<p>My son is a senior at Vandy on a merit scholarship. He had to turn down his admission to Swarthmore because of merit money basically. Vanderbilt has been very generous to him and he has received excellent internships and cultural offerings in Nashville.</p>
<p>That aside, if you are an international student, I have to tell you that Swarthmore can give you things that Vanderbilt cannot provide in personal mentorship, personal classrooms and a very respectful community. My Vandy son is a non Greek and he really dislikes the divisive Greek scene. He was better suited to the LAC culture at Swarthmore although he has been valiant, grown up, been tested, contributed a lot and gained a lot at Vandy. He doesn’t care about Division One sports but he is out at cultural events all the time on campus and in Nashville. His majors are in social sciences and we like to think that Vandy’s culture has better prepared him for the wide world. He grew up in a peaceful smaller city however. If he had been from a big place or been bilingual, I don’t think that going to a school of 6000 people would have been an asset particularly for him. For him, Nashville and Vandy have offered social stretches and challenges he might have needed before grad school. </p>
<p>If you are bilingual and used to the faster paced world, do yourself a favor and give your heart to Swarthmore. Swat is a wonderful institution with historic resonance in American history and certainly in American letters. Graduate schools of engineering will be very glad to have you after Swat. Even if you give up engineering, Swarthmore has tremendous financial reserves and they do commit to their students’ academic dreams and goals. </p>
<p>The chance for a personal education at one of America’s top three liberal arts colleges only comes around once in a lifetime. You can always go to graduate school at a wonderful research institution like Vanderbilt and its peers…Duke, Northwestern, Washington University if you are lucky. In fact it is likely that graduate school in engineering will be at a bigger place no matter what. </p>
<p>I know a Swat administrator very well…grew up with him. And I spent a good bit of time at Swarthmore. Also, I really like the Middle Atlantic states and the Chesapeake region near Philly. A cradle of American society right there. </p>
<p>I object to those posters who characterize Vanderbilt as a southern institution now. That is “No More.” Vanderbilt is a national institution in a decidedly southern city…and a very hospitable city at that. I really love Nashville and have lived there twice. Spouse has a Vandy grad degree.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, believe me when I tell you that Swarthmore will give you a home base like no other from which to launch your future life. </p>
<p>Financially, we could not turn down our son’s full merit offer to Vandy, and I am well aware of Vandy’s best assets. </p>
<p>To be able to go to Swarthmore with their excellent need aid support is the chance of a lifetime. Take it.</p>