My daughter has been accepted to both. We won’t receive any financial aid, so we are wondering if it is worth paying double the amount of money for the privilege and quality of life and education at Vanderbilt as opposed to attending UVA, which is also a very good school. Any input?
I would say definitely not. UVA is a great school …why pay double?
Since it is statistically likely that your D WON’T end up pre-med (more HS kids who say they are going to med school decide NOT to go vs. those who do) you need to also look at the non-neuroscience/med school options.
While it is up to you, my vote is no, not in any way worth it, since you are in-state for UVA.
Go to UVA.
The schools have an awful lot of similarities. Heck – Vandy’s rotunda and lawn seem to be a pretty obvious homage to UVA’s. UVA at $55k vs. Vandy at $65k – I could go either way.
UVA at $25k is a no brainer. There’s a reason that 65% of UVA’s in-state offers get accepted. That’s about the same yield rate as Yale has.
UVA
Another vote for UVa. Save the money – med school is expensive.
my son was in the same dilemma and he chose UVA for a better college experience
Save the money for med school. And UVa is a great school even if she changes majors.
But look into how easy it is to change majors or get into business school etc.
We had to deal with the same dilemma with our oldest son with the pre-med concentration. We chose in-state in order to avoid any debt at the undergrad level. He’ll get a plenty of that in a med school.
7 years ago my daughter had this same choice, except for a different major. Vandy did offer her great financial aid that brought it into the range of UVa. She choose Vandy and has not regretted it. My son went there as well. However, if she had not been offered any aid then she would have chosen UVa. I love Vandy and UVa but would not pay more than double for Vandy.
For $43K/ yr or roughly $5400 / mo extra, you get a nicer dorm, slightly better food, and slightly smaller classes. That’s a lot of carry out and tutoring. I think Jefferson has a bit more prestige than Vanderbilt.