<p>Hello! I'm a potential 2015er and I feel like I'm ready to commit to Vandy after visiting this past weekend. However, I am very curious to know how some current students, parents, etc. feel about the intellectual vitality of the students at Vandy. There is no doubt in my mind that Vanderbilt has some of the top students in the world. However, I have also been accepted to UChicago, which is famous/infamous for its focus on the pursuit of knowledge/instilling a vast sense of intellectualism in its students. Could someone please comment on this idea? Deposits are due soon, and I don't want to commit anywhere until I feel like I have a full picture of my future alma mater!</p>
<p>No one can really tell you how to compare the two schools, because no one has attended both as an undergraduate.</p>
<p>At the end of April four years ago, my son was still deciding between U of Chicago and Vanderbilt. He was attracted to U of Chicago because of the intellectual aura. He was admitted EA and everyone thought that was where he was going. He is quite well-rounded, studied three foreign languages, took many AP English and history courses, writes very well, but his main interests were in computer science and math. In the end, he went with Vanderbilt because c.s. is in the engineering school and promised more hands-on research opps, and because they offered him a big merit scholarship. It was a tough decision, but he has never regretted it. If he finds the intellectual stimulation lacking, I haven’t heard about it. Maybe he lost his thirst for learning! (That was a joke).</p>
<p>Are you in CAS? You might take a look at the required courses and compare that to the core curriculum at U Chicago. If you are in engineering, you will have fewer social science and humanities required courses.</p>
<p>FWIW, I am a fan of U of Chicago, but I have to say that I think the reputation as a hot-bed of intellectualism is exaggerated. That doesn’t mean you will find as many students at Vanderbilt who want to spend a weekend evening discussing the finer points of the French Enlightenment, because you won’t, but many really smart, really intellectual students love Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Good luck sorting it out.</p>
<p>Chicago is an exciting major city with millions of opportunities around you…I think you should pick where you want to live for four years. Not much diff between Vandy student stats and Chicago stats anymore when they arrive at Vandy or U Chicago. Which school would you most like to call your alma mater? Where would you like to return as an adult now and then for reunions? Besides comparing academic pathways, if this is even possible for you…think about your long term affiliation with each institution. Alum life is a part of college. Vanderbilt now has a national footprint and alum clubs will be expanding nationwide. My Duke son really enjoys his city Duke Club for networking and for getting together to enjoy sports events.<br>
Vanderbilt is a rigorous school with a warm friendly vibe and more of the traditional life and Greek life on campus from Vandy’s past and its bigger sports program. My Vandy sophomore is heavily involved in many academically oriented outside of class and has made Vanderbilt a great fit by intentional use of his time. Vandy profs can be quite accessible and many classes are more like a liberal arts college experience. He also really enjoys Nashville but he was raised in a backwater city and not sure he was really ready for Chicago at your age.<br>
You should not underestimate the academic ambitions of Vandy students whether or not they are Greek or independent. Go with your emotional fit and enjoy your four years…</p>