I apologize in advance for this long post. Thank you to anyone who reads it all!
I wanted to see if anyone had any advice/information on two programs at Vanderbilt and Penn. I was selected as a Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar at Vanderbilt, which covers full tuition and puts you in the Honors Program there. The Honors Program gives you access to smaller classes with some of the most renowned Vanderbilt faculty members. I was also admitted into the Huntsman Program at Penn, an international business dual-degree program with about 45 students (half international, half from U.S.) where you come out with an Economics degree from Wharton, an International Relations degree from the College of Arts and Sciences, and with fluency in a target foreign language, all of which you achieve while still having the chance (and as a requirement) to study abroad.
I am pretty torn between these two options. On the one hand, a full tuition scholarship is hard to pass up at a great school like Vanderbilt. My family would definitely be strained to pay for Penn, but they said they would make it happen if that was what I really wanted and if I would make the most out of it.
Other considerations are the schools’ communities: I love Vanderbilt’s campus life and see that as its most drawing factor (the fact that I could do a lot extracurricular-wise), versus the academic prestige and opportunities that would come with the Huntsman/Penn (while I would probably not be able to have the same out-of-classroom experience and would be more tunnel-visioned on my academics). To be honest, I am also a little intimidated by what I have heard about the competitiveness/cut-throat nature of Wharton. So overall, I feel I would enjoy Vanderbilt more while still getting a great education, but have better career opportunities at Penn long term that come with the program/school.
So, I am asking for any opinions/thoughts/advice on this choice, these two schools, and/or either program. Thank you in advance for any who might respond–I am very torn between these two options, so I much appreciate the time anyone took/takes to read this long post and respond!
Sounds like Vandy is a better fit for you personally, independent of the huge $ difference that avoids straining your family and possibly impacting grad school funds. You will excel at Vandy and have no shortage of great post-college success. It’s a great place to attend school. Having Cornelious Vanderbilt Scholar and Honors Program on your resume will serve you well. If money was no object or if you felt like Penn was more of a fit, that might be the call. But those aren’t where you are.
I visited both schools in recent years…Nashville seemed like a really fun city. Clean, friendly, relatively safe. Philadelphia has its charms but I wouldn’t want to live there.
Very tough call that might come down to $. Huntsman, make no mistake, is a premier and super-selective program at Penn–it’s not just Penn, or even just Wharton; it’s special. That said, that Vandy scholarship is also no joke. Time for a very frank and serious convo with the parents. You might also try bringing your dilemma to Penn–they might be motivated to up your aid if it means avoiding losing you to Vandy.
Congrats, though–it’s a win-win either way! @moooop
Congrats! These are really awesome options. I have two things to add:
As has been said, Huntsman is THE program in international relations and business. It combines the absolute best of the College and Wharton and uniquely positions you for a very specific set of elite career outcomes that are not likely to be available elsewhere.
I don't think you need to worry too much about the intensity of Penn. Wharton, despite the reputation, is actually an incredibly supportive and collaborative place. A lot of your work will be done in groups where your success is dependent on that of your peers. The rest of your work will be curved, of course, but not in any particularly nasty way that it wouldn't be curved at another university. Huntsman is undoubtedly rigorous but Huntsman students are still EXTREMELY involved in campus life. They have positions in Student Government, Wharton Council, the College Dean's Advisory Board, West Philadelphia tutoring projects, community service clubs, etc. etc. etc. Being in huntsman will in no way limit your ability to be a part of campus culture. Even students in what is widely considered the most intense dual degree at Penn (M&T), are part of campus life in very real and meaningful ways. Even Vagelos Scholars, who are earning their undergraduate degree and masters in biochemistry in just 4 years can be part of varsity sports teams and student clubs.