@ohmtmom just so you know, the scholarship that kid won was one of 75 of the same full tuition scholarships to Tulane (in addition to another 100 of a different full tuition scholarship and 5 of a full ride scholarship). I won the same exact scholarship he did, and I am white, upper middle class, and did my project on my academic interest. Just wanted to clear up that his project was not selected as “the best” but simply as an outstanding project, as, I suppose, was mine.
To your original question - while I’m not a current Vandy student, I got in ED and will be going there next year. From what I can tell from the ED1 and 2 kids, everyone is really excited about the mix of social life and academics Vandy will offer, in a more typical collegey way than the Ivies. I personally can’t wait! Best of luck to your daughter.