<p>
So rather than looking at the applicants as individuals he automatically thinks they all have the same attribute so he gives none of them a chance - just as a racist assumes all people who are of a particular race has the same attriubutes.</p>
<p>I sure hope you’re not serious and if you are, that you have a misunderstanding of how he conducts himself with this inherent bias against these applicants.</p>
<p>“U of spoiled children” is about 20 years out of date, but the myth is perpetuated as long as people repeat it. USC is exceedingly diverse, and its merit aid programs have helped bring a lot of high achievers to the campus that once really was known as a big Greek bacanal. There really is something for everyone there, including top-notch academics. I’m told that USC now stands for “university of stolen colleagues”, given the school’s ability to woo great faculty from other institutions.</p>
<p>I think a key factor would be the majors your D is considering. If she’s in at Annenberg, that alone would be a reason to say yes to USC. Not just the school, but the opportunities that are available in the LA area could make a big difference. </p>
<p>But if she wants to stay in the south, Vandy will probably work out just fine. I have no personal experience with it, but had one very interesting conversation with a smart young woman who was from the south, and really regretted having gone there. The sorority scene wasn’t for her, and she felt it very much dominated life there.</p>
<p>If 2fast4you’s father believes Vanderbilt graduates are all racists, how is his father different than Vanderbilt graduates.</p>
<p>I have been very impressed with USoCal, as it does seem to have a growing network and attract a very large body in NMFs who are engaged in a lot of internships and other placements. They do draw a lot of employers to their career fairs and there are many internship offers that the individual school at the U can better address.</p>
<p>My kids both chose to attend USC and have no regrets. We do not have much experience with Vanderbilt, other than knowing a friend’s S who has just started his master’s degree there in applied psychology related to who brains work in austistics.</p>
<p>I believe both are fine Us and am sure your D will be happy with whatever U she finally chooses and attends. It is wonderful to have good options. The U of spoiled children is a VERY dated insult; USC is very generous with need and merit aid and has a very diverse and intellectual community, as well as a strong Greek presence, for those who are interested.</p>
<p>In the New York area, Vanderbilt is more well-known than USC. People often confuse USC with the University of South Carolina or assume it is a California state school.</p>
<p>USC has a program in International Relations, whereas Vanderbilt does not. What would your daughter major in at Vanderbilt?</p>
<p>They are both excellent schools, but for your daughter’s interests, USC seems to be a closer match, in my opinion.</p>
<p>It’s surprising how differently we NYers can see things. I disagree with the viewpoint that Vandy is better known that USC. If anything, I think it’s the other way around. But I don’t think there’s any real difference.</p>
<p>I think the University of Spoiled Children is an out of date saying and it is recognized as such. To the extent image a real issue, I think it’s an issue for Vandy as well. It too was viewed in the past as a school for rich kids. So, I don’t think anyone should choose one over the other based on what is for both an outdated image. There’s just no real difference.</p>
<p>There’s no wrong decision here.</p>
<p>You can look at a web site where people post school reviews, click on the negative ones (keeping in mind that these reviewers might not have the same point of view as you do), and if you see a pattern for each school, consider which negative thing would drive you more crazy.
**************dotcom is one.</p>
<p>oops that didn’t work, did it?
students
review</p>
<p>2fast4you quote:</p>
<p>*im not really sure if your daughter would like the atmosphere at vanderbilt. it is a very “southern” place and it is a little conservative, i think there is a lot of livestock and cows running around the city. there is a lot of racism as well with minorities. i mean, if your daughter enjoys racism she should definitely go to vanderbilt.
imagine what a prospective employers would say when they found out your daughter when to vanderbilt
“Oh, you went to vanderbilt? are you racist by chance?”
