<p>Both full ride.
Interested in Anthropology and Film Studies, but undecided yet.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt
-Nashville, music city!
-one of top U, not sure of its reputation in east coast where I want to work
-not sure of south culture
-some rumor about segregation, stereotype
-anthropology courses are limited to North and South American</p>
<p>Smith
-prestigious women college, with motivated female peers
-beautiful new england town
-limited course about film studies and anthropology. heard five college consortium is not that convenient
-but, all women?</p>
<p>I doubt you could find two private schools that are more different culturally. Since it doesn’t sound as though either school is exceptionally strong in your proposed major, that is a wash. They’re both great schools, and if you change your mind about what you want to major in, both schools are more than adequate across-the-board for an undergraduate degree. Are you gay? Go to Smith. Are your politics very left wing? Go to Smith. Do you like very cold weather and long winters more than very hot weather and long summers? Go to Smith. Seriously, you can’t decide on academics because they’re quite similar in that regard. You have to decide on the basis of campus culture, weather, type of kids, distance from home, etc.</p>
<p>As someone from the Northeast, I can tell you that you probably shouldn’t worry about Vanderbilt’s “reputation” in the Northeast; I had never even heard of Smith until just now, whereas I had definitely heard of Vanderbilt well before I applied (that may just be my own ignorance, but who knows)</p>
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<p>Also, I have never taken a class in Anthropology at Vanderbilt, but are you sure it’s limited to North and South America? One of my professors was talking about how they just hired a Buddhist anthropologist for next year from a ph.D program at UChicago.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of you!
I don’t know how to edit my post!!!I can just add my info here.
I am an international student from China, and I think I am more of a mild person.
I am almost decided on Vandy~I think the school fits me but I also like Smith!</p>
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<p>If you’re from China, one other thing to consider even moreso is name recognition, at least if you want to go back home; Vanderbilt will be better recognized than Smith (although not as muchso as Harvard/Yale/Princeton, obviously).</p>
<p>My wife is originally from China, and just based on what she has told me about her experiences in China and coming to the US, she would have been completely unaware of and confused by the culture at Smith. Vanderbilt is much closer to what she would have expected. I have known a couple of Smithies who have related to me their experiences there, and Smith might not be what you expect at all, so you should probably investigate Smith very thoroughly before you choose to go there.</p>
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<p>You cannot be serious. Smith is all women, I believe, and anachronistic in that regard. The resources and energy of a surging Vanderbilt makes this a no contest. I believe Vanderbilt will soon equal or surpass more than a few of the Ivy schools in quality and recognition. Join the fun!</p>
<p>Come to Vanderbilt! There are so many great things happening in the film culture on campus and there is an iconic movie theater a few blocks away that shows all the best in foreign and classic films, often with directors and Vanderbilt professors there for discussion afterwars.<br>
[Welcome</a> to the Belcourt Theatre - Nashville’s non-profit venue for film, music & events](<a href=“http://www.belcourt.org/]Welcome”>http://www.belcourt.org/)
The on-campus cinema at Sarratt shows a lot of great films as well and the campus does an extensive International Film series all year round. Our son is active in the film community and chose Vandy over a smaller fine college because the film community is more alive at Vanderbilt than his other options. Many departments…English, foreign languages, Communications…teach film courses which meet department major requirements for electives as well as meet requirements for film majors.</p>
<p>Even if you don’t major in film you will enjoy the film culture on campus. Vanderbilt also has a strong Communications major which is unusual and has media focuses in it.<br>
[International</a> Lens | Vanderbilt University](<a href=“http://www.vanderbilt.edu/internationallens/]International”>International Lens | Vanderbilt University)</p>
<p>I honestly think you will be much happier in Nashville among 6000 undergrads and 6000 graduate students.</p>
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<p>Very different campus cultures–I can’t imagine the same person could be happy at either. Please visit each to find the one that is the right fit for you.</p>
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<p>I’m going to Vanderbilt next year, but I think I could be very happy at Smith too. I think it’s a matter of being flexible. </p>
<p>Obviously, Vanderbilt’s student body is more conservative and Smith’s is more liberal. However, I know a lot of liberal people who go to Vandy and are happy there. I don’t think it would be as easy as a conservative person (or I guess woman) to be as happy as Smith, one reason being that the school is a lot smaller. Also, Tennessee is definitely very conservative, but Nashville itself is a liberal city with lots of artsy people. </p>
<p>I think if being in New England, attending a woman’s college, or having a more liberal student body is very important to you, I would go to Vandy. Also, I think if having small classes and being taught by only professors (and attending a LAC in general) is important to you, then you should also consider Smith. But I’m not quite sure what your priorities are though.</p>