<p>I was recently accepted off the waitlist at Vanderbilt, so I have one final decision to make, and it is proving to be a tough one:</p>
<p>Reasons to Choose Vanderbilt:
Much better school (prestige)
Better job/MBA placement?
Nashville has a little more to offer than Tuscaloosa
More right around campus
Everyone really wants to be involved
Can live on campus four years</p>
<p>Reasons to Choose Alabama:
Full Ride Scholarship
Separate Business Major
Nicer Dorms 1st year (but then move off campus)
Bigger Sports/School Spirit
Warmer winters (56 degrees vs. 47 degrees is a big difference)
More Conservative</p>
<p>My parents will pay (or not pay- Alabama) for either, but they want me to stick with Alabama. My dad is constantly giving me reasons to go with Alabama. My dad has offered me $15,000 to invest to choose Alabama. My parents would also pay for me to have the nicest anything (dorm, meal plan, etc.) and would perhaps give me some spending money as I need it. Many people at my school, though, are pressuring me to go with Vanderbilt. But, I know it is my decision.</p>
<p>Roll Tide or Anchor Down??</p>
<p>Think about it this way: which school would be harder for you to say no to? Do you feel like you would be giving up too much if you were to choose Bama? If so then you may want to choose Vanderbilt. But if you are truly torn then the cheaper option would be nice.</p>
<p>If I were you personally, I would choose Vanderbilt. It has more to offer you and may open of some more opportunities. It would also be better for networking and stuff. And considering you can pay for it, I would choose Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Any more advice before I have to decide?</p>
<p>Is it safe to say you’re more a northeastern or a western conservative than a southern conservative? If so, will you be happier at Vandy?</p>
<p>Vanderbilt has the stronger national reputation (comparable to schools like Georgetown and UVA). You should consider where you want to work after you graduate. Vanderbilt is well-regarded in cities like New York, Chicago, and Washington D.C. However, Alabama has a more regional reputation.</p>
<p>iirc you have very high stats, and may prefer the rigor at Vanderbilt and it may be better for your particular goals. But if your father is pressing so much, he clearly doesn’t want to pay for Vandy, so it looks like money is an issue. I wouldn’t be bribed to pick my school. It is pretty ugly he puts it that way rather than just talking it out.</p>
<p>If your parents are willing to pay for Vandy, I don’t see how you could choose Alabama…</p>
<p>@timetodecide12
I will probably live somewhere in the South (there is a reason that I mostly looked at Southern schools).</p>
<p>@BrownParent
There is a lot more to it than that. He is willing to pay and can do so relatively easily (not that he is all that excited about it). My parents will help with grad school if I go to Alabama. But, he got himself really excited for Alabama football and was looking into getting the whole family tickets to the Iron Bowl. I don’t think he wants to give that up.</p>
<p>That’s about the worst reason to pick a college I have heard yet, lol. I’m not into bribing kids to do what I want, either. I’d rather they do what they want IF it is affordable. But I’m big on going to the better school that will push you academically. I know that it isn’t necessary but is a luxury.</p>
<p>My mom also wants me to choose Alabama (more for financial reasons, as my parents are divorced and my dad is the money-maker, but he insists on a 50-50 split), so she is also trying to tip the scale. She is saying that she will not let me study abroad if I do not have a 3.4 GPA at Vanderbilt. I plan to do my best in college, but I what if my best is a 3.35 and I cannot study abroad?</p>
<p>The study abroad issue is a non-issue. However, finances are important and if your mom is hesitant about the costs there is nothing wrong with taking the full ride. </p>
<p>I would go to Vanderbilt as it would be the most challenging school for you and one where you’d have the best networking opportunities and resources. Alabama has a great program but Vanderbilt is on another scale.
Your father being excited about football sounds like a bad reason for him to push you to a school. You’re not going to school to score him football tickets. If he really wants them I’m sure he can buy them.
The fact your father is insisting on a 50-50 split may be important: can your mother afford the 50% of Vanderbilt?</p>
<p>I am going back and forth and I only have 6 hours to decide. </p>
<p>I think the decision is clear. If money isn’t actually a major concern, you have got to chose Vanderbilt. I get that you are conservative, but come on. You are in Tennessee lol. I’m SURE you will find the right crowd. Literally lol. As for Alabama, I mean, aside from the money, do you have a genuine passion to go there? Look at it this way. If you got a full ride to both schools, which one would you choose? You have a once in a lifetime opportunity to go to an incredible university. Don’t pass it up! Vanderbilt has a great sports scene. Jordan Rodgers and the Vanderbilt Commodores are no joke! You will get that sports experience at Vandy. Don’t worry about that. The first thing you said when describing Vandy was that it was a better school and a better local environment. The experience of being in college as well. And besides, who would want to sacrifice a premier education for one years worth of good dorms? I hope u choose Vanderbilt. I know people who are currently there, and they have said that choosing Vanderbilt was the best decision of their lives.</p>
<p>I have decided to go to Vanderbilt</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Aren’t Vandy’s first year dorms supposed to be about the best in the country? How could Alabama surpass that?</p>
<p>@survivorfan Wonderful! You will love it! I think you knew in your heart tht you would go</p>
<p>Vandy all the way!!!
Best of luck to you.</p>
<p>It seems that money is not a problem for you, but still something to think about; are you planning on going to graduate school? Are you parents willing to support you through that? Would you rather take the cheaper option now and go to a more expensive graduate school (since that is more important than undergraduate )?</p>
<p>Also, if city size matters, Tuscaloosa is a small town, entirely revolved around the college, and there is not much to do there. Nashville does have a lot more entertainment options and options to get away from the school. But I assume you have visited both and already know this.</p>
<p>Ultimately, think about which one you would regret turning down the most. Are you going to go to one and in two months say you really wish you had made a different decision. Don’t focus on the rankings and where people are pressuring you to go, choose where you think you will be happy.</p>
<p>Sorry being late to charm in. Great choice, go Vandy. Four years ago D was in your position although it was not a full ride vs money, she choose Chicago over UCSD, She is very happy of her choice, although her GPA may have suffered some what.</p>