Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 12:07     Subject: Vanderbilt vs UVA?
OP, if your DC is planning to end up in the NE there will be no difference in perceived lay prestige between the two schools. They will be considered the same level. In fact, many professionals that haven’t read USNWR in 15-20 years would be shocked to learn Vanderbilt is ranked higher than UVA. I would let your DC choose based on vibe. Congrats on two wonderful schools. Many would envy this choice.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 12:02     Subject: Vanderbilt vs UVA?
Op, what schools was your kid waitlisted in up north?
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 12:00     Subject: Vanderbilt vs UVA?
Only complaint about DOTL was the lack of organized mixer activities to force the kids to interact. Way too many cliques from different high schools standing around talking at the social. So hard for a solo kid to meet people! This is an extremely outgoing kid, so the difficulty meeting others was really weird. DC had high hopes of making some connections, so it was a disappointment.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 11:53     Subject: Vanderbilt vs UVA?
Anonymous wrote:UVA OOS vs Vanderbilt? We are DC residents so get $15K off UVA from DC Tag.
This is a girl who is very mainstream in look and interests but is unsure about Greek life and does not want to be on a campus of only "preppy, wealthy people." (I realize both schools have an element of this but these are the choices she has).
Major is Neuroscience, pre-med.
Is Vanderbilt worth $15-25K more per year?
Thoughts?


yes.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 11:52     Subject: Vanderbilt vs UVA?
Vanderbilt is the obvious choice
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 09:53     Subject: Vanderbilt vs UVA?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So many unaccomplished parents on this thread tearing down schools they could never get into.


Well I went to a higher ranked school than either of these and UVA/Vandy undergrad would not be my cup of tea. Not for my kids either.

Honestly, IDK why people apply to schools they don't really want to go to. Both of these schools have a vibe and it's not really what OP wants.


NP. I have been resisting answering on this thread. I hear what you are saying about the vibe at both of these schools. I know many kids at both. Given the acceptance rate at Vanderbilt and at UVA for those from out-of-state or Northern VA, you might expect a more intellectual vibe overall at these schools. The fact that they have a less intellectual vibe is what a lot of people like about them of course and we hear that over and over and over.

That said, UVA is A LOT bigger. And many of the best and the brightest of VA, who aren't looking for any particular vibe just the best school they can afford, choose it. A much larger part of UVA does not fit the stereotype. You can easily get away from it at UVA.

For someone not interested in the party/Greek/sports scene, I would 100% recommend UVA.



Ditto! My NOVA area grad is living her best life. She was at the top of her graduating class in High School. She loves that while yes UVA is challenging and she is surrounded by very motivated students, it also has a relaxed vibe that welcomes many different groups of people/interests. She had no interest in applying to any Ivy for that reason....wanted a relaxed social vibe.

Sorry to those who were disappointed by the DOTL. While they are somewhat informing, they really do not give a good idea of fit for your child. Talk to people, explore some of the different groups on social media, spend a day in C'ville just observing the different hang out spots where students go. It really is a special place.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 09:46     Subject: Re:Vanderbilt vs UVA?
^ vibe is one thing. Actual less intellectual which is seen is an entirely different thing.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 09:26     Subject: Vanderbilt vs UVA?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So many unaccomplished parents on this thread tearing down schools they could never get into.


Well I went to a higher ranked school than either of these and UVA/Vandy undergrad would not be my cup of tea. Not for my kids either.

Honestly, IDK why people apply to schools they don't really want to go to. Both of these schools have a vibe and it's not really what OP wants.


NP. I have been resisting answering on this thread. I hear what you are saying about the vibe at both of these schools. I know many kids at both. Given the acceptance rate at Vanderbilt and at UVA for those from out-of-state or Northern VA, you might expect a more intellectual vibe overall at these schools. The fact that they have a less intellectual vibe is what a lot of people like about them of course and we hear that over and over and over.

That said, UVA is A LOT bigger. And many of the best and the brightest of VA, who aren't looking for any particular vibe just the best school they can afford, choose it. A much larger part of UVA does not fit the stereotype. You can easily get away from it at UVA.

