Vanderbilt University Reviews

"The computer science graduate program, while boasting an impressive curriculum, falls dramatically short in a fundamental area: communication. Both the department and its professors seem to operate in silos, often leaving students adrift in a sea of unanswered emails and unaddressed concerns. This lack of responsiveness not only hampers the learning experience but also creates an environment where students feel undervalued and overlooked. I can not state how many times I have sent the same line of communication, via email or slack, to the same set of people over several weeks and still have received no response. It's completely unexpectable for any department head or professor to be this poor at communication. The program's failure to foster an open, responsive dialogue between students and faculty significantly detracts from its overall value, making it a less than ideal choice for those who value engagement and support in their academic pursuits.Read Less"

"I attended Vanderbilt as an undergraduate, studying English Literature and German Studies, along with a music minor. I was eager to return for their renowned Education programs at Peabody in order to become a licensed educator. I could not have been more disappointed. The rigor of my coursework was night and day compared to my undergraduate experience. My professors displayed a consistent lack of professionalism, and my courses consisted largely of non-primary resources as reading materials, while we were told we would be focused on theory. There is a gap between the expectations and the reality of education here for Secondary Education. I have not experienced such disappointments in any other department or course for that matter. My friends and colleagues in other departments have not experienced such issues, either. I truly wish I had attended elsewhere. Sadly, most programs do not accept transfer credits, and those that do accept none of the ones I have taken so far, which sadly does not surprise me given the lack of learning that took place. While constructivism is lauded, for example, we read secondary and tertiary sources and are asked to learn from our peers, although most of the students lack teaching experience. This is not the kind of education I would have hoped for, especially from such a renowned program.Read Less"

"Vanderbilt's MSN program is very underwhelming. We finish our program in a couple months yet they will not tell us about graduation so we can make plans. It is COVID times, but they are having in-person classes now so they should be able to plan for an important ceremony. I think they just do not want to plan for one. They are very unorganized. We would find out about class schedules only a few days before the class. For the amount we pay for Vanderbilt, I expected much more. There is no way I would pay the Vanderbilt prices for a DNP. In hindsight, the entire program is way too costly for what it actually is.Read Less"

"Vanderbilt is the reason I am who I am today. With its plentiful resources, wonderful instruction, and generous faculty, I have grown considerably as a student, professional, and human being. I must be upfront about the difficulty. By no means is Vanderbilt an "Easy A" institution. However, students are pushed for good reason. Vanderbilt is a source of world class professionals in all disciplines. More importantly, Vanderbilt produces thinkers. By being exposed to new ideas, concepts, theories, and discoveries, each student brings into the world their own unique perspectives. I highly recommend Vanderbilt to any student wishing to apply. It's difficult, but well worth it.Read Less"

"Vanderbilt University offered the full package of things an undergraduate student wants. The academic discipline was challenging and the professors are world renowned. There are many already existing majors and the option to create your own dynamic major. The social life is un-matched with consistent access to SEC college sports games, Greek life, religious organizations, professional clubs and campus social activities. Moreover, the network once graduating is accessible, diverse and extremely helpful. As I now move onto a graduate degree at Chicago Booth , I feel I chose a program that mirrored the experience I had at Vanderbilt because it was just that great!Read Less"

"Vanderbilt University School of Nursing is an investment worth making. Faculty are vested in your success. They are required to be working professionals, so they stay current in their fields. The technology support is superb. One phone call, day or night, and your technology nightmare will turn into a long-forgotten dream of the past. Staff is available, knowledgeable and helpful. They also know a thing or two about staying calm. I also appreciate the length of the program. Instead of taking almost three years to complete my masters degree in nursing, I will be finished in 12 months. While it is intense, and I dont recommend working while a student, I am confident that I will be well-prepared in my chosen field of study. Finally, my peers are curious, intellectual and inspirational. They are in school because they want to make a difference. In short, Vanderbilt inspires me to bring my A game.Read Less"

"Good, professors are highly respected and well-published"

"A good school where faculty want you to do well and achieve."

"Great program that allowed a lot of hands-on experience in my specific areas of interest. Loved the professors as well as the surrounding community. The cost of tuition is very high, however."

