<p>A lot depends on what you want to do while you're in school. Vandy does have a more party-type atmosphere than Emory. It has big -time sports and more rah-rah school spirit than Emory.</p>
<p>Emory has the Carter Center, the CDC, Yerkes Primate Center, and Emory Hospital on campus for research and job opportunites, as well as CNN and all kinds of companies in Atlanta for additional opportunities. Nashville has more southern charm; Atlanta is more cosmopolitan.</p>
<p>To be honest, my son looked at both, decided to take Vanderbilt off his list (too "southern" for him--kids dressed up too much for class, etc.) and applied ED to Emory--he's a rising junior there and couldn't be happier. He and his friends seem to work very hard--but then on the weekends there is always a lot to do, both on campus and in Atlanta. His classes have been very small (almost too small sometimes--it's very, very hard to hide in a class of 6) and he has made close friendships with several of his professors. The Woodruff PE facility is fantastic and has just been renovated, and the facility at the Clairmont dorms for upperclassmen is fabulous.</p>
<p>Both are really good schools, it all depends on what is most important to you.</p>