<p>I know that both are really good schools, so I can't really decide between the two universities.</p>
<p>I applied for Biology major, and I don't know about Vandy, but I know that Washington University in St. Louis is really strong in that field, especially when it comes to medical. </p>
<p>However, I am not sure which of them has more recognition or "prestige" because those schools are pretty much on the same level (though Wash U is higher in ranking according to US News). When I told my friends that I got accepted to both schools, they were more enthusiastic about Vanderbilt than me getting into Wash U. Some of them didn't even know what Washington University in St. Louis was. </p>
<p>Other than that, I really love both of those schools.</p>
<p>Any idea which school would be better for me?</p>
<p>How much do you love snow and cold weather? I imagine both schools have similar academics, but there is going to be a significant difference in the weather between Nashville and St. Louis. I’m slightly closer geographically to Nashville than to St. Louis and hear the weather for both daily. Nashville had a wild and snowy (for them) winter this year, but nothing compared to St. Louis. You’re probably too young to care now, though!</p>
<p>Vanderbilt’s name is worth a lot more than WashU’s name outside of the midwest. Other than that, both have very strong biology programs, but Vanderbilt is way more fun. Easy choice.</p>
<p>I used to live in St. Louis; D goes to Vanderbilt. Overall, I like the area around Vanderbilt better than the area around Wash U. Wash U borders some nice areas and some not-so-nice areas. That is just one factor of course, but one that might be considered.</p>
<p>WashU med is outstanding, but Vandy’s is nothing to sneeze at either. While it’s nice that both have strong med schools, don’t confuse having a strong medical school to meaning you’ll have a stronger premed experience. You’ll be attending the undergraduate college, not the med school.</p>
<p>Since quality of premed preparation is likely to be similar at both schools, I suggest you visit to see which you like better. If you’re going to spend 40-50k a year for the next 4 years, spending a few hundred dollars to visit is well worth it.</p>
<p>If you’d ask me, I don’t think you can go wrong going to either school. Both have great biology and also pre-med programs (yes, wustl is better for both) if that is where you’re headed. Both are well known despite what your friends may say, and are in great cities.</p>
<p>I think campus visits may help for this undoubtedly tough decision. </p>
<p>WashU is a fine school, of course. But Vanderbilt is on the path to greatness, WashU is kind of running in place. Vand. increasingly has the aura of belonging to the true aristocracy of elite US schools. However, you cannot really go wrong either way for your purposes. Good luck.</p>
<p>Here is a post I take from one friend in the Vandy class of 2016 students facebook (I am one of the member of this group). Hope that it could help you somehow and hope that I am allowed to post it here.</p>
<p>"just came back from visiting washu and im definitely committing to vandy.</p>
<p>the chill/friendly people made me choose vandy. I visited washu and im a nice guy but the people there were straight up weird. I didn’t even have to hide the fact that I’m a senior in high school to go to parties at vandy. Also, I was at washu from thursday till saturday and i only went out one night (no one did **** on friday 4/20), which wasn’t even that great. At vandy, people I just met the same day went out of their way to show me vandy, take me to their classes, allow me to play in one of their intramural soccer games, and even take me to their parties. At washu, I didn’t really feel welcome and the students there didn’t take the time to convince me to go to washu. And the funny thing is, the students I met at the dorm party actually told me to that if they had the choice between washu and vandy, they would choose vandy. Hope that helps"</p>