when the dream school isn't particularly well-known for kid's intended major

[Anonymous]

I'll preface this by saying I (obviously) realize there's no guarantee that DD gets into this school, but she will need to make a decision about ED soon.

DH and I are both Vandy alums and DD has talked about wanting to go there since...oh...5th grade She loves everything about that place- the location, the academics, the tradition...however, as she's gotten older she's realized she really has a passion for math and science and is set on majoring in engineering. Probably MechE, maybe electrical. Obviously it's Vanderbilt so it'll look fine (good) on a resume regardless, but I wouldn't say Vandy is really known for its engineering program. For a kid who is interested in engineering, I think there are probably many other schools I'd recommend before Vanderbilt. But...she loves it there.

Does it matter? anyone BTDT?

[Anonymous]

As long as their program is good, it doesn't really matter. You don't have to go to the BEST engineering school, as long as they have a solid program. Look at their job placement stats.

[Anonymous]

It might give her an edge being female and alum applying for engineering, especially if some of the competition (the hard core "best of" list types) are looking elsewhere

[Anonymous]

She needs to choose a university based on what she can learn in her major, professors in her department, etc. You don’t choose a college because your mommy is a fan and has wanted you to go there since you were like 10.

[Anonymous]

The Fiske guide lists Engineering first in its list of Vanderbilt's "Strong Programs."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She needs to choose a university based on what she can learn in her major, professors in her department, etc. You don’t choose a college because your mommy is a fan and has wanted you to go there since you were like 10.

+1. How misguided.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She needs to choose a university based on what she can learn in her major, professors in her department, etc. You don’t choose a college because your mommy is a fan and has wanted you to go there since you were like 10.

Ignore this jerk OP. Vandy is a top 50 engineering school. If she loves the school, I would encourage her to apply. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/eng-rankings

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She needs to choose a university based on what she can learn in her major, professors in her department, etc. You don’t choose a college because your mommy is a fan and has wanted you to go there since you were like 10.

+1. This is annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She needs to choose a university based on what she can learn in her major, professors in her department, etc. You don’t choose a college because your mommy is a fan and has wanted you to go there since you were like 10.

Ignore this jerk OP. Vandy is a top 50 engineering school. If she loves the school, I would encourage her to apply. https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-engineering-schools/eng-rankings

Oops...that was the graduate level. Here's the undergrad ranking...they're even higher there. https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/engineering-doctorate

[Anonymous]

Vandy is wonderful. She'll be fine. And FWIW, most kids end up changing their major anyway!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vandy is wonderful. She'll be fine. And FWIW, most kids end up changing their major anyway!

+100

My son had a similar situation with Notre Dame where he studies computer science. He could have had a full ride at UMD, but wanted the Notre Dame experience as it was his dream school. UMD is ranked much higher in computer science. Fast forward and DS already has a job lined up for when he graduates making close to 6 figures. You can't go wrong attending a T20 school no matter what the major is.

[Anonymous]

Ok I went to a school I thought I’d be happier in rather than the best engineering school I could go to. I’ve done well. Well enough. Got good jobs. I studied to become a mechanical engineer because I was good at math, loved physics but wanted a j.o.b. And didn’t know what I could do with physics. Three years in I discovered materials science and my mind was blown. I had found my passion. But my school was too small. It had accredited engineering, but wasn’t big enough to have materials science as a major. And I was there on scholarship and couldn’t transfer easily. I am definitely cautioning my own DS about those type things. If you go to a school that doesn’t really do what you want to study, chances are good you will end up feeling like it’s missing some of the things you want to study. Stuff you don’t even know about yet when you’re a HS senior.
Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Dream school is a stupid concept. So is being brainwashed to love a school because your parents went there.

[Anonymous]

For my kids, the "dream" school is the school that has their preferred major.

Makes sense, no?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll preface this by saying I (obviously) realize there's no guarantee that DD gets into this school, but she will need to make a decision about ED soon.

DH and I are both Vandy alums and DD has talked about wanting to go there since...oh...5th grade She loves everything about that place- the location, the academics, the tradition...however, as she's gotten older she's realized she really has a passion for math and science and is set on majoring in engineering. Probably MechE, maybe electrical. Obviously it's Vanderbilt so it'll look fine (good) on a resume regardless, but I wouldn't say Vandy is really known for its engineering program. For a kid who is interested in engineering, I think there are probably many other schools I'd recommend before Vanderbilt. But...she loves it there.

Does it matter? anyone BTDT?

If she loves it there and wants to go, I think she would ED and consider herself lucky! It's great that she knows what she already wants and happens to be legacy.

All rankings need to be taken with a grain of salt, especially the subject rankings, which even at the undergrad level are heavily influenced by grad reputation. If she feels she will be happy at Vanderbilt and work that much harder, that's more important than the rank. But the rank is pretty high anyway (#33). And a lot of students go into engineering not even having studied it at the undergrad level but something related (like math or physics), though she should major in it if that's what she enjoys most. And as another commented, she might decide she wants to study something else once in college.

In short, don't dwell on the subject rankings. As you know, Vanderbilt is fantastic school with a terrific quality of life. She's fortunate to have a leg up. Nowadays, there are no guarantees and every little bit helps.

Good luck!