<p>I was admitted to both with money not being an issue at all. Just wondering what you guys think.</p>
<p>look on the next page, there's a huge discussion on the reputation of Vanderbilt that should give you some ideas :)</p>
<p>^^^One of the ideas that thread might give you is that "it takes all types to make the world go 'round". </p>
<p>There are other threads that specifically address the Princeton vs Vanderbilt choice, but it most of those cases, money is an issue.</p>
<p>IMO--as the parent of a Vanderbilt student, and a non-southerner--I think Vanderbilt is a great school and Nashville a wonderful place to be a student. It is no surprise to me that the vast majority of students are thrilled to be there--excellent academics, including profs who take undergraduate education seriously, a very active and fun campus, good location in a fun city, Div. 1 sports, polite and helpful office staff (that's a parent speaking)...</p>
<p>I'm not going to knock Princeton. But I encourage you to visit both.</p>
<p>I think midmo is right about Vanderbilt.
However, some choices, IMO, should override campus visits. Unless something just screams out "don't come here!", I can't see picking Emory over Harvard or Vandy over Princeton. The level of academics is just so different.
If you are unhappy with Princeton, after giving it a try, it's an easy matter to transfer to Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>I stick with my suggestion to visit both. The fact that you are still considering Vanderbilt enough to post this question says to me that you think Vanderbilt may have something to offer you that Princeton lacks.</p>
<p>I don't know what the previous poster's acquaintance with Vanderbilt consists of. I am not inclined to agree that there is a vast difference in the "level of academics" between the two schools, although I recognize that the level of international renown of some of Princeton's faculty is unparalleled. Exactly how that translates into the overall quality of undergraduate instruction is probably not quite as cut and dried. </p>
<p>My real question to you is this: when you say that "money is not an issue at all", what exactly does that mean? If you are saying that you have a big merit award at Vanderbilt but you can afford to pay for Princeton so that doesn't matter, then I think you might want to reconsider whether or not money is an issue. The difference in price, especially if invested for the next four years, could be a considerable amount of money to spend on travel, starting a business, further investment, etc. after graduation.</p>
<p>On the other hand, if you would be paying the same for both schools, ignore that bit of Ben Franklin-ish advice and concentrate on which school is better for you overall. While Princeton's name and reputation are close to unmatched, this isn't a choice between Rural State U and Princeton, and there may be personal factors that provide very good reasons for you to choose the slightly less prestigious school. </p>
<p>I'd be giving the same advice if the choice were P vs Rice, Univ. of Chicago, WUSTL, etc. Check them out. Meet people. Ask questions.</p>
<p>Okay, I don't usually snoop and look at other posts by posters, but I was curious if there was more info. to be considered. It looks like this is not a case of unbounded wealth, and Princeton was very generous. I don't know whether Vanderbilt's aid was in the form of merit or fa, though, and I'm not sure it matters--except that danas' advice to transfer later if you don't like Princeton may not work, since there is no guarantee the offer will be the same in the future.</p>
<p>What is it you like enough about Vanderbilt to consider it after acceptance to Princeton? Or, conversely, what is it about Princeton that gives you pause?</p>
<p>Both schools gave virtually the same amount of aid. So, money is not an issue when considering. For me, I think that Princeton's very low faculty rating and mandatory Senior Thesis is what sets it apart. Also, I like the Integrated Science Program at Princeton and their Mathematics. Vandy also was good in many areas, and has great sports. I have visited both and don't know which one to choose. Any more advice?</p>
<p>Princeton’s move, along with several other Ivy colleges, to expand financial aid has been couched in terms of making college more affordable to more people. I won’t dispute this, but I suspect a second reason was that there was some leakage from their admittance pool to other, highest quality institutions that have been offering merit aid. Vanderbilt was/is one of these colleges that offers merit aid and they have successfully intrigued many strong students who then visit the school and find out what an attractive college experience it offers, both in and out of the classroom. </p>
<p>Contrasted with the Ivy colleges, Vanderbilt’s undergraduate life is very differentiated in terms of the quality of life outside of the classroom while offering a similar level of undergraduate education, though perhaps on a less visible campus. Students who have bothered to investigate and visit can see the campus and cultural differences (though not all will necessarily be attracted to those differences). The personality of the Vanderbilt environment is varied and the old stereotypes have evolved to create a much more dynamic academic environment while still maintaining some characteristics that cannot be found on any Ivy campus. </p>
<p>With specific regard to this choice, I would lean to Princeton because I haven’t any read any specific criteria that would suggest that the OP really wants some of the characteristics only available at Vanderbilt. Furthermore, Princeton’s national and international renown and brand is arguably the best there is in American education (and I would conclude the same for H and Y). IMO, the only non-Ivy colleges of similar standing would be Stanford, MIT, and Duke (yes, I recognize that my inclusion of Duke is a minority view). I would place Vanderbilt in that next tier of top colleges. </p>
<p>Despite my suggestion here of Princeton, Vanderbilt can make for an exceptionally attractive undergraduate experience and I would strongly argue for it for those considering the non-HYP Ivies.</p>
<p>jlsniff- I think you find Princeton the more appealing school (faculty:student ratio, Senior Thesis...), but you want someone to encourage you to go to the "fun" school. I have a feeling Princeton would be the better school for you. It may even be more undergrad-focused than Vandy. I know people at Vanderbilt who are very happy, and LOVE Nashville. However, unless you're a country music junkie or a happy Southerner, I doubt it will offer you any more (although not necessarily less) than Princeton. P-ton seems to be the school most fitted to you academically, and I think that will translate to a fantastic group of like-minded peers there. You can have as much fun at Princeton as Vanderbilt...except, of course, regarding sports :).</p>
<p>If you want fun, Princeton is pretty fun. The eating clubs are fun. That's kind of the point of them. And I find Princeton to be the most "southern" in feel of all the Ivies.</p>
<p>Without knowing any more information than is shared in the original post in this thread, Princeton is the obvious choice based on benefits & opportunities offered to Princeton undergraduates. I love Vanderbilt, but I do agree with post #4. However, if the applicant was also admitted to a guaranteed admission program at Vanderbilt for law or medical school, then my suggestion would be different.</p>
<p>If you are thinking of majoring in math, then academically, Princeton is probably the right choice. There are many students at Vanderbilt who add math on as an auxiliary major, but I doubt there are many who go to Vanderbilt to major primarily in math if they have a <em>same-price</em> option in Princeton.</p>
<p>Maybe some day, but not yet...</p>
<p>alumother,
Like you, my historical impression of Princeton was that it was the most "southern" in feel of all of the Ivy campuses. But I think that Princeton has changed over the last decade or more and this feel is not nearly as identifiable. I'm not saying it's better or worse today, but I do think it is different. Do you see/feel the same thing?</p>
<p>Ironically, my impression is that Vanderbilt has probably changed even more than Princeton over the last decade. Part of that impression is undoubtedly the result of the college's marked increase in student quality, culminating in this year's remarkable admissions season. While Vandy still retains much more of that "southern" feel than you find at Princeton, it is probably culturally more like Princeton and other Ivies today than ever before in its history as diversity (measured by geography, ethnicity and religious affiliation) has never been higher and continues on the upswing. </p>
<p>I would say that this evolution is ongoing to various degrees at the top schools located in the South (Duke, Rice, Vandy, Emory). The benefit to the academic environments is undeniable and very positive, but the campus culture impact is less clear as these colleges are also adapting to the influx of those coming from new channels who have different backgrounds and perhaps some different interests. The trick will be to see if these colleges can retain their attractive and unique "southern" undergraduate flavors while assimilating a more national and international student body.</p>