<p>My daughter has narrowed her college choice to between Princeton and Vanderbilt. She is turning down MIT and multiple other prestigious universities because she feels that (following her many college visits) either Princeton or Vandy would be the best fit for her. </p>
<p>She plans on attending medical school and is very committed to this. She has a strong interest in international medicine and health policy. </p>
<p>Princeton seems to possibly have a slightly more prestigious reputation (at least on the East Coast). However, Vanderbilt seems to have the better premed preparatory track (This is based on anecdotal conversations with a good friend of mine who is a practicing surgeon and Princeton grad that told us that his liberal arts education was great but that he had to attend a summer semester at Northwestern in order to fill his premed requirements. He further reported that the Princeton graduation requirements made filling the medical prerequisites difficult.)</p>
<p>However, that being said, Princeton does have an interdepartmental certificate(essentially a minor) in Global Health and Health Policy. Though Vandy has an interdisciplinary major in Medicine, Health, and Society that is of great interest to my daughter.</p>
<p>Grade deflation at Princeton is also a consideration. There is some concern that this may put her at a disadvantage with respect to med school admissions, especially when compared to premed students from Flagship State U</p>
<p>Vandy has offered a full tuition, Cornelius Vanderbilt Scholarship. Princeton will not be providing any assistance. We have saved for her education and can fortunately can pay for her to go to either, but would prefer to spend hard-earned money on medical school.</p>
<p>In addition, athletics is also a consideration. She is a very successful athlete and has been recruited by multiple Division I universities. However, she has decided that for college academics and overall college experience are her primary priorities. If she decides to continue with athletics in college it will be secondary and more or less on her terms (not demanded by her accepting an athletic scholarship). She was given very good advice with respect to this by a UVA coach..."for college student athletes there are 3 considerations 1. athletics 2. academics 3.social experience. You can choose two." She has chosen the latter two (for now).</p>
<p>My daughter has asked for my input regarding her choice. I am asking for yours. Any constructive comments, inforamtion, or thoughtful advise that you would be knid enough to offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...</p>
<p>You may find useful feedback by posting on the Princeton and Vanderbilt forums and asking your core question, which is “what is the pre-med experience like?”</p>
<p>If she plans to attend med-school, there isn’t much of a reason to attend Princeton over Vandy.
Princeton has a grade-deflation policy which makes being a successful pre-med significantly more stressful that it would normally be. As even you have confirmed, Vandy would not be a bad option for continuing studies as a pre-med. It has all the resources one would need to succeed and would likely be a less stressful pre-med experience.
2)Finances are a major factor. Given that med school admissions is overwhelmingly based on MCAT/gpa and ECs over prestige of undergrad, there would be no real sacrifice being made in terms of med school admissions. As such, there is no reason to turn down full tuition at Vanderbilt for Princeton, especially considering that med school could possibly be another 60k+ a year expense. </p>
<p>If she has visited all the schools and really feels like she would be at home at Vandy, that seems to be the most sensible pick, especially if she is going for pre-med. If not, a Princeton degree would open more doors however, she is clearly talented and will probably succeed wherever she chooses to go. Good luck with the decision.</p>
<p>Evil_Robot from the old boards chose Vanderbilt (+scholarship) over Yale and other elite schools. He had a great time, interned for NASA, and went to work for Google.</p>
<p>If money were not a consideration, I’d say Princeton hands down. Vandy is a good school, but Princeton offers a much more exceptional undergrad education. But with full tuition covered, its hard to suggest not saving the money for med school.</p>
<p>Maybe your D is different, but the majority of freshmen change their major at least once in the next couple of years. If she is 100% sure of medical school, then Vandy is a no brainer. It’s likely that she won’t get a scholarship for medical school. Any money you can save now is just great. I know a kid who went to Vandy for undergrad and is now going to Harvard law.</p>
<p>Without taking anything awaything away from Vandy, which is a truly excellent school, Princetonis not ‘a little’ more prestigious, it is ‘a lot’ more. Princeton is, simply one of the 3 or 4 schools that can arguably claim to be the most prestigious school in the US.</p>
<p>Now, having said this – The undergraduate student body at Vanderbilt is absolutely top notch, as is their faculty. From a purely educational point of view, as an undergraduate, I doubt that there is a significant difference. Also, if you were to compare things like Med School acceptances of top scholarship recipeints at Top Flight Universities (i.e., your daughter) vs. Med School acceptances of Princeton Graduates, I doubt you’d find any significant difference.</p>
<p>Overall – if it were my child. 1. If her preference were to go to Vanderbilt, I don’t think I’d discourage her. 2. If paying the tuition at Princeton either impacts on your family lifestyle (retirement, other kids college, etc) or impacts on your ability to help out for med school education – you have to give a serious edge to Vandy. 3. If your daughter really really really wants to go to Princeton and it’s ‘doable’ with sacrifice - very hard choice. 4. If money is no object and your daughter either wants Princeton or is undecided – Princeton is the clear choice.</p>
<p>^ This (except I wouldn’t say that Princeton is “a lot more” prestigious, but a bit more - same would apply w/ regard to the other HYPSM schools).</p>