Hamilton was #25 in 1989, since then has never been below that ranking, and has been #21 or higher since 1999, but that isn’t my focus here.
Far too many talk about “back in the day” as if it has any relevance to today’s incredibly selective environment at these top LAC’s - a combination of greater awareness nationally, a huge increase in accessibility for students with demonstrated need, many more international applications, and no expansion in the size of these schools means everything has changed.
And at the same time, far too many highly qualified students are being told they have a great chance at LAC’s with 20% or lower acceptance rates, and as a result are either getting to optimistic or are applying to far too few targets (schools with 30%+ acceptance rates) and safeties where one would be truly happy if that was the only outcome.
CC threads this year, much like last, are rittled with applicants that were denied or waitlisted almost every, and in some cases everywhere with a gap year as the only option - this makes little sense IMHO.
I could say the same about my acceptance to Wash U in the 1980’s - I can’t imagine clearing that bar today. That said, it’s also irrelevant 30 years later.
Regarding rankings, as a comparison Middlebury was #17 in 1989 and Wesleyan was #6, so rankings within these top schools certainly move around.
Regarding shoo-ins, your results were as good as shoo-ins for Brandeis and Macalester, and that’s a nice accomplishment for now, @illiteratemoron. Stay excited about your visits to these two schools, and good luck with Vassar as well!
I’ve been doing a lot of reading about the two schools and I don’t know how I’m gonna choose. The worst things I can seem to find about Mac or Brandeis seems to be “too cold” and “ugly” respectively, neither of which are like actual hangups (I spent a good part of my summer at Georgetown so I think Im used to the whole bad food ugly campus thing, that brutalist library oof). Any ideas for how to choose? They even cost about the same.
Do an overnight at both. Schedule to attend an English class and a class in your major (easy to compare). Visit the library to see if it’s conducive to study, the gym to see whether it’s welcoming to all abilities or more of a ‘show off’ place, eat in the cafeteria not just for the food but to see if students are social. …
We probably visited a total of 25 campuses over three years, coast to coast and in-between. My daughter and I both really liked Mac for the kind, smart students, its commitment to diversity, community service, and global citizenship, and the attractive campus and surrounding neighborhood. The dorms are average (older but rooms are bigger). The food was alright - pretty typical dining hall fare. We did not visit in the winter, so I can’t speak to the cold. Of the schools to which she applied, it was in the top 3.
We didn’t visit Brandeis. I do know that it is larger and that the campus is kind of meh. You will also find smart, engaged students there.
If it’s possible to visit, I think that would really help. The classroom visits are key - how involved are the students? What is the interaction with professors like? How challenging and interesting is the material? If you can’t visit, spend some quality time with the course catalogs. If the lineup excites you and you find it difficult to choose among many enticing options, that says something.
Bottom line, either is a great choice. Keeping my fingers crossed for you for Vassar! (love that library)
I’d caution not to make your decision based on one class. I had professors who were amazing and the ocassional snoozer all in the same department.
When you go to each campus leave time to wander around and observe people. Do they greet each other? Are there students talking with faculty? Are the groups of people racially mixed or segregated? Do they seem segregated by type (jock with jocks, skinny pretty girls with skinny pretty girls, international students with internationals)? Where do people hang out-one central area or many smaller corners? Which if any of these favors matter to you, and which answers do you prefer?
Don’t even worry about the pretty or ugly buildings!! Think where you can flourish the most as a person!
Anyway, we visited Brandeis. Yes, the buildings were meh, but my D really liked the vibrant student body.
Good luck on your selection!
Consider if you would prefer a mid-size university or a LAC.
You can read up on the schools. Here are a few ideas:
look at both school’s websites closely – look at your areas of interest and what courses are offered, look at general ed requirements to see if there is a big difference, read about some professors in your area of interest etc.
read some of the good college guide books (ex. Fiske, Princeton Review, Insiders Guide) which can often be found in the guidance office or a library,
look online for the student newspapers to try to get a flavor for what is going on around campus
Read about the areas they are located in and see if you have a preference. Consider if transportation would be easier/cheaper for one versus the other.
Just got denied from Vassar which sucks as always, but it was my last decision so i’m free!! I honestly have no idea what I did wrong- on paper I was in the range for all 7 of the places I applied, and not one of them took me. I think I’m leaning towards Mac rn anyway (if I hadn’t gotten stuck in the presteige mindset I honestly would have ED’d its amazing.
Good mindset! Enjoy making a choice and don’t look back! Just remember, they just didn’t need anymore Tuba players. Sometimes that’s all it comes down to.
Nice to hear it’s a top choice. Think of it this way-you applied to lots of reach schools which didn’t work out. You could have applied to many more match or likely schools and come away with a lot more yeses, but you would have ended up in the same place, with two great acceptances and a final decision to attend an amazing school!
Mac is amazing. On top of all the school has to offer, its location is a real plus IMO. The ability to walk off campus to lots of local businesses is a real plus and something you’ll appreciate during your 4 years. Also, being in a large metroplex will be great for internships and jobs.
Will you go spend an overnight?
Mac is one of the best urban neighborhoods I know. It’s fun, lots of shops, restaurants, a bookstore, a cinema… And great transportation to go further into the cities.
You did nothing wrong! In your case, the system worked exactly as it should. You were guided towards the school that should have been your first choice all along. If you had gotten accepted to one of the more “prestigious” schools, with your mindset, you might very well have missed this opportunity. Maybe its just luck, but maybe the admissions process worked exceptionally well and the school that was right for you got you. In any case, congrats!