"The graduate education here is a joke. Graduate students are treated as the priority for neither faculty or the administration. Sometimes it makes folks who stay here wondering whether they still attend or work for an educational institution. Maybe it's more appropriate to change the name of Vanderbilt University into Vanderbilt-Zeppos Corporation. The graduate graduates here are victimized by toxic department politics between professors. It seemed the only thing mattered there is to learn how to navigate a life between superstar tenured professors and over-privileged undergraduates. The first thing that the Teaching Center taught you was to read an article entitled "how to teach privileged kids." The graduate students here serve as cheap exploitable labor for both professors and the university as a whole. I am very regretful that I chose Vanderbilt for my graduate school. I should have transferred after the first year. Every year, I had the shimmer of hope that things would get better next year. However, as the years went by, things stayed as they had been--indifferent department, condescending faculty, and impervious administration. There is absolutely no sense of community here--living community, learning community, intellectual community. University administrators are close-minded, petty, back-biting snobs. They're more interested in their own job security than in the welfare of the organization, the students or the employees.Read Less"

"I fell in love with the community at Vanderbilt, such a tight knit group between students and with faculty/administration."

"Vanderbilt had a fantastic program. It was challenging but the instructors were there to help you along the way."

"I had an amazing educational experience at Vanderbilt. My professors cared about me; the classes were wonderfully suited to my research interests; I had the freedom to pursue a specialization; and the city of Nashville was amazing. I would recommend the religious studies program to anyone!"

"Vanderbilt University is an incredibly rigorous, research based institution. The knowledge and experiences thus far will forever impact my future career in the field of special education and applied behavior analysis. The diverse experience of research, practicum and internships fill the gap from research to practice."

"Vanderbilt University is an amazing school! While attending I was able to work with and learn from professors that are experts in their field and take part in their ground breaking research. I was provided with an intimate education experience that has laid the groundwork for the success of my career in education. The Special Education program is number one in the world and that is evident by the breadth of experience and knowledge that I gained while attaining my Masters degree. Vanderbilt University has shaped my future as a successful educator which not only has an impact on my life but also the success of my students and future students. I would not be the teacher I am today without the education and experience that Vanderbilt has provided me.Read Less"

"I've visited the campus a total of about 5 times during the interview process and immediately fell in love with not only the program, but also the city of Nashville in itself. Vanderbilt's reputation precedes itself, but what I appreciated most was how much the faculty, staff, and the entire Nashville community helped to make me feel safe and welcome. I am an African American male, born and raised in Indianapolis, IN. Moving to "The South" had always been a huge concern of mine, but I figured if I could survive at a predominately white institution during my undergraduate career, then I was more than prepared for life in Nashville. The program was very accommodating and ensured that I had all of the tools that I would need to be successful and continually support me during my studies. Hope this review is helpful!Read Less"

"The Engineering Science degree within Vanderbilt's School of Engineering was a great choice for me! It was an incredibly flexible degree with a large opportunity to personalize my course load. I was able to take a huge variety of courses both within and outside of the Engineering department. The course requirements allowed me to focus on the project management and business side of the tech world. I was able to add a second major- Psychology- to my study, and with these two very distinct areas of study, I am able to understand both the technological and human-factors aspects of the business world.Read Less"

"The MSN degree program at Vanderbilt University is definitely a rigorous and challenging experience, but you learn such a significant amount of information and are taught by some of the most incredible providers in the field. The program itself is fast-paced, but the leaders always make sure to take care of you and cater to your needs if you feel like you are struggling with anything. They give you plenty of resources that may suit your learning capabilities better. There is a lot of hands on teaching for those who have never served in the field previously, and that is very beneficial.Read Less"

"Great school with diverse offerings to fit any personality. Heavily Greek oriented but felt like it brought students closer instead of dividing. Fantastic amenities, food options, course offerings (can design your own major), clubs and study abroad programs. I most enjoyed meeting students from different walks of life and from various countries. The bond you form at Vanderbilt will carry through life. Alumni are ALWAYS willing to help out their fellow Dores!"

"Vanderbilt is an awesome university. it has diversity, with students and professors. I highly recommend Vanderbilt"