Vandyfan14

What are the main differences between them and why should I pick one over the other? (Vandy would actually be around 6k cheaper, incl. free laptop from UNC)

I also have interests in Econ, Finance (obviously), Political Science and a little bit in Math and I will be a junior transfer (admitted to both). I currently go to CUNY Baruch in NYC, and I want to come back to NYC after 2 years.

Here are the Pro's and Con's I can list. Can anyone give me more?

UNC

Pro's:
-Offered me a free laptop!
-Has a dedicated business school that is relatively well-regarded (tie #6 w/ NYU stern according to USNWR)
-Large diversity of students
--??

Con's
-Really large school, so I might become a small fish in a big pond
-Need to get a 3.6GPA first semester to get into business school (shouldn't be too difficult)
-??

Vanderbilt
Pro's
-Smaller class sizes
-Very well known private
-??

Con's
-Greek life might become overwhelming/distracting (I'm in a fraternity, but I go to a commuter college, so it's definitely not the same)
-Courses might be too challenging? (I need to maintain a high GPA in case I ever want to go to law school)
-Less student activities that aren't Greek orientated than UNC
-??

Help!

theyoungboi

Let me just say that you will not be wrong going to either school.

Visit both schools, talk to people at each. Get a feel for each, and go to the place you think you will have the most fun.

I would lean slightly towards Vandy because it is located in Nashville and being in a city will help you out tremendously with local internships and contacts.

Duecey

It's a toss up. If it were 2007, both would give you a reasonable shot at a Wall Street gig. Those days are long gone.

UNC will plug you into Charlotte/Southeast financial scene. It's also has stronger ties with the Northeast because of an east coast alumni base. Vanderbilt isn't really a Wall Street feeder. Even for MSF and MBA, it places more into corporate finance roles.

Outside of finance, UNC is closer to the RTP, which is a more diversified economy than Nashville. UNC will also put you closer to DC.

Neither are really ideal for returning to NYC after graduation. Geography hurts you in the both cases. Personally, I would look more at local northeast universities, if it's not too late. If that isn't doable, then I would go to UNC, get straight A's, then immediately apply into a highly-ranked MSF program -- MIT, Princeton, etc.

TheYangster

@duecey why the change from now and 2007 in terms of wall street?

cbreeze

^^Surely you have read and heard about all these huge Wall Street layoffs since 2007.

GregFields

I say Vandy