<p>almost same undergrad size, tuition.
Which school is more academically compeititive, presitigious, better social life, etc.
Opinions appreciated!</p>
<p>I have visited both, so I can give you the impressions that I got...
Vanderbilt is a more beautiful campus surrounded by a city that seems more accessible (50+ restaurants within one block of campus edges) and more fun. More school spirit at Vanderbilt based on the prevalence of Vanderbilt shirts and such....Vandy seemed to have a stronger sense of community....That's pretty much what I gathered from my visits. I would choose vandy over emory, but i guess it also depends on what you're interested in...Keep in mind, this is just based on my first impressions from the one day visits I took to each.</p>
<p>Emory continously ranks higher on USNEWS.
Emory is in a more culturally diverse city.
Emory's campus is unbelievably scenic, from what I hear.
Emory is incredibly rich and gives out better financial aid packages.</p>
<p>Go for Emory.</p>
<p>vtoddler, where are you getting your information</p>
<p>I think its funny how you say that Emory continuously ranks higher, when Vandy CURRENTLY is ranked higher. Aside from rankings I give Vanderbilt the edge although most people group them together.</p>
<p>I applied to both schools (was accepted to both) and chose Vandy because I liked the feel of the campus. The student body is very down-to-earth and has a better social scene than Emory. You should visit both schools and see which one you get the better feel for. </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>skigirl--
im trying to decide between these same 2 schools! (to apply early to--apparently at both schools ED is a big advantage.. im only a junior now)</p>
<p>at this point im leaning towards emory</p>
<p>but the main difference that i saw was this:</p>
<p>vanderbilt has more spirit (and a football team) and i guess a slightly more campus-based social scene
BUT it also (from what ive heard from people who go there and one who is transferring) is kind of superficial/all the girls are gorgeous and always wearing full makeup and nice clothes even just to class.. haha im sure the boys appreciate this but as a girl i dunno, i do like my sweatpants days. also to football games they dress up (shirts/ties for boys, dresses for girls) and go with dates. its not very diverse and apparently most students are very rich and white and preppy.
but i think its a really fun school and most ppl love it, it just depends what youre looking for.</p>
<p>emory on the other hand apparently does not have much spirit at all (though i think theyre working on that), and no football team.
however the social scene is also very active (with frats/sororities), and lots of ppl go into atlanta to bars and especially clubs (on thurs nights). personally i think that atlanta is more fun than nashville (but that said i dont know much from experience about the cities...and when i was visting vanderbilt we went down and had dinner in the "honkytonk" area which is not exactly my...favorite thing...)
emory also has much more diversity and less focus on always looking perfect (though many ppl still dress up).</p>
<p>yes im an "expert" on both schools now and quite clearly obsessing over college to the point that i no longer have a life, but hey, at least i can share my knowledge.</p>
<p>let me know which one you end up picking skigirl!
were you accepted to both of them?</p>
<p>yea the "honkytonk" area is not the place to hang out -- check out NV, the Verb, or Lonnies</p>
<p>Also -- Thursday is the only night people go downtown because there is so much to do on campus.</p>
<p>yeah the honky tonk was like a bunch of drunk 40-year olds rocking out to hardcore country music... haha and i was with my dad... and really wanted to leave...</p>
<p>do you feel like its true that people are really superficial at vandy though?</p>
<p>Yeah, I visited that same area and didn't feel it either. but I HATE COUNTRY MUSIC haha. Dont worry Vandy kids don't hang out in that area.</p>
<p>Vandy is preppier than some other schools, but the kids are really nice. Some people wrongly think Vandy is "hardcore Conservative" but political affiliations are nearly split down the middle. I think the latest survey was 55% Conservative 45% Liberal. Obviously, its not NYU but probably not as bad as you think. In terms of dress, nearly zero kids dye their hair, etc. but a larger portion listen to indie, punk bands than you would think.
The student body is not superficial, nearly everybody is very inclusive. However, Vandy has a very good-looking student body and some girls find it difficult to be around so many attractive people. If you think this would bother you, I wouldn't pick Vanderbilt. But if you are worried about kids being "snobby", you have nothing to worry about. </p>
<p>Hilary, both schools are great and you'll be happy wherever you go. :)</p>
<p>I would choose Vanderbilt. From what I have heard about Oxford college students about Emory, people don't seem as friendly there.</p>
<p>*heard FROM, not about, sorry,</p>
<p>Academics: Call it a draw. Vandy is older and more established, but Emory has a GIGANTIC endowment thanks to the Woodruff/Coca-Cola fortune and has spent lavishly to build a great school.</p>
<p>Location: Atlanta is a bigger city, the capital of the New South, but Nashville is a cool city two. Both have had prosperous, large, educated African-American populations for a very long time. Vandy is in the city, so it is an urban campus with tons of stuff within walking distance. The music/recording industry is huge and goes far beyond country music. A ton of clubs to hear live music cheap every night of the week, especially of the singer/songwriter, Alternative Country/Americana ilk. Emory is more of a suburban campus in a very nice old neighborhood. Some stuff nearby, but to get around Atlanta you need a car because there's not a subway stop nearby. Emory is very tightly connected to the Atlanta business community.</p>
<p>Campus Culture: Vandy is more old south. Big athletics, although trying to compete in the SEC is a losing proposition. Much bigger frat/sorority scene. Emory is more new South, with a sizeable New Yorker contingent, and overall more diverse racially and ethnically. Probably more comfortable if you don't want to do the Greek thing. Both cater to a fairly well-to-do crowd.</p>
<p>They are both excellent schools with a bunch to offer.</p>
<p>i agree with interesteddad with nearly everything. However, Vanderbilt does actually compete well in everything in the SEC with the major exception of football. Our Baseball team made super-regionals last year (one game away from College World Series) also our basketball team made Sweet 16 last year and even though we are rebuilding this year still did well in NIT.</p>
<p>Also -- in terms of Diversity Vanderbilt has 4% Hispanics where Emory is 3% and I think African Americans at Vandy is 7% while 9% at Emory. The only major difference in terms of diversity is that Emory has alot more Asians.</p>
<p>Academically, they are both excellent. I chose Vandy because when I visited it just felt right. However, you really can't go wrong.</p>
<p>thanks interesteddad and college2332 :)</p>