<p>The obvious question is:
what about your original University if Vandy is off the table? Now that you see things you don’t like about Emory, does that change your perception of the original University? It is easier to graduate on time (usually) by not transferring and then apply to Vandy (or your preferred U) for grad school.</p>
<p>And … is your major something that is particularly good at Emory? Emory is highly regarded in many areas (Business, Nursing, Psychology etc.) and certainly very elite. Vanderbilt though has gotten insanely hard to get in. Now Vandy is almost twice as hard to get in as Emory (and has higher test scores) so there is “snob” value in Vandy (and probably actual value vs. other Universities due to their remarkable student body if nothing else). And Vandy is reputed to have “happy” students. But Vandy is off the table so the choice seems to boil down to old U vs. Emory. Is old University a disaster for your major?</p>
<p>Although your circle of friends will be different in graduate school, and likely more focused on those from your program than it would be at Vandy or Emory undergrad - grad school can be a lot of fun since you are doing what you REALLY want to do full time (hopefully) and some of the smaller schools have a lot of school spirit and housing for grad students (rather than pushing them off campus where they are more isolated).</p>