If you're just concerned about the social scene and not how welcoming Nashville may or may not be, then that's going to come down to your gut. I wouldn't tell you to go spend three years with a group of people you didn't think you would identify with in some way or another. I think we're a fairly welcoming group and that everyone tends to get along and help each other enjoy the experience as much as any law school community can possibly accomplish.DSTned4Law wrote:I attended an HBCU in Georgia for undergrad so I understand what you mean. I will say that from my experience at Vandy's admitted student wknd, yes, there's an overwhelming (or at least it was for me, coming from an HBCU after all) amount of "the majority" at the school. But you're going to have that anywhere you go unless you're attending Howard Law. And you're probably going to feel like Vandy is "super white" compared to Emory or Duke because those schools have a larger student body, so there will clearly be more minorities. And though Vandy is a southern school - I think what sets it apart from most is that the student body/faculty/staff is just RIDICULOUSLY nice. I know you've heard that a thousand times over, but it's true. And the white people I encountered in the Nashville area were just as nice. Basically, you won't feel like the klan and/or a lynch mob is after you, lol. Don't worry. It's in the South, but aside from the incessant country music - it doesn't really feel like it.booker09 wrote:oh yeah and another thing. can anyone comment on the racial makeup of the student body? obviously, at all law schools, minorities are a minority. but i just have this idea of Vanderbilt being super white, more so than Emory or Duke. the stats on Vanderbilt's website seem to support; only 20% minorities (albeit a small overall class)
and, i really don't mean to offend, but while a lot of ppl seem to like that Vanderbilt is a southern school, i find that a huge turn off. DISCLAIMER: no, i am not being a provincial yankee here. i live in GA, so i know what (a part of) the south is like.
[will be posting in the "decision at Vanderbilt!!" thread, sorry for the repeat post]
Remember that 1) the law school is nothing like the undergrad, which has retained a large degree of its popped collar frattiness over the years (see Duke for a similar comparison), and 2) Nashville is one of the most liberal cities in the south, barring the occasional legislator seeking political gain by pointing fingers at various minority groups who for some reason have offended them. The groups that have it the worst in Nashville right now are the non-English speaking immigrant population and people who identify themselves as LGBT, judging by recent legislation (both of which failed) aimed at limiting the rights of those groups in various ways.
And regarding country, you can avoid the honkytonk if you want but I strongly recommend you embrace it... the city thrives on live music and a good amount of it is country/bluegrass. It's just too ridiculous to say you saw Kenny Chesney and Kid Rock drunk and jumping on stage to sing together at a random bar to avoid. Check out http://www.nashvillescene.com for a better idea of what goes on at night... there's plenty to do when you're not studying.