<p>I am a potential Economics/political science major. I'm looking for a school with a great focus for undergraduate students, lots of tradition, happy kids, and am potentially thinking of going Greek. I understand that NU historically has better placements into BBs and is more prestigious, but I also know that Vanderbilt is rising in the ranks and becoming more selective and placing more students. What would be the difference between the two? I won't be able to visit (international student) so I need your input. NU is a lot better known in my country, but I live Vanderbilt's balance as well. Thinking of applying ED, so could anyone comment on the difference between these two schools in terms of campus life, academics, prestige.</p>
<p>What is a BB? </p>
<p>What is your goal? To work here or your own country? where are you from?</p>
<p>^ I believe that when the OP says “BB”, they mean “Bulge Bracket”. These are, from my very basic understanding, the big (usually) investment banks.</p>
<p>Yes @mom2collegekids , @yikesyikesyikes is correct. I would like to work in the East coast after graduation and maybe come back to Asia upon graduation. Is there a definite difference between the prestige (in the US) of Northwestern and Vanderbilt?</p>
<p>your sense of their reputations in the US is quite accurate. but shouldn’t you be more concerned with their reputations in your country, specifically in the BBs (I’d never heard this term; would love to know its etymology) to which you aspire.</p>
<p>I am a US citizen as well so I can work in the US upon graduation. So please give me insight about both in terms of prestige, strength in Econ, etc</p>
<p>Both schools are equivalent…they are peers.</p>
<p>Apply to both. If you can’t decide, that’s the way to go.</p>
<p>Are they really equals with neither being slightly stronger than the other?</p>
<p>I would say that in academia, Northwestern has a stronger reputation (esp in economics). But this is mostly for graduate schools. In terms of undergrad rep, it’s a wash. Just apply to both. Very competitive schools. You’d be lucky to get into one.</p>
<p>@mom2collegekids:</p>
<p>They’re not equivalent when it comes to investment banking recruiting. Northwestern is a target for more banks than Vandy and has a more developed network in the banking world than Vandy.
(Look, I know you mean well, but if you’re not familiar with an industry, it’s best to not spread misleading information.)</p>
<p>In general, while the test scores of the students coming in are about the same, when it comes to alumni results (placement in to elite professional schools, PhDs produced, prestigious national fellowships won, and business/government/arts leaders produced), Northwestern ranges from ahead to far ahead of Vanderbilt when it comes to those categories.</p>
<p>But hasn’t Vanderbilt recently placed more kids into top banks (BAML, etc.) WIll NU give me an advantage in the East coast? Also, how about the political science programs in each?</p>
<p>Well, whether BAML is a top bank is a matter of opinion. I can’t say if Northwestern will give you an advantage on the East Coast, but I can say that Northwestern has a stronger presence in banking/trading/finance than Vandy. If you’re fixated on the East Coast, a school like Harvard or Wharton is your best bet.</p>
<p>However, if Northwestern is a lot better known in your country, then I don’t see why you would have difficulty choosing if these are your two options.</p>
<p>As for the strength of the poli sci department at either school, I would not know, but I don’t see why it would matter unless you were going to grad school in poli sci.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt is an excellent school. You’d be lucky if you get admitted to it. But in terms of economics or political science, Northwestern is just better, undoubtedly. </p>
<p>Right, forgot the mention: in economics, they’re not in the same league. Northwestern’s econ department has a far greater reputation.</p>
<p>This is probably WAY too early, but… As an international student, do ou plan to stay and work in the United States or do you plan on taking that degree home?</p>
<p>I’m not entirely sure yet, although I would like to work a bit in the US after college. At Vanderbilt I would potentially double major in Econ and HOD</p>
<p>I find myself in agreement with @PurpleTitan. In the US generally and in IB in particular, Vandy is a later arrival, and Northwestern has had a reputation as a near-ivy longer. Vandy is quickly rising in the ranks, however, and in ten years the situation could be different. The drag on Northwestern’s reputation has been that it’s not an ivy, or else it would surpass Dartmouth’s rep, and, worse, it’s in a large football conference–certain death for any school aspiring to be an ivy. Vandy has a similar rep problem, only worse because its football conference is academically less formidable than Northwestern’s. Unlike Northwestern, no one is going to mistake Vandy for an ivy just yet. It may take longer than a decade, the way the slander of “arriviste” takes a generation or two to wash off.</p>
<p>At Northwestern, you could potentially double major in econ and MMSS.</p>
<p>How about your stats? I know a few full-pay students without stellar stats get into NW by ED, but they have their hooks like athletes etc. Vandy’s ED may still have high standards. Our school counselor told me that they may value high SAT scores more than other schools. With that being said, the situation may vary each year. Chicago is a bigger city that may provide more resources. In the info session, Vandy admission person said they admitted about 40% of the class by ED last year. I don’t know about NW’s ED percentage. Vandy offers ED I and EDII. You may consider NW ED first. There is still chance to apply for Vandy’s EDII.</p>