connections, friends, etc). When I was a high school senior, everyone told me not to pick the school that has the most prestige, but instead to pick the “best fit” for me. I realize now that I should have listened to that advice. To answer your question, I think it just depends on what you value more in a college. For me, I wanted to go to the best academic school I could, which was Vandy. Some of my high school classmates just wanted to go to college to party and have fun, so they chose my state school. It’s true that I won’t have the typical college lifestyle you see in movies, but that’s the sacrifice I made for coming to such a prestigious school as Vandy. If you are an Asian coming to Vandy, I think that it helps if you come into college with the mindset of “I just have to endure these four years, and the investment will pay off”. That’s my mindset anyways 
This is just my personal opinion, but do not be lured into the belief that college will be the best four years of your life. I’m not saying that’s not possible, but if you’re an Asian coming into Vandy, it’s likely that you will be sorely disappointed.