Help me! VASSAR or SUNY GENESEO?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I did not visit Vassar College, even after getting in because it was pretty clear that my parents wanted me to go to Geneseo, a state school, for financial reasons. In this last week of deciding, I'll be visiting this Tuesday.</p>

<p>Our EFC is around $30,000.</p>

<p>Vassar gave me $18,000 in scholarship money.
Geneseo gave me nothing, as it costs around $18,000 with room and board.</p>

<p>My parents love me .. almost too much. I had decided on Geneseo for them -- and I like the school. It just does not have the prestige that I guess I always dreamed about and it is 6 hours away from home (I live in Long Island, New York). </p>

<p>I attend a private Catholic school on a half scholarship - so we pay $3500 here. Next year, my brother will be a freshman in here and so that will be $7000. My sister is currently in Catholic elementary school. I am the brightest of the three and parents have told me that because of my potential and intelligence that it would "all be alright" if they sacrificed and sent me to Vassar.</p>

<p>It's still my decision in the end. I've already gotten used to the idea of Geneseo -- I have a few friends coming with me, I've been chatting online with some accepted students.</p>

<p>I am an Asian American female. First generation. I have a weighted 101+ average and I'm in the top 2% of my class. I guess that it's been expected of me to go to a "big name" school but I know that fit is most important. I'm scared that Vassar won't fit, and I'm also scared that it might be too competitive maybe and that coming from a middle class family, I wouldn't really fit in with the student body.</p>

<p>I am an undecided major, but I have been considering English secondary education. I am passionate about theatre and would like to pursue a minor in it or at least perform in student productions. I would make the most of wherever I go.</p>

<p>Is Vassar worth it? Please, please help me.</p>

2

<p>I would give Vassar a year. If it does not suit you, then transfer to SUNY Geneseo. I encourage you to try Vassar. There is a big difference between Vassar and Geneseo. If you don’t, I think you will regret it.</p>

<p>I think you will fit in just fine.</p>

3

<p>These 2 schools are not even in the same league, and if this is your thought

GO TO VASSAR and run, do not walk, to the powerhouse theater. Good luck!!!
<a href=“http://powerhouse.vassar.edu/[/url]”>http://powerhouse.vassar.edu/&lt;/a&gt; The English dept is incredible, and you can get certified in secondary ed as well. Go to Vassar, especially with the scholarship $</p>

4

<p>Your visit is essential to making this decision. Name recognition should not be a sole consideration for an unknown major. Both schools have great reps for quality education. Your visit can give you insight to fit as far as student body ect although a single visit can tell only so much. But if it comes down to quality/ value Geneseo is a good bet. Assuming Vassar @ $50,000/yr less $18,000 that is a sizable $128,000 out of pocket vs $72,000 at Geneseo for a net $56,000 out of pocket over 4 years. Is a so called " big name" school worth that?</p>

5

<p>Its getting a little late to visit, so if you want to, you’d best hurry. Schools are heading into finals. Some schools are alroeady lettign out for the year, though those that started after Labor day are probably going into mid-late May. Vassar’s student body is a very eclectic mix. You’ll fit in just fine. Do consider cost, but the education and theater opportunities at Vassar are incredible.</p>

6

<p>Thank you everyone. It’s likely I will go to Vassar unless I absolutely hate the visit. More input is very much appreciated!</p>

7

<p>I have to agree that a visit is really important. Vassar is a great school and the people who go there absolutely love it. But it’s not for everyone, the friends I have there fit into a certain mold of very eccentric, liberal, and extremely smart. But, I also have friends there who are “middle class” like you described yourself–I don’t think it’s a school where people really care how much money you have.</p>

<p>Don’t go there for the prestige. Picking a school based on its name isn’t a good way to go about it. Visit, meet some of the student body, see what life in Poughkeepsie is like. If you REALLY love it, maybe it’s worth the debt.</p>

8

<p>I think you should look out for numero uno and head straight to Vassar. First come, first serve… your parents can send you bro and sis to SUNY schools.</p>

9

<p>Son graduated from Vassar, did not fit the eccentric, liberal, arty mold. He is Catholic, athletic, somewhat traditional and majored in Biology. In spite of differences between himself and some of his classmates, he loved Vassar. You learn to get along with people from all walks of life, a great lesson in college. </p>

<p>Don’t worry about the middle class vs. wealthy issue, it won’t matter there. English and Theatre are two of the best programs. So glad you are visiting, so you can judge for yourself.</p>

<p>Your grades and class standing are very impressive, but I am even more impressed that you are taking your family situation into account in making your decision. If you honestly feel that this financial burden is too much for your family, then head off to SUNY Genesco and make the most of your time there. College is four years, family is forever.</p>

