Please help me choose: JHU vs. Vanderbilt

SupremeHapa
Fri, 29 Mar 2013 16:47:12 +0000

I’ve recently been accepted to both JHU and Vanderbilt, but I’m having a really tough time deciding where I should go. I’m a white/asian male in NJ majoring in electrical engineering. Both schools cost the same. I might go to grad school, so maintaining a good GPA is pretty important.

JHU
Pros:
*World-wide reputation/considered more prestigious (ranked 13 USNWR, 25 for engineering)
*Close to home (~2 hour drive from NJ)

Cons:
*Grade-deflation?
*Baltimore isn’t the safest/nicest area
*Cutthroat environment?
*No social scene?
*Relatively bad food

Vandy
Pros:
*Well-known domestically (ranked 17 USNWR, ~35 for engineering)
*Nashville is awesome
*“Work hard, play hard” mentality
*Newer facilities, good food, etc.
*Building up their reputation (maybe comparable to Duke in 5 years?)
*Attractive females (not trying to sound shallow)

Cons:
*Heavily Greek (probably not joining a frat)
*Far from home (have to fly)
*Predominantly white student body
*Extremely preppy/Southern?
*Grade deflation? (though, not as bad as JHU)

Is JHU significantly more rigorous than Vandy?

I’m planning on visiting both schools in the next month. Thanks in advance for your help!