<p>My reflections only, so take everything with a grain of salt of course :-)</p>
<p>But I love Vassar...</p>
<p>is there a noticeable degree of academic competition? </p>
<p>I promise I'll have many more, that's just one I am currently think of.</p>
<p>Hi edpolicygirl, thanks so much for answering the question about drinking inthe other thread! Vassar is where I think I'm going to be headed next year and it's definitely helpful to get the reflections of current students. Could you talk a little about the female-male ratio at Vassar? I know its something around 60-40 but would appreciate it if you could give your imput on whether you feel the ratio is noticiable. In my college searches I was looking for schools that had a balance around 50-50 so Vassar's ratio is a bit higher than I was originally thinking. Thanks!</p>
<ol>
<li>Academic Competition --</li>
</ol>
<p>People really don't talk about grades or anything along those lines. There's not really much competition; in any academic setting people are always curious about how other people are doing, but really most people are striving to succeed for themselves here. People definitely push each other in discussions and challenge each other's ideas, but that's a really positive thing in my opinion because it really helps expand your thoughts. So basically, nope, no bad competition.</p>
<ol>
<li>Male/Female Ratio --</li>
</ol>
<p>I'm a straight female, so that's the perspective I'm coming from. The thing that I've found most frustrating here is that there is no "dating" at Vassar; its more like (for straight guys), you have the boys who like to randomly hook up with people, the boys who meet a girl and stay with them forever ("married"), and the boys who are too shy and too awkward to do anything. I guess what I've found recently is a lot of the guys here are also a little immature, which is frustrating. But, needless to say I've had 2 boyfriends here, so it is possible to date and meet people if you try. In all reality the 40/60 ratio is the same as most other liberal art colleges. I haven't found the lack of males really a problem at all, it's more the quality of boys <em>shrug</em> Again, just my opinions and experiences...one of my best friends has been dating a guy she met during freshmen week for almost 4 years now, so yea...</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply... I was also wondering about majoring in science at Vassar (neuroscience is my top choice, but I'm also considering biology). I've heard that Vassar is a school that focuses more on the humanities, but how do you feel the science program is? Also, how difficult/common is it to double-major at Vassar? I'm also a fan of history and was considering (definitely on a tentative basis) either a neuroscience-history double major or a major in neuroscience and minor in history.</p>
<p>Sorry for asking two questions in under 30 minutes. I've been trying to figure out whether or not Vassar's the place for me for the past week or so and your responses have been really reassuring and helpful :-)</p>
<p>I only took one hard science class (chem) my freshman year (technically psych is a natural science, but it doesn't have labs...so...). But the chem department was awesome, they have all the equipment of high powered research institutes, etc. and because there are no grad students you get to use it all and indpendent research is really common. In fact all of my nat. science friends are doing independent research. Neuroscience is a bit different, since its technically interdisciplinary, but I like the psych department which you'd be taking classes in as well...so yes, the science program is awesome. You also have the opportunity to do URSI which is a great experience (one of my best friends did it for cog sci) and really important for grad school and something you won't get at most places.</p>
<p>Another really good friend is a history major and she loves the department and apparently the professors are great (look up Robert Brigham...). So yay history.</p>
<p>Double majoring is definitely possible and done. I am a double major and I went abroad, so you can do it. It's hard to do a double major if its in the same division but you definitely could with neuro and history...though I think you have to do a thesis for both which might be problematic...</p>
<p>I would like to preface this question by saying: I am sure you must get this alot and I hate to ask it, but I am trying to get a diversity of perspectives.</p>
<p>how about the validity of the gay male stereotype?</p>
<p>There, I did it, done. Sorry and thank you in advance.</p>
<p>I am not exactly sure what you mean by your question, but here are two answers --</p>
<ol>
<li>No, not all the guys are gay. </li>
</ol>
<p>-or-</p>
<ol>
<li>No not all guys are gay like Carson Cresly (Queer Eye) or Jay Emmanuel (ANTM). There are definitely the guys who wear girls pants (okay, they can be straight, too, they're called hipsters) but there are also the gay guys who play sports and are not necessarily effemenate. If that's not what you meant by the gay guy stereotype...then I need more clarification of what you mean, but if that's the case, then probably not :-P</li>
</ol>
<p>sorry for the misunderstanding. I meant the stereotype that Vassar is full of gay men (all types, hopefully). </p>
<p>Thanks for the response!</p>
<p>Eh there's a fair amoung of gay guys on campus, but perhaps its just that they're open about it moreso here than elsewhere because Vassar is very accepting. But no, not all guys are gay. There are straight guys and dating is very possible....</p>
<p>@littleathiest: I don't know much about science departments because I'm more of a social science student but a LOT of my friends are taking bio and chemistry classes for pre-med and the depts seem great. There are also interesting courses in psych, cognitive sci, and neuroscience and behavior; i'd recommend you sign up for one of those classes when you're coming to visit.
