I am still deciding between Amherst College and Vanderbilt and there are only a few days left until the May 1st Deposit Deadline. Amherst has the superior academics for my planned major and better IB recruiting. It also has an open curriculum. However, I love Nashville and I want a bigger college experience. My question is what is more important, academics or fit. I think I will be happier at Vandy but I can’t help but think about all the doors I may be closing by not choosing an elite LAC.
Any advice and opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
I strongly believe fit is one of the most important factors in selecting a college. Student engagement is crucial to academic success, IME. If you will be happier at Vanderbilt, go with that one and take advantage of everything they have to offer that interests you.
Fit is important, and even though I do not think Vanderbilt is equal to Amherst for academics or grad school placement, you need to be happy to succeed. Some people belong at small schools, and some do not.
You only get one shot to attend Amherst. There’s always the possibility of grad school at Vandy. However, it sounds like you really want what V offers, in spite of what you know about the academics at Amherst. The heart wants what the heart wants. :x
If Amherst selected you and is willing to subsidize it for you even though its not a good fit for you and you don’t even want it then you must be an amazing applicant and can do great things at Vandy as well. If money isn’t a problem and both schools are good, go to one that you love. There are many kids who would give anything to be able to attend their dream school.
Easily Vanderbilt, fit is far more important and it’s not like Vanderbilt does not have strong academics, its undergrads not only go into IB but consulting, stem jobs, education etc…
Why are academics poorer at Vanderbilt? Academic success depends on the quality of the both individual professors in conjunction with what the student brings to a class. In addition, classes vary by the caliber of students coupled with the class personality. Finally, quality of instruction may vary by the facility’s primary commitment to the school. Research faculty may teach fewer classes. Overall, you would earn a quality education at either school. Nashville is a great place to study and live. Go, Preds!
^ The Amherst faculty is 100% focused on undergrads; the Vanderbilt faculty, not so.
Amherst is going to have smaller classes, easier access to profs, no discussions or labs taught by TAs, and probably stronger teaching per se in most of the majors they offer. So unless you wanted to major in something Amherst doesn’t offer, Amherst is likely going to be better academically.
But Vandy is a good school, and if environmental and social fit are more important to you than academic fit, so be it – pick Vandy.
(implicit in my post is the fact, as @ucbalumnus pointed out upthread, academic fit is itself a fit variable.)
Wow they are so different. I think of Vandy - southern city, Greek life, large U, med school.
Amherst - New England, small school and small classes, no Greek life. Consortium can make it feel much larger and the town of Amherst has a TON of students thanks to UMass (and Smith, Holyoke and Hampshire). Definitely a feeder for IB - and closer to Wall St.
There’s no wrong choice.