<p>Sorry for adding to the pleas for help, but I'd really appreciate your input.</p>
<p>So mainly, I'm deciding between Kenyon College and Vanderbilt University. I've never actually visited Vanderbilt because my family simply doesn't have the money to spend on a visit to a school that I might not even go to. As I result, I really don't have much of an opinion about this school. In it's favor is the fact that it is very well known and the most prestigious school I've been accepted to. (I know that makes me sound like a horrible prestige whore.)</p>
<p>Kenyon gave to me travel grant, so i was able to visit, and I REALLY liked it. I liked the small close-knit atmosphere of the school and how everyone basically knows each other. The thing is...while I like it now, I'm afraid that I WON'T like it 4 years from now when I'm bored of the school and the people.</p>
<p>So really, Kenyon is a really good fit for me at the moment, but I'm afriad I might get bored of it. And I'm incredibly hesitant to turn down Vanderbilt for Kenyon because I'm afraid I might be screwing myself in the future when I'm looking for jobs and having a degree from Vandy would be more impressive than one from Kenyon. But I've also heard negative things about Vanderbilt (like it having little socio-economic class interaction) that make me hesitant to choose it when I haven't visited the school to see if there's any truth to it.</p>
<p>And money isn't really an issue b/c both schools are giving me about even finaid.</p>
<p>So...
Any Opinions? I'd really appreciate anything anyone has to say...</p>
<p>All I can say is go with your gut feelings. If you think that you love Kenyon (like I do), go for it (and vice-versa)!</p>
<p>If you are talking about the "prestige" factor, do know that Kenyon is an up and rising college. I quote this from Ms. Jennifer Britz: "Our retention rate is very high (on average, more than 93% of first-year students return for their sophomore year), and the opportunities available to students are extraordinary. Just this spring, a record 13 students were named Fulbright Scholars and another won a Goldwater Scholarship--one of the most prestigious science and mathematics scholarships given to undergraduates in the country. Two students became Udall Scholars in recognition of their work in environmental science. We also had our first Mitchell Scholar this year; this is a particularly coveted scholarship as only 12 are awarded nationwide. So you can see, the investment in Kenyon does pay off."</p>
<p>As for your boredom, I am wondering if you will feel the same thing in Vandy also. I mean four years is pretty long and I am sure you will also get accustumed to Vandy pretty soon. College life is what you made of it. I am pretty positive that my years at Kenyon will be some of the best years of my life. :)</p>
<p>Do note that Kenyon and Vanderbilt are quite different. Like in terms of sizes, Kenyon is smaller than Vanderbilt which translate into smaller class size and closer faculty interaction. And character wise, Kenyon works on relationships. I can't say the same thing for Vandy because the college has never been on my radar and thus I know nothing much about the school.</p>
<p>Good luck in making your decision. I hope to see you this coming Fall! But no matter what decision you make, do note that you wont go wrong with either one. All the best!</p>
<p>Kenyon seems like a wonderful place, but Vanderbilt is a very rare combination of top-notch academics and big-time sports in an interesting city. Go with Vandy and you'll never regret it.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt -- More Resources and Greater name recognition and like many LACs its a tightly-knit community so you won't sacrifice personal attention</p>
<p>At either place, to mitigate boredom, do a semester or year abroad. Also, look into early graduation- it's not really that hard to cut a semester or year off your college education, and it saves money. They are both great schools, so you can't go wrong.</p>
<p>if you want small and close knit go with Kenyon. I do not think you will be bored, and it seems silly to choose an unkown over a known that you have visited and really liked. Also, I don't think Vanderbilt is really more prestigious--in sufficiently intellectually elite circles it might even be argued that Kenyon is. Of coure Vanderbilt is also excellent, but don't underestimate Kenyon's reputation just because the masses don't know it. Basically you have too very good choice and ought to choose the one you are more comfortable with, not the one more people may have heard of. The fact that Kenyon flew you out and you liked it should be a strong factor in its favor. (I have been to Gambier and agree that it would be a very nice and cozy place to go to school--both my children were accepted but went elsewhere, to equally small schools, so I have actually thought about Kenyon very carefully and favorably for years.)</p>
<p>i would go to kenyon, but im admittedly biased towards small excellent LACs. i just find the vandy stereotypes true (conservative, preppy white kids, heavy partying). kenyon is a phenomenal school that gets overlooked too often.</p>
<p>thanks, everyone, for your replies.
but, if you have any more, you can still feel free to share...i'm still reading.
:)</p>
<p>gogochris, i'm not exactly sure what you're expecting with my "stats"...
but, i'm a chinese-american female from new jersey.
I got a 2180 on my sat's.
33 on my acts
sat II's were an embarrassment, so I'd really rather not say, lol.
4.1 gpa
i'm a first generation college student in my family.
only one ap class last year- english language, which i got a 4 on...3 more this year (us hist., calc ab, eng lit)...and that's basically the most challenging schedule you can get at my school.
If you want to know anything else, just ask</p>
<p>orangeisland83, if i go to kenyon, I'll major in psych or pre-med.
if vandy, I'll be in peabody double-majoring in child development and human and organizational development.</p>
<p>kenyon_10, any chance you were at the april visit days for kenyon last week? I'm just curious because it would be pretty cool if we've met, lol.</p>
<p>honestly if you're having much debate about it, shell out those extra hundred dollar bills to visit vanderbilt. This is the next 4 years of your life, you really can't base your decision on what other people say or because of a reputation, you really have to go there and visit. </p>
<p>you run the same risk of getting bored at vandy that you do at kenyon. what makes you think you'll like vandy even more than kenyon, or that it's a better fit. honestly i would recommend you shell out the money for airfare, or charge it to a credit card or something, because it's the nextt 4 years of your life.</p>
<p>hi starysky, nope we have not met because i can't go to Kenyon for visit days. I am an international student and i have just reserved my air ticket this coming August. It's expensive!! :(</p>