Is Vanderbilt anyones First/Top Choice?

[Anonymous]

Previously saw one about Emory so wanted to make one for Vanderbilt. I want to know people’s opinions on the school. My DC unfortunately has not yet gotten off the Stanford waitlist and is planning to go to Vanderbilt in the fall. I see many people on here say the school is overrated and does not deserve to be a top 20. My DC also chose it over two lower ranked ivies.

[Anonymous]

I can’t imagine choosing Vanderbilt over any Ivy except possibly Dartmouth but to each their own. Don’t listen to people who trash it on here as they likely have a vendetta. It’s a great school.

[Anonymous]

There are no ivies lower ranked than Vanderbilt. It’s a fine school, appeals to some for what if offers on location and vibe so it will be first choice for some. But, yes, many others will use it as a backup like they do Emory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can’t imagine choosing Vanderbilt over any Ivy except possibly Dartmouth but to each their own. Don’t listen to people who trash it on here as they likely have a vendetta. It’s a great school.

lol, my kid would choose Dartmouth over any other Ivy. It's their absolute dream school.

[Anonymous]

All test optional schools will be very popular in T25.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are no ivies lower ranked than Vanderbilt. It’s a fine school, appeals to some for what if offers on location and vibe so it will be first choice for some. But, yes, many others will use it as a backup like they do Emory.

I meant lower ranked amongst the ivies. And only a couple of years ago it was ranked above a few. But in that case, can’t any school be a backup for someone. Penn, Duke, Columbia backups for HYPSM?

[Anonymous]

Your child is a failure and as a result you are a failure of a parent. Not getting off the Stanford waitlist… after all you both did!? Must feel terrible. Well, you have the rest of your life to regret that all you child could accomplish was Vanderbilt. Better luck in the next life, this one has been wasted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There are no ivies lower ranked than Vanderbilt. It’s a fine school, appeals to some for what if offers on location and vibe so it will be first choice for some. But, yes, many others will use it as a backup like they do Emory.

I meant lower ranked amongst the ivies. And only a couple of years ago it was ranked above a few. But in that case, can’t any school be a backup for someone. Penn, Duke, Columbia backups for HYPSM?

I don't personally view those schools as backups for HYPSM, they are still at the very top and academically serious. I put Vanderbilt in the same category as Notre Dame, fantastic education but a bit more work hard play hard than many of the T20.

[Anonymous]

I’m sure your DD liked Vanderbilt best because it is in Nashville and has a more vibrant social life than most top 30 schools. Is it actually top 20? That is shocking to me. I need to go look at the rankings, obviously.

[Anonymous]

Troll. No one chooses Vanderbilt over an Ivy. Also, they let a lot of people in as second year transfers with much lower stats.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Troll. No one chooses Vanderbilt over an Ivy. Also, they let a lot of people in as second year transfers with much lower stats.

DCUM is like striver central with people like you. Dozens of kids choose Vanderbilt over Ivies because it's known to have a much better social scene. I know several. My own son chose UVA over an Ivy for the same reason.

The entire world is not a slave to the US News rankings like some on DCUM are.

[Anonymous]

In my DCs extended DCUM-private school circle - which is extensive lol - Vandy is held in high regard, as it’s a T20 that’s in the South - weather, Nashville, and cool vibe you will find at no ivy. Ivies are still ivies, but Vandy beats Cornell like a rug every day of the week with these girls - and it’s not even close. That’s the true ivy proxy as Dartmouth is more like Amherst, and Penn and Columbia are experiencing their own issues

[Anonymous]

Of course! For some it’s a backup, for some it’s a 1st choice “reach” and they are thrilled they got in. In some geographies/circles Vanderbilt/duke/rice has more prestige than say brown/dartmouth/cornell. Degree does your kid want to live when they graduate?

As an aside, I don’t understand the anti Dartmouth snobbery. It’s the quintessential New England college campus/town. Something about the white spires all over the place appeals to me. And cross country skiing on the golf course during winter seems very cool.

[Anonymous]

Vandy, Emory, WashU, these are premed schools. If the kid is premed bound, yes they may easily choose it over an ivy like Cornell because it's an easier premed path.

Vandy is planning on New York and San Francisco campuses, which are huge pluses. For those who are metropolitan, more options become available.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my DCs extended DCUM-private school circle - which is extensive lol - Vandy is held in high regard, as it’s a T20 that’s in the South - weather, Nashville, and cool vibe you will find at no ivy. Ivies are still ivies, but Vandy beats Cornell like a rug every day of the week with these girls - and it’s not even close. That’s the true ivy proxy as Dartmouth is more like Amherst, and Penn and Columbia are experiencing their own issues

Agree-- Cornell is a MUCH easier admit than Vanderbilt from my kid's private school. Basically 3.75 vs 3.95.