(Urgent because I need to make a decision by Thursday at midnight or i forfeit my waitlist accepted spot!)
Hi! I was just accepted today off the waitlist for Vanderbilt’s Class of 2021 after already depositing at UNC. Now I don’t know what to do and where to choose. Here are the important factors in my decision:
Political Science/Econ major. From what I understand, UNC is stronger in the former while Vanderbilt is stronger in the latter, but feel free to comment on this.
I'm OOS for UNC, and money is not an issue
Thinking about law school in the future (any info on placement into top programs would be helpful)
Honors program at UNC vs regular student at Vanderbilt
Have visited both schools, could definitely see myself at both
My concerns with UNC: too big (although i feel like honors program definitely helps counter that), mostly in state students
My conercens with Vandy: too “southern” (im very liberal politically, most of southern culture doesn’t jive well with me), too “fratty” (social scene revolves around greek life)
Basically, it comes down to what is better for my future. Any advice is appreciated. Thanks in advance
Undergrads do not “place” students into law schools, so that’s not an issue. Getting into law school will have to do with YOUR performance…grades and LSAT score. Your undergrad or UNC or Vandy won’t matter.
Which school did you like better when you visited?
I wouldn’t worry about Vandy and politics/culture…it has students from all over and Nashville attracts people from all over.
RE: NC as a southern state - of course I know it’s a southern state, but I meant in terms of culture at the school, when I visited UNC I didn’t feel that southern vibe that Vandy has (basically vineyard vines clothes and what not, lol)
Like I said, I really did like both. UNC has great school spirit, when I went they were playing the elite 8 game in the tournament and it was electric. Vanderbilt is beautiful but different, I think mostly due to the fact that it’s in a big city.
I guess really my question is… is the prestige at Vanderbilt THAT much more than UNC that it’ll be better for my future?
What will matter for your future is YOU… and not whether you pick UNC or Vanderbilt. Any prestige that Vanderbilt has over UNC won’t matter for your future.
UNC is big, but it’s not difficult to make it feel smaller. Although it’s a southern school, the area does not feel southern. The vibe on campus is what I like to call “eclectic.”
Vanderbilt is a great school. My D was also wait listed. She put her name on the WL and a few weeks later received an email asking if she was still interested in attending. She said no for a few different reasons and the rest was history.
You have to decide which school you like better. Good luck!
OP wrote: “- Honors program at UNC vs regular student at Vanderbilt”
Vandy does not have/need an “honors program” because all the students are held to a very high standard. Some more “food for thought” is that Vandy has been ranked #1 or #2 in something the Princeton Review calls “student happiness.” This must have something to do with the balance between excellent academics and a fun atmosphere which includes a vibrant Nashville music, sports and cultural scene. Vanderbilt was founded after the Civil War to be a bridge between North and South and from my visits does seem to have a good mix. Vanderbilt is listed as number 10 for “best undergraduate teaching” putting it ahead of numerous Ivy league schools and is tied for 15 in USNWR best universities. Not sure that UNC has similar stats. Since you are OOS for UNC, making money “not an issue,” Vanderbilt is an excellent choice. Full disclosure: my kid got into Vandy for class of '21 and is excited to go.
I think both schools are outstanding. @Sam-I-Am congrats to your S/D and best of luck!
My D is OOS at UNC and is not in the honors program. Being an OOS student, especially one who is also in honors… is a special type of experience- in a very positive way. I would also like to add that that these students truly bleed Carolina blue… it’s with them forever.
There is no right or wrong here in terms of future success…which was the OPs concern. FWIW my D also loved Vanderbilt but at the end of the day felt it was best to respond “no” to the question of continued interest.
Those are peer institutions. As Zinhead points out, if you are not receiving any FA, Vanderbilt costs roughly $16k/year more than UNC. That’s $64,000 over four years. That’s almost one whole year of law school. So if money is a concern, save your money for law school and go to UNC. If cost is not a concern, go for fit.
Good luck! As I mentioned, these are both wonderful schools with endless opportunities and your success will depend on you… and what you take advantage of while in college.
If money is an issue go to UNC. If not, go for fit.
Both are great schools. I would go with where you feel you fit in better. We visited both with my son but he chose to only apply to Vandy. It felt much more intellectually bent than UNC. Very smart kids but they are balanced and are also very happy. Again, plenty of smart kids at UNC also but we got a different vibe from the visit.
“Vineyard Vines is based out of New England and started in Martha’s Vineyard. Not sure why you are thinking it is a Southern style.”
I don’t think the OP was saying it’s a southern style, but that it’s a preppy style. We got the same vibe from Vandy - lots and lots of Vineyard Vines.
OP, you’ve got two great choices. If you are turned off by the fratty stuff, I’d for sure pick UNC.
Yet, several posts follow about basing the decision on costs. For some, money really is not an issue. at all. Where did it really feel like a good fit? Forget about the shirts and little details clogging up your mind. One is private, one is public, that different. The school you choose will be your friends and social circle going forward…where do you want to say you graduated from someday?
I decided to go with my gut… Super hard choice, Vandy definitely threw me a giant curveball, but I feel like UNC is the place for me. Thank you all for the advice
