<p>Both full ride.
Interested in Anthropology and Film Studies, but undecided yet.</p>
<p>Smith
-prestigious women college, with motivated female peers
-beautiful new england town
-limited course about film studies and anthropology. heard five college consortium is not that convenient
-wonderful alumnae network
-but, all women?</p>
<p>Vanderbilt
-Nashville, music city!
-one of top U, not sure of its reputation in east coast where I want to work
-not sure of south culture
-some rumor about segregation, stereotype
-anthropology courses are limited to North and South American</p>
<p>LittleE-- Vanderbilt is a fine academic instiution, in fact it is a member of an elite club of research universities known as the Association of American Universities (AAU)-- 60 or so by invitation only schools.</p>
<p>Southern culture? yes. I suspect you have seen the classic “Gone With the Wind” featuring Scarlett O’Hara. Rather formal would be my .02. Some traditions are rather nice, eg., formal gowns on the ladies at home football games. My neighbor’s wife is a Vanderbilt graduate and she speaks highly of the school. </p>
<p>Count your blessings with these 2 fine choices. </p>
<p>As they say you have two great choices in front of you. You need to consider the relative size of the two schools; as always, with a bigger school, you will have a greater selection of classes available to you, but will they be larger and will you be able to get the ones you want?</p>
<p>For a school of its size, I believe the Anthropology Department(at Smith) is a strong one; Film Studies is definitely not a big one, but the consortium likely fills in some of the gaps. I think it’s more convenient than you realize…some current or former Smithies can chime in on that aspect.</p>
<p>Yes it’s all women! But that’s far from being a bad thing as I’m sure you know. Other threads have addressed that issue, if you explore you can find them.</p>
<p>As far as Vanderbilt’s “name recognition,” although not as strong as down South, I think it’s pretty good up here. Most people know its a very good university and produces some wonderful sports teams. ;)</p>
<p>You didn’t say where you’re from but I’m assuming it’s not the “Deep South.” There would be some culture shock going down to Dixie. But I know there are many northerners who attend Vandy.</p>
<p>I wish you luck and I know nothing we say on here is going to shift you in either direction.</p>
<p>And I’m sure “CrewDad” has some kind of affiliation with Vanderbilt and he will be able to elaborate further. :D</p>
<p>I can’t imagine two schools with more different social cultures, particularly among the women. My oldest daughter is a senior at Vanderbilt; youngest goes to Amherst, with friends at Smith. Have you visited both these schools? You will get a great education either place, but undoubtedly one of these is going to feel like a better fit for you, and given their differences, it’s quite possible the other might not fit at all.</p>
<p>Are you visiting these two schools? I agree with Minoafrau; they’re both so different, I think it would be hard to imagine your being happy at both. You should take the time from high school and visit them to discover what kind of life you really want for the next four years.</p>
<p>Just to chime in about taking other classes in the consortium, I think it’s more difficult than admissions would have you believe since there are logistical issues (the bus does take 20-40 minutes depending on what college you choose to take a class at, and trying to find an off campus class that fits into your schedule takes a bit more work than simply selecting a Smith class) but it’s certainly not impossible. Many of my friends have taken classes at the other schools in the area, predominantly at UMASS and Hampshire (some at Amherst, I don’t think I’ve met anyone taking a class at MoHo), and next semester I am planning on taking a class at Hampshire. It just depends on what you’re studying each semester and takes careful planning, but it is definitely doable.</p>