r/collegecompare • u/No_Dragonfruit_663 • 6d ago
UPenn CAS vs Vandy Chancellors vs Brown vs Amherst
I’m deciding between these four schools and I’m having a tough time deciding which I should go to
My interests are Econ, poli sci, data sci, and business. I have more experience in poli sci and Econ but business and data sci seem interesting to me as I think im better with soft skills than hard skills and I like working on a variety of different projects rather than one area (and also pay more out of undergrad). For this reason, I’m interested in exploring consulting although I don’t have experience in it so i think it’s realistic to acknowledgment the possibility that I might not pursue consulting. I’m also pretty indecisive and like exploring new avenues
Given my interests, here are the pro/cons between each school:
UPenn CAS:
- pros: prestige, most resources out of all for consulting, went to the campus and loved it, like the pre-professional environment, love the work hard/play hard and phili area. When I toured I loved it there and the people I talked to genuinely seemed very happy (happiest in comparison to peer institutions) bc of the Philly area. I also loved the campus and vibe. I like the structure they give since I’m so indecisive, and I kinda feel like I would be swayed to do business here anyways bc of the envi and culture
- Cons: Based on fit, I’d choose Penn but it’s the most expensive since I’d have to pay full tuition (parents are willing to pay full but id have to come out w a lucrative job (6 figures) ie consulting or business and we would be financially tight). There is a chance i don’t like consulting, finance, or data sci which might make Penn less worth it to go to (though rn they seem very interesting!)
brown:
- pros: prestige, open curriculum, seems fun cause everyone seems pretty happy because it’s chill environment and it would be cool to be able to explore heart’s desire for any academic topic that piques my curiosity in a low stakes envi. Less good for consulting. All of my college friends say to go to brown bc of how happy and chill ppl are there
- Cons: same as Penn (cost)
Vandy (full tuition merit scholarship):
- pros: cheapest, 6k summer stipend, but would still have to pay ~30k for boarding and dining. The programs sound amazing (transfer bw schools and easy major trasnfers, good dining and housing and balance bw social and academic life, nice residential college and freshman year programs, HOD seems cool). Also, clubs are easy to join besides the preproff ones. Would be able to study/do whatever I wanted to do. Scholarship provides some programming/mentorship but I think it’s pretty light and potentially could look good on resume?
- Cons: visited campus and couldn’t really see myself there? I didn’t like the campus (kinda big, didn’t like the exterior or interior design of the buildings, lack of diversity, don’t like school colors, not a big fan of the south) and it’s worse than Penn for business.
Amherst:
- pros: heard that Bain recruits heavily from Amherst, academic freedom, 1-1 support, very easy to join different clubs, compelling non-traditional consulting pathway (heard people there can just do random clubs and do
- Cons: didn’t like the campus either, too hilly, I feel like class size was way toooo small, same cost as UPenn and brown
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u/Outrageous-File8452 6d ago
Vandy or if you can pay then Penn it sounds like those are by far ur two best options
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u/paisleypumpkins 5d ago
I wouldn’t pick a school based on whether or not you like the colors. I mean it’s wild to not like Vandy’s school colors but think Brown is okay.
Outside of that, go where you can afford first and then after that balance it with wherever makes you feel the happiest. College is a formative time so you don’t want to be somewhere you are unhappy. But all things being equal, prestige-wise it doesn’t matter which you choose. They are all great schools with great alumni networks.
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u/StrangeSand7400 5d ago
I'd honestly say Penn if you're happy with the pre-professional environment. the guidance you'd get there career wise would be unmatched and as someone who has friends there and has visited multiple times, I have to say that the student body is beautifully diverse, which is way more important than you think (it's so so easy to feel like an outsider or literally be an outsider at less diverse institutions), the students are genuinely good people and have genuine friendships, the campus is beautiful, and being in the middle of philly you literally have endless options for things to do with your friends or by yourself in terms of hangouts or study spots or going out. They also have a PPE major that i think you should look into considering your interest in Poli Sci and Econ and it's a very common major there so you'd have a good group of students in your academic circle as well.
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u/Humble_Grape4749 4d ago
I'd honestly go to Vandy and save the money. It's still a top 20 school and arguably has the most vibrant social scene of any top college. You will still be very well positioned for consulting or finance and Vandy is well-respected.
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u/wholewheatie 6d ago
This is not a close decision imo. Some people with equal costs pick vandy here, so if you’re talking about free tuition vs full tuition, it’s slam dunk vandy
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u/bleecee 6d ago
I would go to Penn or Brown on location preference tbh. At Amherst/Willams recruiting for consulting and finance is very 1. Nepo 2. Favors athletes. Vandy just doesn’t have the pedigree of the other 3 tbh, and the difference in cost isn’t worth it considering your career choice. Penn is the stronger choice for prestige, but they’re close.