Kappa Delta house with West End tower in the background. (Hustler Multimedia)
Students were also asked about their lifestyle habits and the role of technology in their academic experiences. Several survey questions explored how frequently students use artificial intelligence tools in their coursework as well as patterns in substance use among first-year students.
AI USAGE
Regarding artificial intelligence, roughly 49% of respondents reported that they have used AI in their academics, while 51% said they have not used AI academically. Despite differences in AI use, the majority of respondents reported being satisfied or very satisfied with Vanderbilt’s academics, suggesting that academic satisfaction remains high regardless of whether students use AI tools in their coursework.
AI usage also varied by gender. Male-identifying respondents reported higher levels of academic AI use, with approximately 57% indicating that they have used AI academically, compared to about 42% of female-identifying students.
Differences also appeared across racial groups. Among survey respondents, 55% of multiracial students and 53% of white students reported using AI academically, while 50% of Black students indicated that they had used AI tools in their coursework. Usage was somewhat lower among Asian students (42%) and Hispanic students (33%).
For students that do use AI, some reflect differing views on its role in education. First-year Alex Chen said that AI has been a valuable learning aid that enhances their understanding.
“AI can condense information really well — it’s like a supplement to the professor, especially for intro classes,” Chen said.
Other students take a more utilitarian approach, using it to streamline less meaningful tasks, so they have more time to devote to what matters to them.
“AI is best for busy work — especially when there’s not much educational value in the assignment,” first-year Alex Shepp said.
SUBSTANCE USE
Students were also asked about their use of substances such as marijuana, alcohol and nicotine. The vast majority of respondents reported never using marijuana, with 184 students indicating that they have never used it. Smaller portions of respondents reported using marijuana two to three times per week, once a week or selecting “prefer not to answer.”
Alcohol usage appeared more common among respondents. While 178 students reported that they never drink alcohol, others indicated drinking once a week or two to three times per week, with smaller groups selecting “prefer not to answer” or other categories.
Nicotine usage was the least common substance reported among respondents. Approximately 89% of first-year students reported that they have never used nicotine, while only a small share indicated using nicotine once a week, several times per week or another frequency.
SEXUAL ACTIVITY
Sexual activity was also included as a survey topic. A majority of respondents reported never having sex, while smaller groups reported sexual activity once a week, two to three times per week or other frequencies.
GREEK LIFE
Students were also asked about their interest in Greek life and whether they planned to participate in fraternities or sororities during their time at Vanderbilt. Survey responses suggest that interest in Greek life varied by household income, race and gender.
Interest in Greek life increased alongside household income. Among respondents from households earning $200,000 or more, a majority indicated that they planned to participate in Greek life. In contrast, students from lower income brackets were less likely to report interest in Greek organizations. For example, respondents from households earning under $50,000 or between $50,000 and $99,999 reported substantially lower rates of planned participation.
Greek life interest also differed across racial groups. Most minority students reported not intending to participate in Greek life, with the gap particularly pronounced among Asian and Hispanic students. Only about 30.2% of Asian students and 26.7% of Hispanic students indicated interest, compared to 61.8% of white students. Black and multiracial students were more evenly split, with roughly half expressing interest and half not. Overall, the data suggest that participation in Greek life varies significantly by race, with white students showing the highest level of intended involvement.
“[Greek life] doesn’t dominate the social scene, but it does gatekeep certain experiences — especially if you’re not in it,” Shepp said.
For many students, however, this doesn’t prevent them from experiencing a good social life.
“You don’t have to be in a frat to go out and have fun — we still go out, and most of us aren’t in Greek life,” Wang said.
For others, enjoying Vanderbilt social life looks like connecting with others over a stroll.
“An ideal weekend is finishing my work, then just going out with friends—maybe to a park or just walking around,” Chen said.