<p>Although I have not heard back from all of my colleges, I think my decision will come down to these two. I can afford Vanderbilt, but Binghamton would put MUCH less stress on my family. However, when it comes down to it, my family would support my decision regardless. I am thinking of going into business or maybe pre-med/vet, but I'm still undecided. I am planning on going to grad school and most likely coming back to NY.
I am a little concerned with the conservative/southern belle stereotype at Vanderbilt, and feel that I might find more people like myself at Binghamton. And I definitely want a fun school! What should I do??</p>
<p>Got to Binghampton and transfer to Cornell! Cornell's Business school is part of one of its statutory colleges, so it would be very affordable. Besides, should you decide to go into Vet studies, Cornell is #1.</p>
<p>I don't know anything about Binghamton, but I can speak for the Vandy social life. The conservative / southern belle stereotype is somewhat outdated. We are much less of a regional school than in the past; the student body as a whole is more diverse.</p>
<p>Have you visited campus? I recommend a visit and in particular an overnight stay if you are accepted.</p>
<p>deff vandy - esp for competing for a tough vet school spot</p>
<p>
[quote]
Besides, should you decide to go into Vet studies, Cornell is #1.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Huh, never would have guessed...
You learn something new everyday.</p>
<p>But, now considering Cornell is in a rural area it kind of makes sense...along the lines of UC Davis...</p>
<p>You learn new things everyday eh?! hehe! Actually, the USNWR ranks Vet schools.</p>
<h1>1 Cornell University 4.5/5.0</h1>
<h1>2 Colorado State University 4.3/5.0</h1>
<h1>2 University of California-Davis 4.3/5.0</h1>
<h1>4 University of Pennsylvania 4.1/5.0 (this one is indeed surprising)</h1>
<h1>5 North Carolina State University 3.9/5.0</h1>
<h1>5 Ohio State University 3.9/5.0</h1>
<h1>5 Texas A&M University-College Station 3.9/5.0</h1>
<h1>5 University of Wisconsin-Madison 3.9/5.0</h1>
<h1>9 Michigan State University 3.8/5.0</h1>
<h1>10 University of Minnesota-Twin Cities 3.7/5.0</h1>
<p>^ I just paid tons of vet bills.</p>
<p>Good to see many of the vets at the office went to these schools...;)</p>
<p>I know both these schools fairly well. One of my ds was accepted at Binghamton and has several friends who attended, and one is a very happy junior at Vanderbilt. I must say it's the first time I can remember someone comparing these two schools on CC! :) You can receive an excellent education at either.</p>
<p>I do think you can put the southern belle stereotype to rest. Yes, there are rich Southern girls at Vandy who wear makeup to class and sundresses to football games. There are also many girls who aren't wealthy and don't dress out of Elle. What they have in common is intelligence, ambition, talent, and the other characteristics you'd expect to find in the student body of a top 20-ranked national university.</p>
<p>You can certainly find fun at either school. There is a strong "work hard, play hard" mentality at Vanderbilt, which you can ascribe to to the extent you wish - but it is there. I don't know how much this will change when the new residential college experience goes into effect for incoming freshmen this fall. Binghamton is a small Northern city with some nice cultural offerings and the same lousy winter weather you're accustomed to. Nashville is a large Southern city with a very active nightlife, music scene, tourist attractions, etc. The spring/fall weather can be hot and humid (d has never spent a summer there) and occasionally violent.</p>
<p>Since you know grad school is on the horizon and you plan to return to NY, I question whether attending such an expensive school for undergrad makes as much sense as the leading SUNY. Alexandre's idea about a transfer to Cornell, if you decide that vet studies are for you, is a good one. If you've been accepted at Vandy and Binghamton, you'd probably be a candidate for admission to Cornell as well.</p>
<p>A visit to Vandy will tell you a lot! I believe that the formal overnight program has been discontinued except for students in certain scholarship programs, but there is a student shadowing program ("Dore for a Day," I think). Best of luck and congrats on your acceptances to two excellent schools.</p>
<p>"I just paid tons of vet bills".</p>
<p>Hope the little beast is doing fine UCBChem. Dog or cat? I am partial to dogs myself. Nothing like a good pooch to keep one company.</p>
<p>"I must say it's the first time I can remember someone comparing these two schools on CC! "....exactly my thought when I first read the title, but I think we will be seeing more these in the next few weeks....Well, here goes...</p>
<p>Totally agree with EVERYTHING frazzle said, but I think I can add a little bit more:</p>
<p>I graduated Binghamton, my daughter's top choices include Vanderbilt....</p>
<p>Academically, if you are pre-professional, (med, dent, vet, law, business), I would save the $$ for grad school and go with Binghamton....especially if you know you want to be back in NY....</p>
<p>Life-style, social life, college experience: Even though I attended Binghamton and had an amazing experience and great friends, you cannot compare it to a DivI, private institution with a strong greek life...Campus is beautiful, advisors excellent.....very liberal arts focused....and then there's the weather...don't get me started on the # of gray day's in Binghamton......</p>
<p>If money is not an issue, you may have a difficult decision to make over the next few weeks.....</p>
<p>I also sent you a PM.....</p>
<p>Alex, </p>
<p>Heh...yellow lab. Tumor removed on leg. She's been back 2 times cause she keeps reopening the wound. They have her in a huge plastic shield collar now...has to be on for 2 weeks...pain in the neck cause she keeps banging into everything and can't get out the dog door. She's doing fine though...the tumor was less invasive than originally thought.</p>
<p>the southern belle stereotype, while a stereotype, is very prominent at vandy. i'd recommend you visit to confirm for yourself, but if you don't take your apperance very seriously at all times then it might be best to consider all options equally. vanderbilt, after all, is an SEC school and has all SEC traditions (i.e. girls in dresses and guys in ties for football tailgating)</p>