<p>I'm looking for colleges like Vassar, with qualities like:</p>
<p>-Beautiful campus/great facilities
-I'm interested in economics and fine arts/art history
-Possibly somewhere with strong or improving sciences departments (i.e. new sciences building or curriculum)
-Any 3+2 or 4+1 engineering programs with universities
-Not too rural (i.e. not in middle of cornfield), access to cultural resources in nearby town or city
-Liberal, friendly student population, accepting community, diverse (more internationals)
-Similar selectivity</p>
<p>How do the likes of Wes, Kenyon, Haverford, Oberlin, Bard, Macalester compare?</p>
<p>DS 14 was admitted to Wes and Vassar, it was close they are both similar but different, if you know what I mean, I’d say Wesleyan university is very close to Vassar and if you get into either, you’ll get into both.</p>
<p>All of those schools are somewhat similar, though Wesleyan would definitely be the most comparable. The schools have practically identical admission profiles/selectivity/student stats and from what I’ve heard, similar vibe on campus. Wesleyan also has 3+2 engineering programs with Columbia and CalTech. </p>
<p>You can’t go wrong with any of the schools you listed.</p>
<p>@smartalic I was under the same impression. After my visit to both colleges though, I was less impressed than Wesleyan. The environment struck me as being less academically intense and athletics seem to play a much greater role in campus life (recruits, guides less well-spoken etc). Do you know how strong fine arts is at Wesleyan? </p>
<p>Vassar, Wes, and Kenyon are the strongest in economics of the schools listed, and Vassar is by far the strongest in art history (the only comparable school out there is Williams). Vassar has its massive integrated science center nearing completion, so the sciences can only get stronger there. I feel that at the moment, Wes’ is slightly stronger in terms of chemistry and physics, but Vassar is stronger in biology and is considered the best school out there for astronomy (Vassar’s first professor when the college was founded was a famous astronomer, so there’s a history). In terms of diversity, at least socio-economically Vassar and Amherst seem to be the best. Vassar also has an increasing % of international students. </p>
Wesleyan’s studio art program is very highly regarded; dance is extremely popular. My suspicion is that were Vassar to admit about 100 additional male applicants a year, it too would begin to see a rise in athletics.</p>
<p>“Any 3+2 or 4+1 engineering programs with universities”</p>
<p>Virtually all LACs have an ‘arrangement’ of this sort, but it’s not really an arrangement because you still, most of the times, have to go through a separate process that does not guarantee admission and does not have financial aid. I highly recommend you don’t have this as a factor and that, if you are seriously considering engineering, you go to a school that actually has engineering (LACs like Swarthmore, Lafayette, Union do have engineering).</p>
<p>–</p>
<p>How about Sarah Lawrence? Wesleyan is really great for physics, if you’re into that. Bard and Kenyon are rural.</p>
<p>@international95 I take these into account because there are certain colleges that I can really see myself at that don’t offer engineering, and other colleges which do but I don’t like. I am not seriously considering engineering, but it is one possible path. </p>
<p>I will look into Sarah Lawrence. Are they known for any programs other than the arts (my impression)? How is Oberlin’s location compared to Kenyon’s? I haven’t had a chance to visit. </p>
<p>You could just major in a hard science and get a master’s degree in engineering, then, so you really do not need to limit yourself to 3:2 possibilities. Are you considering majors in econ/art history or are you open to majoring in physics and chemistry?</p>
<p>Sarah Lawrence is great for the social sciences and psychology as well. SLC has a very distinct curriculum indeed.</p>
<p>You could ask that question in Oberlin/Kenyon’s forum. I haven’t visited either, but my impression is that Kenyon is more rural than Oberlin, although Oberlin’s location is pretty blah too.</p>
<p>Oberlin College is surrounded by the small town of Oberlin, which is surrounded by farms but is only about 15 minutes from Elyria (the edge of the Cleveland metro). Kenyon surrounds the super-small town of Gambier (which is basically just a street), which is surrounded by miles and miles and miles of farms. While it’s less than an hour from Columbus, Kenyon feels a lot more rural. Oberlin’s campus is o.k., but pales in comparison to Kenyon’s (as does just about every other campus that we toured). </p>
<p>Kenyon College is set on a hill, located in a small forest and is extremely lovely. Like the best summer camp imaginable. Yes, it is rural. It is also spacious.</p>
<p>You pretty much have to go to Columbus for anything interesting to do off campus.</p>
<p>In other words, Kenyon itself is nearly perfect. It feels more like you are in England (or New England or upstate New York) than in Ohio. Yet you better love being on campus or in the village of Gambier.</p>
<p>I am not a Kenyon grad (but my dad is) and my knowledge is limited to visiting for sporting events and other special occasions. I have been to Kenyon about ten times; a couple of lectures by prominent writers, baseball and football games, etc…</p>
<p>Kenyon’s facilities, in general, are outstanding. At least everything is in good condition and well maintained. As far as science goes, Kenyon seems well above average but I would suggest that you explore that more in depth; focusing on which ever science you are interested in. I hear that their lab faciilites are very good, but have not looked into it myself.</p>