Carleton vs. Colgate vs. Grinnell vs. Vassar vs. Wesleyan = Help!

<p>So, I’ve been accepted by all these great schools and I’m having a really hard time making a decision. Can you guys tell me what’s the “character” of each school’s student body? And also, what are some similarities and differences between these schools besides the obvious stuff like location? Thanks in advance.</p>

<p>S and I visited Carleton and Vassar (and considered Wesleyan). All great schools but Grinnell was ultimately our S's first choice. He didn't really consider Colgate seriously - my recollection is that it has a more conservative student body (with frats and the associated issues), so culturally it seems the odd one out relative to the others on your list.</p>

<p>Observations about Carleton: Somewhat more 'intellectual' and intense. As at Grinnell, quirky vibe and the mid-Western lack of pretentiousness. A heavy emphasis on writing - and distribution requirements. The facilities were not quite as impressive as Grinnell's. On the positive side, more flights in and out of Minneapolis than Des Moines, making transportation a little easier. Marginally busier town due to St. Olaf's presence. (They actually have an Indian restaurant...) </p>

<p>Vassar: The male/female ratio is a consideration. The most pretentious college catalogue we looked at. Check for distribution requirements. Gorgeous dorms! Poughkeepsie is a significantly more urban place than Northfield or Grinnell - lots of big box stores right behind the campus, and accessible if you have a car. And of course, New York City is a (somewhat longish) train ride away.</p>

<p>Wesleyan: Although we didn't visit, our read of it is that it's the most activist of the lot (Grinnell is probably next of the ones on your list). Class sizes are also larger on average than the typical LAC (Grinnell's are the smallest), and the size of the school is somewhat larger as well, with a few grad programs.</p>

<p>If you want to see more on Grinnell, you can check my link. <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/grinnell-college/438138-why-grinnell.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/grinnell-college/438138-why-grinnell.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>A correction - it's not so much that we felt that Carleton was more "intellectual" than the others (that's prob not fair to the others which all offer plenty on the intellectual front), but more that the level of academic intensity seemed a bit higher. It could be because of the trimester system where things go by a lot faster.</p>

<p>On Grinnell, another aspect is that there does not appear to be a culture that stands out a lot more than others. To look at gross stereotypes (but there's often a reason for these stereotypes), Vassar is often cited for artsy and hipster types and Wesleyan for activists; Carleton has less of a stereotype associated with it - maybe quirkiness. Grinnell has all of the above (although I'm not sure that there are many hipsters - maybe a current student can comment), but does not appear to have a particular subculture that stands out. I think this is part of what allows so many students to feel so comfortable there and in fact rave about their experience - the eight Grinnell alums S talked to in detail were almost cult-like in their enthusiasm (and these were all alums that were personal contacts, not referred by the school).</p>

<p>Another factor to mention is the relative size of the endowments, which can have a significant impact on both your immediate college experience and the long-term staying power and reputation of the college. Grinnell's is one of the very top endowments in the country on a per student basis, and it shows in many ways (amazing facilities, the smallest class sizes, more international students because of generous financial aid, free concerts/events, lots of money for new academic initiatives and student activities). Of the others, I recall Wesleyan's student newspaper The Argus talking about the financial issues the univ was having with their endowment, and the impact it was beginning to have on their staff hiring, etc. Not sure how serious it is, but you may want to check it out. For some more info on endowments by college (scroll down for the per capita endowments after you use the link):
List</a> of U.S. colleges and universities by endowment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia</p>

<p>Good luck - you'll have a great education no matter what your decision is.</p>

<p>I agree with everything M's Mom said. My son chose Grinnell over Carleton, Vassar, Pomona and several other schools. It is special in every way M's Mom mentioned. The town is TINY and sleepy and rural. It is all about the campus and that is bursting with activities and lots of funny sounding clubs and organizations. My son felt the Grinnellians took themselves less seriously than students he saw anywhere else and thought about things most unconventionally.</p>

<p>Colgate would have been too conservative for him. Wes is an absolutely GREAT school. I know many people who have gone there and people who are there now. They all love it. It is quite a bit bigger than Grinnell and classes are larger, therefore relationships with profs tend to not be as close. It has a slight frat presence and a slight jock presence. Some people would love that--my son didn't.</p>

<p>Carleton is wonderful. I loved the campus, but certainly the facilities, especially the student center, are not as nice as Grinnell's. I got the impression that the main floor of the library was sort of a de facto student center for group studying and socializing. The students who choose it are very happy there, I think. It is as loved by alums as Grinnell. My son felt it was a little more conservative than Grinnell. You can't go wrong with these schools--they are all great!</p>

<p>In what part of the country do you live? Some students want to stay close to home. My son wanted a change of scenery.</p>

<p>I forgot to comment on Vassar, also a GREAT school. In the end, I think my son wanted to try a different part of the country. Vassar is wonderful too.</p>

<p>I'm choosing between Carleton, Wesleyan and Vassar now but I've always considered Grinnell, and it offered me good financial aid. Now I'm more undecided! :S I'm from Puerto Rico so all of these schools would have a new scenery for me.</p>

<p>I'm going to put in a plug for Grinnell. According to D, the students she met there were the nicest of the LACs she visited. She also checked Vassar out but opted for what she saw as a more relaxed but just as academically focused environment at Grinnell. Vassar is a bit more "hip" (I can't think of a better word, sorry folks it's not meant as a criticism) than Grinnell. If food matters, Grinnell has the best food of all of the colleges we visited!</p>

<p>Chagilsma--Definitely consider Grinnell! I literally begged my younger daughter to consider Grinnell last year, because everything I knew and read about it sounded perfect for her. Alas, she was adamant that she would NOT attend a school in the middle of an Iowa cornfield and refused to apply. Oddly enough, she's now attending a school in the middle of a Minnesota cornfield--Carleton, which I also (more successfully) twisted her arm to consider. Cornfields don't seem to bother her anymore, nor does the absence of a big metropolitan area. If Grinnell offered you good financial aid, think about it long and hard! Good luck!</p>

<p>Grinnell has the highest percentage of international students of all these schools, which is a not insignificant factor. We looked at all of them and between my 2 sons had to choose among 4 of them...I would say that Colgate is the outlier of the schools you are deciding among..more preppy than the rest. The midwestern schools are different than the east coast schools- generically more relaxed though equally intellectual.</p>

<p>Thanks for all your responses, they all have been great help. I've chosen to go to Vassar College next year, just wanted to let you guys know.</p>

<p>I'm sure you'll love it Chagilsma! I'm going to give you the advice I give every student headed for college--get involved in an EC or 2 right away. Doesn't have to be one with a big time commitment, just a way to connect to other students in a non-party setting. Every school has student clubs and organizations that help you connect while doing fun activities. And ENJOY the wonderful library, the most incredible one we saw anywhere--a temple for learning!</p>