<p>So I visited Vanderbilt over the weekend and FELL IN LOVE WITH IT. This is it, this the school I've been yearning for all these years.</p>
<p>I just to want are they any other schools that are similar to it (in regards to everything - the people, the balance between social and academic life, in a large city but somewhat secluded, the academics, having a vast array of majors ranging from human development to engineering).</p>
<p>I think, my stats make a match for Vandy (2310 SAT and 3.84 UW GPA)</p>
<p>So glad to hear someone singing Vanderbilt's (well-deserved) praises! My d is a very happy junior there. twinmom's nominations are good ones. UVA (public school, of course) is rather similar in terms of social/academic balance, and it certainly has a huge range of majors, but it isn't as urban. For another private Southern urban school, how about Rice (a bit more selective than Vandy, no Greek scene, don't know about sports) or Tulane (somewhat less selective but very generous with merit aid)?</p>
<p>My son applied to both Vanderbilt and Wash U, was accepted to both. He chose Vanderbilt for a couple of reasons unrelated to the quality of Wash U. He could have been very happy at either, I am sure. I second the suggestion to look into Wash U as well.</p>
<p>My son is just a freshman at Vanderbilt, so I'm no expert. So far though, he likes it a lot, and I, as a parent, have been very impressed with the administration's commitment to the undergraduate program.</p>
<p>Here we go again....Where are the people who started the Emory V. Vandy thread recently? Let the fight begin......( and you may as well add Wash U to the mix....)</p>
<p>I sure hope this does not degenerate into any school vs any other school.</p>
<p>The OP did not mention sports, so it doesn't seem unreasonable to suggest schools like Wash U. I know students who are happy there, I know students who are happy at Rice, I know students who are happy at Vanderbilt. They are all fantastic students. They are all good schools. No need for rancor.</p>
<p>Melody, you mentioned human development. Are you looking at Peabody? That is an interesting program, and probably does set Vanderbilt apart from some of the other schools being mentioned. Your stats look good for Vanderbilt, including Peabody. If you have a good service record, play it up on your application.</p>
<p>Interesting conversation-- The biggest difference I see between Vandy and Rice is the absence of a greek life at Rice-- its is pretty popular at Vandy. Both campuses are very pretty. Emory is a good comparison (w/o the engineering), as is UNC- Ch Hill, Tulane. Consider CMC too.</p>
<p>Melody, I thought of another difference between Vanderbilt and some of the other schools. Starting this year, all students are supposed to live on campus for all of the undergraduate years. There is a variety of housing types for upperclass students, and a new freshman residential/recreation complex is opening in time for the next incoming freshman class. All sorority members live in the dorms (no residential sororities) and all fraternity members other than officers live in the dorms also. The result is a close-knit campus community and a lot of activity on the campus itself.</p>
<p>In contrast--perhaps not a huge contrast--Washington Univ. is short of on-campus housing and some students who want to live on campus are told to find off-campus housing (I have been told). I am not familiar with the housing situation at the other schools under discussion.</p>
<p>The fact is that there are very few schools that can compete with Vanderbilt if you are interested in an undergraduate combination of great academics, great social life and great athletic scene. The Ivies are great academic schools, but they can’t begin to offer the same level of social and athletic life. Same with places like MIT, Wash U, U Chicago, etc. </p>
<p>IMO, for students who are looking for undergraduate settings that have it all (great academics, great social life, great athletic life & scene), there really are only a handful of schools that can provide this. Vanderbilt, with its superb academics and student quality, strong social life and exciting athletic life, is definitely one of those colleges. The others would be:</p>
<p>Stanford
Duke
Northwestern
Rice
Notre Dame
Georgetown
Wake Forest</p>
<p>For schools that are larger, but not huge, and which also offer a great mix, consider</p>
<p>A school with D1 athletics, like Vanderbilt, has a different atmosphere than a DIII school. Keep that in mind. That would leave Rice (no frat scene, though). Nashville is a unique place. Vanderbilt is awesome.</p>
<p>^^^Yes, many schools offer human development, but Vanderbilt's program, in the Peabody school, is unusual. (If Melody is interested, she will know that already.)</p>
<p>Can any of you knowledgeable folks comment on the success of these schools' graduates in being admitted to top law, medical, doctoral or mba programs? Also would appreciate any input as to level of drinking. We want some social life, sure, but have heard enough hair-raising tales to be a bit concerned about partying being too much of a theme. Thanks. Really great discussion here.</p>