Bowdoin, Vassar, Tufts, or Emory?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Bowdoin: 29k grant, possibly 2.5k NMSC scholarship, Bowdoin Faculty Scholar
Vassar: 41k scholarship
Tufts: still waiting on FA
Emory: still waiting on FA</p>

<p>I have no idea what I want to do in the future. My dream has always to become a writer, but I've decided that I'd like to enter a profession and nourish that dream on the side, partially due to pragmatism, and partially for a deeper experience for a basis in my writing. But yes I have no idea what I want to go into.</p>

<p>A little reluctant on Emory, because I hear it has a fairly conservative population and hell, it's in atlanta. But then it's reasonably prestigious and has a pretty good education? Okay honestly I don't know the school too well.</p>

<p>As for Bowdoin/Vassar/Tufts...Actually you know what I really have no idea.</p>

<p>This is a really tough choice. Could anyone tell me about the quality of life in these schools as well as their personalities?</p>

2

<p>If you could not afford Tufts (Boston is a plus), go to Bowdoin for undergrad</p>

3

<p>Definitely Bowdoin or Vassar, for me. Try to visit both and see which feels more comfortable for you.</p>

4

<p>thanks for the input guys :smiley:
anyone else have advice?</p>

5

<p>If money is not an issue, go to Tufts.</p>

<p>Otherwise, Vassar and Bowdoin are fine options.</p>

<p>I would not recommend Emory as they do not focus enough on undergrads.</p>

6

<p>Bowdoin or Vassar.</p>

7

<p>Bowdoin. Tufts aint no fun.</p>

8

<p>@Alistar
“I would not recommend Emory as they do not focus enough on undergrads.”</p>

<p>ROFL, are you serious??? That’s the funniest BS I heard all day</p>

9

<p>Vassar has just a few core requirements - you could double major easily.
And a 41K scholarship is fantastic!</p>

10

<p>Does anyone know anything about the student body though? And quality of life?</p>

11

<p>Tufts is in a suburb of Boston, with easy access to Cambridge and Boston. Bowdoin is in a small town in Maine. Vassar is in Poughkeepsie, NY. Emory is in Atlanta. Those facts alone would tell most people which one they’d prefer. Vassar is (I believe) about 60% female. Bowdoin and Vassar are both small liberal arts colleges; Tufts and Emory are both larger (but not huge) universities.
These are all great schools, and I don’t think rank or prestige should enter into your decision at all. If you want to get a feel for the schools’ personalities, go and read the posts on the forum for each school. If you are still unsure, in your case it would be sensible to choose the one that gives you the best financial deal.</p>

12

<p>I’m a fan of Bowdoin.</p>

13

<p>Congrats on Bowdoin! I chose Bowdoin over Tufts and Middlebury because I liked the laid-back, hardworking, welcoming vibe the school has. Everyone is very nice and in the tight-knit community almost everyone knows each other and cares for each other.</p>

<p>Choose the school where you feel most comfortable. Whether it is in the deep south, the north east, or in Medford (which by the way is a 35-40 minute public transportation from Boston), find the place where you will have the best for years of your life!</p>

14

<p>Like others said, choose what feels best, and don’t go by rankings or whatever.</p>

<p>FYI, Tufts/Meford is not 45 minutes away from downtown Boston via public transportation. It’s very close to the “Redline” which is where Harvard and MIT both are. Indeed, Harvard is two stops away and MIT is two stops after Harvard.</p>

<p>Additionally, there are busses that take you to various parts of Boston as well relatively quickly.</p>

<p>I know Tufts and Bowdoin are both known for happy students and having good food.</p>

<p>Tufts, for its part, is full of really intelligent people. But they aren’t cut-throat. They compete with themselves and working together is encouraged. People are very welcoming to fellow “Jumbos” and even alumni feel a strong connection to the school. In this sense, the community feeling tends to extend past graduation.</p>

<p>Best of luck!</p>