Hi everyone! I was hoping I could get some advice on choosing between the program at Gallatin and traditional top liberal arts schools (Pomona, Vassar, Bowdoin). What initially drew me to both were:
- flexible curriculum
- opportunities for internships
- small class sizes/close relationships to professors
I have a strong affinity for big cities (for exploring +opportunities) which is why I could narrow my LAC choices down to those with some degree of access to the city (Pomona to LA, Vassar to NYC, Bowdoin to Portland/Boston). I also find the Gallatin program to be very appealing, but am concerned with its prestige and academic rigor. I’m premed, hoping to major in psychology and literature, so name recognition is somewhat important for the med school application process I’m guessing. I also love how close-knit and welcoming the LAC communities are… The thing that keeps me hung up on Gallatin though is NYC. I could get involved with internships and the artistic/literary community which isn’t needed but a big plus.
SO basically what I’m asking is
- are there any stats on the successes of Gallatin students applying to med school?
- how is the classroom/social environment of Gallatin compared to other LACs? are the students as disconnected as some claim NYU students to be?
- of the three, Pomona, Vassar, and Bowdoin, which would be the best (location-wise) for someone who loves the city?
Thank you all in advance!!
Pomona, Vassar and Bowdoin are not urban at all. Bowdoin and Vassar would be on the rural side, while Pomona would be suburban.
As a student at NYU, your experience and success afterwards is going to be what you make of it. There are plenty of opportunities for internship and even work experience which can set you up for your plans post graduation (med school). If you don’t slack off and take advantage of what is right in front of you, you can definitely go far.
Vassar is not rural. It’s in Poughkeepsie, which is definitely a city. The city has seen better times, but it does offer lots of opportunities for internships (journalism, music, public interest lawyering, etc) Marist is there as is the Culinary Institute, which makes for fun dining experiences with parents when they visit. It’s also across the river from New Paltz, an arty town, and a short jaunt by car to Mohonk Mountain House, a wonderful old-fashioned resort for day or overnights. Rheinbeck, another arty town, is nearby. Poughkeepsie is also a stop on the commuter line out of NYC and it’s also an Amtrak stop. This means there are ample easy ways to get into the City for interviews, internships, and cultural events. Also, Amtrak allows you to head north and elsewhere. In addition, there’s a farm associated with Vassar so that the campus doesn’t feel urban.
@Dustyfeathers it is misleading to say to someone not familiar with NY that Vassar is vaguely urban or has real proximity to NYC for internships. Yes, it is close enough to travel into the city for the day and to interview for a summer internship, but I would never recommend it as a location close enough to the city for commuting. My husband and I traveled back and forth several times this year between NYC and Poughkeepsie for an art show NYU d was in and it was quite far.
Vassar has a beautiful self contained campus. But it is not urban nor is the surrounding area. As a matter of fact many NYers attend because it is away from the city and does have a very sheltered feel.
@uskoolfish agreed to commute for an internship is not practical, even though it is on the end of the commuter train line to NYC. I realize in re-reading my post that it implies a daily commute for internships from Poughkeepsie. I didn’t intend that and thank you for pointing this out. People do commute from Poughkeepsie! Just as they commute from as far away as Philly to the City, or from as far away New Haven. They are also doing so probably because of extenuating circumstances and life choices, but there are enough of them for commuter trains between Poughkeepsie and NYC, and between New Haven and NYC, and out into New Jersey just as far. It’s possible, but not recommended. Each direction is about 90 minutes.
Also, it should be made clear that Vassar is in Poughkeepsie and Poughkeepsie is very much a city. It has city issues–and opportunities for internships and work, as a result. Vassar is self-contained, away from the downtown area of Poughkeepsie, in an area that looks more suburban. It’s away from the city issues, but there are still internships in Poughkeepsie and other things that Vassar students should and do participate in as part of that community.
The Vassar campus is simply stunning. That library…! However, it does not have a city or even urban feel at all IMO. There is a small campus town adjacent to the campus with pizza, etc. Poughkeepsie may be a “city” in the technical sense of the word but the campus and immediately surrounding area feels bucolic and sleepy.
The feel of Vassar is very, very different from the vibe at NYU. That is not to say one is better or worse than the other. Personally, I would prefer Vassar. My kid prefers NYU. The commute into the city from Vassar felt like a lot longer than 90 minutes, but perhaps I don’t remember that correctly.
@prospect1 It is a lot longer than 90 minutes. It’s a bit over 2 hours on Metro North. And I totally agree with your description of Poughkeepsie and the Vassar campus. It felt very removed from NYC, and both D’s friends who attended (and loved the school) hardly ever did the trip in.