<p>So in the fall, Vassar was without a doubt my top college choice. However, come spring, I was waitlisted and therefore decided to attend Connecticut College. I've grown to love the school even more than I did when I was applying, and I've already signed up for classes and basically planned out all the classes I want to take for the next four years! </p>
<p>BUT THEN
Yesterday Vassar decides to email me accepting me off of the waitlist. I am now so torn between staying at Conn or switching to Vassar. If anyone has ANY advice, especially in terms of quality of professors and classes at each school, PLEASE help. For example, I've read through all courses in the departments I enjoy at both colleges, and Conn seems to have much more specific and interesting classes, which surprises me considering Vassar is higher ranked! If it helps, I am interested in English and Psychology but also want to become fluent in Spanish. </p>
<p>Vassar’s English department is very strong; one of it’s best, and best-known, departments. Conn’s English is good, but doesn’t come close. Vassar is more diverse than Conn, and (for what it’s worth), has considerably higher academic rankings (e.g., US News). Vassar’s endowment is multiples larger than Conn’s. From an academic view, Vassar tops Conn, probably. But for “fit”: that’s a personal choice you’ll have to ponder, and fast! Vassar gives like 48 hours for you to decide. Good luck!</p>
<p>yes I have until Monday so it is extremely stressful! My two best friends are actually attending Marist and therefore would be only a few minutes away which is a major pull towards Vassar but I am trying not to let that influence me too much! It seems that Vassar is in general considered a better school, I think I am just nervous to take this leap of faith and leave behind everything I’ve already done to get ready for Conn!</p>
<p>Go for the best! It sounds like there would be no question if you were accepted at both schools initially . Therefore, must treat this as an initial acceptance and put any effort placed into Conn aside. If after thinking about both schools in that light you are leaning toward Conn ( doubt) enroll. Otherwise, go to Vassar! All the best!</p>
<p>The rankings are stupid and based on inputs rather than outputs. You will not be more employable or have a better chance of getting into grad school because you go to Vassar. Both schools have strong faculty and a commitment to teaching undergraduates. Both schools will get you where you need to go, assuming you work hard and push yourself.</p>
<p>D enrolled at Wellesley, and was offered admission to Vassar from its waitlist in May. She made the decision swiftly to shift gears and attend Vassar. She intends to major in English, btw. She’s not looking back. Go for it! Keep us posted.</p>
<p>While course offerings can obviously be an important factor, I would be careful about making a decision as to which college to attend based on course descriptions in a catalog. With one child graduated and one heading into his second year (both at Vassar) I would say that the description of a class bears little relation to it’s quality. It has often been the most generic sounding classes that have been the best. When my older child was deciding what school to go to I remember commenting about how interesting the classes sounded at one school and someone remarking that that’s all marketing. If this is a deciding factor for you, be sure you know how often those classes are offered.</p>
<p>I agree with chris’mom. I made the mistake of staying on campus one semester when I was supposed to be in Paris because of a one-time course offering that sounded fabulous. It was horrible! One of the biggest mistakes of my college career. I did get an “A” in the class, but I’d have preferred all “B’s” from a semester in Paris. Don’t fall for the marketing. I can say first-hand that Vassar profs generally love teaching undergrads and you will get close to many of them over four years. Both schools are probably nearly equal academically, so I’d go with the one that seems the best fit.</p>
<p>Connecticut sounds like a great school and you would have both been happy there and would have done well there (if you worked hard). However re-reading your old posts and seeing that you initially loved Amherst and Brown it seems that Vassar is the better choice. It is higher ranked, it’s true, but more importantly it really does have a lot to offer. Not that Conn doesn’t, but for example, there is a large Spanish speaking community in Poughkeepsie and it would be easy to do an internship. It is also close to the commuter rail and you could go to NYC for day trips. It has programs similar to Conn’s such as study abroad and partnerships with other schools but its name is better known. Did you count the number of faculty – not courses – in the two English dep’ts?Either way you are going to attend a fantastic school come this fall. Congratulations!</p>
<p>thank you everyone! I think I am seriously over-thinking the entire process. I tend to try and plan out my life way ahead of time and I guess Conn gives me the safety of already having some steps planned out. However it might be good for me to take the risk and redo everything by switching over to Vassar. Does anyone have any opinions on the student body at Vassar? I’ve heard everything from very easy-going and accepting to extremely arrogant and overly eccentric. While I love out-there indie music and am very very liberal, i’m not really hippy leaning or an extreme activist.</p>
<p>eplatt13: My D was lucky when she was called off the waiting list: Vassar students were still there, so we scooted up to Poughkeepsie, and hung out for the day, soaking in the atmosphere. That was key, but you won’t have that luxury. However, you have this resource: scour CC past postings over the last few years about both Vassar and Conn. Visit other websites like this. There"s a lot of data on “fit” out there. Both colleges are good schools, and you’ll be ok in the end whichever you choose.</p>
<p>Psychology Vassar grad here. Wondeful program. English Dept is also top notch. Very close working relationship with the faculty. Excellent programs. Cant go wrong!</p>
<p>Vassar is a great school to do a double major and also have a correlate (minor). S1 graduated with a double major and a minor. Since Vassar has very few ‘distribution’ requirements, it is easy to double major. Check the two schools out from that perspective. Conn may have more ‘requirements’ to fill. Since you like to plan things out, it is important to attend the school that will give you the flexibility to do what you want to do. </p>
<p>People at Vassar are very accepting of each other and there all all types of people and music on campus. Plenty of music lovers on campus, in fact, the music concerts both formal and informal are well attended and supported by students, faculty, community people etc.</p>
<p>I can’t say which is better. And I can’t say which is the better fit. But let me say this - there is something to be said for going to someplace that wanted you from the beginning.</p>
<p>With all due respect GolfFather, I disagree: in the long run it’s what the student wants, not what some anonymous person on the admissions staff whom the student will never meet, wants. My D asked me that question: “does coming off the waiting list make me a second-class citizen?” Answer: resoundingly “No.” It’s where you end up, and what choices you have at the end of the day (or admissions season…) that matters. Whether or not you got off the waiting list or not will fade very quickly once the reality and excitement of being on campus takes hold. Courting a college is not like courting a person: use your heart and head, but put aside romantic myths and slights.</p>
<p>^ I don’t think GolfFather was insinuating any of that … He was just making the point that Vassar is the school the OP wanted from the beginning, so there is something great in attending the very school he/she had hoped to.</p>
<p>I say go with the school that you are more excited about; don’t let comfort and fear of starting over with the registration process decide the next four years of your life.</p>
<p>First, congrats to eplatt13; you will be very happy, I’m certain! Second, rainingdaisies is right - I misread GF’s statement; so as Emily Litella on SNL used to say (I’m dating myself), “never mind”. Again, eplatt 13, good luck. Would you mind sharing what made you decide?</p>