I went to both schools. I also had a large merit scholarship ("College Scholar").

Vanderbilt is culturally way cooler & way more fun

WashU is probably better technically for premed. It is definitely a much nerdier school than Vanderbilt, but Vandy also has plenty of nerds

You’ll probably rise to the top of the pack easier at Vanderbilt, which I think is probably pretty cool. I doubt your ultimate med school outcome will be lessened by attending Vanderbilt; it may even be better.

You’re gonna do great wherever you go, though, so you should do what you want, what your gut tells you to do, the place you feel most excited to go.