<p>I know these threads are obnoxious, but I am in a serious dilemma. I put my deposit into wash u, but was accepted off the waitlist by UVa and Vandy. I love all three schools, but only took a strong second look at Wash U because it was the only one of the three to which I had been accepted. I really liked the school when I visited, but it's hard to close the door on these other two great schools that I like as well. Does anyone have any advice?</p>
<p>depends on your major, to some extent. Do you know what you want to study/the strength of that program at all three schools? What about location: is proximity to home a concern?</p>
<p>I would pick Wash U first, UVa second and Vandy third, but it’s very subjective and they’re all very good schools. You’re in a no-lose situation.
Good luck whichever you choose!</p>
<p>D is in the same situation in terms of Wash U and Vandy. She is interested in Economics and Political Science. We are far from both campuses, so that is not a consideration. Has visited Wash U (really liked it, and is already wearing the shirt…). I regret that we did not visit Vandy, and will not be able to before this Friday (which is the deadline given). Our mistake, I suppose. It does seem that Vandy is on the rise. As mentioned, I don’t think one can go wrong either way!</p>
<p>I am biased towards Wash U, but all three of these schools were on my original college list, so I’ll give you my opinion:</p>
<p>The main difference between these schools seemed to be social life. Academically, they are all great and very well-regarded, and although some people may argue that one is better than another, they are all on about the same level, and unless you’re interested in some specific program, I wouldn’t let academics make or break the decision. </p>
<p>On social life, Vandy is very Greek-oriented. UVa has Greek life, too, but from what I’ve heard – and someone please correct me if I’m wrong – Greek life at Vandy is more popular and more of a presence in the social life of all students. Wash U has Greek life, too, but it isn’t typical “southern” Greek life from what I hear. I think about 1/3 of Wash U students go Greek, but there seems to be more “non-Greek” stuff going on at Wash U than at either of the other two schools.</p>
<p>Pulled off the Wash U WL thread:</p>
<p>"At this time, our enrollment deposits are looking strong for the fall, and we are unsure of whether we will be using our waitlist. We will, of course, keep you informed as we move forward, and you should expect to hear from us soon regarding our decision. Thank you again for your continued interest in WU and your patience during this process. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you have any further questions. "</p>
<p>Rumor has it that their yield was very strong this year (thus far). Wash U is drawing applicants not just nationally, but internationally. It has a growing reputation in Asia as a very prestigious institution (significantly so). It is hard to imagine that they will become even more selective, but it is certainly possible.</p>
<p>Wash U. has the most academic gravitas of the three schools. Beautiful school, great dorm food, a lot of admin. support, excellent academics. Some students do feel stressed-out, there, however.</p>
<p>UVA is an excellent school, but is is very removed from big city life, if that’s a priority for you. As well, it is fairly preppy and Greek. Beautiful campus, excellent academics, and great athletics.</p>
<p>I know that Vanderbilt is on the rise, but in my day it was where the debuttantes and frat boys, with no ambition or much aptitude, went. This year, the two kids I know to be going to V. have done well enough in high school but do not have even close to the test scores and GPAs of the few kids I know attending UVA and the many kids I know, Wash U-bound.</p>
<p>UVA may be more of a socially-balanced (less preoccupation with grades) than Wash U. A lot of the Wash. U.-bound students I know are already talking about what medical school they are hoping to get into from Wash. U. And, please understand, I think the world of Wash U. I just know that it tends to attract the academically zealous–a very different crowd than the Vandy crowd.</p>
<p>You do well at any of those schools, however, and you can be assured of a spot at a top-notch grad. school, but the social cultures are different.</p>
<p>They are all great schools, which makes it really hard to decide. When I had to decide between WashU and Vanderbilt it came down to which one was more affordable for our family </p>
<p>I think the deposit for wash U was like $400, although that might have included room and board. You will lose this deposit if you decide to go elsewhere. </p>
<p>Also take into consideration any financial aid or scholarships you have been offered. </p>
<p>When your choices are this good coast can be one of the most important factors in your decision.</p>
<p>FWIW, my son visited UVa and didn’t care for it. Too big. He even stayed overnight with his cousin and went to a class. I thought he’d love the ‘touch of the south’ there, but nope. Didn’t even apply.</p>
<p>He did get into Vandy and declined their offer of acceptance because he didn’t like the overwhelming frats factor.</p>
<p>However, from my perspective, they’re all excellent schools. He’s going to WashU.</p>
<p>SWHarborfan - I would disagree with you about the test scores of students accepted to Vandy. They are extemely selective. My son was waitlisted there. He was accepted to Wash U, Rice, Carleton and several others. His friend who was waitlisted at Vandy was accepted to Princeton and Harvey Mudd. Both of them have very high SAT’s, Full IB and perfect/near perfect GPA’s. Honestly, I was a bit surprised, but I think Vandy now gets are really high caliber of applicant.</p>
<p>Bman - did you visit Vandy or UVa? Also, what is your intended major? Perhaps the strength of that department at each of these schools could help make your choice.</p>
<p>Admissions committees do not put test scores into a giant computer and accept only those with the highest test scores in order. “selectivity” implies looking beyond that.</p>
<p>One of the original posters mentioned they wanted to study Econ and Political Science. Wash U has AMAZING programs in these areas. One of our nobel prize winners on faculty is a professor in the economics department, and he teaches undergrads. I took a class with a political science professor who not only wrote our textbook, but one of the other supplemental books we had to read in the class was written by another Wash U political science professor. I’m flipping through the big course catalog book right now, and I decided to stop counting how many political science classes there are after I hit 75… there was at least a full page after that, too. </p>
