<p>I just got accepted to Vandy off the wait list 2 days ago! I had already committed to Tufts, but now I have a tough decision to make. How do you think the two compare?</p>
<p>Equally academically prestigious at the undergraduate level.
Very different feels and student bodies:
Tufts–much more liberal, more cosmopolitan, northern feel, BOSTON (+)
Vanderbilt–more conservative, Southern feel, Greek emphasis, Nashville (-)</p>
<p>If you are interested in international affairs, Tufts is definitely better.
If you are interested in natural science, Vanderbilt is probably better.</p>
<p>Things are changing. It is likely that in the near future these two schools will not be seen as peers…may already be the case. Vand. has the edge, and will likely move up close to the top of the second group of 10 amongst the top schools, and Tufts is likely to stay in the third group of 10. However, for undergraduate purposes at the moment, you could be fine at either school. I just think that the value, or “prestige” of a Vand. degree will keep rising. This same thing happened to Duke some time back. Vanderbilt is breaking away from many former peer schools, and joining the pack of the very best dozen or so schools.</p>
<p>^lol. Watch out Harvard and Princeton. Here comes VANDERBILT. Please.</p>
<p>I would go with Vanderbilt; Tufts really isn’t prestigious outside of Boston and suffers from the reputation of being an “Ivy backup” while Vanderbilt is often considered to be the “Harvard of the South”.</p>
<p>IMO Vanderbilt offers more of the “entire college experience”. Vandy has great academics, school spirit, sports (SEC), greek life, less cutthroat. Vanderbilt has better name recognition outside the NE. Boston is a great city but you will be looked at as the kid that couldn’t get into the “other schools” in Boston. The new up and coming schools are Vandy, Duke, Notre Dame, Stanford, USC, Rice, NW. I recommend you jump in a plane and visit both schools to find where you think you would fit in best. You can further your career at either school. Go where you would be happy for the next 4 years.</p>
<p>“watch out Harvard and…”. Sarcasm is often employed when facts are inimical to one’s bias. However, it seldom achieves anything. Every bit of my post is factual! Carry on, though.</p>
<p>My D was accepted to both Vandy and Tufts. She got a lot more financial aid at Vandy & turned down Tufts due to cost (they both “meet need,” but Vandy met it a whole lot better for us!). In all honesty, she would have been happier socially at Tufts. She never quite “fit” at Vandy. However, she took advantage of everything Vandy had to offer - academics, study abroad, leadership activities, radio (back when it was on-air), etc. She is not at all unhappy with Vandy, and she has a great job now. </p>
<p>Again, though, she would have preferred Tufts. Maybe she was better off at Vandy, maybe she would have been better off at Tufts - who knows? - doesn’t matter, though, because she made the most (a lot!) of Vandy. </p>
<p>Choose what works best for you, and make it work.</p>
<p>While it is close, i would choose Tufts based on Medman’s discussion and my personal fit. Tufts is really not prestigious outside of Boston…bah…ha…ha…ha… that’s a good one. Tell that to the founders of ebay of Jamie Dimon…That one made my night.</p>
<p>which has a better reputation in general?</p>
<p>^Vanderbilt, but Tufts still has a great reputation, so it really should be a deciding factor.</p>
<p>I’d say Vanderbilt has a better reputation in general.</p>
<p>Tufts acceptance rate will now go down to about 18.7 percent… Like I said above. I would go to Tufts…</p>
<p>Classclown - Vanderbilt’s RD acceptance rate is 10.8% and overall will most likely be at or bellow 14%. What’s your point? In any case that should not be reason to make your choice for either school.</p>
<p>Danders - They are both great schools. Vandy’s reputation is on the rise but you should visit and choose whichever you think you will flourish at better. Best of luck you have two great choices and there are lots of students who would love to be in your shoes.</p>
<p>This post is from May of last year.</p>
<p>And, for the record, he/she picked Vanderbilt ;).</p>