Northwestern vs Vandy

[Anonymous]

Our dc visited both schools and within 5 minutes said not going to either and committed to a large pubic ivy. Wanted more of a school spirit campus culture and more fun diversity student body. She is very social and can make friends with anyone and can hold variety of conversations. We tried to convince her to go wildcats. But she vehemently opposed.

[Anonymous]

We also toured NU (senior and junior) and thought it felt overwhelmingly quirky and not fun. I don't know if it was just an off day or what but my kids did not like the vibe and could not picture themselves there.

The welcome center is amazing and the arts building too.

[Anonymous]

At all of these schools, did your kids interact with the kids from their high school that attend? Get a picture of the real deal and what they actually do on the weekends?

I was shocked to recently learn that the Northwestern kids do mixers for their sorority with university of Chicago fraternities (what??), go downtown once a week usually for a date party with a Northwestern fraternity, and do one day /on campus party a week on campus. Seemed like an excessive amount of partying to me and unexpected.

There’s also a lot of hype over the campus bar/pub and outdoor “apres-ski vibe” fire pits being built this summer at Norris. Maybe unwarranted?

[Anonymous]

OP here:

Kid still torn after Vanderbilt anchor day (admitted students day).
Hearing stories of cliques. Socially competitive atmosphere at Vanderbilt among girls.

Can anyone confirm?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At all of these schools, did your kids interact with the kids from their high school that attend? Get a picture of the real deal and what they actually do on the weekends?

I was shocked to recently learn that the Northwestern kids do mixers for their sorority with university of Chicago fraternities (what??), go downtown once a week usually for a date party with a Northwestern fraternity, and do one day /on campus party a week on campus. Seemed like an excessive amount of partying to me and unexpected.

There’s also a lot of hype over the campus bar/pub and outdoor “apres-ski vibe” fire pits being built this summer at Norris. Maybe unwarranted?

Greek life is fairly small at NU. My kid is there and doesn't know anything about it, though he is nerdy and happy and feels like he has found his people.

Unless you are in the Chicago area, it is unlikely there will be any other kids from the same high school at NU. My kid is from a far away state, and is probably the only kid ever accepted at NU from his high school, though my understanding is that his friends at NU are mostly from the Chicagoland area, possibly along with a few internationals.

The fire pit thing sounds overhyped to me only because it won't be useful much of the school year due to weather. I don't know if the inside space would really be large enough to accommodate what the hopes are for this place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At all of these schools, did your kids interact with the kids from their high school that attend? Get a picture of the real deal and what they actually do on the weekends?

I was shocked to recently learn that the Northwestern kids do mixers for their sorority with university of Chicago fraternities (what??), go downtown once a week usually for a date party with a Northwestern fraternity, and do one day /on campus party a week on campus. Seemed like an excessive amount of partying to me and unexpected.

There’s also a lot of hype over the campus bar/pub and outdoor “apres-ski vibe” fire pits being built this summer at Norris. Maybe unwarranted?

Greek life is fairly small at NU. My kid is there and doesn't know anything about it, though he is nerdy and happy and feels like he has found his people.

Unless you are in the Chicago area, it is unlikely there will be any other kids from the same high school at NU. My kid is from a far away state, and is probably the only kid ever accepted at NU from his high school, though my understanding is that his friends at NU are mostly from the Chicagoland area, possibly along with a few internationals.

The fire pit thing sounds overhyped to me only because it won't be useful much of the school year due to weather. I don't know if the inside space would really be large enough to accommodate what the hopes are for this place.

Greek life is very much growing at NU (like other schools).
It’s the main part/heart of campus social life.
My kid said it’s where “all the normal people are”….

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't think of anything academically that Candy does better than NW but it's probably more fun.

Winter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our dc visited both schools and within 5 minutes said not going to either and committed to a large pubic ivy. Wanted more of a school spirit campus culture and more fun diversity student body. She is very social and can make friends with anyone and can hold variety of conversations. We tried to convince her to go wildcats. But she vehemently opposed.

what is a pubic ivy?

[Anonymous]

Northwestern is more prestigious than Vandy, but Vandy is still very impressive. The weather, culture, and social life are all more pleasant at Vandy than NU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our dc visited both schools and within 5 minutes said not going to either and committed to a large pubic ivy. Wanted more of a school spirit campus culture and more fun diversity student body. She is very social and can make friends with anyone and can hold variety of conversations. We tried to convince her to go wildcats. But she vehemently opposed.

what is a pubic ivy?

College of William & Mary (Williamsburg, Virginia)
Miami University (Oxford, Ohio)
University of California (applies to the campuses as of 1985: Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Diego, Irvine, Davis, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, and Riverside)
University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of Texas at Austin
University of Vermont (Burlington)
University of Virginia (Charlottesville)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Northwestern is more prestigious than Vandy, but Vandy is still very impressive. The weather, culture, and social life are all more pleasant at Vandy than NU.

Agree. Its a hard call.

[Anonymous]

I'd pick the better weather, personally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd pick the better weather, personally.

What if the people kind of suck? Super cliquey?
Will that make you miserable to have to wear dresses to class/full makeup, get a blowout a few times a week and strivery environment?

[Anonymous]

What does your kid want to do? If they are going for law or med school, then it doesn't matter. If they want finance, consulting, or tech, then NU will carry more weight with recruiters. NU is a target school for the top firms. Vandy is, at best, a semi-target.

[Anonymous]

Is your kid the "sorority princess" or "captain of the cheerleader squad" archetype? If so, then Vandy is a perfect fit. If she's introverted and not a social bee, then she might find it a frustrating place. Vanderbilt has always been known for having a very hierarchical social structure akin to a high school. Greek Life is a huge deal on campus for white kids, and students are sorted into specific social status lanes rather quickly.