<p>I've been accepted into both Vanderbilt and William & Mary and just cannot make a choice! I plan on double majoring in political science and either math or physics. I love the liberal arts education I'd get at W&M but also think I'd enjoy the liberal arts curriculum at Vandy's College of Arts & Science.</p>
<p>I love history, so W&M's location near DC and like right across the street from Colonial Williamsburg really appeal to me. Problem is that they're offering me considerably less money. At Vandy, I get 46k a year plus a 5k national merit scholarship. W&M is only offering me 25k a year in aid plus 10k a year in loans. Well, I'd also be a Monroe scholar, but that basically only gets me $3,000 for senior year. That means my family would be paying like 7-8k a year, but I would graduate with 40-50k in loans at W&M. My family is lower middle class, and my younger sister will be going to college in 2 years. </p>
<p>I visited Vandy this past weekend and really liked the campus, the dorms, the teachers, and Nashville. I'm worried though that the political science program at Vandy, while large, might not be as good or as prestigious as the one at W&M. I'm also worried about the Greek scene at Vandy; I'm from Georgia and know how Southern schools can party it up.</p>
<p>I would like to work either for the government, the UN, or a think tank one day. I also would not mind being a teacher or working as a lobbyist. I personally am a history and math geek (I love watching History and Discovery channels) who really only hates learning about chemistry. I like spending time with close friends more than large groups. I don't plan to attend very many parties in college, and I certainly will not be drinking at those I do. I love reading and don't mind having a lot of work to do. I definitely want to study abroad in England, preferably after my sophomore year.</p>
<p>Basically, should I choose the school I really like where I wouldn't graduate with student loans that I might be socially miserable at or the school I love that's more expensive, both in terms of cost of attending and costs of coming home? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Vandy is cheaper, excellent, and one of the rising stars nationally. There shouldn’t be any reason to spend more for W&M other than your concern about Greek life. I know that Greeks are a huge part of campus life at Vandy, but I also know that less than half the campus is Greek, and that the university is now attracting students who are turning down the Ivies.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt is a great school, as is W&M. You really cant lose. It sounds like you like W&M better. This may not be an issue, but Vandy is known for its wealthy students. W&M, being public, draws a broader cross section of society. You commented your family is lower middle class. I dont know if this concerns you, but it is a difference between the two schools.</p>
<p>Yeah, you do sound as if you like W&M better, and it looks like it would be a better fit. However, the jobs you mentioned usually don’t provide a ton of extra money so the debt may be a large concern. W&M has one of the highest Peace Corps participation rates - have you considered different programs where the government forgives your school debt for working as a teacher in certain locations, participating in the Peace Corps (which is being greatly expanded by the W&M who heads it), or other service activity? That could be a third option to get around your conundrum.</p>
<p>In terms of opportunity, these schools are peers. In terms of fit, William and Mary eeks out an edge, but in terms of financial responsibility, Vandy wins.</p>
<p>Go to Vandy. I imagine you’ll find a niche without much trouble. Vanderbilt is far from USC/UNC-Wilmington/University of Georgia in terms of drinking.</p>
<p>Wow, you got so much money to Vandy! Sometimes when it comes down to it, you have to ask yourself: Is going to the more expensive college worth the extra debt I’ll take on?</p>
<p>I love W and M, but this one is easy: Vanderbilt. They’re both fabulous schools, but don’t forget that all state schools are under the gun lately. Save the money and take a trip to Europe later. You’ll get a fantastic education in a beautiful setting at Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>I would follow the money in this case; they’re both excellent schools but it’s not worth taking on debt to go to one rather than the other. Also, W & M is not exactly next door to DC. Unless you have a car, Nashville might be the more exciting location.</p>
<p>My middle son chose Vandy over W&M, although he had spent three weeks at W&M in a summer program that, at the time, he said were “the best three weeks of his life.” He felt that W&M would be too confining after a while. </p>
<p>He loves history and Poli Sci, and has not been disappointed at Vandy. As a freshman, he was able to take the legendary course on politics and elections that is taught once every four years during presidential elections. One of the classes was taught by the prof calling in from the floor of the Republican National Convention! The history classes have been very tough and the professors are “old-school,” according to him.</p>
<p>I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with the offerings at Vandy. Having the state capitol in Nashville may offer a nice bonus of opportunities.</p>
<p>I avoided checking into this thread because I don’t know anything about W & M. Now that I have read your post, I will say that my son, a junior at Vanderbilt, and his girlfriend, also a junior at VU, have not found being non-Greek to be limiting in any way, shape or form. They have plenty of social opportunities, plenty of ways to volunteer in the community (mostly I’m referring to the gf here), research opportunities, challenging coursework…</p>
<p>In other words, I would not let the Greek scene dissuade you. Perhaps in the past it was the case that the Greeks ruled social life for all, but that is just not true now. </p>
<p>If I read your original post correctly, you are being given 53K a year with no loan obligation. It is hard to imagine walking away from that.</p>
<p>I would like to add that it seems that as Vanderbilt now has a policy of excepting students need blind and then giving them 100% of their need to get there, they are trying to move away a bit from the old gaurd and I think that is a good thing. I am an alumnae and I think Vandy needs the intelligent kids without money to get them where they want to be. I think that what they want is a school that is not so tied to daddy’s money but to academic and personal excellence. You probably are part of the solution they are looking for. You have to decide if you are willing to share in their growing pains.</p>