10

<p>Vassar is not worth the extra cost.</p>

11

<p>Personally, I would visit and see how it goes. Sure, Vassar has some more “name recognition” but both are great schools and you are definitely able to succeed at both. You might love Vassar, or it could be a terrible fit. </p>

<p>Know that Geneseo will be able to offer you many opportunities also. And for much less money. </p>

<p>The choice is definitely yours.<br>
Take everything into account (money, your impression, "fit), EXCEPT for “name-value”.</p>

12

<p>If you want to teach high school English, it doesn’t make sense to me to go to such a high powered,expensive prestigious school - the return on investment just isn’t there. And being an actor or in the theater is unlikely to earn you alot of money either - the joke of "what do you call an actor? Waiter! " is unfortunately more true than not. </p>

<p>If you want to do something that Vassar will help you do better than SUNY Genesco, then it might be worth it to go for it! But only if that thing doesn’t involve an expensive graduate school.</p>

<p>Don’t just buy prestige, it can be expensive and not worth it, especially if it costs money you don’t have.</p>

13

<p>Just think, that chick from Mamma Mia and Doubt, Meryl Streep, went to Vassar… wouldn’t it be cool to do theatre at her alma mater?</p>

14

<p>Lisa Kudrow, Anne Hathaway and Justin Long all went to Vassar.</p>

15

<p>You have only 4 more days ?? to decide. If you have not visit it yet, it might be too late to schedule a visit. In fact, the last day to reserve a class is Thursday, April 23. My feeling is that you have to decide, together with your family, whether Vassar is worth the extra 60,000. You are the one who will pay the bill. Will you happen with your decision?</p>

<p>Both are great schools. You will not go wrong with either one.</p>

16

<p>Thank you all for the input! I’m visiting tomorrow.</p>

17

<p>How was the visit? Have you decided where you want to go? If I were you, I would go to Vassar. We visited Vassar last spring. I was very impressed with the facility but my S did not apply. I would not recommend it if you have to pay 200K to go to Vassar. 60K is a lot of money but it is only about 1 year of a high school teacher salary (1 1/2 of NYC teacher salary). You would meet more interesting people from different states and the world. The class size is probable smaller. The teachers are likely more engaging.</p>

<p>Of course, this is just my humble opinion. :)</p>

18

<p>t1388 – Just remember that the 60K is before interest. The actual amount to be paid back will be much higher. Also, while in a few well-to-do parts of NYS a starting teacher might earn $50K plus, most public school districts in NY pay far less to new high school teachers. Upstate districts – which, along with NYC, is where more of the jobs are – typically pay a starting teacher $35K or so (maybe a little more for math and science teachers).</p>

19

<p>I agree and that is why I would not suggest her to go to Vassar if she needs a 200K loan. Nevertheless I think 60K is manageable, even with a poor teacher salary. :slight_smile: I am very sure that the starting salary is approximately 44K for a NYC public school teacher without a Master degree. I has to assume that the wealthy suburban schools pay much more. Hence I guess it would be more than 60K.</p>

<p>The point is that Vassar gives her an opportunity to see the world outside of New York State. I think Geneseo is a great school but most of students are from New York. Will she want to spend the next 4 years with the students from the same high school, town or state? Vassar gives her the chance to meet students form other parts of the world. There is also possibilities that she meets some interesting teachers or students that would change her mind. Instead of going to teaching, perhaps she would find her calling in Vassar. She will get this break in Geneseo too but it is probable more easy in Vassar.</p>

<p>The bottom line is that If Geneseo is her only choice, I would recommend it highly. If she can go to Vassar without incur a lot of debt, I think she has to evaluate the case carefully. Is it worth to spend 60K to see the world and challenging minds? Only she can tell. She just visited Vassar and should make a decision accordingly.</p>

20

<p>$60,000 is definitely manageable; it depends on the kind of jobs that you’re doing, but it’s reasonable to expect to make $60,000 as a college graduate in certain fields.</p>

<p>I don’t think Vassar will give you an opportunity to “see the world” outside of NYS anymore than Geneseo would. You might meet more <i>people</i> from different parts of the country, but that’s hardly the same thing, and I’ll warrant that it’s overrated. I went to a school where 80% of the students were out-of-state students and it only mattered the first year, when everyone was getting used to being there.</p>

<p>College is largely what you make it – generally speaking, SUNY-Geneseo and Vassar have similar opportunities for her. She has just as much a chance of changing her mind and finding a different calling at SUNY as at Vassar – just as she may stick to her dream of being a teacher.</p>

<p>I also agree that it is the rare teacher who gets paid $60,000 to start. Starting salaries are usually between $35-40K.</p>