<p>Noticed people referring to strength in the arts at Vassar but weakness in sciences. All I can say on that score is that when we visited Vassar Spring of 2013, they were fast at work on a new science building. So, administration must have heard the word on that score. We’re definitely looking closely at Vassar because of this obvious commitment, as well as strength in the arts.</p>
<p>This thread is over 4 years old. Might be better to start a fresh one.</p>
<p>As a Vassar grad with DD heading to Vassar this fall, I just have to say…go to Vassar for the name. As an alum, the Vassar name alone has helped me secure jobs, meet extraordinary people, and have experiences I’ll never forget. As a parent preparing to pay $62k a year to send my DD Vassar, I found myself weighing the investment. In the end, the name IS worth it–the cache and recognition of Vassar is far above Carlton’s. Besides, the campus is idyllic, the quality of instruction outstanding, the intense interaction with professors who are the experts in their field phenomenal, and the intellectual atmosphere encouraging. True, if you’re looking for rah-rah sports campus or a Madison-type college town, you won’t find it in Poughkeepsie–but you will find crushingly-beautiful architecture, dramatic natural vistas, life-changing instruction, you will learn how to think. Good luck!</p>
<p>Agree and disagree with you on Vassar’s name recognition. Alas, a brilliant young graduate of Vassar that I’m personally acquainted with has been having one helluva difficult time finding appropriate work … three years later. Vassar is a great name among liberal arts colleges, but it’s not a magic bullet, by any means. Carleton, same way. … By the way, Carleton consistently ranks ahead of Vassar by every measure on college rankings–for whatever those are worth. And, yes, you learn how to think at Carleton, just as you do at Vassar. My daughter was accepted to both. She chose Carleton, and has no regrets.</p>
<p>By the way, I totally agree with you on the idyllic campus at Vassar. When we visited, I could kicked my daughter in the butt. I so wanted to spend the next four years living vicariously at this gorgeous campus–especially the stunning library. … It wasn’t to be. She found her home in the cornfields of rural Minnesota. Different strokes for different folks. … Those in the know, comprehend the value of a Carleton education every bit as much as they acknowledge a Vassar education.</p>
In terms of graduate school placement (I’m talking top graduate schools in general and traditional professional programs for MD, MBA, etc.) how do the schools compare?
I don’t know those statistics off the top of my head but know that Carleton is one of top ten producers of PhD’s and many, many graduates go on to continue their schooling