<p>I've received admission to both schools. I live in the Northeast and I haven't been able to schedule visits to either school yet, though I have researched both extensively and read up a lot on both schools. They seem similar in a lot of aspects--the Southern culture, the academic level, the [not that it matters, but for superficial purposes] perceived prestige, etc. I don't know which one to pick, as of now. Planning to visit both but narrowing it down would be helpful.</p>
<p>ABOUT ME:
LOCATION: Northeast, both schools are far.
PROFILE: Asian--fitting in is a concern at Vanderbilt more so than it is at Emory, especially if there's any sort of self-segregation of the student body. Is the low percentage of Asian students something to be concerned about?
ACADEMIC INTERESTS: Looking to major in Economics and potentially complete a minor in either Political Science or International Studies, something along those lines. Also want to be a pre-med student with an eventual aim of applying to medical school. How do these particular programs and departments compare?
EXTRACURRICULAR INTERESTS: Interested in writing for a political journal or something of the sort (personally, I'm a liberal). Additionally seeking to get involved in political activism or student volunteerism in general.
ADDITIONAL 'WANTS' IN A SCHOOL (BESIDES STATED ABOVE):
1. A "work hard, play hard" mentality, as in a school that is laid-back and not as cutthroat but still has an academically motivated student body.
2. Opportunties for civic engagement, volunteerism, and medical-related extracurriculars.
3. Easy access to internships and research opportunities. As I have yet to visit Nashville or Atlanta, some comparison of the cities and the opportunities available there would be helpful.
4. A lot of school spirit.
5. A decent social scene, but NOT one where social life is entirely determined by one's involvement with the Greek system.
6. Good student advising and career services and the like.
7. ***Eventually, anything that will give me a good place to learn and expand my horizons academically as much as possible, and to position myself well to get into medical school by the end of the process. This is obviously job 1, in the end. So a school that is recognized for a strong curriculum, has a good recognition among med school admit boards and employers, and a school that has a curriculum that can allow me to prepare well for the MCAT.</p>
<p>Any help, or input on this decision? I understand that a message board is a foolish way to pick a college, but I am very split on this right now and some comments from others would be great.</p>
<p>There have been lots of threads about this choice in the past. Look in the archives for the Vanderbilt forum and you’ll find several. Those may be helpful, along with the comments you are bound to get here.</p>
<p>The reason I felt the need to repost though, and I did look through the other threads, was because I felt that my academic interests didn’t align with the other people who posted this same question–and that makes a difference. (or it should, right?)</p>
<p>Neither of these schools fit your wants 100% but I think Vandy would be better.
I have no idea how the Econ and Pre-med departments compare, but I don’t think you could go wrong with either school academically. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer here at vandy and there are also a lot of opportunities for research (even as a freshman). The “work hard, play hard” mentality definitely sums up Vandy more than Emory, and we have a LOT more school spirit.</p>
<p>The social life here is what you make of it. I’d be lying if I said that greeks didn’t dominate the social scene, but there are other things to do if you’re not interested in that. </p>
<p>As for the asian thing, there’s going to be some self-segregation no matter where you go. If you’re used to being around a lot of asians, then coming to vandy might be a little bit of a shock. I don’t think you’d have a problem fitting in though</p>
<p>If there’s any way possible, you should visit the 2 campuses and speak with as many students as possible. When we visited from CT, my son liked both schools, but felt an affinity for Vanderbilt. One of his best friends chose Emory. It’s a personal decision that only you can make.</p>
<p>It seems to me that you may not be 100% sure about what direction you would like to go, academically. Economics major with a poli sci minor but pre-med curriculum sounds like you have a lot of different interests. If that is the case, you might want to choose schools based on factors other than particular strength in one or two fields.</p>
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<p>Vanderbilt likes students who volunteer in programs that strengthen the connection between Vandy and Nashville. There seem to be a lot of opportunities along that line. The premed students I know have had no trouble combining pre-med interests with volunteerism. I can’t compare Emory with Vandy, as I don’t know too much about Emory.</p>
<p>Enjoy your visits. I think they will help you make a decision.</p>
<p>Ahh it’s a tough choice. Both great schools though!! Haha I’m actually a) from the northeast b)admitted to Emory/Vandy too!
I think Vandy is more my choice since I like Frat Parties/School Spirit/Sports. Both great cities from what I hear - I haven’t been to Nashville yet. Also although Vandy is cliquey, it’s supposed to have a lot of really sweet people too.
Emory is less spirited from what I’ve read, whilst Vandy is very Frat/Sorority/Cliquey/People-Dress-Up.
In terms of academics, both are awesome- I don’t think you can go too wrong there.</p>
<p>I love this site for student reviews of colleges…maybe check it out?
You can filter reviews and get those just by people with your major/home area.
