I was accepted into both Vandy and Northeastern. I received no financial aid from Vandy so my family will have to put up almost 80K a year. My parents say it’s possible but it will put a tough financial strain on us. At Northeastern, I received a scholarship so it would only cost us about 43K a year. I’m interested in biology/biomedical research so I thought Boston would be a good place to go, but I really like Vandy and think I’ll fit better there. I’m really struggling with this decision, so any advice would be great!
Why do you think Vandy is a better fit?
I visited Vandy last summer and I really liked it. Vanderbilt has more research opportunities and advising for students, and I think that the students there are more taken care of. Plus, Vanderbilt is just an objectively better school in my opinion.
I can’t speak to the quality of Northeastern, but as someone who is at Vanderbilt once a week and knows several people there from undergraduates to faculty, it is a FANTASTIC place. Vandy’s culture is among the most collaborative, fun-loving, and friendly among all colleges in my estimation. If you really want to go there, my suggestion is that you offer to pay back your parents for part of the additional cost.
Fit is largely a myth imo. You’ll grow into the environment you find yourself in. Boston is amazing and Northeastern is a great school that will provide you a lot of opportunities.