To start, you seem like a very thoughtful, supportive parent, and it sounds like your DD is approaching this with tremendous thought, maturity, and agency, as well. Putting it all together, I have a feeling she will thrive at any of the three schools you’ve mentioned.

I went to Vandy for grad school and truly loved it. Granted, the grad school scene is different than the undergrad scene, but I loved the combination of lush campus (and good weather) combined with all the benefits of the city when I wanted them. (In particular, I’m a huge fan of live music, and even the hole-in-the-wall bars in Nashville attracted great performers. Plus the larger venues. It’s not a reason to choose a school, of course!! But it’s an example of how the location of a school can sometimes provide unexpected facets that enrich a kid’s experience.)

Which maybe is my main advice here - this is an opportunity for her to continue experiencing life beyond DC. She got a year in the Midwest, and now has the opportunity to get a taste of the Southeast for three years. That’s good stuff - slightly different mix of people, with a taste of a different culture and vibe. As someone who grew up in the Northeast, I am certain my years at Vandy were enriching that way. If nothing else, it helped pierce the bubble that the world revolves around the Boston-to-DC corridor. (Guessing she’s smart enough to already know that in theory, but there’s something to actually experiencing it.)

Finally, about the pressure to conform re looks and the concerns about date rape, etc., my understanding is that exists at any and all of these schools. Plus all the others, too. Sadly. Sure, some cultures are slightly different on average. But those dark spots are everywhere, and our kids need to be prepared to navigate them wherever they go.

Again, your DD seems to have a good head on her shoulders, and she’s lucky to have your level-headed and warm support, as well. I truly believe she’ll find her way at any of these schools. For me, the deciding factor would be the opportunity to get out of DC for three more years to experience something different. From there, she can decide to come back for law school/grad school or her first job, or continue to explore. More enriching than Georgetown at this stage, IMHO.

I haven't read through all the responses, but I would say Georgetown for a more intellectual environment and for preparing for a top law school (I'm a law professor, for what it's worth).

I attended Vanderbilt for undergrad and Yale/Stanford/Harvard for law school. I would say that I didn't super enjoy my time at Vanderbilt because I was pretty laser focused on academics, but that's on me. I think the opportunity is very much there to enjoy a strong social life. Now that I've graduated, I much prefer the company of, and I have many more, law school friends. I did very much enjoy the academic side at Vanderbilt. Between Vanderbilt and Georgetown I would recommend Vanderbilt without hesitation. Your daughter will be surrounded by (slightly) smarter and more ambitious folks which I think is always better for development. I will say that the pre law advising at Vanderbilt can be decently useful if you get to know the pre-law advisor as she can put you in small meetings (3-4 students) with admissions officers at Harvard, for example, which did seem to help several students get in.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a lawyer with three kids at Ivies (not HYP). They all want to go to law school and two are currently studying for the LSAT. My gut tells me, based on what I know of the three schools, go with Georgetown. One of mine tried to transfer to Gtown and didn't get in (was WL). She is at an Ivy now. Odd how it works. But I think the curriculum lends itself to better success in law school. It is almost like a super SLAC, Georgetown is, for Arts and Sciences. Northewestern and Vandy will train well but I believe Gtown trains better critical thinking.

Note her grades have to be top top as she well knows for a t14.

Importantly, Gtown has a junior year program for law school and it is only open to it's own undergrads (unlike Harvard and Columbia) which have opened it up to all schools. That too me is the kicker/tiebreaker. It is called the Early Assurance Program at the Law School.

The above poster wrote: Georgetown "is almost like a super SLAC..I believe Gtown trains better critical thinking."

Hard to take this post seriously. Among the three, Georgetown is the least "like a super SLAC" due to larger class sizes than those at either of the other two universities under consideration. Northwestern is most like a super SLAC due to its high number of classes with fewer than 20 students.

Georgetown's endowment is small compared to that of Northwestern and compared to its peer schools.

As of June 30, 2022:

Northwestern University endowment = $14.1 Billion;

Vanderbilt University endowment = $10.2 Billion;

Georgetown University endowment = $3.21 Billion.

A possible reason that the above poster's child was rejected as a transfer student to Georgetown may have been due to a request for need based financial aid. Georgetown has the lowest endowment among the top 20 schools, while Northwestern's endowment ranks among the top 10 among all 800 US colleges and universities which report their endowments.

Georgetown's prestige comes from its Wash DC location and its School of Foreign Service.

Sorry for the confusion--I meant the breadth and depth of the education in Arts/Sciences not the size etc. Also, my kid is at Penn but we did not apply for financial aid. I am full pay for three kids and three kids for law school. Probably yield protection--she was waitlisted.

