<p>"People would MUCH rather go to Vanderbilt than Wash U."</p>
<p>That's a very sweeping generalization. Just because the typical prep school graduate is more likely to choose Vandy over Wash U doesn't mean everyone will. Like TheOC89 said, the schools cater to different crowds. Vandy tends to attract preppy white kids. If you were to ask an Asian, Jew, atheist, or liberal which they would rather attend, they are more likely to pick Wash U. </p>
<p>"all of my friends would much rather go to Vanderbilt than Wash U."</p>
<p>So what. Most of my friends would choose Wash U over Vandy, does that mean Wash U is better than Vandy?</p>