<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 kind enough to offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...</p>
<p>If your daughter is considering medical school, go with the free ride at Vandy. </p>
<p>Years ago, my sister-in-law made the mistake of taking out loans for undergraduate and medical school. When she started her residency, she was 300k in debt and referred to herself as having “a mortgage on her brain.” Although she has managed to whittle the debt down, twenty years later, the loan is still not payed off – and she’s a well-respected Pathologist at a university hospital.</p>
<p>If your daughter is 100% sure she wants to be a doctor, and she likes the Vandy culture, that’s where she should go. There would be no problem fulfilling the pre-med requirements at Princeton, but that’s $200K your daughter/you will have for med school etc.</p>
<p>I’d say Vandy. Princeton’s a bigger risk at full freight: She’ll probably feel pressure to absolutely love it and to take advantage of everything it has to offer. That sort of pressure can be crushing, especially if she is–as most students are–an average student paying $50,000/year. </p>
<p>That’s not to say I don’t love it here. But would I have been able to turn down a guilt-and-tuition-free ride somewhere else, especially if that place was Vanderbilt? I don’t know.</p>
<p>I believe Princeton is the best undergraduate academic experience available. A once in a lifetime opportunity. Of course, some may think I believe that because I am paying full freight for my kid to attend. But if it can be afforded, Princeton is that special. </p>
<p>Having said this, money is such a factor now days. I have paid for Princeton with a bit of discomfort with no loans other than their monthly payment plan (80 bucks in interest each year or so), so it made sense for me to give my kid the opportunity. But if I made 20% less, wow, Princeton vs a Vanderbilt for free would have been a really tough decision. Only you know your finances and the ways in which your child is prepared to live and deal with things financially. In that vein, I can’t see anyone giving particularly sage advice. </p>
<p>PS - My views are different in 2012 than they would have been in 2006. Such is the nature of the economy.</p>
<p>Disclaimer - I attended Princeton (molecular biology and now a physician) and have recently visited Vanderbilt on a college visit with my son. Several family members have attended Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Princeton offers an unmatched education and college experience. Fantastic academics on a gorgeous campus with world famous professors focused on undergraduate education. Obtaining admission to the best medical schools as a Princeton student is the norm and all pre-requisites can easily be met even if one does not major in a science.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt is an excellent school that seems to be on the rise and deserves this increased attention. It would be hard to go wrong by choosing Vandy but I suspect 90% of students accepted by both schools would attend Princeton. </p>
<p>If finances are a prime concern - then Vanderbilt may make more sense - especially with the costs of medical school looming.</p>