<p>I am an international student from China and I recently got accepeted by both Vandy and WUSTL. My intended major is Biomedical Engineering, and I want to choose which school to attend. Could you please give me some suggestions based on academics, environment, dining, housing on campus, attitudes toward international students, extracurriculars, etc? Thank you very much!!!</p>
<p>Looked at both extensively. Accepted to WUSTL and still waiting to hear about Vandy. The schools are very different. It depends on what you are looking for. </p>
<p>WUSTL:
I would almost venture to say that a MAJORITY of Biomed Eng. students are asian.
The head of Biomedical Engineering is a really great guy. Amazing brain research in conjunction with the reknowned medical school.
A very academic-focused student body
Beautiful campus in a great city with a lot to do, but many students seem to not leave the campus often. Few students go to the football games. Not much school spirit.</p>
<p>VANDY:
One of the smallest percentage of asian student of any highly selective university
While obiously very smart, high-acheivers, the students seem to be well-rounded and much more social. There’s a lot more, good and bad, going on on this campus on a Saturday night. I know it’s sterotypical, but that’s what you are asking for, right? What is the stereotype? Vanderbilt is more “southern”: charm, designer clothes, gentlemen want-to-bes. WUSTL, although it is in St. Louis, is more more “northern”. The dining at both places is amazing. Want fresh seafood and steamed vegetables for lunch? Sushi for dinner? Steak? </p>
<p>I would think, being an international student, your decision is whether you want to go to a school where there are more studious asians or one where there is more fun (read: distractions). Both are fantastic choices academically. Congratulations.</p>
<p>Vandy should be a LOT more fun than WashU, that’s for sure. However, since you’re a international Asian student, things will be a little different for you here. Are you going to be open to meeting a lot of different people of different backgrounds, or are you more sort of the type who will probably hang out with only Asians/international Asians? Since there is a small Asian population here, pretty much all Asians gravitate towards each other, and a lot of self-segregation results. However, if you are open to meeting all sorts of new people regardless of if they’re Asian or not, you will not have a problem doing so.</p>
<p>congratulations on your acceptances! I have lived in St Louis and have a son at Vandy. You can’t go wrong. Count your blessings. good luck choosing! Wash U is an excellent community and campus in a big city. Vandy’s weather is far better but the schools are only a few 6? hours apart by car. If you can’t do an Accepted student day, why not ask admissions at Vandy to see if an upperclass person in Biomed will Skype with you?</p>