<p>Like the title suggests, which one and why? I'm going into engineering, and I know they're both great schools. But I have no idea where to go. Thanks!</p>
<p>northwestern. definitely</p>
<p>ha, I'm facing the same decision! (well btwn NU, vandy, and truman state, if you've seen my other post) And, although I'm undecided in my major, I too am considering engineering. Anyways, I've spent a better part of today comparing these schools in my head and this is what I've come up with.</p>
<p>NU:
-excellent engineering w/more department options than vandy (idk what kind of engineering you want to go into, but for someone like me this was a plus)
-Chicago location
-more "midwestern" feel
-Perhaps slight more recognition than vandy internationally, but they are pretty equal
-cold weather</p>
<p>Vandy:
-also excellent engineering program
-very big social scene (42% participate in greek system)
-more "southern" feel
-more centralized campus and much more nature
-warmer weather</p>
<p>In the end, you can't go wrong either way. For me, financially they'd cost me almost the same, otherwise that would have been a factor. I think the thing that tipped the scales for me was that Northwestern is closer to home (i live in the chicago suburbs) and I simply liked the feel of the campus more. In a case like this, be sure to visit both schools if at all possible and just go with your gut.</p>
<p>For the record, Vandy and NU have roughly the same greek percentage, but NU's greek system is a "midwest style" and Vanderbilt is a southern style, i.e. way more intense, more hazing, etc.</p>
<p>If you care about rankings (NU is higher in every field), co-op, and Engineering First, Northwestern hands down. Otherwise, I encourage you to visit both schools and decide for yourself.</p>
<p>I don’t really care about rankings, but my main thing is I just want to be happy. I know this is determined by my attitude towards where I go, but I’ll generally be relatively happy if I don’t feel intense stress and competition. I work extremely hard and I expect to in order to do well, but I don’t want to feel like I’m on this endless struggle that will never pay off.</p>
<p>Also, I do love my liberal arts. How easy is it to take what you want to and still graduate in 4 years with a possible study abroad?</p>
<p>hey, i’m looking at the same decision+ JHU.
I don’t really know, although I am leaning towards NU because of their jazz program, also that it is close to me. If anyone cares about music, I think NU is seen a little bit better than Vandy, although it might be easier at Vandy to finish in 4 years. Still looking at JHU because I was also accepted at Peabody, which offers conservatory based music, although i would have to worry about being shot on the way back from rehearsal 
good luck!</p>
<p>Because of the whole Southern culture thing, Vanderbilt seems homogeneous and elitist. If you want more diversity, I would recommend NU.</p>
<p>I think Vandy is a very fine and very attractive school in a nice city, and that NU is an excellent, perhaps marginally less attractive school - EXCEPT FOR THE LAKE, in a great city. I would pick NU every time.</p>
<p>If your decision is purely about the education and not the
social life, Northwestern for sure.</p>
<p>Chance me please?</p>
<p>^ this is an old thread, but I just wanted to point out that social life depends more on the individual not the institution. Both institutions have plenty of opportunities for social life and if you’re decently social (get to know your floormates in the dorm, join clubs), you will find them. Frats here might not be run “southern” style, but not everybody is looking for that anyway. </p>
<p>As for academic quality, Vanderbilt is a fine school but NU’s programs are a notch higher. Just look at graduate and professional schools rankings.</p>
<p>Or football. 23-21!</p>
<p>[Northwestern</a> Wildcats vs. Vanderbilt Commodores - Recap - September 04, 2010 - ESPN](<a href=“http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302470238]Northwestern”>http://espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=302470238)</p>
<p>I went to Nashville couple months ago. The country music scene was interesting but the city and the downtown area were smaller than I expected.</p>
<p>This might be useful data: Vandy has no co-op program…NU has a good one.</p>