Washington University in St. Lous vs. Vanderbilt

<p>I just got admitted as a junior transfer to WUSTL (WashU) and Vandy, I am torn between the two choices!!!</p>

<p>If I go to Wash U, I'm probably gonna do international and area studies, and if I go to Vandy, I'll probably do Public Policy Studies or Political Science. </p>

<p>Please, esepcially for those who go to these places, or know people who go there, give me reasons to go and not to go. I'm mostly concerned about Faculty strengths, Campus life, and also nation and international reputation (I'm from hong kong).</p>

<p>Thanks in advance! =D</p>

<p>I know a few people at each of these schools. I don’t really know what my friends at Vanderbilt are doing now, but one of my friends from Wash U got an amazing job in D.C. before he even graduated. I feel like internationally, Wash U is more known, but research wise, Vanderbilt is the place to go.</p>

<p>really? i thought wash U receives an even bigger research grant than yale and princeton!!!
research is also very important to me…but I’ve heard that Wash U does not have much campus life, and may be rather boring, that’s why I am hesitating…</p>

<p>(From the Center for Measuring University Performance) The top American Research Universities Annual Report –> <a href=“http://mup.asu.edu/research2008.pdf[/url]”>http://mup.asu.edu/research2008.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>WashU is ahead of Vandy in federal/non-federal research. WashU is also ranked higher by USNews, and has a larger endowment. I have friends that go to both schools. If you are interested in the “Greek” scene I would jump on the Vandy wagon, but if you’re looking for a school that is considered more “prestigious” I would go for WashU. Just all depends on what you’re looking for (now and for the future). My valedictorian got waitlisted and eventually rejected by WashU. She was so upset she talked about it in her graduation speech LOL. I do think Vandy is more fun though, but my friend complains of deflation in the grading system. Also, outside the south Vandy is not known at all. I think most people look at WashU (in terms of international/nation recognition) as higher than Vanderbilt, but in the south this is reversed. I also was admitted for transfer at Vandy, but will be attending UChicago. </p>

<p>Hope this helps!</p>

<p>Whoops! Was admitted to both LAST YEAR, and currently attend UChicago (and love it). Duh, I’m 21.</p>

<p>Not gonna lie…St. Louis is pretty boring at least as far as I’m concerned. As someone else said, if you’re looking for a big campus life go with Vandy. However, I think the academic/research connections at WashU are more numerous than at Vanderbilt - and it could be argued that Vanderbilt’s prestige is mostly regional whereas WashU, mainly because of its medical program is gaining international recognition, even in other fields.</p>

<p>WashU’s campus is nice; kinda small or midsized I guess. I’ve never been to Vanderbilt, but with Wash U being in a city, you get a pretty diverse mix of people (at least as far as the school is concerned). Besides if you’re entering as a jr. it will probably be easier for you to find things to do.</p>

<p>In terms of admitting internationals, I know washU is more diversed. But I’ve also heard that washU internationals tend to stick together and cannot really blend in with the locals… I really don’t like that…</p>

<p>AGHHHHHHH AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH</p>

<p>But then I don’t want to HAVE TO drink and party every day to get to know people. aghhhhh</p>

<p>AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH</p>

<p>ooo how is Uchicago? just curious. =P</p>

<p>I was also accepted to both and am deciding between the two. I have not heard from other schools yet, but if it does come down to the two I’m not sure which one ill pick either.</p>

<p>same, i’m also waiting for others.
rice seems to be very appealing too but they waitlisted me. which…
is sad. ahahha</p>

<p>Go to WashU. Vandy is in a racist town. :p</p>

<p>accepted to both, would say Vandy. Seems stronger if your not premed and is more reknowned.</p>

<p>i say this not because of us news, as wustl is ranked higher, but because no one where im from knows what wustl is lol</p>

<p>Yo, Vanderbilt internationals stick together too! In fact, the 6% Asian population at Vandy all know one another and most of the time stick together. Unless you quickly find your niche, there IS a lot of segregation. International reputation, and everything else, WashU>Vandy haha how can I judge? I went to Vandy for 2 years and my cousin just graduated from WashU. Both awesome schools though!!! Goodluck and congrats! :-)</p>

<p>still, it’s racist. :p</p>

<p>^lol </p>

<p>i have heard a lot of the frats are a white boys club, so indian people like me go :'(</p>

<p>but it is an institutional powerhouse so im sure a lot of people are open</p>

<p>Hey, I am indian (not the “come to our casino” kind though) too! hahah.</p>

<p>yeah, Vanderbilt was NEVER an option for me. i wouldn’t feel comfortable there, especially coming from McGill (which sometimes feels like the U.N.)!</p>

<p>lol my moms indian but works at a casino.</p>

<p>mcgill seems like a good school, there was a point in my life i wanted to go there or utoronto, why dont u like it?</p>

<p>on the gtown thread u mention its grade deflation right? haha</p>

<p>A lot of people are open, yes, but a lottt of people are very closeminded still. I’m not just judging, I was very involved on campus and diversity is really low and segregation is very very evident. Go to Vandy’s website, I think under prospective students? They usually put up videos of discussions and other impt conversations and usually they have one about campus diversity, openness, and racial segregation. believe it or not there’s an org on campus called youth for western civilization and they would hold protests against Asian festival shows (I was very angry, hmph!!), the Diwali performances, the Hispanic dance showcase and stuff because apparently they promote multiculturalism and consequently the acceptance of illegal immigration… Lolwut!!! Haha. Everyone of us in the multicultural leadership comm were pretty angry and well, in shock haha. Oh the best part was when they attacked the showing of the vagina monologues on valentines day, because apparently they were offended that of the open use of the word vagina. Geeez anyway just to give you some examples of closeminded people who do exist at Vandy but then again they’re all over America anyway. But it was just surprising how loud the closeminded people are there. Also haha Castiel you’re Indian? Omg I love Indian people hahaha ironic though you must say, if you go to Vandy prepare to hang out mostly with the Beta Chi boys and Indian girls. I love them all. Hahaha!! <3 But they’re another example of the clannish groups at vandy aside from the Asian people. Oh and black people at Vandy too yay! Hahaha. If you find your niche though you’ll be able to pry away from all of that!! I was able to after a year and a half and am very happy with my diverse group of friends. Hope this has given you helpful insights! :-)</p>

<p>Hahaha so many grammatical errors!!! Thank you iPhone lol</p>

<p>yep. ridiculous grade deflation actually. class averages are C’s and the pressure to get even an A- is insane. Thankfully, i can chill now. just finished my last exam two days ago and i can’t wait to head back to the glorious motherland and experience the excruciatingly hot and humid weather :)</p>

<p>seriously, my advice to everyone, and especially fellow indians (coz we’re prestige whores and are blinded by it) don’t go to McGill! Try a nice LAC instead. McGill might be a good investment, but it’s a horrendous experience.</p>

<p>Anyways, have fun at Cornell! it’s an amazing school :)</p>