<p>See, I thought the "Harvard's (almost identical in size to Vanderbilt) data: 47% white, 19% Asian, 9% black, 7% hispanic, and 18% other/unreported. I trust the reader can make the obvious comparisons as to how this stacks up," stats were right when I first saw it, but now remember one thing: Havard is Harvard, and so they get to pick from a wide range of students to attend their university.
I think people don't apply to Vanderbilt because it is in Tenn, and International/Out-of-staters are scared of going out into what they perceive to be the wilderness. I was shocked when I saw Vandy was higher than NYU, UVa., and other schools. I guess I will find out why when I head there for my undergrad, as I won a full-tutition scholarship to the school.</p>
<p>^i'm pretty sure that Vandy - or any top school for that matter - isn't generous with merit money for ED students. so i'm questioning the validity of your "i won a full-tuition scholarship" statement. and a 3.6 GPA and top 28% class rank is DEFINITELY not enough for a full-tuition scholarship. need-based aid, maybe. but a full scholarship? not an ice cube's chance in hell.</p>
<p>I would have a hard time believeing it is anything other than need-based financial aid.</p>
<p>its definitely only financial aid.</p>
<p>Every time someone tries to pass off a need-based financial aid package as a scholarship, a little part of my soul dies.</p>
<p>Oh wait, that could just be my ego.</p>
<p>I agree absolutely that Vanderbilt should not be considered a top 20 school. While I certainly have my problems with the "atmosphere" (heavy coke use, prevalent eating disorders among the girls, and segregation to name a few) it was the "lackluster" academics which finally sealed my not applying there. I sat in on several classes and found that the one in which I was most impressed by the teacher, I was incredibly disappointed by the students. A presentation was being given by 5 students, most of whom seemed to either not really be familiar with their subject matter, or to be completely inarticulate if they did know it. There was one guy on the panel who seemed bright, interesting, and interested in the topic and I went up to talk to him after class. It turns out he was transferring out of Vandy! I think Vanderbilt is HIGHLY overrated by USNews and in reputation.</p>
<p>to thesearch,</p>
<p>Your anti-Vanderbilt feelings are well known and found all over the place on CC. Literally 75% of the comments that you have made on these boards seek to undermine or discredit Vanderbilt in some way. I'm not sure what actually happened with you at Vanderbilt to trigger such strong and frequently recited feelings, but my suggestion would be for you to move on. Vanderbilt is just not for you (nor probably are you for it). I will be interested to see what other schools you seriously consider and where you end up. Good luck again with your college search process. </p>
<p>To all others
For the last twenty-five years, Vanderbilt has ranked between 18 and 22 on the USNWR rankings (except for 1993). This probably surprises most people as Nashville is a bit off the beaten track and the school receives significantly less publicity than its east coast competitors. As a result of this exposure deficit, many incorrectly conclude that the school is not a legitimate competitor to the better known schools. If anything, the southern location probably disadvantages Vanderbilt in the USNWR rankings. As the head of admissions at Penn recently commented in a public forum, "Vanderbilt is a great school that is not well known. If it were located in the I-95 corridor, it would get over 20,000 applications a year." Vanderbilt got just over 12,000 applications last year. </p>
<p>There are many, many, many of us-students, parents, possible high school applicants, etc-who have had extremely different and very positive experiences with the school on both the academic and social levels. My personal belief is that Vanderbilt's ability in the last decade to maintain and improve its ranking has ruffled a few feathers vis-</p>
<p>Excellent post dajada07!<br>
You are not the only one who is tired of thesearch's efforts to slam Vanderbilt. I am sure that the claims he makes of drug use, eating disorders, and segregaton have some grain of truth, but I am equally confident that the same problems exist on all college campuses to some degree. However, I vehemently disagree with his claims of lackluster academics. My oldest graduated from Vanderbilt in May 06 and his academic record and Vanderbilt's reputation led him to a job placement with the second company to which he applied. As he went through the recruitment process, we both became knowledgeable about the kinds of firms that recruit Vanderbilt graduates. Many of these firms recruit only at top tier universities and they continue to return to Vanderbilt each year to scout for new employees.<br>
S had two good friends headed to medical school whose MCAT scores were far and above those of high school peers who attended in state schools. Both were admitted to their first choice medical school. As a "long term" Vandy parent at this point, I have had the opportunity to hear a variety of professors speak at orientation, parents weekend, and graduation activities. Since I am a professor, I feel qualified to judge their abilities somewhat and what I have heard has been not only academically sound, but stimulating. thesearch's views represent those of a high school senior with a sour attitude towards this university. I hope others will discount his opinions.</p>
<p>Great posts both of you guys. I hate to be the guy talking after those eloquent posts but I'll do my best. Throw my name into onto the list of people tired of hearing that Vanderbilt is overrated. Besides the ridiculous exagerations about the social scene not one person has been able to give a single reason why Vandy isn't comparable to almost any other school save HYPSM. The only thing I seem to hear is "My school is much better than Vandy because they don't have a business program" or "Vandy sucks because it's just full of rich southerners", neither of which make any sense. Vandy is one of the most generous schools in the country with financial aid and, for the last time, you do not simply discredit a school because they do not have a business major. By that standard Princeton should not be a top school either.</p>
<p>This is by far the dumbest argument I have ever heard. If you don't like Vanderbilt, don't apply there. You're comparing apples and oranges. It all comes down to personal preference. Half of the people who are arguing sound like those really annoying high school girls who walk around trumpeting, "Oh my god, I have the best friends ever! Like, I love you guys! Seriously, BFF, no one could ever have friends this awesome!" They're numbers in a magazine that mean NOTHING. Grow up.</p>
<p>Can we revive this thread because I have to make a choice between Berkeley and Vanderbilt? Vanderbilt’s selectivity has improved in the last few years, but is it anywhere near Berkeley in terms of ability to find jobs all around the country?</p>
<p>Boy this is an old thread. I’m reading some of the numbers here, in particular Vandy’s old 35% acceptance rate - boy have times changed.</p>
<p>Vikingprime - I’d say both Berkeley and Vanderbilt will give you great job placement opportunities, but it will be up to you to take care of your university’s resources. However Vanderbilt is a much smaller (and private) school, and I feel would offer a better overall education.</p>
<p>Every employer and grad school will be impressed with grads from these schools. Now, it’s up to you.</p>