@Senior2016M : Yes, but what you describe has little to do with academics and merely a social “feel” and lack of affinity for its campus and amenities…exactly what I described (this often creates the preferences within a certain range of schools, whereas some, students matriculating do look deeper at the academic programs). It is kind of like this other girl in another thread who wanted to project a personality onto Vanderbilt and Harvard after she visited only once. It seems as if you see what you expect. If you notice a ranking difference or have heard some things, you may react more to weaknesses you see (because you are kind of seeking them out). That description you gave could be for any private school I guess except that some do learn more heavily in one direction than the other (as in have more students leaning in one direction), but that tends not to be top privates. Many will be kind of balanced like Vanderbilt and others will be much more academic leaning to a student’s chagrin or delight. Either way, you could try again, but if you can afford it…it seems like Vanderbilt may be better for you. Did you get into their music school by chance (or are you even interested in that)?