<p>So here is my predicament -
I plan to major in chemistry and minor in music (or at least play in the orchestra) at either Cornell or Vanderbilt. For all I can see these two schools balance out almost perfectly as to what I want, although the chemistry department at Cornell is a step ahead Vandy (although music at Vandy is much better than at Cornell). I also plan to go pre-med, or at least see if I want to go pre-med while I'm at either school. Concerning the financial aid factor, I got the same amount of money from each school with Vandy giving me 20k in grants and Cornell only giving me 13k. So is the slight advantage the Cornell holds in my mind worth the extra 28k over four years? Any advice to help me decide between both of these schools that I equally liked when i visited would be great. Thanks!</p>
<p>I know kids who chose Vandy over Cornell w/o money issues.</p>
<p>But if you like Cornell more, it just depends on how big money is of an issue.</p>
<p>Have you visited both campuses? If so where do you feel more comfortable?
This will be your home for four years, where do you see yourself?</p>
<p>They are very different schools with totally different atmospheres. If you are really torn, I would suggest (re-?)visiting each school, perhaps with an overnight stay in a dorm. Personally, I'd go Vandy over Cornell.</p>
<p>These two schools are very different in atmosphere, politics, social scene and student body. While Vanderbuilt is changing it is still a bastion of old south culture. It also has the reputation of being somewhat conservative. Cornell is perhaps the most diverse university in the world in terms of differing people, lifestyles, courses of study and political attitudes. The Cornell name carries weight around the world while Vanderbuilt is still mostly well known in the South. On the other hand, it is easier to get good grades at Vanderbuilt than Cornell and they have a better basketball Team and milder weather. But Cornell is the place to be for Hockey and Lacrosse.</p>
<p>i visited both over the summer and loved each of them. thats why this decision is so tough for me. </p>
<p>i guess it comes down to how good is vanderbilt's chemistry program, because nashville, the weather, and blair all seem to elevate vanderbilt amove cornell in my mind. i also probably will go pre-med, so how much do undergraduates get to use or interact with the med school at vandy? the fact that cornell's med-school isn't on campus is dissapointing...</p>
<p>i also have a cousin who lives in vanderbilt, which will make my transition from pennsylvania to the south smoother.</p>
<p>Hi:
I honestly think you could get pretty much the same outcome in life with a Vanderbilt degree even though I concede that Cornell has the weightier name and is an impressive school. I don't agree that Vanderbilt only has a regional reputation. The student body is much more geographically diverse than people think, just as Nashville is also very diverse and welcoming to outsiders. I came there from northern states and we felt very welcome and happy there. Whereever we move, a Vanderbilt degree has carried weight. The Vanderbilt Hospital is an endless easy opportunity for research and exposure to all sorts of med-related career tracks. The quality of life in Nashville is superb and Vanderbilt is well-integrated into the flow of the city life. Blair is gorgeous plus offers tons of performances you can wander over to attend, which is something that would be a great mental health lift. Also the Nashville Symphony Orchestra is really great. They are building a gorgeous new place for them on the Cumberland River. The mental health quotient at Vanderbilt is very high. My only other cautionary comment is to consider if you are a strong enough player to make it into the Blair auditions for the Vanderbilt Symphony. We were told that auditions of non music majors do not always have outcomes of "getting in" their music groups. Their orchestra leans toward Blair music majors in culture, and is not going to embrace "average" if they already have a full section of students who practice daily up to Blair standards. You may be a superior player and if so I am sure this would not be an issue and you would love the quality of their performances. Good luck!</p>
<p>thank you - that helps alot. i agree with you about the fact that it is very difficult to get into blair even just for the orchestra. i had an interview with the dean of blair this summer and it went well, but i felt that the program might be to intensive for me, thus i applied to the college of arts and sciences. the only factor that still makes me think that i could get in is that i play string bass (an uncommon instrument) and the dean told me that they had been short of bass majors in recent years. i think i need to call blair and see what the bass situation looks like this year.</p>
<p>I think you would excel at Vanderbilt and find a personal support atmosphere when it is time to apply to grad schools. Don't forget there are myriads of short term job and internship opportunities in a capitol city for young people, and Nashville is easily traversed. I bet they will need your instrument! </p>
<p>Hope your freshman year is golden, whereever you land.</p>
<p>thanks!! this really has helped</p>
<p>Cornell has a better reputation and slighly better academics but Vandy, as you pointed out, has a better music program and it's reputation is on the rise. It is getting diverse every year and I, as a student, absolutely love Vandy. So, follow your heart and choose between two very good schools.</p>