<p>I had a conversation with my dad yesterday, and I explained to him that although I have had my eyes set on Duke for years, I am leaning more towards Vanderbilt now. This is because I feel that I would have more fun at Vanderbilt and feel more at home, while still receiving an excellent education. My dad basically went off on me, saying that I was screwing myself over in the long run by going to a school whose pre-med was slightly less prestigous.</p>
<p>What do you all think? Do you think the difference between Duke and Vanderbilt would affect my chances THAT greatly in terms of med school, salary, etc.?</p>
<p>My stance on this is that I know I would have more fun at Vanderbilt, enjoy the feeling of a larger city, and from what I've heard, be in a slightly less competitive atmosphere. So would it be worth it going to a slightly less prestigous school and enjoying my time more, or do I really need to go all the way and go to the more challenging school?</p>
<p>Did anyone here have to make the same kind of decision? Did you go for the slightly better or slightly more comfortable school? Do you regret your decision at all?</p>
<p>Edit: This is assuming I get accepted to both next year of course, which I've been told by many that I stand a pretty good chance.</p>
<p>If you are outstanding (GPA) at a prestigious school, and have good rec's, research, MCAT's and interviews, your med school prospects are improved. If you slack off at a pretigious school, don't do research or get good rec's it's going to hurt you - regardless of the prestige of the school. If enjoying your time more is interacting with profs, learning, researching and a reasonable amount of socializing, Vandy sounds good. If its partying, think again about your career choice.</p>
<p>Yeah, I meant free time basically. I just don't want to always have to be studying or something. I understand that with high quality schools, much studying is going to be needed. But I want something more like Vanderbilt where you have time to get out and explore Nashville, hang out with friends, join a frat, etc. </p>
<p>I know you can't be pre-med and expect to party all the time.</p>
<p>it all matters where you go to med school. my dads a doctor in one of the most honored practices in my city, and his partners went to undergrad at the following schools: UTexas, Ole Miss, Penn State, Colgate, Penn, A&M, abd U Maryland. if you make good grades at any college, you can go to a top notch med school. also, Vanderbilt is considered a very good school and probably a better atmostphere than duke</p>
<p>If you really want to have fun, tell your dad you don't want to become a doctor. </p>
<p>So you are having heated arguments about which school you should decide to go to, after you may or may not get accepted.... next year? Wait until you have an actual choice to make... but at that point, go for the fun!</p>
<p>When faced with a $40,000+ tuition bill, parents' hackles tend to rise when their kids say their college decisions will be based on which college will offer the best chance to have fun.</p>
<p>Far better to frame one's decision by saying something like, "College X would allow me to obtain a higher gpa while also pursuing (fill in academic or career-oriented EC) at a high enough level to help boost me into an excellent graduate school or into a fast track professional job after college."</p>
<p>I definitely agree with you. The presteige difference between Duke and Vanderbilt is so minor that it's pretty much negligible. Your gpa and MCAT scores will have a far greater impact on your med school options, but you shouldn't be worrying too much about that right now anyway.</p>
<p>If I were choosing between Duke and Vandy, I'd go Vandy as well. Nashville is really fun, and I'm not too impressed with the state of North Carolina. Apply to both, and if you can, I'd absolutely suggest visiting.</p>
<p>I think you should go to the school that will make you happiest. The happier you are, the more likely you will do well. If you do want to party though, I would temper that temptation while in college if you really want to go to med. school. Sure, have a great time, but remind yourself that undergrad is a stepping stone to something else you really want. Moderation is key.</p>
<p>Though Duke may be slightly more prestigious than Vandy, if you a maintain a high GPA and do well on your MCATs, you will get into a good med. program no matter which school.</p>
<p>I think you should explain to your dad, that the major is Pre Med, tell him that in the end it doesn't really matter because it's the Med school you'll go to that is more important.</p>
<p>LnknPrk-
Tell your dad either that
1) You've decided to take a year off and become a groupie , or
2) After further consideration, Slippery Rock U. has become your first choice.
Comparatively Duke and Vandy will both sound fine to him (no offense to those at Slippery Rock!)</p>
<p>First off, you really can't major in Premed, you can just fill the reqs.
Secondly, nobody cares where you did you undergrad... I've been told this many times. My nextdoor neighbor is a doctor and he said all that matters is that you get good grades in college and do well on the MCATs. I would be you that if I went to a fourth tier school ( which I am not, this is just for example) and got a 3.8 GPA and also got in the 97th percentile on my MCATs and you went to Duke, got a 3.3 GPA and did better on your MCATs or the same, I think that I would get in over you...</p>
<p>Thank you so much for so many replies. It seems I had the right feel of how things work. I honestly feel I would be happier at Vanderbilt, and it'd probably be a tiny bit easier to get a higher GPA there as well. </p>
<p>By the way, that Slippery Rock U. idea isn't too bad.....lol.</p>
<p>This is the kind of madness where being overly concerned with rankings leads. Duke and Vandy are in the same league, close enough that the decision not only could be made on other bases but should be.</p>
<p>" saying that I was screwing myself over in the long run by going to a school whose pre-med was slightly less prestigous"</p>
<p>I totally agree with your dad. Vanderbilt is virtually a no-name as far as schools are concerned. If you're paying the full price for tuition, it's insane to go to Vanderbilt. Why settle for less? It tough to make it with a prestigious degree.....it's much tougher without one. (I've heard this from people whose word you can take to the bank)</p>
<p>"I totally agree with your dad. Vanderbilt is virtually a no-name as far as schools are concerned."</p>
<p>Ridiculous. I have an Ivy degree. Vandy gets a lot of respect, particularly in the South. My advice would be for the OP to check with the career and/or graduate placement offices at the two universities to find out what students do after senior year, including what graduate/professional schools they go to and what kind of jobs they get. Admissions also can direct the OP to the people who can answer those questions.</p>
<p>My advice to you would be not to automatically assume you will be admitted to these schools. Do you very best on the applications, and then, when and if you are accepted to both, you can regard each as a personal triumph. Then and only then should you make your decision. </p>
<p>My opinion of the two schools echos what several other posters have said...Duke is only minimally more presitgious than Vanderbilt, and therefore other issues make it pretty much irrelevant. Nashville and Durham are on opposite ends of the spectrum, and I would definitely prefer Nashville. I wouldn't count on getting a much higher gpa at Vandy, especially if you're premed, because the courseload in insanely tough (btw, I'm a VU student.) My premed friend (SATs in the 1500s, top 10% at Exeter) currently has a 2.5...ouch. In the end, you just have to choose the school that is right for you, as long as your dad is not deadset against it (especially if he is paying for it!) If you're as smart as you seem to be, I'm sure you can figure out a way to convince your dad.</p>
<p>I think that people often overestimate the importance of an institute's prestige when it comes to pre-med. As long as you're not at some podunk state school, you'll be fine. Get good grades and good MCAT scores and you'll be okay wherever you did your undergrad.</p>