<p>This is easy. This isn’t about UVa McIntire vs Stanford or HYP. This is only UVa vs an OK school with very limited prestige outside of its state. UVa in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>The problem with Vandy was that the many students my daughter knows at Vandy (whether they grew up in Naples, New York, suburban Atlanta, or rural south Georgia) conforms to the ‘dress code’ whether they’re on the website or not. At NCF, they mark October with the “October Dress Project,” wearing the same clothes the entire month. Different.</p>
<p>Vandy has a great deal of prestige outside of Tennessee; I had a lot of UVa grads as classmates in law and graduate schools. They weren’t any better than other ACC, SEC , and lesser school graduates that I encountered. And none of them was necessarlity worse than any of the Ivy Leaguers I ran into.</p>
<p>Senior’s Dad’s student is at a great school and obviously happy there, so everything is good. To each her own, of course, but as a fashion-challenged mom, I thought I’d report my observations of this morning’s visit to the Vandy website. I tried but couldn’t find photos to sour me on the school based on the adherence to - whatever dress code it is. I see jeans and Ts, backpacks instead of LV purses, and really not much difference between the Vandy students and those at my other daughters’ public school.</p>
<p>For some folks, one Lilly Pulitzer sundress will negate the presence of 10 jean/T-shirt combos. I’m not saying that a number of Vandy students don’t dress to impress - perhaps they form some sort of critical mass to those who are sensitive on this issue. But I don’t see it. The “everyone dresses up at Vanderbilt” perception isn’t going anywhere fast, based on my 5 years on the board.</p>
<p>A recent post reiterated the “sundresses and pearls” wardrobe supposedly required at football games - I asked my d about it. She participated in Greek life, and was even on a Greek governing council, so if anyone adhered to a dress code, you’d think it would be her. Not so simple - she told me that by no means do all girls at football games dress that way, not even sorority members. She said it was common for friends to choose games when they’d all dress up; they’d attend others in jeans and Vandy Ts. Just saying this to report my d’s perception - by this time, I don’t expect anyone who hasn’t spent time on the Vandy campus to believe me. But my d is a real, live 2009 alum whose experience, like that of midmo’s son, differs from what the conventional wisdom tells us.</p>
<p>NCF’s October Dress Project sounds cool (though I imagine/hope it puts a lot of pressure on the laundry facilities) 
.</p>
<p>Just for the record, I would tend to be one of those “kids” who would dress up for games, classes, and parties. </p>
<p>Also, Ive got an update. I visited the UVA campus yesterday, and after the tour and info session I was 100 % decided on early at Vanderbilt, i really do like the undergraduate experience on a whole better there. HOWEVER, after touring both the Comm school at UVA, and the undergrad art building, I am once again undecided / leaning pretty heavily toward now doing regular at Vandy. The Comm school is honestly AMAZING, and even though i have to apply to get in, i am told as long as i work hard, i have a pretty good shot. </p>
<p>I think ultimately I would rather go to UVA than Vanderbilt, but the reason for the whole dilemma is I dont know my chances of getting in. I guess what I’m asking is do I really have a legitimate chance of getting into UVA, or is it borderline. And how much better are my chances at getting into Vanderbilt early decision than regular decision? </p>
<p>The only thing I’m worried about is missing the chance to get into of one of my top two schools (even if it is a SLIGHT second choice) and getting into neither if i do regular decision and hold out for UVA, something which in my mind will be a stretch.</p>
<p>When you have a dilemma such as this, you don’t want to do an ED application. You’ve identified the problem and done a good job of sorting out the issues, but you still need time. Senior year changes you; the economy may take another dive, you may rethink your major or fall in love. Don’t push yourself into a premature decision.</p>
<p>My son is at Vanderbilt with a scholarship. He applied RD withs stats a little above yours, but many kids he knows are right in your range, and some are a sizable step below. You have a very good shot at both schools, so leave your options open.</p>
<p>I think you have a very good chance of getting into UVA with your stats and legacy status. Do you know how you compare to other students from your high school who have been admitted in the past. I live in MD and students here find UVA very appealling despite the high OOS tuition. If you prefer UVA, I think you should not apply to Vanderbilt ED. Put together a really strong UVA application, and I think things will work out.</p>