<p>When you say "having a casual conversation", might you be talking about who won the world series. I'm a brain when it comes to the sciences, physical and humanities. I came out with a 106 overall average in one science course. I ace'd my other courses too. They wanted me to tutor, but after consideration, I decided that those people who are "great at casual conversation", weren't great at intellectual conversation. How could they? They were partying before the test, and expected a miracle just before the end of the course...duh! I'm brainey and a little bit Magoo...kind of proud of it. I can also converse with about anyone on about any subject, casual or formal. Oh, and by the way, I take at least one bath every day, and I go neatly groomed.</p>
<p>honey, you don't even know me</p>
<p>My friend went to Vanderbilt in the 80's. She said there were many Arabic students there. Does that make for prestige?</p>
<p>kfc4u, since when did USC's prestige become an issue in this thread?</p>
<p>Look, we can all go around saying, "in my neighborhood, this and that are more prestigious." Whatever. In the end, those are just our own anecdotal opinions. Of course USC will have more name recognition in Southern California. Of course Vanderbilt, likely due to sports, will garner more name recognition. Of course someone from UCLA, thinking their prestige outweighs the others (despite Vanderbilt being ranked much higher), is going to insult the others. In the end, these opinions, as well as mine, are disposable and don't really matter.</p>
<p>Whose do? Those of recruiters and graduate school admission officers; and I think it would be fair to say that just about all would look more highly upon Chicago. Sure, if I got into both, I would go to Vanderbilt for the reasons argued by semiserious. Vanderbilt's a great school; it just has the misfortune of being compared to Chicago in this thread. In reality, very few can be compared to Chicago.</p>
<p>"honey, you don't even know me"
Was that an attempt to be sassy and break out of the uchicago mold?</p>
<p>
[quote]
hanna1, you are really only serving to validate the point that chicago is a veritable beehive of nerdery.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Meateater, I really want to marry you. I find it beyond hilarious that two UChicago people came to this thead trying to defend and really only ended up perpetuating the stereotype. If I didn't know better I'd think it was a joke.</p>
<p>Helana -- what?</p>
<p>Helena -- you came to the argument late. The discussion was that any small differences in prestige between Vanderbilt and Chicago were made up by Vandy's active social life. Obviously, if you lock yourself in your room this means nothing. But to the average person, its important when finding a college that fits.</p>
<p>"where fun goes to die" is a joke. Students poke fun at it because of the reputation. People who take it seriously don't get the joke. I'm done defending.</p>
<p>Chicago may be 'nerdy', but it is by far more esteemed in academic circles than Vanderbilt. Vanderbilt is a 'hot' school. Right now it's trendy, and it has good academics, so it is enjoying an influx of people. Trendy, however, is not prestigious. NYU is a hot school as well. Many people at my school would choose it over Chicago, but that doesn't make it more prestigious. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>What is Vanderbilt?</p>
<p>Actually, Duke is in the south, southern North Carolina, precisely. I'm a Carolinian. Please don't call it the Harvard of the North. Duke is not one of the original Ivy League school. It's about to be in a class of it's own. Besides, look at Duke power, and how it rates on the financial reviews. Believe me, That entire Duke community is all entwined.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input, film. I think it's pretty accurate. Somebody pointed out before, and I think it's quite true, that Vanderbilt is more esteemed in wealthier circles. I live in a very affluent neighborhood, and schools with trust-fund sort of reputations, such as SMU, USC, and Vanderbilt to some extent, are very respected around here. That doesn't necessarily equate to national prestige.</p>
<p>I believe most people, even in the "educated" circles, would say that the difference in prestige between Vanderbilt and Chicago is neglible.</p>
<p>Btw, Duke students like to call Harvard the "Duke of the North". I have heard both Vanderbilt and Duke referred to as "the Ivy of the South" or the "Harvard of the South".</p>
<p>Maybe it's a regional thing. I live on the upper east side, which is no ghetto I assure you, and Vanderbilt is little known, and most people aren't that into it. Through this board I've learned about how it's a good school, bla bla bla. For the most part people don't want to go to Southern schools if they can get into a comparably ranked Northern school. For example, SMU is more like a running joke than a school. "Where are you applying?" "I dunno, maybe SMU" "Hahahahaha." I'm not saying thats cool or smart, it's just how it is in Manhattan. Now in california, I'm guessing that many people want to stay in regions with warmer weather, which is why schools like Vanderbilt and Emory are top choices. So, I think we can just say that prestige varies by region. I still stand by my assertion that in academia UChicago is viewed higher. I would say that University faculty would give a higher peer ranking to Chicago -- this can be easily checked and either backed up or refuted, but I don't have the energy to do it. ;)</p>
<p>filmxoxo, I'm from New York and there are 10 Vandy kids from my HS (and its not that big). Did you go to public school or prep school, just curious. </p>
<p>Also, have you ever been to Dorrian's? I've heard its a great college bar on the Upper East Side.</p>
<p>prep school. dorrians was the bar that the preppy murder all stemmed from...</p>
<p>Dorian's is sweet. FYI, that's where the guy from the "preppy murder" met Jennifer Levin. I like TJ O'Malley's (thats probably not the name but its something irish, its on 88th and they have ruit tables) I also like Obar ( once again horrendous spelling, plus you have to buy a 200 dollar bottle of champagne to get a table but its fun and more clubby.) opia, and Iggy's are also good.</p>
<p>nice esp filmxoxo.</p>
<p>Actually, social life has much to do with prestige. It's well know that big jock on high school campus gets free grades put into his records, thus paving the way for a full scholarshop to a good college, even though he may not even be able to read by the time he graduates from high school. Having the right connections make all the difference. If you're in cahoots with the school staff at your kids high school, it has a great impact on grading the student. It works the same in the real world. If you have something to contribute to the business world, the perception you're connected to clout, you can skate, at least for a while. But of course, when you get into the real world, it's how you prove yourself, and eventually you're on your own.</p>
<p>hahaha preppy murder is always the first thing that comes to mind when I hear Dorrians.</p>
<p>ill definitely check them out when im home. playing ruit in a bar would be amazing.</p>