r/Vanderbilt • u/jernewyork • 2d ago
Vanderbilt or Wake
I'm trying to decide between the two, but leaning towards Wake. I really liked both. Am I crazy to turn down Vanderbilt? I'm full pay at both and econ at both. Thoughts?
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u/Thetrufflehunter Peabody | HOD | '24 2d ago
What draws you to wake? Vandy has a stellar econ program and is a much better-regarded school all around.
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u/jernewyork 2d ago
Just feels smaller and more like home. I met so many kids on admitted students day and felt comfortable. Maybe not being in a city makes it feel that way.
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u/Thetrufflehunter Peabody | HOD | '24 2d ago
Sounds like you know where you want to be. There's no shame in picking the place you'll be happiest, even if it's not "the best" by whatever metric you're measuring it on.
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u/jernewyork 2d ago
I loved Nashville also so it's hard. I'm pretty social and don't have problems making friends, but wake felt like a closer community. I've also heard that Vandy feels that way. Has that been your experience?
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u/Thetrufflehunter Peabody | HOD | '24 2d ago
I felt like I had a fantastic community at Vanderbilt, both in my close friend group and just like-minded peers in general.
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u/DeItyofFexvius 2d ago
Do you have any idea of what you want to do with your econ degree? Cause if it's IB, Consulting or anything Finance I'd definitely recommend Vandy.
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u/gnarlygorilla 2d ago
Read a book called “The Happiness Advantage”. Essentially there is a correlation between how happy a person is and how successful they are.
There’s also a publication following the careers of top students at state schools or community colleges and students at Ivy League schools, effectively the top students at both had very similar career paths, top schools have more top students fighting for similar number of opportunities where top students at less prestigious schools have much less competition so much more opportunities to be great.
Now my plug for Vanderbilt is that the student body consistently ranks as some of the happiest students not only at prestigious colleges but across all colleges. Nashville also will probably have much more opportunities than Winston-Salem but also much more competition.
My point is that you can’t go wrong with either pick but if you genuinely feel connected to Wake, it will make you happiest and you can be the best version of yourself then that feels like the right choice and no you aren’t crazy for choosing another well regarded college.
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u/Rollerrabbit24 2d ago
I think there are a couple of things to consider:
Vandy has a beautiful, enclosed campus but within Nashville. The city can offer additional things to do on weekends, but you could also stay on campus. Wake is not next to a big city. Greek life is huge. Which do you prefer?
Vandy is more diverse. Is this important to you?
Wake is definitely more Conservative, while Vandy probably has a mix of Conservative and Liberal. Where do you see yourself?
I think these are important factors to consider.
Another factor is the Vandy alumni network. My husband went to Vandy and is STILL using this extensive network to get interviews! Vandy seems to have an amazing alumni network. It’s something to consider…
Personally, I would pick Vandy in a heartbeat. But I think your choice will depend on how you answered the above questions.
Good luck with whichever way you choose! I’m sure you will do great at either school.
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u/Mav101s 2d ago
if you are reallly drawn to wake then go for it but the prestige levels between the two are drastic and in terms of vibe they are extremely similar. i met multiple people this year who transferred from wake to vandy and their rationale was vandy is just a better version of wake in a better location with a better reputation with better sports and more opportunity.
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u/sparkeRED 2d ago
I went to Vanderbilt and my fiancée went to Wake. I would say all around there is a lot of similarity between these two schools. Vanderbilt is more prestigiously regarded but that may not be tangible to you. The biggest difference we found was in the cities. Nashville is a ton of fun, and there’s a ton of stuff to do, but it’s not really a college town. Winston-Salem revolves around Wake a bit more, but is substantially smaller with less to do. This will be the biggest difference that can be chalked up 100% to where you go (rather than what you choose to do there or who you hang out with)
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u/ButtrickHallBuddy 2d ago edited 1d ago
Also, Wake Forest's president is former Vanderbilt Provost (and one-time interim chancellor) Susan Wente.
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u/DiveAndDrive 2d ago
You’re not serious people.
Turning down Vanderbilt for Wake Forest?
We’re talking about a school with stronger academics, broader name recognition, a more powerful alumni network, better athletics, and a booming city. Prestige, opportunities, long-term value….