it probably will not help her get a job on the east coast, she would probably be forced to live in the south where other racists view vanderbilt positively and would be happy to hire people from there</p>
<p>*</p>
<p>OMG…are you for real? Where are YOU from that you harbor such ignorance?</p>
<p>*Easterner here, too. As a New Yorker, I think most New York employers would favor USC over Vandy because sad, to say, there is a bias against the South in NY, whereas the left coast is seen as more similar. </p>
<p>*</p>
<p>How can that be when New Yorkers believe themselves to be oh-so-open-minded. </p>
<p>:rolleyes:</p>
<p>^^
ditto…</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>USC does have some characteristics of a big state university, such as huge enrollments, big D1 sports and Greek scenes, and a relatively high percentage of in-state students. More than 50% of USC students are Californians (~30% from the LA area alone). More than 25% of USC students major in Business. Only about 25% of freshmen enter as students in the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences. Vanderbilt, like most selective private universities, does not even offer a Business major. It is a much smaller university than USC (~13K v. ~37K students).</p>
<p>So these are fairly different schools. Have you visited both?</p>
<p>CC parents are the best! Thank you for all of your thoughtful responses.</p>
<p>We have visited both schools and my D loved them both for different reasons. We visited Vanderbilt first, and it became her number one choice at that time. She loved the campus, although she did not love Nashville. She thought the size of the school seemed good, and the students seemed studious but diverse and fun. She is admitted to the Peabody school for Human and Organizational Development, where she intended to do the International Leadership and Development Track, but she now realizes that is not really what she wants. If she goes there, I think she might change her major or combine it with Modern European Studies. Vandy does not have journalism at all, so she would have to fulfilll that desire by working for the school paper. </p>
<p>When she was wait-listed at Vandy but admitted to USC, we visited USC and really began to study it. She loves the diversity of USC, in addition to all of the opportunities it seems to offer. She thought the campus was beautiful (lots of flowers blooming). The wealth of the school is evident in the grounds and facilities. The programs offered in her area of interest are perfect.</p>
<p>She is torn now because, at least where we live, Vandy is viewed as much more prestigious. Most of our friends are so impressed that she was admitted to Vanderbilt but think that USC is a state school with great football. So, although in my heart of hearts I think that USC probably serves her interests better, she keeps drifting back to Vanderbilt because she thinks it might position her better for her future (and she does love it–don’t get me wrong). Vanderbilt would also be logistically so much better for us, as it is closer to home (could be a long drive), whereas USC is a flight across the country. My stomach is in knots.</p>
<p>^^^</p>
<p>I don’t think it’s really right to include grad students in the count since grad students aren’t often at school at the same time or even on the same campus…since often law and med schools are often down the street or whatever. </p>
<p>USC has many distance learning grad students because of its use of technology and its success at offering grad degrees to STEM students without them having to be on campus much at all. .</p>
<p>Total undergrads: 17,380
First-time degree-seeking freshmen: 2,973
Degree-seeking undergrads: 17,112
Graduate enrollment: 19,516</p>
<p>The undergrad number is really a more accurate number to use. </p>
<p>And for Vandy, the undergrad number is lower as well…
Total undergrads: 6,879
First-time degree-seeking freshmen: 1,600
Degree-seeking undergrads: 6,836
Graduate enrollment: 5,835</p>
<p>Both schools are in an urban setting (so that ill-informed person who thought that there were cows and livestock milling around Nashville is just nuts)…however, the area that Vandy is in is considered to be much safer than the area of USC.</p>
<p>Lenny2: It sounds like you have a tough decision to make. It does sound like USC is the better academic fit, but that the Vanderbilt location and prestige are more appealing. </p>
<p>How sure is your daughter about her academic interests? A lot of students change majors. Has she checked to see if she can transfer from the Peabody school to Arts and Sciences at Vanderbilt?</p>
<p>I do recommend seriously considering the distance factor. Some kids do fine at schools far from home, but others need the option of touching base more often. </p>
<p>I don’t think that your daughter can go wrong with either choice. Good luck.</p>
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</p>
<p>New Yorkers don’t believe themselves to be open-minded at all.</p>
<p>They believe themselves to be unrepentant elitists, with NYC at the center of the world. 
Think the famous Saul Steinberg map. Think of the lyrics of that god-awful song, “New York, New York.” This goes for matters of taste and style also. Yes, New Yorkers are accepting of outre behaviors and “lifestyles”–doG, how I hate that word!–and pride themselves on embracing things that would not, as they say, play in Peoria. But that does not equate to open-mindedness. Judgement of those failing the test of style is severe.</p>
<p>In days of yore, when I worked in Manhattan, I recall people saying that someone was “out of town,” and it would turn out that the individual was in, say, Ulan Bator. All that mattered was that they were off the island of Manhattan. Ohio, Outer Mongolia…all the same. :D</p>
<p>I knew nothing about USC before, but in trying to look up their career center information, I saw a picture of the school (by the ocean), it looks pretty awesome. If I were OP´s daughter, I would want to go there.</p>
<p>Your daughter would love Nashville. I have not met anyone who doesn’t ( well, except for some of my co-workers who can’t get over having to leave the Pacific Northwest). The young man on the plane near me the other day was flying home to FL after his soph year at Vandy and was telling his seat mates that Nashville was the most incredible city and that he loved everything about it and Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>I have lived in many places and think Nashville is the best by far. My daughter graduates this week from Vandy grad school and her H signed up for 4 additional years at Vandy as a doctor, so they love it, too.</p>
<p>Yes, I know–Everyone I talk to loves Nashville! When we visited, we didn’t get it, but we were only there for two days and saw Vanderbilt and the touristy stuff. Obviously, there is something more.</p>
<p>Personally, I’m not a fan of Journalism as a major but I am a fan of a liberal arts degree: Vandy for the win.</p>
<p>btw: an adcom told my D last year that transferring out of Peabody is “not difficult.”</p>
<p>Oldfort:</p>
<p>Don’t know what picture you looked at, but the University Park campus of USC is not by the ocean. I’m sure my son would have liked that though had it been. [About</a> USC - Visit USC - University Park Campus - Driving Directions](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/about/visit/upc/driving_directions/]About”>http://www.usc.edu/about/visit/upc/driving_directions/)</p>
<p>To the OP: is it really important what your friends think? She is going to a school that doesn’t best serve her interests, as you wrote, because of what your friends think? Does that make any sense.</p>