<p>My dream school has always been Vanderbilt, but I recently got accepted to MIT which I didn't expect at all....
And like any other school versus thread both have pros and cons...</p>
<p>I mean at MIT I have the chance to do well on the MCAT just after finishing my sophomore year and because it's more of an engineering school, I won't have as many difficulties with other pre-meds, but I'm looking at 4 extremely stressful years.</p>
<p>At Vanderbilt, I'll have a relatively less stressful environment compared to MIT and I'll have the opportunity to volunteer and job shadow plenty at the medical center, but I'm not sure if my chances for med school would be any better.</p>
<p>In school, I'm the type of student who works very hard for my grades. I'm not brilliant or genius material and I tend to get high B's and low A's in all my classes. I'm not the best of the best, so I'm not sure which school I would be more suited for.....</p>
<p>Go to whichever your heart truly follows. My preference would be MIT because of its intense name branding wherever you go. And if you work hard for grades hopefully you will be fine GPA-wise. It is in the city of Boston, where the best and brightest (and probably most well compensated) doctors reside.</p>
MIT is an excellent university, and if you are interested in being surrounded by science students, there is no better place. Vanderbilt is also a very fine university, however, and if you like it better, it is a perfectly good choice. You would hardly be “wasting” your opportunity by turning one good university down for another that you like better. </p>
<p>Many posters on this site, especially high schoolers, are easily dazzled by big name universities. The reality is that any of the top universities can get you anywhere you want to go, especially to medical school. If Vanderbilt is your dream school, and if you are sure it’s a better fit for you than MIT, go for it.</p>
<p>That said, this choice is currently a bit premature. After all, since you presumably applied to Vanderbilt RD, you may not be admitted or get enough financial aid to make it affordable. Once you have an acceptance letter and financial aid letter from both universities in hand, you can make an informed decision. It would be prudent to visit both if you have not yet done so, preferably an overnight visit with a current student.</p>
<p>I’m in high school too, MIT is the school I want to attend, but I love math. I would just follow your heart and go to which one you would enjoy more.</p>
<p>Wow man I can’t believe you. Pls don’t compare MIT with Vanderbilt. There is a huge difference. MIT IS MIT. I would die to get accepted into MIT. pls tell me your stats and also give me your email so that I can contact you.</p>
<p>Don’t go to MIT, (so there’s one seat left and my chance increases by 0.01%) :D</p>
<p>Honestly, I am kinda offended you are even comparing. You don’t simply refuse an acceptance by MIT! There are people who would kill to be in your place. Do not waste the opportunity. Think about your future. If you got into MIT, you are probably a brilliant student. Go to MIT.</p>
<p>Being accepted to MIT does not guarantee Vanderbilt admission (although I would suspect it is likely). </p>
<p>Everyone is acting like Vanderbilt is some low tier school. Vanderbilt is very prestigious. If you are accepted to Vanderbilt, I would visit both schools and re-evaluate. Determine the pros and cons of studying at each school and then decide. Just because MIT has a bigger brand name DOES NOT mean you should automatically go there.</p>
<p>Don’t listen to the MIT prospies. follow your heart. wait for both aid packages, then you can really start making decisions. If you feel you would be happier and less stressed at vandy, go there. The fact that you were accepted to MIT tells us you will likely be a successful student wherever you go.</p>
<p>If money is a concern here… I’m almost certain the more affluent and more prestigious school would match the offer of the lower-ranked, less prestigious school.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt I think your chances for medical school will be as good or better based on what you’ve said. I think that you should keep a very high GPa from day one. Don’t fall behind the curve. </p>
<p>Mit is amazing but you should go to the school that feels right to you. Don’t be persuaded by intellectual chatter.</p>
<p>Not is the strictest since, and or as prevalently practiced in professional programs like law or medicine, but if you could show them that you’re in-need (both parents aren’t earning well), they may be able to find a way to accommodate you.</p>
<p>MIT! You literally cannot fail a class there so youll have a good gpa. MIT will definitely prepare you for med school and not only that, it has a great environment regardless if you are a partier or more of a quiet type!</p>
<p>^A “good GPA” for med school isn’t easily attainable through engineering. That’s just the way the major works. MIT and Vanderbilt both hover around 3.3-3.4 overall, but I’d say they’re equal when you look at the relative engineering strength and student body strength MIT has over Vandy. Vandy is probably a little lower statistically since its engineering department is really deflated compared to Peabody, but MIT has a much stronger math/science class than an all-around school could dream of. </p>
<p>To the OP: If you want to do well on the MCAT, you’ll be fine at either institution, so really this boils down to personal preference in undergraduate and professional education (for the last one, you’ll have a huge advantage to Vanderbilt’s medical school if you attend there, so that’s something also to keep in mind).</p>
<p>“There’s this feeling that no matter how hard you work, you can always be better, and as long as you can be better, you’re not good enough. You’re a slacker, you’re stupid, and MIT keeps an overflowing warehouse of proof in the second basement of building 36. There’s stress and there’s shame and there’s insecurity. Sometimes there’s hope. Sometimes there’s happiness. Sometimes there’s overwhelming loneliness.”</p>
<p>have made question whether or not I’d belong there, but in the same blog the writer states:</p>
<p>"I love this place. I love the amazing people I’ve met, I love watching myself grow as a scientist and a writer, and I love being engulfed in the heart of scientific progress and passion and feeling like I belong. "</p>
<p>it’s so contradictory…</p>
<p>My family’s income is currently less than 20,000, so would these colleges be willing to help me out?</p>
<p>MIT thinks you are capable of handling the workload
There are two reactions to being a student at MIT (OK, huge oversimplification!) :
You are so stressed out to be among the best and brightest in the world, that you won’t be able to enjoy this unique experience.
You are thrilled to be at one of the best universities on the planet and can’t wait to take advantage of all it offers to you.
The student I know at MIT fits into category 2 and LOVES every minute of his life there.
Only you can decide what is right for you.
If it were me, I would go to MIT. And if needed, take advantage of all the support mechanisms they have - [MIT</a> Student Support Services (S3)](<a href=“http://web.mit.edu/uaap/s3/]MIT”>http://web.mit.edu/uaap/s3/)</p>
