Hi all,
I’m strongly considering applying ED to midd, but I also like Vassar. I’ve visited Midd but not Vassar. I really like Middlebury, and I want to study Japanese and Environmental Science (probably). However, I’m more of a musical/creative person and less varsity athlete vibe. I’m very much appreciative of the outdoors though.
I feel like I have to visit Vassar in order to really decide that I like Midd over everything else.
The main things that make Vassar a close contender is that it’s :
Academically, Middlebury would be excellent for Japanese and environmental studies. Its offerings in creative fields such as theatre and dance should also not be under-regarded. However, Vassar would seem to be the school to beat in this comparison in terms of the atmosphere you are seeking. As stated above, you will know more after you have visited both.
Two wonderful choices! You can’t go wrong here, since they have more in common than different: a small selective liberal arts college, with all those advantages: friendly and close-knit community, small classes, close relationships with professors, diverse smart classmates, good alumni network, etc. They are also, IMO, possibly the two most beautiful campuses!
They have a slightly different “feel,” but the differences are not vast. I think the stereotypical differences in the types of students who favor each school exist in reality to some extent, but apply to only some of the students at each place; the bulk of students at each school would be perfectly comfortable going to the other college. There is a range of personality types and interests at each college.
Questions to ask yourself as you explore:
What do you think of your areas of interest at each school?
Do you prefer a suburban/small city environment or a rural environment?
How did you feel about the vibe at each school when you visited?
You will find plenty of creative artsy types at Midd (and look at those gorgeous facilities for the arts there!), although of course these types are a Vassar stereotype. And if you want to experience Middelbury’s fabled language program but would rather attend Vassar otherwise, you could attend the summer language immersion program at Midd one summer.
Definitely visit Vassar.
You could always apply to one ED1 and apply to the other for ED2 or RD if you are not admitted to your first choice.
When you visit Vassar - try to listen to a rehearsal of a music group like the orchestra or chorus. The level of music is high and there are opportunities for everyone who wants to participate in the music program and in other musical groups on campus. If music is important to you, it would be worth a trip back to Midd to hear one of their music groups also.
As someone finishing up their freshman year a Vassar:
We’re not particularly known for enviro or Japanese, but the kids I know who study these subjects really enjoy them. I sometimes would see a Japanese club/group meet at the Deece to practice speaking and even cook some Japanese food! Vassar being easier to get to is, in my eyes, a big plus. Middlebury is really out there. But I wouldn’t get to excited about NYC because it is more inconvenient to go than you might think. This is because it can be annoying to get to the Poughkeepsie train station, especially because, if you don’t have a car, you’ll have to pass through dangerous areas of Poughkeepsie to get there. There is a free/cheap school-sponsored bus to the city once or twice a semester, but it fills up quickly. I only went down there when I had to pass through to get home. A lot of people say Vassar is more “artsy.” I don’t think this is wrong, but it’s not quite right. I think Middlebury is certainly more preppy, but I think Vassar is more “that annoying kid who uses tumblr” or “that kid who only owns Kanken bags, crop tops, and baggy sweaters.” Like people look kinda artsy, but they’re not really that different. I do think, however, that the Vassar students who are into team sports truly live in a different world from the rest of us.
I know a lot of people who have been split between the two schools. If I were you, I’d would just look at the curricula for the subjects you are interested in and ease of transportation. Vassar and Middlebury are so similar. You will enjoy either one.
Good luck!
@mghxer: Interesting post. Enlightening observation: “…the Vassar students who are into team sports truly live in a different world from the rest of us.”
P.S. Curious, though, as to what makes part of Poughkeepsie dangerous ?
^Not sure that the team sports comment applies to all athletes. A relative of ours is a recent Vassar grad. He was on the swim team, as well as active in other activities, including news, while at Vassar. He loved Vassar and felt very much a part of the school! And his Vassar friends at his recent wedding participated in all sorts of things while they were at Vassar. He certainly was not ‘separate’ from the rest of his classmates in any way.
He is now a successful reporter for a well-known news organization.
@Publisher I wouldn’t say that part of Poughkeepsie is that dangerous. Yeah, I wouldn’t want to walk it alone, at night. But, it’s really no worse than much of rust belt America. It’s also not especially close. Most kids cage rides from someone or take an Uber to get to the train station.
Sorry, I don’t think I have quite enough information to answer you for sure. But, in our kids four years there, he never described any crime at all. However, it is very true that most Vassar kids stay on campus for the large majority of their time. By choice, they love their bubble, haha.