<p>Note- with scholarships and financial aid, both schools would be about the same pricewise. </p>
<p>Thank you for your insight.</p>
<p>-t</p>
<p>out of state, of course.</p>
<p>University Of Virginia
Academics:
Founded by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia takes its history and traditions seriously, but that doesn’t mean it’s trapped in the past. The school “ranks among the world’s best and offers every imaginable subject,” combining “the academic advantages of the Ivy League” with the social life-and price-of a large state school. Academics here are “definitely tough” but “straightforward:” “Go to class, do the reading, [and] you’ll get the grade you deserve.” Although class sizes can be large and it can take “some maneuvering to get into the more popular courses,” students rave about their professors. “My professors have been my heroes; they are personable, wise, funny, prepared, engaging, and inspiring.” However, that doesn’t mean they’ll hand your education to you on a platter: Professors “are really willing to help out students after class” if you have “the guts to go up to them.” The expectation of student involvement extends across university life; student bodies administer the honor code, “which says that you will not lie, cheat, or steal while at the university.” While sanctions for violations like plagiarism can be harsh, one student points out that "it is nice to be able to leave my stuff in the library or dining hall while I get up for a little while and not worry about it getting stolen.</p>
<p>Student Body:
Students here “often get typecast as homogeneous and preppy.” While this type certainly exists on campus, “there is a place for everyone at UVA. There are a lot of preppy kids, but there are also tomboys, Goths, skaters, and I even know of one kid who wears a kilt on a regular basis.” Some students say that UVA has “room for improvement” when it comes to diversity: “There is some truth behind the rumor that the majority of students here are white, but by no means does this mean that the other ethnic groups here are segregated,” since people here are “incredibly friendly” and the school is “a bastion of southern gentility.” The student body is a happy group: “Everyone here loves it-you can’t find a school with more enthusiastic and dedicated students.” UVA students “are really serious about succeeding, but they want to get all they can out of every part of college, too.” They’re apt to “party Thursday through Saturday” and spend the rest of the week hitting the books and participating in the many clubs and organizations on campus.</p>
<p>Campus Life:
UVA students embody the “work hard, play hard” ethos. Life here “is all about balance between studying and partying. The same students who talk nonstop about how much they drank last weekend are the ones who ace their chem exams and dream of med school.” The Greek scene is popular, and alcohol “is definitely a big and visible part of campus life.” But there is also “lots going on in Charlottesville” and plenty to do off campus, like “hiking at Old Rag or Humpback Rock, apple picking at Carter Mountain, and other fun, outdoorsy things. There is always the downtown mall for shopping and cool places to eat.” And then, of course, there is UVA athletics. Students here “go crazy for football games,” which take up “most of a Saturday” during football season. But it’s not all party, all the time: “Volunteering is big. Most students are involved in a variety of activities, [like] adopt-a-grandparent, student council, or honor committee.” Students complain about the lack of parking and the “bland and repetitive” dining hall food, but they rave about the “beautiful grounds” and “historical architecture.” The central location of dorms is "really convenient and good for social interaction.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt University
Academics:
The word “balance” pops up a lot in students’ descriptions of Vanderbilt University. Most often it’s used to describe the amalgamation of “high academic standards” and “myriad” “social, service, and leadership opportunities” that characterizes so many students’ experiences here. It is also used to describe the school’s well-balanced mix of academic strengths; no surprise there, as Vandy excels in such diverse areas as premedicine, engineering, mathematics, sociology, psychology, and education. Sometimes the word refers to the balance between the “big city” benefits of Nashville-which include not only a world-class music scene but also “great opportunities for jobs, internships, [and] service”-and Vandy’s “campus feel.” In whatever context, students’ numerous references to balance are a testimony to their comfort and satisfaction with the Vanderbilt experience. Undergrads here report a convivial atmosphere that takes away “a lot of the pressure” created by the “academically rigorous” curriculum. Professors “are generally good teachers who make themselves available through prompt responses to e-mail and through office hours,” while administrators “are very accessible-you can see them in their office or spot them walking through campus.” Fellow students "aren’t competitive and are constantly helping each other</p>
<p>Student Body:
Vanderbilt has come a long way from the stereotypical Southern, wealthy, white student, undergrads here assure us, noting “there are students from all over the country.” While there is “definitely still a strong presence of Polo-clad fraternity guys and sorority girls, the image of Vanderbilt has become so much more than that and now encompasses students from different ethnicities, religions, and geographical regions.” Today, the glue that binds the student body is that “everyone is involved.” It seems like every student has at least one passion [he or she] pursue[s] actively on campus or off campus. Everyone is in at least one student organization. No one here is only about academics." Students also tend to be “religious,” "very approachable, and friendly, [and] passionate about their studies.</p>
<p>Campus Life:
Vanderbilt’s campus life is “stimulating, challenging, [and] fun.” “There is always something going on,” a sophomore reports. Greek life is “a very large part of Vanderbilt’s social scene,” as most “Fraternity parties are open to everyone.” These parties “rival no other,” and they “always have bands or themes or activities, so it’s not just a crowd of people getting drunk.” But there’s more than the just the Greek scene for students to participate in. Students tout “clubs for every interest, sports for every level of ability,” and “student theater every night of the week.” Students also tell us “Christian and other religious organizations are a big part of Vanderbilt campus life” and “service organizations are really important at Vanderbilt, and the majority of students are involved in volunteer work in the Nashville community.” As for intercollegiate sports, “attending sporting events is popular, though I wouldn’t go so far as to say everyone is a devoted fan.” Just about everyone has nice things to say about hometown Nashville. One student writes, “Nashville is a great place to live-there is always something going on. Centennial Park is right across the street; it’s a great place to study, walk, or hang out. Downtown has an awesome party scene” that, of course, includes lots of live music. One student adds, "The weather is a pretty nice perk too.</p>
<p>^ The above paragraphs appear to be from Princeton Review. Suggestion: When you quote extensively from other people’s material, if you’d please cite the source (or just post a link), it may help readers assess the reliability and timeliness of the information.</p>
<p>you vee hey</p>
<p>yeah oops normally I put “-Princeton Review” at the bottom, forgot to do that</p>
<p>I think that this tide has turned for OOS students. Vandy has changed a lot in the last decade, mostly for the better while U Virginia has mostly stayed the same or gotten larger/less selective. </p>
<p>One way to compare is to consider the major questions related to undergraduate colleges:</p>
<ol>
<li>Quality of students</li>
<li>Size of the classroom</li>
<li>Quality and nature of the classroom</li>
<li>Institutional resources and the willingness to use them to support undergraduate education</li>
</ol>
<p>Vandy now has the upper hand for all of these. Not by a huge margin, but they’re ahead. Overall, there’s not much that U Virginia can offer that Vanderbilt can’t match or beat. </p>
<p>For IS students for U Virginia, I think U Virginia (or W&M) would be hard to pass up, but for OOS students, Vanderbilt is probably the stronger choice.</p>
<p>Vandy is very nice! I vote for Vandy…then you also get SEC sports! :)</p>
<p>(I live about an hour away from Vandy!)</p>