<p>I've been admitted to both The University of Virginia and Vanderbilt, and I'm having a terrible time deciding between them. What are your opinions on their relative merits? I'm interested in prestige, how graduate schools and potential employers will view the same degree from both schools, and general quality of life and teaching.</p>
<p>Thanks so much! Persuade me!</p>
<p>I chose UVA over Vandy. But that is just cause I loooooove UVA. I actually never got to visiting Vandy since I got into UVA and I was going to do visits after I got in to places. I think technically Vandy is ranked higher but they're pretty much the same prestige so I think it comes down to what kind of campus and atmosphere you want.</p>
<p>What would you say the difference is between them in terms of atmosphere? I visited both over the summer and, while I know that most of the student body was away, they felt very similar.</p>
<p>vandy; very social, heavy heavy greek. if you dont fit those two, you might be in a tough spot.
uva; social, solid greek. however, enough diveristy to find your niche. </p>
<p>actual education will be about the same, UVA rep is a bit better on east coast, but not by alot.</p>
<p>I am also trying to make the same decision (although I also have William & Mary added to the mix). You definitely have to consider that UVA is about 2/3 Virginians, while Vanderbilt has students from all 50 states. But UVA actually has more diversity, which is somewhat surprising to me. It seems to me that the student body and atmosphere is very similar. I would like to know more about the academics of each school. I'm sure both are excellent, but there must be some differences. I'm going to visit Vanderbilt over spring break to find out more for myself.</p>
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But UVA actually has more diversity, which is somewhat surprising to me.
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Remember that Virginias aren't always from Virginia. We have a large government and military population in this state and some students who have residency have grown up outside the United States.</p>
<p>We have 49 states and over 100 countries represented in the student body, as well.</p>
<p>My D is also deciding between UVA and a few other top tier schools. Initially she was concerned about the 70% Virginian (we're from NJ). After more research, we feel that even in Va, there is such a diversity between No Va, SW Va, Richmond, Tidewater areas and kids from the miltary families and foreign services..so this is now a non issue for us. We're Asian and we also find that a 10% Asian population is a good mix with plenty of student clubs of Asian heritage. Sounds like we're leaning toward UVA?</p>
<p>Dean J and CrazyaDad are absolutely right. There are very many Virginians who aren't native born. My S who will probably go to UVa spent his first 12 years in NY. Also, we have many people in our neighborhood in central VA from other states and other countries. In addition, Northern Va is a suburb of DC, which is heavily international and also has people from all states. Tidewater has a large military contingent, so many people are there or retire there from out of state. </p>
<p>Cream rises to the top, and you'll find the best of every group at UVA or any of the best Va schools.</p>
<p>How are the teachers? I'm interested in double-majoring in economics and another subject along the lines of political science or history. How are the "Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law" and "Political and Social Thought" majors?</p>
<p>i live in NoVA, and i'm 99% sure i'll be at uva next year. but i can assure you that about 15 kids from my school got in and it is a VERY diverse group of kids! if diversity is a big issue, you'll def get it at uva!</p>
<p>My D is wrestling with the same option: UVA vs. Vandy (plus Pomona). She is leaning toward Vandy but is a bit worried about the lack of diversity there and "rich preppy" stereotype. Dean J makes a good point - we lived in NoVA for 4 years and agree that area is like a mini-United Nations in terms of diversity. </p>
<p>Plus, Vandy doesn't have a "Dean J", and let me tell you, your posts and blogs have been invaluable in calming my D and her family! I think UVA is ahead of the curve in that regard - I suspect in 10 years every school will have a "Dean J". Right now you are unique. Thanks for the support!</p>
<p>Sarah's Dad said:</p>
<p>"I suspect in 10 years every school will have a "Dean J"."</p>
<p>I thought human cloning was illegal ;-)</p>
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How are the "Political Philosophy, Policy, and Law" and "Political and Social Thought" majors?
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If you're a political junkie, you already know some of the professors in that department. Larry Sabado is a very popular professor here. One of my favorite stories is from the last presidential election. He had students from one of his classes come over to watch the returns on CNN or MS-NBC or something along those lines (he lives on The Lawn). While they were watching, he got a phone call and went into the kitchen. He came back and a few minutes later, the channel played the interview they had just conducted by phone with him. :)</p>
<p>Anyway, the poli sci majors are quite good here. I think some of the current students who post on CC are in that area or have at least taken classes in it. Maybe they can chime in.
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I suspect in 10 years every school will have a "Dean J".
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It's funny...last year, I kept asking myself "where are all the admission blogs?" because so few of us were blogging. This year, many schools have joined in. I try to keep an</a> updated list of them at the very bottom of my first blog, but I'm sure I'm missing some.</p>
<p>I'd love to get students to blog, but I don't want to force it. A lot of schools seek out bloggers and pay them for their time, but I think it'd be ideal to find a student who already blogs and ask them to chronicle their time at UVa.</p>
<p>There are several student posters on CC who could make the transition fairly easily to blogging, IMO.</p>
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There are several student posters on CC who could make the transition fairly easily to blogging, IMO.
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Agreed. I was hinting at that. :)</p>
<p><em>doesn't have a blog with over 3600 entries or anything like that</em> hazelorb.com</p>
<p>If, by some chance, there is a current or admitted student out there interested in blogging for the Office of Admission (which would have to be fairly PG), they should PM me. My hope is that they would already be blogging regularly, so writing an entry for an admission blog wouldn't be an inconvenience for them.</p>
<p>The admitted student should obviously have intentions of coming to UVa.</p>
<p>if you are concerned with the "rich, preppy" stereotype at Vandy you obviously have not visited.</p>
<p>Quote from an earlier post: "I suspect in 10 years every school will have a "Dean J". Right now you are unique."</p>
<p>Other schools may wish for a "Dean J.", or try to create a "Dean J.", but whatever the time frame, there will only be one "Dean J." In the world of Admissions' Blogs, she is the "real McCoy"! (No, we're not related.)</p>
<p>come to UVA end of story</p>
<p>go wahoos!</p>