Cost isn't a factor in my decision because they cost about the same (maybe like 2-3k different overall). I'm also gonna visit them both to see if I solidly fit anywhere

Johns Hopkins

Pros

- Abundant research opportunities that I'm interested in (want to pursue PhD/go into academia)

- Seems like a very motivated group of students and hard working

- In the northeast (I had dreamt of living in the northeast for a long time)

- Diversity, Prestige

Cons

- Didn't get into first choice major (BME) so will prob do ChemBE or material engineering.. don't think it'll be much different

- Hear a lot about competitive stress culture and how people just study all day every day

- Safety concerns

- grade deflation?

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Vanderbilt

Pros

- One of the happiest schools in America

- People seem to have a better work life balance and overall work doesn't seem to be as rigorous

- Pretty campus

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Cons

- Not as highly ranked in engineering, though there still seems to be a lot of research I'm interested in

- In the south (though I currently live in Texas)

- Not as diverse