<p>First of all, congratulations to the students who were accepted in their preferred school. To those students who did into their preferred school, please remember not to take it personally. I took the first few rejections badly, until I realize THERE WAS NO PATTERN. I got rejected or waitlisted by schools in much lower rankings than the schools that accepted me. One of the top schools that waitlisted me was totally a "shot across the court"...would not dream of even stepping into their college lawn! My father said, don't worry about "school ranking", focus on "your fit" to the college!
For those who are interested, my stats are 2150 SAT I (800 in one of the tests), 700+ in SAT II, great references from two teachers who knew me for four years (one was a mentor in on EC activity), 1 varsity sport - not captain, but one of top scorers, one very deep EC activity where I excelled every year for four years in high school, community service activity that was real (I started it in middle school for sincere personal reasons before I knew it had any college advantage), heterosexual male, no perceptible ethnic advantage, upper percentile of an academically and athletically tough east coast high school, I took two undergradute college courses last summer in one of the top 25 colleges -some have programs for selected junior students (where I got two A's, competing against freshman and sophomore college students), studied multiple languages, play multiple musical instruments very well. So, I hope this helps those who are interested in this information. I did not do everything, but I did a few things very very well - is the essence of my resume. Not planned, just happened that way because of the nature of my interests and the passion that I have for my interests. Most would view me as simply a passionate butwell-rounded student, not a top notch scholar, not a star athlete, and not a social activist. My mother is from the south, and my father is from the midwest, and I now live in the east coast.
I was accepted at Notre Dame and Vanderbilt. I am waitlisted in one of the Ivy League schools (surprise! So, I'm not thinking about this yet - it's still too far-fetched at this stage). It's like comparing apples to oranges - Notre Dame vs. Vanderbilt.<br>
So, school stats aside, I consider myself a regular guy. I am religious and have a good moral compass (full credit to my parents for introducing me to and helping me understand the real essence of faith and morality), heavy partyer (I'm part Irish, who loves Beer Pong, but do not lose my faculties), love dating girls (not girl-crazy, but genuinely enjoy the company of the other sex - hoping to meet the right woman to marry someday. So, I'm not a "player". Just don't know what I'm looking for yet), I will study hard but not extremely hard (I will not sacrifice my social development, musical interest and community service for pure scholastic pursuits), I compose and sing my own songs (have a band), and I mainly enjoy lifting weights (so, no athletic sports preference).
I have always wanted to go to Notre Dame since I first heard about the school. But I have also learned a lot of new things about Vanderbilt - know several close people who go there, and love it. All the alums I've met from both schools, love their school! Whew!
I plan to go to grad school - business or law. After grad school, I would like to work in government or military service, to pay my dues to our great country (Not perfect, but still the best in the world, if you sincerely assess it without political bias. It's "work in progress", just in the last 200 years). After that, I plan to start my own business or join an entrepreneurial business environment or an exciting law firm. I apologize for the specifics. I tend to dream in specifics :-).
So, for current students, alums, administrators, parents of students of Vanderbilt and Notre Dame, I welcome your opinions and advise. My father said, I can't go wrong with either choice. He does not want to weigh in - he said, this is the first most important decision in my life that I will have to make myself.
So, I'm reaching out to the wonderful people at CC. Thanks.</p>
<p>Go to Notre Dame--Vandy is a great school, but outside of the South, have to wonder how nationally or internationally it is known. Spouse is a Law School grad of Vandy and shares the same sentiments. If finances are not an issue, you don't mind cold weather/small college town(South Bend), then Notre Dame is the place for you. Don't think you could go wrong!!! Good Luck!</p>
<p>My S was in a similar situation a year ago. His top 4 acceptances were ND, Vanderbilt, Duke and Yale. Those first 3 are more similar to one another, but it's difficult to turn down Yale. (was much more difficult for his parents than it was for him...) I posted a thread last spring much like yours and got many helpful replies, especially from Irish68178 and Shellzie. You may want to search and read those.</p>
<p>I think ND and Vandy are similar in many ways and different in some--they share excellent academics, sports atmosphere, great amount of school spirit, and a cooperative, not cut-throat atmosphere. ND-better football, much more emphasis on faith and family. Nashville-WAY better weather. Both have a work hard/play hard mentality- but Vandy puts more effort into marketing that slogan.</p>
<p>He's a freshman at ND. It's been beyond all student and parental expectations. I didn't see how ND could possibly live up to all the "family" hype. They more than live up to it--constantly, and in each and every way. I thought Vandy was friendlier during the ap process, although ND was professional and courteous. Once the line of acceptance was crossed, the transformation was unbelievable. All of our interactions, from gate guard, to f/a, to rector, have been pleasant and productive. We live fairly close and therefore are on campus quite a bit and I've observed this time after time.</p>
<p>What you read is true--Notre Dame has a soul. One feels it on campus. They don't just market "excellence in all things"--they constantly strive for it.</p>
<p>If you're interested in business, ND's Mendoza was just ranked 3rd in the country.</p>
<p>Your father is correct: both are excellent schools and you won't go wrong choosing either. Perhaps you can revisit them and see which "feels" best for you. Good luck and hope to see you under the Dome!</p>
<p>Notre dame AL, fortunately, I'm the youngest of three children. And my parents are better off now, than they were with my older siblings. Lucky, again. My oldest sister had to "settle" for a school with better financial aid, but she loved where she went, she was successful at her school, and at life, in general. Thank you for your advice.</p>
<p>Notre Dame business school I will assume is better for undergraduate because of the rankings. If you believe in rankings.</p>
<p>If you're interested in continuing your education both schools have similar grad placement, although Notre Dame produces more doctors and lawyers while Vanderbilt produces more academics it seems.
<a href="http://careercenter.nd.edu/assets/2322/2007_future_plans_final.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://careercenter.nd.edu/assets/2322/2007_future_plans_final.pdf</a>
<a href="http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/files/eHBAmk/GSS%20Employment%20and%20GPS%20Results%202006.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://sitemason.vanderbilt.edu/files/eHBAmk/GSS%20Employment%20and%20GPS%20Results%202006.pdf</a></p>
<p>Other than that my only experience with Vanderbilt was during alternative spring break in Florida. While the Vanderbilt kids were doing habitat for humanity and sorting at the homeless shelter and "bonding" (they did a lot of bonding, we were in the watermelon fields, homestaying with Guatemalan immigrants, attending CIW meetings, meeting with the county director of housing, tutoring Haitian children (and attending Creole Mass), cooking for local families, we did habitat one day and on our free day we presented at a high school and learned aztec dancing with the only aztec dance group in south florida. That's a shameless plug for our service-learning programs, if you're into that kind of thing.</p>
<p>And as for the attractiveness factor, the Vandy girls were the same as the DomerGirls, but that's an admittedly small sample size.</p>
<p>Thanks to bpayne1, srystress, and notre dame AL for the solid advice.</p>