Mississippi State vs. Vanderbilt! (slightly complicated! ha)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hey everyone! I am in a really tough spot... I am STUCK between two colleges. Now based on the topic title alone, it would seem like an easy choice; however, my scholarship to MSU compilcates things. To start of, I am majoring in Biomedical Engineering and hope to pursue Tissue Engineering. I have a full ride to MSU (plus some that I will list in a second), and Vandy is 10k a year (which my parents said is fine for them).</p>

<p>Now I LOVE both places. But I have been a Mississippian for eighteen years, and I love MSU sports, campus, people, etc. I know TONS of people there, have a great roommate set up, and feel very comfortable on campus. I'm just more familiar with it. However, Vanderbilt is an AMAZING school, althought MSU is a good engineering school too.</p>

<p>At MSU I am one of 9 Distinguished Scholars who receive:
-full tuition, board, meals, books, travel
-two $2,000 research grants useable for two separate summers (and MSU has a tissue engineering lab)
-a $1,500 study abroad stipend (MSU also has certain SA for BioMed)
-priority help in finding internships
-fall and spring distinguished scholar week-long trips around the country</p>

<p>With that in mind, is that worth giving up over Vandy? I am MOST concerned about having a great resume for Grad School, and I know that I would have a higher GPA at State. Also, my opportunity to do things IN SCHOOL may be greater with paid research, study abroad. All opinions are appreciated!! Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I am normally all for going for the money, but I’d say Vanderbilt gets the edge in this case. There is an extremely large gap between MS State and Vanderbilt, and Vandy is a top 15 school for undergrad BME. Furthermore, it’s much stronger overall should you decide engineering is not your thing.</p>

<p>$10K per year is quite reasonable.</p>

3

<p>For MSU to be the better choice, you have to be 100% sure your major will not change. The MSU opportunity sounds, quite frankly, incredible (despite the lack of name recognition), and I imagine employers will look beyond T20 schools in the coming years as more and more talented students take opportunities like the one you’ve been provided.</p>

<p>You should avoid taking your comfort with MSU into account–of course you’re more comfortable with what you know! That is not a pro.</p>

<p>$10K is definitely reasonable, but there’s a lot you can do with your MSU opportunity–assuming that you have no doubts about your major.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the replies! Yes, I am pretty sure I want to do Biomed, but you have me rethinking it now ha</p>