Hello all, I’ve been admitted to both schools (yes, I know Vassar hasn’t officially come out) and I like them both. I’m planning to major in something related to political science/public policy. Anyone have any advice as far as picking? I’m not used to the cold at all, which could be a major shock at Middlebury, and I live in a large city so the isolation may also be hard to deal with. That said, I think a lot of people would say Middlebury’s academics are better.
How so?
FWIW, they are ranked pretty closely.
Middlebury has an especially strong rep in a couple areas (foreign languages, environmental science) but overall they seem to be very close. I don’t think the climate will be all that different, either.
The biggest differences may be in the campus cultures and relative isolation.
Have you done overnight visits to both?
They are both exceptional schools. Middlebury is more highly ranked and has one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. It has an emphasis on athletics and the students there are generally of the healthy and outdoorsy vibe.
Vassar is in Poughkeepsie which isn’t particularly exciting but the Hudson Valley is beautiful and the campus is an easy train ride away from NYC.
If the isolation of Middlebury is a concern Vassar would be a better choice.
They are both fantastic schools. Congratulations!
They are both wonderful schools. Pick whichever you like more.
At that level, the minute differences in rank do not really make a difference in terms of the quality of the teaching or the student body. My husband went to Vassar and I went to Williams. Williams may have been a little harder to get into both then and now, but so what? Our experiences were very similar and equally wonderful. We had great, accessible professors and fabulous discussions with peers in class and in the dorms/ dining halls. Our college friends are equally brilliant, accomplished, and, more importantly, intellectually oriented/ curious and really friendly and nice!
It sounds like you are leaning towards Vassar except for the US News ranking issue (they are ranked right next to each other on the Forbes ranking list with Vassar actually one spot higher). If that is true, pick Vassar. Otherwise, maybe you should visit both Vassar and Middlebury again and see which “feels” better to you. I would be equally happy for my child to attend either one (or another similar college) someday.
Middlebury has the best language programs if your interest in political science is in international relations. Otherwise, they are both strong in your fields of interest.
You can’t go wrong - both are great. But if the students are not “your tribe” you will spend four years not feeling at home. Do an overnight, go to a couple classes; you’ll know after that.
Both places are very cold, so that is a non-issue. Vassar is unquestionably a little more arty and creative. Middlebury is raked higher and well-known for its language program. If you want a college with a more creative vibe, go for Vassar. If you are into the outdoorsy scene, go for Mid. Both campuses are gorgeous. Vassar is of course a train ride from NYC, so that may or may not factor in for you. Both are excellent schools. You are spilt for choice.
Poughkeepsie, at about 7 degrees warmer than Middlebury, would be significantly warmer:
Average January Low (F)
Poughkeepsie: 16.6
Middlebury: 9.8
Vassar’s students tend to enter slightly more academically prepared to the extent this can measured by standardized scoring (34th nationally, compared to Middlebury’s 46th):
http://www.businessinsider.com/smartest-colleges-in-america-2015-9
As opinion, Vassar’s students tend to be intellectual, and their political science offerings seem to be excellent.
I am biased. Both are great schools. Vassar is wonderful. How do you know you are in?
Midd students are more oriented towards outdoor recreation, like hiking, skiing, or sports. The school operates its own ski area. For 2015, Midd had 839 participants on men’s and women’s sports teams (out of 2,500 total enrollment), and those athletes tend to be successful (at the D3 level). You can go to football games and cheer for Midd vs. Williams or Amherst.
Vassar tends to attract more urbane students, who enjoy visiting NYC, have a sophisticated appreciation of the arts, and don’t care that their school has no football team. In 2015, Vassar had only 430 athletes (out of 2,407 total), and they generally aren’t at the same level as those at Midd.
The rankings don’t matter at this level. Go for fit.
If you get into Vassar I’d suggest that if possible you re-visit both schools before making a decision. IMO they have somewhat different vibes so choose the school that is the best fit for you.
I think this is a very good description. My son is a senior at Vassar has been involved in theater projects even though not a drama student. They go into NY on a regular basis and he is interested in literature, art and movies and especially food but doesn’t even know the rules of football and probably not the difference between an extra point or a field goal. I would mention that the housing at Vassar is tremendous and the senior apartment system is under appreciated untill you get there. But Vassar is basically in the Catskill mountains and there are outdoor activities that students take advantage of. I have never run into an athlete at Vassar but I understand they are a close knit community. Also Poughkeepsie is very centrally located and if you have a car everything is within reach Massachusetts, NYC, NJ, Connecticut, even Philly or DC, nothing is to far off. He had a car junior year and drove to Boston, Yale, New Jersey, and Hudson valley. Plenty of parking available as many students never got their licenses. Vermont is a beautiful state but don’t know a lot about middlebury