The history department is AWESOME!!! I know a lot of people do history majors and 've heard amazing things about different professors in the dept. I myself took 2 history classes so far and loved them. One of them was a freshman course: Readings in US history. I found some of the readings a little dry but the professor made the most out of them and was very good at stimulating class discussions. I'm thinking of doing a correlate (=minor) in history myself just because the dept offers many fascinating courses and great profs. </p>
<p>@edpolicygirl: hey there, what major are you? I have a couple of senior friends and I'm so sad that your class is graduating so soon :(</p>
<p>Hello.. I'm an international consedering to apply to Vassar for fall 2008..</p>
<p>How about the physics and math programs? Do the graduates of these two fields get into top graduate schools.. Well I may be thinking too far ahead(don't know if I could even get in) but it's something I'm taking into account..</p>
<p>Possible to triple major? and do just one thesis for one of the majors.. Far fetched but possible? Thanks.....</p>
<p>Hi edpolicy,</p>
<p>Just asking, what's your impression of the Economics department at vassar? Any classes that are must takes? Haha I'm thinking of double majoring in Econs and English Lit once I go there this Fall.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>JHL -- I have never taken a physics or math class (not my thing) but I have heard of a student triple majoring in math/physics/astronomy since the classes overlap, but I'm not quite sure how he pulled that off and got his division requirements (you have to take at least 8 units outside your major division)...so not sure.</p>
<p>DT -- There are some econ profs who are, eh, (like the one I had for micro) but otherwise I've really enjoyed the few econ classes I've taken. Professor Allen Marco is hillarious and I really enjoyed his class (Law and Econ). So thumbs up to econ. Classes that are must takes? Hmm...it depends on your interest but I think everyone should take Issues in Contemporary Education. I also really enjoyed Women Making Music. But again, up to your tastes...</p>
<p>hey edpolicygirl
i plan on majoring in English and Physics. Is that possible?</p>
<p>food -- Definitely possible to do, two different divisions...</p>
<p>Hmm... how are the daily commodities at Vassar, namely, dorm rooms, bathrooms, and food? Also, in relation to dorms, what are the room options (singles, doubles, triples, etc.)?</p>
<p>In general I've liked the room and board Vassar provides...I lived in Lathrop, Strong, and Noyes in my underclassmen years and each of them had their own pros and cons. Basically Stong and Lathrop are both Quad dorms meaning they have old wood trim and clanking radiators (which gets annoying occasionally), but they retain that old time "class" feel and you can just feel the history there. Lathrop is known for its parties and a friend often complained that Lathrop was "dirty" but I don't know if I necessarily agree with that; people can be inconsiderate and not clean up after themselves in the bathroom and such, but that's true anytime you live with people and share a bathroom with a hall. Strong is all girls and I didn't really enjoy my time there all that much (long story about why I got moved in there, but I essentially spent all my time with my then boyfriend in Noyes anyway) but Strong is very very clean and quiet. Noyes has been called the "ugly" dorm but I consider it my main home on campus. There is a definite "Noyes" smell which every once in a while someone will try to "febreeze" but to me the febreeze makes things worse. Noyes is a semi circle so each room is slightly curved (though only slightly so you don't really notice). Noyes has the LARGEST freshmen doubles which are essentially 2 singles since your closet serves as a divider. The singles are smaller than a lot of the dorms and all one size (so you don't get the benefit of "moving up" to a larger room like you do in other dorms when you are a junior, but it's definitely liveable) I was able to fit a full sized futon in one and it was cozy and homey. The size of rooms in the Quad dorms varies...some are tiny some are huge, it all depends on your draw number what you get. Jewett was redone and finished my freshman year...it's goregous inside but the rooms are small and most have to loft their beds, and their singles are definitely smaller than Noyes' but you get the luxuary of nice, new showers and bathrooms and swankified lounges are such...</p>
