| I know the European Union isn't a country. Comparing Ireland (which is as big as Massachusetts) to the U.S. is unfair. Therefore, I chose to make a more apples-to-apples comparison.
Hawkette - Once again you bastardized my words beyond recognition. I wasn't defending Cornell. I was simply pointing out that its strengths are different from a big sports school's and that it need not be considered subpar for that reason.
In the same vein, Vanderbilt's strengths are different, not necessarily subpar. While your assumption that these programs are all peers is debateable, no matter how much schools may or may not improve, the NE schools will retain a more intellectual culture while the Southern schools will remain more socially oriented. This distinction is rooted in regional cultures, not quality, as the students tend to perform equally well.
For some, that more social culture mixed with high academics is perfect. For others, it is a distraction (me). To each their own. But when you're asking how Vanderbilt (and Duke/Rice/etc...) stacks up to the Ivies, in this sense it will always be something different. Not lesser or greater, just a different breed of school that will tend to draw a different breed of student.
peace |