<p>Hey guys I really need some help deciding om which school to transfer to. I will be visiting Vanderbilt this week, which will help a lot, but my dad is unwilling to pay to visit USC. I will be entering my new school as a sophomore. </p>
<p>This past year I took a lot of business classes, but I am not at all a math person. If I went to Vanderbilt I would likely major in Human and Organization Development, which seems like a nice mix of communications, business, and psychology. I would also get a minor in managerial studies.</p>
<p>At USC I would consider majoring in business if I got into the b-school, or maybe communications or something along those lines.</p>
<p>Distance between each school and home(NY) is not a huge issue but it is a small factor nevertheless. Also it seems that Vanderbilt's smaller size may allow me to adjust easier but I do not really know.</p>
<p>I am a HUGE sports fan, and both schools obviously have big time sports(I know Vandy is no USC football lol). The weather is nicer at USC but that is not a HUGE factor here. I would classify myself as a somewhat preppy/athlete, but I also appreciate all different types of culture as well.</p>
<p>Finances are the same at each school as well.</p>
<p>Basically, I need some guidance from people that know a decent amount about these schools.</p>
<p>Do you prefer being a larger part of the school or having the ability to blend in in a large population?</p>
<p>Do you know know which major you prefer (human vs. business?)</p>
<p>Basically, you have think to about what you want to do and how big you want the school to be. Vandy is like 6k undergrads, but USC has about 16k. That’s a HUGE difference. Btw, I think Vandy has some of the hottest girls ever, if that is a factor. USC obviously has hot girls too. But try dwelling more on what you like so other posters can find which one you lean to MORE, because right now it seems like you’d be good at both schools.</p>
<p>I would say Vanderbilt unless you visit and decide that it’s not right for you. Personally, I’ve heard very more good things about Vanderbilt than USC and Nashville is a very nice city. A preppy/athletic person would definitely fit in at Vanderbilt and there are increasingly more students from different ethnicities and different parts of the country. Sporting events are pretty popular but not as huge of course as a USC (though SEC football is amazing). Also, Vanderbilt is smaller which as you mentioned may be a positive for you.</p>
<p>and I have to agree, the girls at Vanderbilt are hotter than at USC, it has to do with the “southern belle” stereotype but that shouldn’t be what you base your decision off of (=</p>
<p>The thing that’s good about Vanderbilt academically is that there are a wide range of strong academic programs, should you choose not to major in business, there are strong programs in pre-med, engineering, math, sociology, psychology, and education. Nashville has many opportunities for jobs, internships and community service. Also, the campus feeling is non-competitive, students don’t compete each other but help each other with the difficult curriculum. Teachers are excellent at Vandy, they make themselves available thorugh office hours and respond to e-mails, and you can see the administration on campus or in their offices (aka they’re not closed in)</p>
<p>As for campus life, Greek Life is huge and parties are open to everyone. It’s not just people getting drunk though, there’s usually a band or theme to the parties. In addition, there are student orgainizations, theatre, intramural sports. Christian/Religious clubs are huge at Vandy. Centennial Park is right across the street from campus and is a great place to hang out, downtown has a great party scene and has great music. The weather is also amazing</p>
<p>As for the student body, the stereotypical student has been frat guys and sorority girls but as I noted, the campus is getting more diverse. Every student is involved in some passion or student organization. Nobody goes to Vanderbilt just for academics. Students also tend to be religious, approachable, friendly and dedicated to academics.</p>
<p>Reading all of these things about Vandy make me wish that I knew about it when I was in high school. You can’t really go wrong, but I would probably go with Vandy.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt>USC, considering you lean to the smaller school.</p>
<p>I personally want to go to Vandy because of the girls, the social life (supposed to be top-notch), the quality of life, and the academics (top tier and they have programs that I would want to enroll in).</p>
<p>and have heard mixed things about it. Another thing to consider is the bad area surrounding USC. It also seems Nashville would be more accessible and better for a student, as opposed to LA.</p>
<p>This entire paragraph essentially describes word-by-word USC as well. Academics, social life, and the incredible alumni connections of the Trojan Family are strenghs of USC. USC has 16k undergrads but because it is a private school the class sizes are still very small, unlike a public school like Berkeley. I wouldn’t be so quick to say that Vanderbilt girls are hotter, just google USC or USC girls and you’ll see what I mean. Football gamedays are incredible and a truly unique experience for anyone who experiences them.</p>
<p>To the OP: Because the two schools are so similar, I would say it comes down to where you want to be after you graduate, California or the South. USC carries more weight on the west-coast, Vanderbilt carries more weight in the South and probably on the East Coast. If at all possible, I would try to scrape up the money to visit USC, brochures and an internet forum are not replacements of seeing an institution in person. :)</p>
<p>Vigore, way to be sterotypical about the south, there may be some rednecks but because Vanderbilt is a very good private school and is expensive to attend, it cannot be considered a “redneck” school</p>
<p>gotta love people that have no clue what they are talking about. I am at Vandy now and it is GREAT. Debating if I will make the trip to USC or not. Leaning towards going with my gut…I love it here.</p>
Football gamedays are incredible and a truly unique experience for anyone who experiences them.</p>