I am applying ED and I am a VA resident, and I really don’t like UVa mostly because the people there are stereotypical preps (like me, and I want to stand out), not very friendly/sorta snobby, everyone is in a clique (asians with asians, whites with whites, etc ) and conservative. Sorry if I offended anyone, I am sure many of them aren’t like that, but it just seems like it to me and it is my own opinion since I have visited before. I know I will be getting some Vandy bias, but is vandy as preppy, unfriendly, and conservative as UVA is to me?
In some ways UVa is NOT a big state school, but, in other ways, it is very much a big state school. UVa has to keep the Virginia Legislature happy, and that means accepting a certain number of students from all around the state. As a result we have this statistic: Vandy students with ACT Comp less than 30: 10.3%. UVa students with ACT Comp less than 30: 36%
One more thing about UVa vs Vandy: there is an assumption that, for Virginia residents, UVa is much, much cheaper. For most families, this assumption would be correct. However, it’s gonna cost you about $50 to check this assumption against the facts, and, for many families, Vanderbilt’s net cost will not be much higher. My point is more Virginia residents should apply to Vanderbilt and see how the FA works out.
Both are great schools. I’m not sure your assumptions are accurate about UVa despite you having visited. If the $ was equal or close, I’d go to Vandy. First look into the $. If you are open-minded I think you’d find your niche at either school.