What would you tell my daughter?

[frazzled1]

My sincere thanks to all who took the time to respond to this thread! I don't want to leave the impression that I consider Vanderbilt primarily a country club school, because it's a wonderful university where students will certainly receive an excellent education. It's committed to undergrad teaching (all faculty teach undergrads), the students we met were there to work hard, there's a tradition of service (our guide told us that Break Away, the spring break service project program, was established 25 years ago at Vandy and is very popular). My d is struggling with the question of where she'd be happiest, and she's not sure she'd fit in if Vanderbilt's campus culture is indeed dominated by a wealthy/privileged cohort.

When she's been unhappy about the clique-ishness of our hs, I've told her that college will be a whole new world, where it won't matter much who's on the lacrosse team versus who's in the band, who drives a Lexus versus who borrows Mom's minivan, because no social group can really dictate standards for everyone in a university environment. (Let's just say that I'd better be right about this.)

We are in the exact same boat as your family-- ..... she has the same postive feelings about both schools. Our dilemna is complicated additionally by UNC.

Caseyatbat - cool! It would be fun if our ds chose the same school, because they sound as if they'd be friends. As far as the whirlwind tour goes, I hope you're flying between all 3 cities, because it's a long (10-hour), difficult drive between Nashville and Chapel Hill (not really so bad between C'ville and Nashville). I'd say a few hours at each school leaves a definite impression of the similarities/differences. Please let us know how your trip goes and what your d decides!

[bluejay]

I hope you do report back soon. Checks need to be mailed this weeK!
We, too, are seriously contemplating UVA from out of state. With the cost being so incredibly low for Virginians I find it amusing that it is considered the rich kids school. Maybe that's why the student population has the extra cash for the cars, clothes, and Coach bags. ( For those naive, such as myself, a Coach piece for holding business cards can cost in the 50 dollar range!) I hope my daughter can find like minded students at UVAwho have no problem wearing flannel pajamas to an early morning class. Second hand information about Vandy.. lots of dress up affairs that support the Southern Belle image and shirts with the logo: "Vanderbilt...just the sound of it is expensive" or something to that tune.

[mini]

"a Coach piece for holding business cards can cost in the 50 dollar range!"

Gosh. All the clothes on my body, and including my watch and shoes, all together cost less than 50 bucks.

Funny how that goes. My d., full ride at Smith, is incredibly cheap with money - I have undertaken to actually give her rewards for spending. Last fall, she decided she wanted a peacoat in addition to her winter layer thing, but she couldn't imagine spending more than $30 on anything! (except musical instruments....) I offered her an immediate $10 for a picture of her in any coat she bought that cost more than $30. She finally broke down and bought...but I never got the picture (I don't think she keeps a supply of stamps.)

I think this summer I'm going to wave signed checks in front of her nose for various purchases and trips she decides to take. Only gets the checks if she sends me the receipts. But I'm not too hopeful....

[mini]

Gosh, I just discovered that their least expensive umbrella is $118, and cheapest tie is $88!

Guess I'll have to do without the shirt and pants...

[NewHope33]

frazzled - First of all, congratulations to your D for two wonderful acceptances. Clearly she's exceptional. Now as to your original question "What would you tell my daughter?" I'd tell her that the world is a tremendously diverse place and that compared to the international canvas the good old USA east of the Mississipi is a pretty homogeneous place. I mean she could be attending the Sorbonne. (How does one say in french "The Registrar's office says all the classes I want are closed except Elizabethan Literature and The Nuclear Physics of Non-Fissionable Materials?") Yes, Vanderbilt will make D feel out of place at times. Vanderbilt is also filled with wonderful people and a terrific faculty that will be thrilled to have another excellent student in class. It all comes down to what sort of experience D wants to look back on four years from now.

PS, Is anybody else gaining a new appreciation for what international students go through when they elect to attend college in America?

[poetsheart]

I don't know...We toured Mr. Jefferson's University when my D was admitted and got the decided impression that it was tremendously impressed with itself, and that there were A LOT of sons and daughters of the rich and powerful in attendance. It does indeed seem to cultivate that image within the state. We were duly impressed, but in the end, D did not feel that it was the proper fit. I cannot speak to Vanderbilt, other than to say that when I lived in Memphis, it was spoken of in similarly reverential tones.

[bluejay]

Thanks for your honest impressions. At this late hour we are still on the fence. I find it ironic though that we all want diversity at the colleges: racial, geographic. economic .. but we all seem to give the elite economic group such a bad rap.

[bluejay]

Pamvanw: Thanks for your good insights. Can you share any thoughts about class sizes at UVA? It appears that even at the higher levels the classes are at 35-50 range. What was your daughter's experience with class size, availability of classes and advising? Can you tell I have really cold feet about sending the deposit? Thanks!

[oldman]

Have a son who is first year there in the college.....class availability can be limited for intro courses...helps to have AP credits. He has not had a problem but some of his buddies have. Advising OK but can be spotty. Class size in general shrinks on down.

He signed up for some of the lesser known profs and had smaller classes...worked out well.

UVA can not match a LAC re: "nurturing". Sometimes to get what you want you need to push a bit.

[pamvanw]

Hi bluejay, Daughter's smallest class was a lit class of 13 & largest was intro chem which I think was 250. (not that it matters above about 75) The large lectures always have a discussion section led by a TA, & the prof has office hours, which she used. She always found that the professors were thrilled when a student came to office hours. You will have classes that enroll 40 or 50 as an upper level student at UVA, at least in her major which was chemistry. It never bothered her at all. I think class size is very dependent on the department. She was always able to get the classes she wanted & there was never a lack of available classes. Alot of times when you hear kids say they didn't get any of the classes they wanted, what they are saying is that they had to take a section of the class at an undesirable time like 8:00 a.m. If your daughter will be an Echols she will have priority registration (unless they changed that) so she will always get the best selection of classes. She won't have any problems there. As for advising, it all depends on who your advisor is. Her temporary advisor for orientation was extremely helpful & knowledgeable. When they get to school they are given a permenant advisor, & when they declare a major they are given an advisor within the department. She found advising competent. The advising from the Career Services department, which I saw as more important, is fantastic. She loved UVA...As parents my husband & I loved UVA. I can honestly say that we did not have 1 glitch or blunder with the university while she was a student there.

[bluejay]

Oldman and Pamvanw: I think I can mail the check now. We do understand going into this that UVA is a large, state school no matter how highly it is rated and respected but clearly the overall benefits are there. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experiences.

Anybody know anything about Brown College?

[pamvanw]

Brown College is a living community on grounds. It requires an application & is in a great location. A friend of my DD's lived there for 1 semester. She didn't care for it because it attracts an artsy quirky crowd. This girl moved to the Alderman Rd. area & loved it. That however was over 4 years ago.

[bluejay]

Frazzled: Can't help but wonder what tipped the vote to Vanderbilt?

[college2332]

im from NY and i love Vandy!