<p>These are my top two schools, and I am having trouble deciding between the two. I'm not too focused on prestige or ranking as I can research these myself, but I want to know your opinions on social life, atmosphere, etc.
I am leaning towards Vanderbilt because of the weather, semester system, and from what I have read, a less competitive student body and "better" social life.
However, I know that I will probably not go Greek and I am not a heavy partier, and I'm not sure if excessive drinking is necessary to fit in at Vandy.
I loved NU's campus, but I have heard their student life exists on two extremes - those who study all the time and those who party all the time. This is unattractive to me as I see myself falling in the middle. I am also not a fan of the quarter system.
I know people going to both schools and I feel I am more similar to those attending Vandy, but it is hard to make a decision.
Are the stereotypes of these schools true? Which would you suggest for a hard worker/light partier?</p>
<p>Apply to both. Decide in the spring once you have your acceptances/rejections and financial aid offers in hand. </p>
<p>Rice seems to have pretty much everything you want. </p>
<p>it sounds like vandy is likely to be the better fit, but I know people at NU who are not all that into hard studying or partying and they are loving it.</p>
<p>Where do you see yourself living after college? Vandy’s probably going to open a few more doors in the south, and Northwestern probably a few more in the Midwest and Northeast. Do you look good in purple? Do you like being near a large body of water? The quarter system seems to make double-majoring a bit easier. Note that it gets plenty cold in Nashville in the winter–obviously not AS cold as in Chicago, but its climate is not Florida-esque as some Northerners believe. One of my kids attends Northwestern and is working very very hard.</p>