<p>Wash U has hosted 4 presidential debates over the past 5 election cycles… including the VP debate between Biden and Palin last year. Hopefully we’ll host another one at the next election cycle! Not only does that give you a lot of hands on political experience, but there is also an active bi-partisan political review magazine, speakers coming to campus, and political groups. Wash U also launched an extensive “semester in DC” study abroad program, where you can get an internship and take classes in DC. Also a strong affiliation with the Brookings Institution (arguably the most highly regarded think tank in the country), where a lot of Wash U students obtain internships and jobs. </p>
<p>There’s even a major called Political Economy which bridges together Politics and Economics. </p>
<p>If you have any specific questions about these major let me know. They are really stellar majors. Of course, I don’t know anything about Vandy and UVA’s programs, but I think you’d be passing up a huge opportunity not to study Poli Sci or Econ at Wash U… and, plus, we have an amazing student community and quality of life in a great city :)</p>
<p><<my son=“” was=“” waitlisted=“” there.=“” he=“” accepted=“” to=“” wash=“” u,=“” rice,=“” carleton=“” and=“” several=“” others.=“” his=“” friend=“” who=“” at=“” vandy=“” princeton=“” harvey=“” mudd.=“” both=“” of=“” them=“” have=“” very=“” high=“” sat’s,=“” full=“” ib=“” perfect=“” near=“” gpa’s.=“”>></my></p>
<p>I can only speak to the three kids who got in, who are not going (one is going to UCSB, another to USC, and, yet another, to Tulane)–all below 2100 on the SAT, 3.65ish GPAs. None of the three are highly driven, but competent students, and were looking for schools that had good academics and a “meaningful” “party” culture.</p>
<p>I haven’t looked at the SAT/SATIIs and GPA means for Vanderbilt, but I cannot imagine that they are even within range of Wash U’s or the stats for out-of-staters for UVA. </p>
<p>Again, I can only speak to the students whom I know, with surety, to have been admitted to Vanderbilt and their specific data. In this neck-of-the-woods, Vanderbilt has proven to be a (rising) safety.</p>
<p>It seems to me the somewhat negative characterizations of aspects of Vandy and UVA are really unhelpful, and highly subjective. SWHarborfan makes statements that they cannot “imagine” something, yet it takes all of 10 seconds to Google.</p>
<p>Vanderbilt average SAT 25%-75% (Wash U in ):</p>
<p>CR: 650-740 [680-760]
M: 680-760 [700-780]
W: 650-730 [Not reported]</p>
<p>I think any reasonable person would call those within the same range. Things on this forum just start to lose touch with reality when an amazing school like Vanderbilt is made to sound second-rate. The admission rate at Vandy was 20% last year, likely lower this year. Very similar to Wash U as well. Calling that a safety for anyone is misleading to students that read this board and do not know better.</p>
<p>Having said all that, to the OP I would say leave your decision alone. Wash U is in fact an amazing school where you will receive one of the finest educations in the world, and have a great experience. You know you liked it when you visited, so that is a big plus. Unless there is some factor in particular you know is important to you that Wash U cannot offer, such as Div. 1 sports, or nicer weather, it is better to start putting the admissions phase behind you and look forward to a great 4 years.</p>
<p>bman, I was accepted to all three schools and was considering them even on May 1st a week ago. I chose WashU.</p>
<p>Vandy seemed to have a strong international body - I am not international but have travelled a lot so that was a plus (for me). I did feel though that these bodies were self-segregated which ruled out that benefit. I also was not comfortable with the very prominent Greek/party scene. I wanted something a campus with the majority of social life consisting of other activities. They gave me very nice (need) aid - wish Georgetown had been so straightforward - which I thought nicely reflected the administration there. But otherwise I rule Vandy out that last week.</p>
<p>I live in Cville so UVa I know pretty well. Wasn’t considering it so much originally, but those last two weeks, I decided to go there instead. The academics are superb, but I felt that the social/academic life was more balanced and I normally succeed better in an environment that’s not so driven or overwhelming. There is a Greek life - that is prominent in some areas/crowds- but the size of the school allows much more activities to happen on the weekend. There is some self-segregation - if your on the Corner, you will basically see the same “person” for the entire stretch - but the campus seems very diverse because those smaller percentages still mean more people because of the size of the student body. Dorms at UVa are rough. You may get one - even higher chance after freshman year - where it can take forever to walk to classes or a dining hall. I spent April 30, 31st, May 1st, and 2nd on campus and the dorm I stayed in on Friday was very removed - I took a bus to get near the libraries/campus - and opened outside (vs. having hallways/ a building entry with more security) and was in a wooded place - this was a sophomore dorm. Food at UVa is depressing for all of the students I know (with the exception of breakfast); most want a kitchen ASAP. MUCH bigger classes and harder to get into. UVa - and this I think means a lot - was the only school I considered regardless of the cost (but it may be different for you cause I was still in-state - $22,000)</p>
<p>And then WashU. I got a scholarship at WashU - same amount as Vandy - but it was merit based so I don’t need the FAFSA/CSS, etc. every year. Classes at WashU are much smaller. Seems to be a much healthier atmostphere - comfortable dorms, great food, nice people, active community service. I love the fact that there is a Metro in St. Louis - I HATE driving which you can’t live without at UVa - though st. Louis in itself doesn’t seem too exciting. The campus is small and closed (vs. part of the entire city). The other reasons I decided eventually to go to WashU though were more tied into my scholarship program. I liked the atypical Greek life and again, loved the food - (doesn’t seem too important now, but will within 2 days on campus). My two concerns at the end were location and (this probably doesn’t apply to you) the fact that there weren’t really Americans of Pakistani parents on campus and the religious group for my faith was pretty unexistent (compared to others).</p>
<p>Anyways, that’s my input which I (tried) to limit to info which would pertain to you regardless of race, region, religion, financial cost. If you’d like to know anything else, feel free to ask.</p>