Would not send my daughter to Vandy

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Congrats to your daughter.
Can't go wrong here. All just fit.
Would be nice to try something out of DC. I wouldn't rule out NU. People love that school.
The south is more appearance focused. That's just reality. But lived in Nashville for a year and it's a fun scene.

Thanks for this and the other very helpful comments above. I'd rather not disclose the specific school. It's a well-regarded, but large state school.

My guess is Wisconsin, well regarded but not top 25 with Greek life. Could also be Maryland.

Does trying to guess the Ds school really help the OP or anyone else here? There are plenty of well-regarded large state schools.

Different poster than the poster who guessed Wisconsin.

Yes, knowing the school would help since OP is transferring for more prestige, more intellectual community,and smaller classes. Direct comparisons are better than operating without more specific information. Some posters may be aware of positive aspects of current school that may be helpful to OP and to OP's daughter. Can tailor advice & suggestions.

In short, the more information the better.

Fair point. That being said, I assume it was the OP who said she didn't feel comfortable disclosing the school. Seems reasonable to respect that.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a lawyer with three kids at Ivies (not HYP). They all want to go to law school and two are currently studying for the LSAT. My gut tells me, based on what I know of the three schools, go with Georgetown. One of mine tried to transfer to Gtown and didn't get in (was WL). She is at an Ivy now. Odd how it works. But I think the curriculum lends itself to better success in law school. It is almost like a super SLAC, Georgetown is, for Arts and Sciences. Northewestern and Vandy will train well but I believe Gtown trains better critical thinking.

Note her grades have to be top top as she well knows for a t14.

Importantly, Gtown has a junior year program for law school and it is only open to it's own undergrads (unlike Harvard and Columbia) which have opened it up to all schools. That too me is the kicker/tiebreaker. It is called the Early Assurance Program at the Law School.

The above poster wrote: Georgetown "is almost like a super SLAC..I believe Gtown trains better critical thinking."

Hard to take this post seriously. Among the three, Georgetown is the least "like a super SLAC" due to larger class sizes than those at either of the other two universities under consideration. Northwestern is most like a super SLAC due to its high number of classes with fewer than 20 students.

Georgetown's endowment is small compared to that of Northwestern and compared to its peer schools.

As of June 30, 2022:

Northwestern University endowment = $14.1 Billion;

Vanderbilt University endowment = $10.2 Billion;

Georgetown University endowment = $3.21 Billion.

A possible reason that the above poster's child was rejected as a transfer student to Georgetown may have been due to a request for need based financial aid. Georgetown has the lowest endowment among the top 20 schools, while Northwestern's endowment ranks among the top 10 among all 800 US colleges and universities which report their endowments.

Georgetown's prestige comes from its Wash DC location and its School of Foreign Service.

Wrong thread. We are not talking endowments or Googled information, we are talking personal experience.

Relevant as to why some parts of Georgetown's campus are rundown/unkempt as well as why the rodent infested dorms are in such poor condition.

It is a badge of honor to live in those dorms for some students - there are plenty of off campus options that are beautiful, close in proximity and much cheaper than the dorms. But I see no point in arguing with you, since you fail to stay on point with OP.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Congrats to your daughter.
Can't go wrong here. All just fit.
Would be nice to try something out of DC. I wouldn't rule out NU. People love that school.
The south is more appearance focused. That's just reality. But lived in Nashville for a year and it's a fun scene.

Thanks for this and the other very helpful comments above. I'd rather not disclose the specific school. It's a well-regarded, but large state school.

My guess is Wisconsin, well regarded but not top 25 with Greek life. Could also be Maryland.

Does trying to guess the Ds school really help the OP or anyone else here? There are plenty of well-regarded large state schools.

Different poster than the poster who guessed Wisconsin.

Yes, knowing the school would help since OP is transferring for more prestige, more intellectual community,and smaller classes. Direct comparisons are better than operating without more specific information. Some posters may be aware of positive aspects of current school that may be helpful to OP and to OP's daughter. Can tailor advice & suggestions.

In short, the more information the better.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Congrats to your daughter.
Can't go wrong here. All just fit.
Would be nice to try something out of DC. I wouldn't rule out NU. People love that school.
The south is more appearance focused. That's just reality. But lived in Nashville for a year and it's a fun scene.

Thanks for this and the other very helpful comments above. I'd rather not disclose the specific school. It's a well-regarded, but large state school.

My guess is Wisconsin, well regarded but not top 25 with Greek life. Could also be Maryland.

Does trying to guess the Ds school really help the OP or anyone else here? There are plenty of well-regarded large state schools.

Anonymous wrote:Retired Biglaw partner here. Whether OP’s daughter goes to Georgetown, Vanderbilt or Northwestern will have zero - zero - bearing on her acceptance to a top law school and absolutely no influence on whether she lands a job with Biglaw either. Anyone suggesting anything to the contrary is out of their mind. This thread is the poster child for college admissions and planning going completely off the rails.

