Help me decide! Vandy or UNC (OOS)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vanderbilt University
1

<p>I got off both schools' waitlists recently, and I'm totally stuck between them with time running out. I'm not totally sure about what I want to do in the future, but I'm interested in business (NOT investment banking on Wall St. btw) and I want to maybe get into proprietary trading after college. I'll be studying econ/math at Vandy and business at UNC. </p>

<p>UNC is cheaper than Vandy by 20k/year, but money isn't a big issue and my parents are willing to pay for Vandy full price if I go there. Both schools seem to have around equal name-recognition and job opportunities after college, although Vandy might be a little more prestigious. Both schools also have pretty active sports scenes, social environments, and school spirit. </p>

<p>What I'm worried about for Vandy is the overwhelming presence of Greek life. Although I'm not against it or anything and I'll probably consider rushing, I just feel a little uneasy about the fact that the social scene is completely dominated by Greek life. I'd really prefer if a school has a strong Greek presence that doesn't dominate the social scene but is available for those who are interested. </p>

<p>What I'm worried about for UNC is that it won't be nearly as geographically diverse as Vandy. I really want to be able to meet people from all over the country/world in college, and it seems harder to do so in UNC's 82% in-state population as opposed to Vandy's ~10%. Also, UNC's a lot bigger, and I'm a little worried I might get lost if I'm not really disciplined. </p>

<p>Basically, here the advantages/disadvantages that I can think of for each school:</p>

<p>Vandy's advantages over UNC
-Much more geographically diverse
-Slightly stronger academics
-Stronger student body
-More attention/smaller classes
-Size is around perfect for me (6-8k undergrads is around optimal for me)
-Arguably better name recognition</p>

<p>UNC's advantages over Vandy
-Better sports/school spirit
-More laid-back
-Greek scene doesn't dominate the social scene (this is a really important factor for me)
-Strong business school
-Probably easier to adjust to
-Really nice surrounding area
-80k cheaper</p>

<p>Can you guys offer some opinions? And feel free to correct me if you feel I'm wrong in any of my thoughts about either school. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I am only marginally familiar with UNC so I will restrict my comments to the negatives you perceive to exist at Vandy (as compared to UNC).</p>

<p>Sports/school spirit - very good at both schools. If UNC has an advantage it is very small.
More laid back - I don’t know how laid back UNC is but Vandy is definitely not. Work hard play hard is as true as it gets at Vandy.
Greek - not as dominant as people make it. I have two sons at Vndy, one Greek one not and both love it. Only officer live in frat house and there is a lot going on outside of greek life.
Business school - as you know Vandy doesn’t have undergrad school but Econ/math at Vandy will get you anything a business degree at UNC will.
Adjust - that is a personal matter.
Surrounding area - the area around Vandy is very nice. I don’t know area around UNC.
$80k less - this is the best reason to pick UNC.</p>

<p>You have great choices and either way you can have a great experience. I think the best advise is to go where you feel you will fit better, but only if the money really doesn’t matter. Best of luck</p>

3

<p>If in your outlook they are similar schools, then just go to UNC. They are not similar in anyone’s mind outside NC.</p>

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<p>It sounds like you have a good grasp on the two schools. Both schools are excellent. Greek life is more important very large schools or rural schools. You should be fine without Greek life at Vandy. What state are you from? As a general rule state colleges reputation varies in different parts of the country. In the east, UNC is well respected with UVA, GT, UMD, W&M and the cal schools (UCSF, UCSD, UCI, USSB) are not recognized as top state schools. Out west they believe all the cal schools are the best, UNC is a basketball school and W&M is a TV sitcom or the new royal couple. In the midwest the most respected state schools are UM, Perdue, UMN, UI, and OSU, PS, UW.<br>
You will receive a great education at both schools and should be able to further your career coming out of either school equally well. I think you would be pushed more at Vandy. Visit the schools, trust your judgement. Go where you will be happy living the next 4 years of your life.
ps no disrespect to W& M it is a great school as well…just making a point.</p>

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<p>I am having my daughter reply to this since she is currently a student at Vanderbilt and has several friends who attend UNC-CH whom she has visited on campus…</p>

<p>Greek life is definitely a major presence at Vanderbilt, but it is not the only thing to do on campus. I didn’t rush, I have many friends who didn’t rush, and we still have fun. Rushing can be more of a pressure in certain social circles than others, but the delayed rush and Commons experience makes sure that you’ll make friends, and these friendships continue regardless of Greek life.</p>

<p>I really appreciate Vandy’s geographic diversity. I’m from NC and many of my high school friends chose to attend there, and they’ve made many friends from elsewhere in the state. At Vandy I’ve met people from all over the country–my roommate was from Portland, Oregon, one friend is from Arkansas, another is from Miami, I have hallmates from Texas, Connecticut, New York, Ohio, Alabama, and so many other places, and I’ve even met someone from South Dakota–and there are a lot of international students. It’s really cool to experience some regional culture differences firsthand, and it really adds to the experience.</p>

<p>I’ll also mention a major draw for me–Nashville. I’m <em>not</em> a country music fan, but there is so much more to Nashville than twangy country songs. Chapel Hill has that “college town” feel, but Nashville is a major city, and there is so much you can experience in Nashville (when you leave the “Vandy Bubble” because there is a lot to do on campus!). </p>

<p>I really like the size of Vanderbilt because it’s not frighteningly tiny but it’s not as large as UNC-CH, it’s that wonderful happy medium that means you don’t get lost in the shuffle.</p>

<p>I would say that Vanderbilt students are of a higher academic caliber than UNC-CH students. UNC-CH students are very bright, but the statistical differences really do add up and it contributes to a different atmosphere. Vanderbilt was apparently the most selective university in the South this year, and I think that its increasing selectivity will show in the student body. </p>

<p>Also, SEC > ACC. The SEC took the BCS National Championship AND the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship this year. (Vandy was the last team to beat Kentucky this year!)</p>

<p>Good luck with your decision! You’ll be happy at either school. :-)</p>