<p>Hey all! I was just accepted off the waitlist!!!! I am so incredibly excited, but I have a very difficult decision to make. I am already enrolled at WashU, so I'm trying to decide between the two. If anyone could answer some of my questions that would be great....</p>
<p>1) How strong is the pre-med program, and how successful are the med school applicants? And what kind of special resources are there for pre-meds at Vandy that other schools may not have?
2) How is Greek life? I've heard rumors that the sororities are superficial, and I am definitely not your typical southern belle, so it worries me a bit.
3) Basically, what do you LOVE about Vandy? I just need some convincing :) </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>First off, Congratulations on your acceptance off of the Vanderbilt wait list! You should be very proud of yourself. Wash U and Vanderbilt are both fantastic schools, and you will be well off no matter where you go of these two.</p>
<p>While I do not know too much about pre-med at either school, I will say that WashU is definitely known for its pre-med program. I sort of get the feeling that every person I know at WashU is majoring in Biology or taking a pre-med track. I never seem to hear of a WashU graduate going into finance or other fields besides medicine. On the other hand, I’m sure pre-med is excellent at Vanderbilt as well, but it is definitely not Vandy’s trademark. Vanderbilt does have an excellent med school as well. So as far as pre-med, I would say the WashU definitely has an edge in reputation.</p>
<p>Everyone seems to say that Greek life dominates at Vanderbilt, although many people argue that it is not the only way to have a social life. Yes 50% of girls are in sororities at Vanderbilt, and yes many of these girls will fit right into that Vandy Girl stereotype of a southern belle. However, there are other sororities that have girls outside of that stereotype. If you don’t think that you will be comfortable with girls like that or such a dominant Greek system, Vandy may not be the place for you. While WashU does have a greek life, it is by far much less significant.</p>
<p>Judging by what you have written in your post, I think you would be happy at either school. But if you are interested in pre med and may not be a huge fan of “Vandy Girls”, WashU may be the better choice of school. You also might want to look into comparing Nashville vs. St. Louis, two very different cities.</p>
<p>Congratulations again! I wish you the best of luck in your selection process.</p>
<p>i can definitely answer 3 for you ( i just got off the waitlist and deposited today!)</p>
<p>and just for some background i am NOT your typical southern belle either (im from the midwest) which makes me nervous buuuuuut here goes…</p>
<p>on the girls roommate search, the majority of the girls are NOT from the south but everyone is so so so nice and friendly and its definitely calmed a lot of my fears about the social life. also, i think that a huge aspect of college is going outside of your comfort zone and i’m really looking forward to a totally new experience at vanderbilt.</p>
<p>another thing that i REALLY like about vandy is their freshmen transition process; I’m sure you’ve heard a lot about it so i wont go into detail but basically I feel really comfortable knowing that im automatically living in the commons with all of the other freshmen and that theres a preassigned group that im required to meet with every week.</p>
<p>i can’t speak too much for washu, but based on what i’ve heard, its MUCH more academically oriented. thats not to say that Vanderbilt isnt, but vanderbilt students are known for their work hard/play hard mentality so if you’re that kind of person i’d say definitely vanderbilt</p>
<p>as for location, nashville is AMAZING. amazing shopping, amazing food, amazing music. plus you really cant beat the weather unless you go to school in florida haha.</p>
<p>overall, i’d say if you’re into rankings theres not a huge difference but washu is ranked higher, if you’re more interested in an overall amazing college experience vanderbilt is the place to go!</p>
<p>1.As far as the premed curriculum, I consider a school’s premed program good if they’ll prepare you well for the MCAT. Vanderbilt will. The difference between Vanderbilt and some other schools is that the hospital/med school are on campus. There is very easy (aka convenient) access to shadow or do research over at the med school, which many take advantage of.</p>
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<li>You should realize there are more people from outside the south than those from the south. You should read Lauren’s post: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/vanderbilt-university/1135418-why-do-people-treat-greek-life-like-plague.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/vanderbilt-university/1135418-why-do-people-treat-greek-life-like-plague.html</a></li>
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<p>3.You’ll have the opportunity to find out for yourself in a few months 
This was part of orientation last year: [VIDEO:</a> VUmazing Race | InsideVandy](<a href=“Inside Vandy: Vanderbilt University's student news source”>Inside Vandy: Vanderbilt University's student news source)</p>
<p>Both are great schools, but I did choose Vandy over WashU. I grew up in New York as well.</p>
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<li>It’s not even a question that WashU has one if not the strongest pre-med programs in the nation and they offer so many resources for those in that field, more than Vanderbilt. Also, WashU has free courses to prepare for the MCAT which is absolutely huge! Courses and materials cost more than preparing for the SAT or ACT. I would choose WashU if you really want the pre-med edge. Also, I think that WashU gets a bad rep for the social scene which it shouldn’t at all (as in everyone there is a nerd-false!). There are so many groups and concerts like WILD and the transition and counseling is there for you. They also focus a bit more on undergrads than vandy does. Students at WashU aren’t chosen just for academics but because each person is interesting, plus they have the best dorms and food hands down of any campus in the nation. Also, while people say that Vandy is actually accepting… people just end up conforming. You get used to the ‘vandy elite’ feel of the campus and there is definitely a pressure to look good on campus and you won’t feel comfortable going to class in cozy clothes. In my interview for vandy the lady was also from the midwest and said that for sorority formals girls would have their relatives come to the house and help them “get ready.” Although the food is good at vandy, you won’t see people eating much at all, again pressure to look good. It just depends if you want the high pressure lifestyle on top of academics or a more chill atmosphere with plenty of social opportunities.</li>
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<p>They also focus a bit more on undergrads than vandy does. </p>
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<p>Vandy’s focus IS on undergrads in the undergrad schools. The fact that there are grad and professional schools at Vandy does not detract from the emphasis on undergrads. Undergrads do research, etc.</p>
<p>sorority formals girls would have their relatives come to the house and help them “get ready.” </p>
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<p>This is not true for all sororities … and half of all girls don’t even join sororities, so it’s largely not an issue. Those who like that sort of thing will be drawn to it & will not find this to be a problem. They might even welcome it.</p>
<p>you won’t see people eating much at all, again pressure to look good. </p>
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<p>Wow, what an assumption. Do you actually have evidence to back up this ridiculous statement?</p>
<p>Students at WashU aren’t chosen just for academics but because each person is interesting,</p>
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<p>The many who were rejected and/or waitlisted from WashU with great backgrounds may be offended & feel that they, too, are interesting … just as Vandy students are interesting. Some get accepted, some do not. It doesn’t mean those who don’t get in or those who choose to attend another school are not interesting. Perhaps you mean that WashU seeks to balance its classes. I imagine Vandy does the same, although I agree that WashU makes a big point of emphasizing that they strive to put together a very diverse (in all senses of the word) class.</p>
<p>Britta, do you or have you ever attended Vanderbilt? No? Then please refrain from making gross uninformed untrue statements that only demonstrate your ignorance. </p>
<p>Much appreciated.</p>
<p>i am waiting on vanderbilt as of now, and although i cant tell you which one you would fit better at, I can say this: As you think about it you will feel very torn. But if you really really think deeply about which school you would be happier at, youll feel your heart pulling you one way. I had the same problem between two other schools and at one point i just knew and it all fell into place. I am sure this will happen to you, best of luck!</p>
<p>D was Greek and I am not familiar with anyone in her house having relatives to help them get ready for events. However, if you could extend this to parents paying for dresses, shoes, jewelry, pedicures and manicures, there might be some parental involvement. However, my non-Greek child expected me to pay for things also, so that isn’t a uniquely Green characteristic.</p>