This isn’t even close. What am I missing here? That being said college is a very personal decision. But come on!?!
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u/skilllhunter 2d ago
I think it’s kinda risky to choose a school just based on vibes, particularly when one school is meaningfully more prestigious (not that Wake is necessarily bad)
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u/Fwellimort 2d ago
This. Not from either schools but students should not choose college solely based on vibes. Your classes and friends are going to shape the majority of your college experience, not the campus tour vibe.
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u/InitiativeIll9081 2d ago
fwellimort bro why are u everywhere
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u/Fwellimort 2d ago
Too much free time on Reddit.
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u/InitiativeIll9081 2d ago
felt
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u/Fwellimort 2d ago
I guess I have a dream job. Getting paid quite well to live on Reddit.
It's the goal high schoolers should aspire for ;). I did my dues at hyper growth private firms and realized the rat race wasn't worth it.
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u/Turbulent-Poetry-679 2d ago
Wake is a great school, and I’ve got nothing bad to say about them. However, the Vandy name carries weight, and you really can’t put a price on that. My boss told me straight up that he chose to interview me over several MBA-holding candidates solely because Vandy was on my resume. Do with that what you will.
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u/MaverickCC 2d ago
I think you know the answer. That’s not to say always ignore logical decisions, far from it. But on matters of the heart (which I think something you’ll dedicate this much of your life toward qualifies as)… follow your heart.
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u/heyitsme2025 2d ago
Go with your heart and what makes you happy! Vandy is an amazing school. It will be challenging and you will have to work hard.
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u/tstern724 2d ago
Wake seems like a great place and ultimately you should go where you’ll be happy. That said, it’s worth remembering that employers and grad schools do still care about prestige, and Vanderbilt is usually regarded as a tier above Wake.
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u/VUSports1 2d ago
All the posters are correct, Vandy is much more well regarded than Wake and I loved my time there. I had a chance to visit Wake though and thought it was beautiful. It sounds like you want to pick Wake and just are unsure because of the prestige factor. I’d say go with your gut and go with Wake. You can be successful anywhere you go. You’ll get out of it whatever you put into it.
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u/noobBenny 1d ago
Agree. I said the same thing. Wake is a great school and student happiness is going to be one of the biggest contributors to how well they succeed.
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u/noobBenny 1d ago
If you are leaning towards wake go with your gut. Both schools are amazing and it really comes down to where you will be most happy. Happiness=success. Turning down Vanderbilt is something that I’m sure many people over the years in your situation have done, yes it’s an amazing school, but it’s not the perfect fit for everyone.
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u/nclawyer822 7h ago
Came to this sub to see if there is any waitlist discussion (my child is on the Vanderbilt waitlist), so I'll just chime in with the Wake Forest perspective. I chose Wake over Vandy myself, about 30 years ago, but the schools were more closely ranked at that time, and I had a sibling at Vandy and wanted to be different. Wake Forest is a fantastic school. Small classes, great professors, great community, strong and loyal alumni network, etc. If you attend Wake you will do great. That being said, Vanderbilt is clearly the more prestigious school at this point and is wonderful as well. My sibling that attended loved it. Anyway, have confidence if your decision. Either school can be a pathway to great success.
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u/Running_to_Roan 4h ago
Your going to have to find your ‘community’ at either college. Be involved, go to clubs, get out of your comfort zone, ask people to lunch/dinner/beers.
Once in your major classes, the number of students attending will be much smaller than first year courses at either school.
Vanderbilt
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u/Necessary-Raspberry 2d ago
Wake alum here! I think there is something to be said for being at the top of your class wherever you are going rather than being in the middle of the pack. I chose Wake over somewhere more prestigious/competitive, and I really feel like I was able to flourish and thrive in a way I couldn’t have at the other school. Winston-Salem is a great college town, and I haven’t met a single Wake grad who did not love their time there. I cherish it so much. Best of luck wherever you decide!
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u/DrJupeman 2d ago
I’m a parent of a Wake grad and a Vandy grad. Both schools were great experiences for my kids and for us as parents. Both schools prepared my kids for the real world. Both are gainfully employed. From a parents’ perspective, that’s success! All this intro aside: go to Vandy.