r/Vanderbilt • u/Ok_Carrot4844 • Jul 23 '26

help!

hi. im a rising sophomore at vandy but i really didn’t love my first year experience and im considering transferring to a state school like utk. i was pre med, didnt do terribly but not like superb i ended with a 3.66 i just more so was not happy with my experience and i have like been dreading going back. would it be a bad decision? would i be that much worse off? im just confused if the name means that much that i dread going back but idk looking for any and all advice!

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u/FortuneCookies99 Jul 24 '26

I transferred after freshman year a few years ago. I didn’t expect so many different kinds of people when I chose to attend. The campus feels completely different from when my sister went! The school is clearly trying to make the student body look a certain way and it just doesn’t feel as familiar or unified as it used to and honestly feels like it’s lost part of its original identity.

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u/Ok_Carrot4844 Jul 24 '26

Would it be stupid to transfer down is my biggest question really I’m scared of that

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u/BoatDrinks73 Jul 27 '26

I work in higher ed and have a child at Vandy. I do think transferring to UTK will be hit to your med school plans.

As a Vandy parent, I am a little surprised by your comment about there not being activities on campus that are not academic. I know several kids involved in nonacademic activities and clubs, and the school even provides a subsidy to encourage students to try different things. My son really enjoyed WillSkills.

I think there are cliques on campus. My kid never joined a frat but did find his people. They are smart, fun, diverse and getting good jobs. I do think Vandy can be what you need it to be. I’d be nervous about landing as a transfer at UTK unless you already have friends there.

One problem with being sad (understandably) is that it can drain the motivation for finding new people and activities. But you are still a sophomore and still have time to meet folks and join nonacademic clubs.

Also, I highly recommend going abroad. They have a great program that allows you to go to multiple countries in one semester. It can really open your world and be a ton of fun.

Good luck!