<a href="http://www..com%5B/url%5D">www..com</a></p>
<p>I have two kids who chose Vandy over Emory. Although on paper the schools seem almost identical, they are extremely different. You really have to visit to understand this. The campuses couldn’t be more different physically, both in terms of style and size. The overall culture of the two schools is also very different. I think part of that is because of Vandy’s SEC sports and the fact that kids live on campus all four years. As everyone says, academics and job opportunities are probably similar. But I don’t think it is too much of an exaggeration to say that they are night and day in terms of student “experience.”</p>
<p>It appears that a lot of the comments relate mainly to the social scene. I’m not really one for big parties and I’m definitely not very big on Greek life. In that sense, I’m having doubts about whether I can fit in well at Vanderbilt and whether it’s a school for me. For those of you who also applied to, visited, or considered Emory, would you consider the school comparatively lacking in activity, or just characterized by a different type of active social life that is not centered on the frat scene?</p>
<p>I visited both Emory and Vanderbilt before I applied, and both schools had totally different vibes. I don’t know if you have visited or not. Both schools were gorgeous; Vandy had a more natural, laid-back feel than Emory did though. For me, I thought Emory seemed more competitive and rigid-which is not a bad thing, but I wouldn’t want college to be like that daily Vanderbilt does have a big Greek scene, and being Asian, I worried about that too. There are lots of students who are independents, however, and still love the social scene of Vandy. I know several Asian on campus at Vandy, and they seem to love it. When I visited there, there were tons of student organizations and posters on campus and everyone seemed actively involved. That was another thing that interested me more. If you haven’t already, I would seriously recommend visiting both schools. Both Emory and Vanderbilt sound great on paper, but I didn’t have that realization of belonging and excitement until I visited Vanderbilt. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Vandy’s financial aid is great and can’t even be compared to Emory’s. If you have more questions, just let me know. Hopefully that helped!</p>
<p>I am a student at Emory ( I go to the Oxford campus but that does not mean that I am completely detached from the main/Atlanta campus). Students here work very hard, but the atmosphere is not cutthroat competitive. Students here might not have school spirit (with respect to athletics) but they are very involved in a lot of activities on campus: for example we just had Dooley’s Week at the Atlanta campus in celebration of our enigmatic mascot James Dooley in which we had musical artist like Kid Cudi and Girltalk come over and we had some games and other activities during the week that basically brought the student body together. Greek life is a huge part of the on campus party scene and we have parties almost every weekend. The school is very diverse: Emory is the most diverse out of the nation’s top 20 schools. There are a few instances of self-segregation but it is not as prominent as most people make it out to be ( Koreans and some African American students tend to stick with each other a lot): a lot of students interact or are close friends with people of other races and religions. There are a lot of wealthy students just as there are a lot of students who are middle class, however, those who excessively flaunt their wealth tend to be very few in number and also very unpopular. The professors care a lot about their students and will work with you on a personal level with things that you need help on and they are very willing to do so. Atlanta is a great city and personally I like it much more than Nashville ( Nashville is too southern for me compared to Atlanta and I had enough of that for the ten years that I have been living in south Georgia) and their is a lot to do their such as internships, and also a great clubs and bars if you are into that sort of thing ( I rarely go clubbing myself…VERY rarely). So I hope I gave you and others a little bit about Emory. Anyone feel free to correct or add on to what I just said:)</p>
<p>D (from midwest) visited both schools. As has been mentioned - they are VERY different. Academically, both have outstanding opportunities. Vandy did have much more of a southern feel both in terms of the campus and students. There appeared to be more of a frat social scene at Vandy and D could not get over how many girls had cute little dresses on. The campus at Emory is instantly more diverse. It has a more professional feel that at first seemed overwhelming. After a day at each, D decided not to apply to Vandy and after a year of the process, has decided to go to Emory. She sees herself enjoying what Atlanta has to offer, participating in Volunteer Emory, being involved in clubs and possibly enjoying a sorority that is about friendship and community service…not so much the frat party scene. I think they are both great institutions but you should check them out to see what feels right.</p>
<p>S just graduated from Emory and D (high school jr) just completed a campus visit to Vanderbilt. Would like to hear from any parents who have had children at both universities. Comparisons, likes, dislikes, etc.</p>
Vanderbilt does have a big Greek scene, and being Asian, I worried about that too. There are lots of students who are independents, however, and still love the social scene of Vandy. I know several Asian on campus at Vandy, and they seem to love it. When I visited there, there were tons of student organizations and posters on campus and everyone seemed actively involved. That was another thing that interested me more. If you haven’t already, I would seriously recommend visiting both schools. Both Emory and Vanderbilt sound great on paper, but I didn’t have that realization of belonging and excitement until I visited Vanderbilt. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that Vandy’s financial aid is great and can’t even be compared to Emory’s. 
If you have more questions, just let me know. Hopefully that helped!</p>