For someone not interested in the party/Greek/sports scene, I would 100% recommend UVA.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 09:26     Subject: Re:Vanderbilt vs UVA?
-^ and then these schools only have the high scores in their averages unlike test required schools where it was based on 100%. It’s a scam.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 09:25     Subject: Vanderbilt vs UVA?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So many unaccomplished parents on this thread tearing down schools they could never get into.


Both have 40% that didn’t even submit scores. I don’t think that’s an issue.


Our schools scoir shows test score result even if you went test optional. It confirms those in the 40% had low act/sat—-like 26!! And these were not recruits. So if you have 40% that are scoring very low on tests….that definitely affects the student body as a whole.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 09:14     Subject: Vanderbilt vs UVA?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So many unaccomplished parents on this thread tearing down schools they could never get into.


Well I went to a higher ranked school than either of these and UVA/Vandy undergrad would not be my cup of tea. Not for my kids either.

Honestly, IDK why people apply to schools they don't really want to go to. Both of these schools have a vibe and it's not really what OP wants.


My kid applied to UVA because it was in-state and had heard good things about it. There was nothing to the application. No supplementals unlike the 4-6 additional essays he had to do for all of the other schools he applied to. I think a lot of in-state kids will apply to at least a few of them. Ultimately, the fit wasn’t there for any of them because prefers urban.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 09:07     Subject: Vanderbilt vs UVA?
Anonymous wrote:So many unaccomplished parents on this thread tearing down schools they could never get into.


Well I went to a higher ranked school than either of these and UVA/Vandy undergrad would not be my cup of tea. Not for my kids either.

Honestly, IDK why people apply to schools they don't really want to go to. Both of these schools have a vibe and it's not really what OP wants.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 09:02     Subject: Vanderbilt vs UVA?
Anonymous wrote:So many unaccomplished parents on this thread tearing down schools they could never get into.


Both have 40% that didn’t even submit scores. I don’t think that’s an issue.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 09:00     Subject: Vanderbilt vs UVA?
So many unaccomplished parents on this thread tearing down schools they could never get into.
Anonymous
Post 04/19/2026 08:58     Subject: Re:Vanderbilt vs UVA?
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:So…sat in on UVA admitted day. Christ—during the academic info sessions phones were beeping and buzzing during the entire 45 minute session, kids were talking to each other through the whole damn thing, getting up multiple times to walk in and out, loudly dropping things…I have not witnessed that at any of the other school admitted events we have attended (private, higher ranked). It was crazy. For people to not even put their phones on silence…wtf? Seriously, wtf?! Do they allow that in public HS? I mean the first time it happened I’m surprised an announcement wasn’t made from the stage to turn that sh@t off…and yet they kept dinging and beeping and ring tones going off the entire time. Mo shame.

The other noticeable thing was our tour guide and 4 of the 5 student panelists were all transfer students. That also seemed strange. Some flat out said they didn’t get into the school the first year.

I saw lots of cowboy boots at the Corner and frat row which was weird in such hot 87 degree weather. I kept thinking how bad their sweaty feet must smell in those things. It did give a very southern vibe. Kids dressed pretty much the same- southern prep look (polos and khaki shorts)- if not in cowboy boots.



Bless your heart.


DP. My kid noticed the same thing! I was surprised when he got in the car and said the kids didn’t seem that intellectual, as he’s very social and an athlete. This was our last admitted event after an Ivy and a few private T10/20s so I think it felt like an even bigger contrast. Also, had the same view at the academic sessions- they were lacking.

Ultimately, Charlottesville felt too bland. Not much to do except drink and go to frat row or the very tiny Corner. Again, growing up in a city versus the suburbs I think has a lot to do with it. Social life now is going to events in the city on a grander scale.


20 expelled for hazing after bad incident just in 2024:
https://wtop.com/education/2024/04/men-actions-have-consequences-university-of-virginia-expels-fraternity-for-hazing/