<p>[I have also posted this on the Vandy forum] </p>
<p>A bit of background about me: I am a first generation Asian (Oriental) female from Atlanta. I come from a large, highly competitive, top ranked, extremely diverse high school (where Whites are a minority and Asian are the majority). I'm highly active in my religious life and church and place religion as a top priority. As of now, I am planning on majoring in Biology with a premed track, having some sort of minor in Chinese, and hopefully spending a semester or year abroad in China. </p>
<p>Vanderbilt:
Pro's-
-Financial aid package extremely generous without any loans - I'll be able to graduate debt free, which is important to be considering the cost of med school
-Beautiful campus, I like it a bit better than Emory's
-About 4.5 hours away from home - far enough so that I can have the "college experience" but close enough to drive back for breaks or on a weekend when I'm really homesick. Or, I could just fly.
-I know a couple people from my school and neighboring schools who attend there/will attend, which is assuring, but I still have a completely new environment to explore
-Decent weather - I get cold super easily</p>
<p>Con's-
-From what I hear and the general stereotype, it's a very White school. Coming from my background, I'm terrified of the sudden change and am afraid I won't fit in
-Greek life - I've never really researched about it nor do I know anything about it and it worries me that Greek life is so big at Vandy
-Rumored grade deflation - enough said</p>
<p>Emory:
Pro's
-Highly diverse population, which, for now at least, I enjoy more and am more comfortable with
-I'll know a lot of people, finding a roommate would be no problem (meaning I won't be paired with a stranger) Though this a both a pro and con
-Not as prevalent of a Greek life
-Good weather
-Close to home
-Close enough to other schools that my friends are attending for comfort, but far enough to be able to branch out.
-I've grown up around it and so it has a more homey feel</p>
<p>Con's
-I'll know a lot of people - won't be able to have as "fresh" of a start
-Will have to pay $2,000 more and part of my financial aid package is student loans
-Not too big of a fan of DUC food</p>
<p>What do you guys think?</p>
<p>And some questions for everyone:</p>
<ol>
<li>How are the classes/professors are each school? What about the course work and rigor? </li>
<li>Which school would have the better premed advising and opportunities?</li>
<li>Pertaining Vandy - how is the Asian social scene...how do you think I'd fit in? What Asian student organizations are there and how active are they? And are there any Asian girls in sororities? Which ones? What are the sororities/sorority life like?</li>
<li>How are the campuses in relation to the cities that they are in?</li>
<li>What are the religious organizations on campus like? And generally what denomination are they?</li>
<li>Which school would have the better abroad opportunities + does financial aid completely transfer?</li>
</ol>
<p>Thanks for everyone's input!</p>