Hi, so I was wondering if you guys had any insight on how UChicago and Vandy match up? I was accepted to Vanderbilt with a full tuition scholarship, but I was deferred from UChicago, and what I was like curious about is if you think there’s any chance I’d get in RD? I’m so so thankful I got in to Vanderbilt but uchicago has been my ultimate dream school for 5 years and everything I accomplished in hs was with that school in mind, and honestly I only applied to Vandy because my counselor told me to. Would you say Vanderbilt is easier to get into than uchicago or is it really just a crapshoot and I got lucky, especially with the whole scholarship and everything. Someone told me that I might have gotten into one over the other because I am a POC and vandy is like uber white? Do you think that’s valid?
I know I shouldn’t be so hung up on UChicago but I can’t stop overthinking what exactly went down and made one school choose me over the other, so I was wondering if you knew what makes these schools’ admissions different?
Well one thing you have to take into consideration is that each school is unique and therefore each school looks for different things. Being accepted to Vandy with a full ride is very impressive and indicates that they see you as one of their best “fits”. A UChicago deferral is just an indication that they think you might be a fit or you might not but that they would like to look again. My best advice that I could give you would be to not get hung up on the University of Chicago, distance yourself from the university for the time being and get to know the places you have been accepted. I have undergone a very similar situation but I came to realize the school I so cherished my entire life was probably not the place I should end up going, because my own happiness and development would be facilitated better elsewhere. If you get into Chicago then you really need to analyze where you fit best and do so without any biases you might have (much easier said than done).
@SkeezeyJay i really appreciate the advice idk i always thought uchicago was the environment i wanted which is almost the opposite of vandy with greek life and all that but you’re right i need to distance myself from uchi. thanks!
Wait until you see what Chicago comes back with. Vandy is an excellent school and a wonderful opportunity (especially at a full ride), in one of the best cities in the nation (though, having grown up there and gone to school pretty close to Vandy, I’m biased), but Chicago’s become a lot more generous with aid so the price might be different.
And I doubt that you got that merit scholarship because of “fit.” Merit scholarships tend to mean that you hit one of Vanderbilt’s major “we need this” criteria, in addition to having extremely high stats already.
Congrats on getting into Vanderbilt! It is such a beautiful school, and the programs really are great. I’m just like you, I applied to UChicago as well and got waitlisted. Waiting to hear from Vanderbilt tomorrow! Best of luck to you
I’d choose Vanderbilt over Chicago for the same cost. I always have the impression that the atmosphere at Chicago is tight and intense. The students are largely geeky and nerdy. It’s the more prestigious and respected school than Vanderbilt though, but I also think that Vanderbilt offers a much better “college experience” as it has a more well-rounded student body who are fun to be with and highly collaborative. This is just my opinion, however.
It is such a beautiful school, and the programs really are great. I’m just like you, I applied to UChicago as well and got waitlisted. 
Waiting to hear from Vanderbilt tomorrow! Best of luck to you