<p>I’ve had 2 kids graduate from Vanderbilt and I have one going to Cornell in the fall. We are from the south. Vanderbilt is VERY southern in feel, but very welcoming to people from all over the country. My older son’s fraternity illustrates that - boys from Virginia, Missouri, New Jersey, south carolina, illinois…and others. Vanderbilt students do care about their academics and are good students. Nashville is a lot of fun.</p>
<p>Cornell seems very different. Diversity reigns - and I mean that in a really good way. People from all over the world in your classes. The town is quaint, but doesn’t offer as much as Vanderbilt. Cornell is twice the size and has a much more varied curriculum. Vanderbilt has 4 schools (a&S, engineering, music, peabody). Cornell has 7. cornell feels very “northern” to us, but I don’t mean that in a negative way. It’s just different. My younger son is looking forward to the differences. </p>
<p>Walk both campuses. Go to Cornell in the winter. Be there when students are there. That’s the only way to know what works best for you.</p>