Vanderbilt versus University of Minnesota-Twin Cities

[Hanna]

<p>If you had said, “I’m dying to stretch my wings and see what it’s like to be on a residential campus away from home,” I’d say go for Vandy. But if the point would be prestige…no. You have a good deal where you are. I would definitely suggest that you try living in the dorms rather than at home for at least a year to get that experience.</p>

[barrons]

<p>PG, I spent a week at Vandy on a research project and worked in Atlanta where I dated one and met many of her Vandy friends. Pretty much all rich southern preps. UMinn is way more diverse.</p>

[timetodecide12]

<p>Barrons, the majority of Vanderbilt students are not from the south. Also, 60% of the undergrads are on financial aid. Your perspective of the school is very outdated.
Vanderbilt also has one of the friendliest campuses in the nation.</p>

[timetodecide12]

<p>

UMinn is way more diverse.

</p>

<p>It really isn’t.</p>

<p>-</p>

<p>Minnesota Diversity (for Fall 2012):
White – 73%
Black – 4.5%
Latino – 2.6%
Asian – 10%
Out of State – 36%
[Diversity</a> at the University of Minnesota](<a href=“http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/opportunities/diversity.html]Diversity”>http://admissions.tc.umn.edu/opportunities/diversity.html)</p>

<p>–
Vanderbilt Diversity (for Fall 2012):
White – 70%
Black – 7.9%
Latino – 7.6%
Asian – 9.2%
Out of State – 81%
[The</a> Vanderbilt Profile<em>|</em>Undergraduate Admissions<em>|</em>Vanderbilt University](<a href=“http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/profile/]The”>Vanderbilt At A Glance | Undergraduate Admissions | Vanderbilt University)</p>

<p>Undergraduate Enrollment Map:
<a href=“http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/images/Undergrad_Enrollment_Map_2012.JPG[/url]”>http://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/images/Undergrad_Enrollment_Map_2012.JPG&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[Pizzagirl]

<p>

PG, I spent a week at Vandy on a research project and worked in Atlanta where I dated one and met many of her Vandy friends. Pretty much all rich southern preps. UMinn is way more diverse.

</p>

<p>LOL! Not in the least. I am quite familiar with Vandy, do a lot of hiring from there, and spent inauguration weekend in DC with a bunch of Vandy grads now working in DC. They were from all over, had all different types of socioeconomic backgrounds, all different races / origins, and so forth. Plenty diverse. I think you just saw what you wanted to see. That was true 30 years ago, but not true today.</p>

[noimagination]

<p>Here’s the percent of undergrads receiving Pell Grants at both schools:
Minnesota - 24%
Vanderbilt - 15%</p>

<p>(For the record, I don’t agree with any characterization of Vandy as uniformly preppy and rich. Which is irrelevant in this situation anyway, b/c OP didn’t mention it and we don’t know what s/he might prefer.)</p>

[Ivyt]

<p>Obviously: Duke, Vandy, W&L, Dartmouth, and Amherst’s student bodies are just made up of preppy rich white kids.</p>

[barrons]

<p>They certainly dominate the culture at all of those. Diverse is more than race. Richy preppy AA kids are not adding much real diversity. Many kids above middle income get fin aid at private schools. Read about it. Just good old tuition discounting.</p>

[Pizzagirl]

<p>Aren’t you the one who is a fan of Liberty University, barrons? Anyway, I still think you’re profoundly mistaken about Vanderbilt, but hey, feel free to believe the stereotype of 30 years ago if it makes you feel better.</p>

[MomofWildChild]

<p>Barrons- You are simply wrong. Yes, there are plenty of rich, preppy kids. There are plenty of those at most universities! Your perspective is very outdated. Mine is quite current. I’m on campus a lot, my son in law is a doctor there and my daughter got her Master’s there.<br>
Liberty- oh God. (And I was born in Lynchburg, so I must know all about Liberty, right?)</p>

[Illinoise]

<p>While Vanderbilt may be more prestigious, Twin Cities does have the better computer science program. Normally, I’d go with prestige, but, since computer science jobs are growing so rapidly, I would stick with Twin Cities. After all, following your first job, the college you attended matters much less than your skills. In your scenario, I do not think prestige matters much, the better education should be favored. Given all of your credentials, I think Twin Cities is the right choice.</p>

[discrete]

<p>Illinoise:

While Vanderbilt may be more prestigious, Twin Cities does have the better computer science program. Normally, I’d go with prestige, but, since computer science jobs are growing so rapidly, I would stick with Twin Cities. After all, following your first job, the college you attended matters much less than your skills. In your scenario, I do not think prestige matters much, the better education should be favored. Given all of your credentials, I think Twin Cities is the right choice.

I fully agree with you! I am leaning strongly towards the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. I have a lot of internships and undergraduate research (as a high school student) that strengthen my resume besides my school.</p>

<p>MomofWildChild

To me it’s a no-brainer in favor of Vanderbilt! My God, get away from home and experience life in one of the most fun cities on a gorgeous campus with students from all over the place. Barron’s head is far up somewhere dark- so don’t put any stock in his post.
Broaden your horizons, unless none of the credits will transfer. The students at Vanderbilt (many of whom have lots of financial aid) are, for the most part, polite and nice. And they aren’t buried in snow 6 months a year.

I am all for broadening my horizons, but at what cost? My family is too wealthy for any type of financial aid, so the cost of Vanderbilt could be as high as a quarter-million dollars ($60,000 year x 4 years).</p>

<p>I have calculated that I can graduate at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities as early as 2015. With early graduation, in-state tuition, and a small academic scholarship, the cost of attending the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities could be as low as $40,000 ($20,000 x 2 years).</p>

<p>I have trouble believing that the Vanderbilt experience justifies the cost… especially when their Computer Science department is inferior to what is at home.</p>

<p>Some of the credits might transfer, but looking at Vanderbilt’s major requirements… it would still take at least three years to graduate. And finally, as a Minnesota native, I am not opposed to being buried in snow. :)</p>

<p>To everybody else:
I do not care whether or not Vanderbilt has rich kids, or its diversity (perceived or actual). Race and social class are not affecting my college decisions. It is all about the quality of the school, the quality of the department, and the cost of attending.</p>

[barrons]

<p>I am not a “fan of LU”. I am a fan of LU’s economic impact on the Lynchburg area which has been outstandingly positive. Big difference. Given my interactions with Vandy folks during the NCAA basketball game and this from a Vandy student on another major college selection advice site I think the leopard has not changed its spots much. Few places really do.</p>

<p>“While Vanderbilt has a lot of positive qualities, it isn’t the best choice for everyone. Choosing Vanderbilt means choosing to be in a situation where name-brand clothes and high-end cars have a certain amount of importance. Most students come from white upper-class families, and while they may not all fit the stereotype of wealthy snobs, money is in abundance for most on campus. More than anything, however, choosing Vanderbilt means choosing an extremely difficult and intense academic institution. You will pull your share of all-nighters, sit through any number of obvious “weed-out courses,” stress out over harsh grading curve, and panic when professors refuse to move deadlines despite countless other exams and papers. But thankfully, Vanderbilt embodies a work-hard, play-hard lifestyle. The second you make it through the more hellacious periods of school, there will be countless opportunities to throw all cares aside and enjoy your time at Vanderbilt.”</p>

<p>Read more: http://**************.com/vanderbilt-university/#ixzz2PQt4KBHC</p>