<p>So, I got into both vandy and w&m and I have no idea what to do. Don't consider cost - it won't be an issue, however, I am in state for w&m. </p>
<p>Before, vandy was pretty low on my list because I thought I had no shot and I didn't want to go south but now I'm reconsidering. </p>
<p>In terms of weather, I do not mind cold weather at all and I hate sweltering heat. Mild and dry is my favorite. </p>
<p>I am very politically active/aware and I am not a fan of social conservatism - that was a concern for going south, but honestly I can hold my own anywhere. I'm libertarian, so it's not like I'm dying to go to berkeley or anything. </p>
<p>I want to major in economics and minor in poly sci. In the future, I probably want to go into banking/finance or MAYBE law. </p>
<p>I would like to think I'm relatively outgoing and I've lived all over (ny, nj, singapore, hong kong, seoul, northern virginia) so I'm sure I could have a good time anywhere and meet new people easily. I do have a lot of great friends that will be attending w&m, however. </p>
<p>I will care about academics a lot but I do want to balance that with fun and I do plan on joining a fraternity.</p>
<p>I don't know if I've left anything else out but I have no idea what to do. Any suggestions/general comments would be appreciated.</p>
<p>Vandy has a bigger party presence. And probably a wealthier clientele, overall. Nashville is a great and fun city. If you love music, you would love Nashville. I would be interested in what others have to say, since the two schools seem quite different.</p>
<p>I have daughters at both schools. Congrats on two great acceptances! I think you are going to encounter sweltering heat in either spot, though more so at Vandy. You sound like the kind of student who could get a lot out of either environment. There are politically active/aware, non-conservative students at Vanderbilt (my d is one), but more of them at W & M; there is a balance of work and fun at W & M, but more of a work hard, play hard mentality at Vanderbilt. The Greek scene at W & M is laid back; it’s much more of a presence at Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>Academics are excellent, and the faculty is outstanding, at either school. Your opportunities for internships and contacts in banking and finance would probably be stronger at Vanderbilt, but you’ll also find them at W & M. Students from both institutions do well in grad school placements. So how can you go wrong?</p>
<p>Two things - have you visited, and is money really not an issue? The schools are quite different socially, though many kinds of people can find a niche at either place. It would be a mistake to choose any school without a campus visit. </p>
<p>On the money thing - W & M is a fantastic value for an in-state student. We’re OOS, and I believe it’s worth every penny. But for an instate student, the ability to save so many thousands of dollars for grad school, internships, other stuff, is hard to pass up. Vandy is worth every penny, too, if you’ve got the cash. Our d could only afford to go because of a scholarship. Maybe your financial aid package makes the cost at both schools similar? Best of luck deciding - our kids have been very happy at their respective schools.</p>
<p>Thanks for a fairly substantive response. I’m planning on visiting both campuses within the next couple of weeks, so that will definitely play a large role in deciding where I go. Yes, vandy’s financial aid package makes money a non-issue between the two schools. I’ve never really experienced “the south” so I’m slightly apprehensive about that aspect.</p>
<p>Jcrew, I don’t know a whole lot about either school, but if you haven’t lived in “the south” before, then you will take a bit of time to get used to it. Wherever you go, however, I’m sure you will be able to find groups of friends that matter a whole lot more than your environment. Also, remember that the south you are referring to exists OUTSIDE of the campus. On and near the campus, it’s a college town, which is going to be an amazing experience regardless of the location.</p>