<p>Ok, I'm actually a transfer, but figured this would be the best place to post this....
I'm a freshman at Ohio State and get paid about 5.5k per year to pay for books, clothes, etc. as part of my full scholarship (not need-based).
However, I got into Vandy and they're offering me a whole lot of need-based aid...I would have to pay about 2k per year (at least until my brother graduates college next year, when it'll probably go up a bit).
I have 1 week to make my decision, since I got an extension from my admissions counselor at Vandy...
If it helps, I'm an econ major and am planning on enrolling in a Ph.D. (or at least Master's) program after graduation.
Thanks!</p>
<p>I can’t really determine the total difference in cost from what you have posted. Assuming you are not in love with Ohio State, since you are trying to transfer out of it, 2K per year for a school like Vanderbilt is quite a deal. You can easily earn that much with a campus job or during the summer.</p>
<p>How much will your costs rise after your brother finishes school? Can Vanderbilt give you an estimate of the difference?</p>
<p>Do your cost comparisons include everything, such as room and board? What about the living situation at Ohio State.? At Vanderbilt you will be living on campus, probably through senior year. That is one of the ways Vanderbilt maintains a cohesive and active campus, but it is different at many big public schools. Does that make a difference to you?</p>
<p>A top student at either school will have no problem getting into a graduate econ. program. Much depends on your own performance in class, and on the GREs. At either school you need to get to know some professors. While that is probably easier at Vanderbilt, good students can get to know professors at big state schools also.</p>
<p>IF in fact the difference in cost is a few thousand per year, and you are able to come up with that money rather easily, and you like what you have seen of Vanderbilt, then the transfer sounds like a good idea. Again, that assumes you are not completely happy at Ohio State. If you are completely happy there, why walk away from an incredible package?</p>
<p>BTW, the semester is out at Vanderbilt, and you may not get the attention of the rather few students who post on this forum over the next week. I am a parent of a student. Perhaps one of the other parents who follow this forum will offer a suggestion.</p>
<p>schrute…you haven’t commented on why you wanted out of Ohio State in the first place, but offers of a year at Vandy at 2000 out of pocket are what I would consider to be an Open Door that is Fate. My boys can earn nearly that in the summers if they live at home or rent free. Obviously, Vandy would allow you to pick up a small job for cash during the years your brother would no longer lower your costs. </p>
<p>Nashville is hugely inviting and plenty of midwesterners migrate there for college. </p>
<p>I can’t imagine what the down side is…your debt load at graduation couldn’t be much but you will have landed in a top twenty university with smaller classes and a very fine peer group of students to hang with for three years. Vandy can’t hurt you and can only help you if you stay the course in terms of class performance and studies. Go buy a black and gold Tshirt and come on down.</p>
<p>Well, Faline2 was a bit less reserved in her recommendation, but I do agree with post #3. On the basis of what you told us, it does sound like a pretty easy decision.</p>
<p>Of course, some students really do prefer very large public schools. If you are one of them, then stay at Ohio State, but I’m assuming you are looking for something different.</p>
<p>Vandy!!!</p>
<p>That’s actually a really easy decision.</p>
<p>People are turning down a lot money from other schools to go to Vandy paying a lot more than you would have to.</p>
<p>thanks for your opinions, everyone.
@midmo,
i’m going to call vandy on monday to see if they’d be able to give me an estimate on how much more it’d be if my brother graduates. but, since my dad’s thinking of retiring, it might just cancel out anyways. also, the cost of 2k a year actually is including everything, except travel. the 2k estimate includes books and such as well, so it is a really good deal.
also, how many of you have been to vanderbilt? i don’t really have the time to visit since osu is still in session and don’t know anyone that goes or has gone there. what’s it like?
and the atmosphere here at osu isn’t particularly bad, especially since basically all of the top students at my high school come here and i know a bunch of people. it’s just that when i tell someone that i go to ohio state, all they want to talk to me about is football, because that’s what people relate to osu. vandy, on the other hand, is a much more academic atmosphere (i presume, since i’ve never visited), and people don’t come for the football.</p>
<p>I’ve not been a student at Vanderbilt. My son is currently a student. I’ve been on campus as a visitor many times. I think it is safe to say no one goes to Vanderbilt because of football in particular, but many students do enjoy following basketball, as well as football. I know a bit about Big 12/Big 10 etc leagues, and it is not really the same sort of rapid fanship. </p>
<p>Some of the students who post on this forum will play up the party opportunities at Vanderbilt to such an extent that you might wonder about the seriousness of the academics. Ignore them. Many–I daresay the vast majority–of the students are very serious about their studies. Certainly my son and his gf are. </p>
<p>Faculty is accessible and undergraduate education is a focus of the university. I think you will be pleased with the level of attention undergraduates get.</p>
<p>It is too bad you haven’t visited. The campus is beautiful and fairly compact, as compared with most big publics (but I’m not familiar with Ohio State). Lots of shops, cafes, coffee places on the perimeter, and the downtown of Nashville is just one and a half miles away. Plenty to do.</p>
<p>I don’t know where you will be housed as a transfer sophomore. I’m sorry to say it will probably not be the best of the housing options.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the info.
Does anyone know if the regular dorms (not the commons) have a/c? Also, do they come with mini-fridges or do the students have to supply their own?</p>
<p>If you on to the residential life site you can find out about a/c but I am pretty sure all residential housing has a/c. I don’t think any dorms have personal fridges in them. The only school that I am aware of the includes a microfridge in their dorms is Wake but they don’t have a/c</p>
<p>You will probably have to provide your own mini-fridge. Freshman yr. my son provided the fridge and his roommate brought the microwave. They sell fridges at the Vanderbilt store, I think. Maybe it was a combo fridge-microwave. Anyway, it was very pricey, so we bought the fridge at Sears and put it in our car. If you are flying or have a very tiny car, that might not be a good option.</p>
<p>If the difference was $50,000 I’d say Ohio State. But my god. Definitely, Vanderbilt University! A few thousand is no difference at all. You could easily cover that yourself, even without parents. Go for it!!</p>
<p>Our valedictorian is turning down Vanderbilt for Rhodes College. Rhodes gave her a full tuition scholarship and $2000 extra a year, on top of that, she will be getting a large refund.</p>
<p>I wondered why she turned down Vanderbilt, and she said that she would pay 1k. Coming out of Vanderbilt with 4k in loans is nothing, but the money from Rhodes was very enticing to her. She also factored in that she could always transfer to Vanderbilt if she didn’t find Rhodes suitable and she can have her car as a freshmen… They waived her admissions deposit and offered to pay for her parking. They are really giving her a lot of bang for her buck… She spends NOTHING.</p>
<p>She is choosing Rhodes because they are, in my opinion, spoiling her, giving her a reason to come. She, like me, received a personalized postcard from the admissions counselor in our area suggesting us to come and some other personal information.</p>
<p>You should choose the schools based on how much you like them since you’ll probably only have around 8k to 10k when graduating from Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>But for me personally, in your and her situation, Vanderbilt hands-down.</p>