<p>I'm a rising junior, just starting the college process. As of now Cornell is a top choice, but I just started looking into Vanderbilt and the two schools seem pretty similar (except for climate). Any opinions on the similarities and differences between the two schools? especially the social scenes and the academics (specifically sciences and maths).</p>
<p>I’ve had 2 kids graduate from Vanderbilt and I have one going to Cornell in the fall. We are from the south. Vanderbilt is VERY southern in feel, but very welcoming to people from all over the country. My older son’s fraternity illustrates that - boys from Virginia, Missouri, New Jersey, south carolina, illinois…and others. Vanderbilt students do care about their academics and are good students. Nashville is a lot of fun.</p>
<p>Cornell seems very different. Diversity reigns - and I mean that in a really good way. People from all over the world in your classes. The town is quaint, but doesn’t offer as much as Vanderbilt. Cornell is twice the size and has a much more varied curriculum. Vanderbilt has 4 schools (a&S, engineering, music, peabody). Cornell has 7. cornell feels very “northern” to us, but I don’t mean that in a negative way. It’s just different. My younger son is looking forward to the differences. </p>
<p>Walk both campuses. Go to Cornell in the winter. Be there when students are there. That’s the only way to know what works best for you.</p>
<p>They are both excellent and regarded schools. However, Vanderbilt is very strong, esp amongst its alumni in the south. Vanderbilt probably has higher average stats for applicants accepted. If you are premed, and from what I’ve browsed here at cc about the schools over the last few years, Vanderbilt looks like the far better choice if you are premed - like your screen name. My opinion only. Always good to do your own research.</p>
<p>Ok thanks guys.
Well, I am as you figured out planning on doing pre-med. I haven’t figured everything out but I want to major in either math, bio, or chem, or some combination of them. I did see that Vanderbilt had higher stats of those students accepted and I was wondering why you think it would be better for pre med?</p>
<p>@Swimmer726, I’m from New England so I know the “northern” feel, I just don’t really know the “southern” feel that much. I’m hoping to get the chance to visit both schools soon.</p>
<p>forget stat’s…cornell has some excellent programs that don’t require high stat’s - just individual talents and interests…</p>
<p>The number of majors at Cornell far outnumbers what’s available at Vanderbilt. Yes, premed at Vanderbilt is strong, but it is also at Cornell. The competition for good grades at both schools is probably equal. Look at the offerings carefully.</p>
<p>when you visit - don’t do it during the summer. just buildings in the summer. if it’s impossible to do it during school, make sure summer school is in session.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t get too wrapped up in splitting hairs between premed programs at top universities. Instead, I think it’s more important to find the school that you like best. Vanderbilt will have much more of a Southern or perhaps Midwestern feel than Cornell. You’ll have to decide what kind of environment you would prefer. Both are excellent schools.</p>
<p>Norcal guy is definitely right. The fact is that there are a lot of people that talk about fit and environment, etc. and then just pick the best ranked school they got into, not caring about anything else. Location is important. Weather is important. You need to decide where you want to live for the next 4 years, as well as the academics involved. I know at least 2 kids who got into Stanford from the East Coast who went there because it is one of the top ranked; one of them regretted it as all his connections were back home and he wants to get into finance. His father could have got him a great part time position at a wall street investment firm during the school year had he gone to NYU or Fordham, etc. But he went to Stanford for the name and now regrets it as he can’t get any real experience outside of the summer- but he does love the weather out there.
Everyone is different. Do what is best for you.</p>
<p>Yea, I’m not really thinking about choosing it because of which has a better pre med program, because in all honesty it doesn’t seem like there could be a HUGE amount of difference. I’m mostly wondering about the different social scenes ie. what most people are doing on their nights off, if it’s mostly frat based, ect. in in addition to that how the math and science departments are because those are important to me as well.</p>
<p>They dress up to go to football games at vanderbilt.
I’m not kidding.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt is frat-based. However, once kids are juniors and seniors, they head to the bars mid-town and downtown. Nashville offers a lot off campus that everyone can enjoy. Lots of places to eat out, etc.</p>
<p>Not as sure about Cornell. “Collegetown” is limited. Ithaca is small. There are 44 fraternities there - but I hear they are all very different. At Vanderbilt, they all seemed rather similar. From what we can tell, Greek Life is definitely a presence, but lots of kids are happy there without doing it.</p>
<p>At Cornell there is a thriving fraternity scene for those who want it, however around 2/3 of students are not part of it.</p>
<p>thanks guys so much, this is the weirdest thing, I’m on the Cornell forum but I’m hearing more good things about Vandy haha.</p>
<p>Be open-minded. Nothing’s for everyone. As I said earlier, our youngest had been going to Vanderbilt regularly for 7 years and decided it wasn’t for him. We took him to Cornell when he was a high school sophomore and that became the goal immediately. People who choose Cornell are happy there. People who choose Vanderbilt are happy there. Only you know what will appeal to you. Good luck!</p>