<p>Trying to decide between Vandy (Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholar - Arts & Science) and UT Austin (Deans Scholar - Natural Science). Cost would be the same either way. </p>
<p>Would like to get input on the academic side of things. Am comfortable with the pros and cons of social aspects of each.</p>
<p>Thanks for any/all comments!</p>
<p>if you are looking into doing something within the field of science, I’d say that the schools are pretty closely ranked. One thing that UT has over Vandy is that UT is a large research university and as such the natural science students, especially the select few in Dean Scholars get an unrivaled opportunity to do undergraduate research. Vanderbilt has more of an elitist name within the U.S. sort of like Rice, but if you want to do anything international then UT is much more renowned. </p>
<p>Another thing that you should consider is where you would like to live. Austin vs. Nashville.</p>
<p>just my 2 cents. Good luck with your decision! it’s a good problem to have! :)</p>
<p>What is hard to consider is what it would be like going to school in the same town i grew up in. I have lived in Austin for more than 10 years now and I don’t know if it would be a mistake to then stay here to go to college. Does anyone have anything to say about staying at home for college? (I would live on campus, not at home)</p>
<p>go to vandy…the college experience in a new town is part of life…</p>
<p>VANDY is more prestigious IMHO…UT might be better for grad school…</p>
<p>I am pretty sure that Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholars is NOT an honors prgram, just a scholarship. Deans Scholars is not a scholarship, but is an honors program with its own special classes. I believe that you can’t do honors programs at Vandy until the junior year.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt gives you a very different atmosphere in classes compared to either regular UT or Deans Scholars–probably in the middle of the two.</p>
<p>And Nashville is an awesome town, but it’s a much different vibe than Austin. If you’re from Austin and love the “Austin vibe,” then Nashville may be a bit too country for you. I love both atmospheres, but a lot of the “Keep Austin Weird” people may not like Vandy very much.</p>
<p>Vandy is a bit more prestigious, but honestly a UT degree with Deans Scholars is going to get you very, very far in whatever you want to do.</p>
<p>If you really like Vandy tho, I have neighbor who went to UT for undergrad and then Vandy for grad school, so that’s something to think about.</p>
<p>Oh my gosh, do not turn down Dean’s Scholars! It is an amazing community of people in an really great academic program. The kids who are in it LOVE it. Have you talked to any current Dean’s Scholars about classes and research opportunities?</p>