So why does Harvard receive more applications…and Penn receives 40% more applications…and when given the choice, kids pick every other top 20 school against Vanderbilt except Cornell.

NP. Regarding duke, it's still top on many kids lists. But as a parent, a few things stood out. Duke is trying to create a college-house system and get rid of greek life.
I didn't like the fact that freshmen live on a different campus a bus ride away from classes and main campus. Also, Duke pushed greek orgs off campus so we hear that parties are now held in fields and are a bus ride away? Maybe it's fine, but doesn't sound great to me. Duke has great basketball but Durham isn't that interesting and not easily accessible to other cities.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC is really torn between Penn and Vandy. Vandy ED1 is so much easier than Penn.

If they like both, I'd try Vandy ED1. It's like a 30% admit rate compared to far lower chances for Penn.

More like 13 percent in ED at Vanderbilt.

And that's if you're bringing it. That 13 percent is going to include the SEC athletes for D1 sports. Plus the offspring of the Gwyneth Paltrows and Mark Cubans of the world.

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately Duke has changed.

How so? Can you give specifics?

Anonymous wrote:Vanderbilt has a very distinctive vibe. Especially for girls. Just beware and do your research. The $400 weekend fancy dinners get old very quickly.

SATCO is awesome. And not $400.

Anonymous wrote:DC is really torn between Penn and Vandy. Vandy ED1 is so much easier than Penn.

My smart, social, and nonpolitcal kid was also deciding between Vanderbilt and Penn for ED1. Loved both schools but initially thought vandy might be more fun. Probably bc of their football team success last year. Check your school specific data. Our private hs had more predictable placement at penn vs vandy so our kid applied to PennED -- and was accepted. If that didnt work, they would have applied ed2 to vandy but we heard that is super competitive. Early days, but kid at penn is very happy. Very busy academically and socially... classes are good and plenty of fun. Friends at vandy working hard and also happy. My kid is very thoughtful and engaged - the kind of kid who is more interested in learning, discussion, and making new friends vs performative protests. Penn isnt politically neutral but student body is pretty social and preprofessional. Protests are not a priority at penn. Most ignore it. Vandy is very popular these days. Kids see it as a great balance of academics, social, and sports. Plus, more mild winters vs the north.

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately Duke has changed.

This. Sad.

F yeah Bos-Wash corridor. I vacationed in Philly and NYC this August by choice.

I had fun in Nashville for a weekend a few years back but it's too Southern. Googoo Clusters and drunken bachelorette pedal bars. Awesome Parthenon model tho.

Unfortunately Duke has changed.

^Probably explains why Duke’s alumni giving rate has tanked like Princeton’s.

Good Lord. Vanderbilt mailed my daughter multiple weekly brochures for two+ years and went all out for NMF. She was not interested. Good school, but in my opinion overrated.

Anonymous wrote:^Agree about Vanderbilt but same could be said for big brother Duke.

Have you been to Duke lately? It’s nerd patrol and about 10% of the student body is as you describe here. Something has definitely changed. Somehow Vanderbilt has managed that perfect sweet spot.

Kids don’t need to bring a bullhorn to Vandy.

^Agree about Vanderbilt but same could be said for big brother Duke.

Anonymous wrote:Great school with all the extras-sarong academics, SEC sports, beautiful campus, great leather and attractive students. Let’s see 4 years at Vandy vs 4 years at Columbia, Penn, or Brown. Hello Nashville.

?? Didn't know Nashville was known for that.