<p>As for room options MOST freshmen come in rooming in doubles. Depending on the size of the class and what happens with room draw with the upperclassmen, you may be put into triples. There are also occasionally the 2 room triples and there is a 2 room quad in Main that freshmen get called the "cabinet room" (it has lots of cabinets). Depending on the dorm you get placed in (you can't really switch dorms unless you go through a whole process which changes year to year) you will likely get a single your sophomore year and definitely by your junior year. Strong, for instance, you will definitely get a single sophomore year. Noyes, it's about 50/50. Senior year you live in apartments that are on the periphery of campus (again depending on the size of your class, some people don't get into the apartments and stay in dorms or move off campus). I LOVE my TH because you only share a bathroom with 2 or 3 other people and you have a full kitchen to cook with and you get cable (oh the bane of my existence right now). Oh and you get to choose who you live with for that, and your roommates after freshmen year...</p>
<p>Bathrooms are all coed, I hope you know this by now...No, it's not weird. It is for the first 2 days or so when you realize, "there's a boy in a towel shaving next to me while I brush my teeth, omg!" and then you realize, it's no big deal. It only gets "interesting" when you're showering in a joint shower (that is, the "changing area" is between 2 showers) so you might reach out for your towel and realize someone is there...but you learn how to maneuver it so nothing happens. Yes, even the bathrooms in Strong are coed and there will be guys in there (girls do have boyfriends...).</p>
<p>Food wise, ACDC and the Retreat are the two campus options. You get a hell of a lot more ACDC poitns than Retreat points. I honestly haven't eat in ACDC since fall 2005 since I went abroad and am not a senior. But ACDC is pretty good, it just gets redundant after a while and boring. Some people complain about the food making them sick to their stomachs on occasion, and I've definitely had some "bad" food there, but it's soo much better than other cafeterias I've eaten at. The Retreat is very good, and I eat there a lot even as a senior. Sandwiches, Salads, Grill, Chili (mmm...) but they are smaller and you can't use your points (meal plan) there during lunch since they try to cater to the workers in Main during that time...but you can still use cash and credit card during this time...</p>
<p>Hey - wow, thanks for taking the time to answer questions. I have, uh, some more for ya. What are popular activities on-campus? I know the theatre department is something impressive....</p>
<p>Also, what is the prevalence of illegal drug usage? </p>
<p>...No, I'm not a druggie. I'm pretty sure I'm naive, actually, and that I'll get shocked in college no matter what the level of partying. My interviewer, however, said that there was only one bar oncampus, and it was mostly used as a hang-out spot. So...does that mean all drinkin' and hollerin' is done in dorms?</p>
<p>Also....I'm trying to decide between Amherst, Vassar, and Williams. Sell me on this; how does Vassar work better, in your opinion? I need an accurate pro/con list on the other two.</p>
<p>Thanks ed, for your reply. =)</p>
<p>Women making music sounds pretty cool haha, but I'll see.</p>