<p>So I need to decide between Vanderbilt, UVA, and UChicago.</p>
<p>I want to study history and political science.
Finances are not a factor in the decision.</p>
<p>I am SOOOO CONFUSED. </p>
<p>I toured all of the colleges and I loved Vanderbilt and UChicago more than UVA, although UChicago seems pretty boring and intense.</p>
<p>Does anyone have any advice or knowledge of the three schools?</p>
<p>If you are looking for more FUN, Vandy has an upperhand. But, if you are looking to learn and have a better career prospect, Chicago is better, you will have fun at Chicago though.</p>
<p>I beg to differ with art lovers with regard to jobs and more importanly, it sounds like you enjoyed your time at better. Go Vandy.</p>
<p>My reaction to each college:</p>
<p>Vanderbilt: LOVED the campus and could really see myself there. I love that there are athletics and people seem very warm and nice.</p>
<p>UChicago: I loved the campus as well, although it was definitely a different feel that Vanderbilt. I didnt like the surrounding area to UChicago. Also, I disliked that there werent athletics.</p>
<p>I guess my biggest dilemma is deciding between having more fun at Vanderbilt or focusing more on education at UChicago.</p>
<p>I am very familiar with all three schools. I can assure you that you will work very hard at Vanderbilt and there will be many opportunities for research, internships or whatever you choose. The plus is that it IS fun and the athletic scene is really great. Football is on the rise and there is nothing like SEC sports. Nashville is a fun city and a great place to be for college (and after). The weather is great. I think it offers a more well-rounded educational experience than Chicago, which, of course, is also an excellent school. </p>
<p>I think Vandy and UVA have many similarities, but if I were you I would choose Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Thank you MomofWildChild. I definitely feel that way in my gut but I am kind of scared to commit. </p>
<p>Does anyone know anything about the ability to get into graduate school after vanderbilt or uchicago?</p>
<p>Both schools have much success preparing students for graduate school and with the students gaining admission. A lot will depend on your GPA and GRE/GMAT etc. </p>
<p>I would focus on the next 4 years and where you will be happiest living and learning.</p>
<p>Interesting you ask this question – I go to Vanderbilt and my best friend in the world from high school went to the University of Chicago; I recently went to visit him this year! I will say that I have never seen a place as…intellectual as UChicago. People like to talk about things, and there is probably more outside-of-the-classroom intellectual discussion at UChicago. That being said, students seemed really one-dimensional (no offense to anyone who goes there). It seemed liked students were constantly stressed, and it shocked me that on a Friday night my best friend felt like we couldn’t go to a certain apartment for fear of being mugged, even in a group of six people. I think your grad prospects would be virtually identical, though I would add that UChicago is well-known for grade deflation; your grades may be significantly lower than they would be at Vanderbilt (and I can confirm this is the case considering that me and my friend had nearly identical high school GPA’s yet vastly different college GPA’s). I think this may affect law/business/medical school chances more than academic grad school chances, since they would presumably know about the grade deflation, but I can’t be sure. </p>
<p>All of that being said, though, if you liked Vanderbilt when you visited, go for it. Don’t be scared about committing - that’s what visits are about in the first place, evaluating that intangible quality about a campus that really makes all the difference for four years. I feel it at Vanderbilt, and I really didn’t at Uchicago - hence why I never applied in the first place. You’ll be more than fine with whatever you decide to do with your life, and I think you’ll love the next four years a lot more. Good luck!</p>
<p>VANDY! You’ll definitely appreciate the “college feel” and it is definitely rigorous as well!</p>
<p>All my friends at Vanderbilt LOVE it!</p>