As an aside, when I was a Biglaw partner I distinctly remember another partner bragging over lunch about her kid just graduating from a top law school and getting ready to start in Biglaw and I honestly felt sorry for them both. If I had a kid who was as focused as OP’s kid seems to be on landing a job in Biglaw I’d wonder why and worry that I’d done something wrong. What’s the appeal beyond the money?

Perfectly said.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Congrats to your daughter.
Can't go wrong here. All just fit.
Would be nice to try something out of DC. I wouldn't rule out NU. People love that school.
The south is more appearance focused. That's just reality. But lived in Nashville for a year and it's a fun scene.

Thanks for this and the other very helpful comments above. I'd rather not disclose the specific school. It's a well-regarded, but large state school.

My guess is Wisconsin, well regarded but not top 25 with Greek life. Could also be Maryland.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I went to both of these schools. Vandy undergrad and Gtown Law. Then BigLaw. I disagree that it doesn’t matter where you go to undergrad. Your undergrad shapes you as a person in ways that law school cannot. I’d choose advise my kid to choose Northwestern for the ranking, the culture, the academic and intellectual rigor. My DS is at a school that does quarters— it is maybe a little more intense but he finds it suits him because there is no time to procrastinate and get too far behind. Law school is not for sure. She shouldn’t choose second best bc of some plans to do law school later.

Thank you. I definitely am going to encourage her not to dismiss NU. Did you enjoy Vandy socially and feel like you got an education that prepared you well for GULC and your career, or do you feel it's insufficiently rigorous in social sciences / humanities?

PP here. I did enjoy Vandy! I’m a 4th generation legacy there. The social life was what I grew up with. The academics were fine. No complaints from me. That said, I do think that Northwestern is a different level of school. Schools that attract top kids from all over the world, with world renowned faculty, with reliably solid connections to global opportunities… that’s different than Vandy.

I think you should advise your daughter to go to the best college she gets into. Who really knows whether law school is in her future. The time to open up possibilities is now. Don’t pass that up.

Anonymous wrote:Endowments are also important to understand why the facilities are much better at Vanderbilt & at Northwestern than at Georgetown.

Furthermore, the significantly larger endowments at Vanderbilt & Northwestern help explain why there are so many more small classes at these schools compared to other universities including Georgetown.

Just checked: While Northwestern has an abundance of classes of under 20 students and a low percentage of classes of 50 or more students, Vanderbilt has the least percentage of small classes and the highest percentage of large classes among Northwestern, Georgetown, & Vanderbilt.

Endowments are also important to understand why the facilities are much better at Vanderbilt & at Northwestern than at Georgetown.

Furthermore, the significantly larger endowments at Vanderbilt & Northwestern help explain why there are so many more small classes at these schools compared to other universities including Georgetown.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am a lawyer with three kids at Ivies (not HYP). They all want to go to law school and two are currently studying for the LSAT. My gut tells me, based on what I know of the three schools, go with Georgetown. One of mine tried to transfer to Gtown and didn't get in (was WL). She is at an Ivy now. Odd how it works. But I think the curriculum lends itself to better success in law school. It is almost like a super SLAC, Georgetown is, for Arts and Sciences. Northewestern and Vandy will train well but I believe Gtown trains better critical thinking.

Note her grades have to be top top as she well knows for a t14.

Importantly, Gtown has a junior year program for law school and it is only open to it's own undergrads (unlike Harvard and Columbia) which have opened it up to all schools. That too me is the kicker/tiebreaker. It is called the Early Assurance Program at the Law School.

The above poster wrote: Georgetown "is almost like a super SLAC..I believe Gtown trains better critical thinking."

Hard to take this post seriously. Among the three, Georgetown is the least "like a super SLAC" due to larger class sizes than those at either of the other two universities under consideration. Northwestern is most like a super SLAC due to its high number of classes with fewer than 20 students.

Georgetown's endowment is small compared to that of Northwestern and compared to its peer schools.

As of June 30, 2022:

Northwestern University endowment = $14.1 Billion;

Vanderbilt University endowment = $10.2 Billion;

Georgetown University endowment = $3.21 Billion.

A possible reason that the above poster's child was rejected as a transfer student to Georgetown may have been due to a request for need based financial aid. Georgetown has the lowest endowment among the top 20 schools, while Northwestern's endowment ranks among the top 10 among all 800 US colleges and universities which report their endowments.

Georgetown's prestige comes from its Wash DC location and its School of Foreign Service.

Wrong thread. We are not talking endowments or Googled information, we are talking personal experience.

Relevant as to why some parts of Georgetown's campus are rundown/unkempt as well as why the rodent infested dorms are in such poor condition.