<p>I plan to study econ and art history, and when I applied to my schools, i knew that i wanted a liberal arts education. I applied to Stern not too seriously because I didn't think I was going to end up there. Fast forward a couple of months and things didn't work out with a few of my top choices. So it came down to NYU Stern and Vassar, two extremely different schools. </p>
<p>Stern at first was the obvious choice because of its amazing recruitment and internship availabilities, not to mention it is probably the second best business undergrad in the nation. However, I'm not sure if I'm entirely comfortable with a business education at the undergrad level because I want to have room to explore my academic interests. Stern does give me the freedom to pursue things at CAS, but maybe not enough. And if somewhere down the road I realize that business is not for me, I'll probably transfer to CAS, which in my opinion is not worth the 50K at NYU. </p>
<p>Vassar, on the other hand, has pretty much an open curriculum and is obviously going to give me the fantastic liberal arts education I wanted from the start. My only worry is job recruitment and that I might be forced into grad school straight out. I'll probably go for an MBA but that will be difficult to jump into with no job experience. </p>
<p>In the long run, I realize that Stern will probably be more practical than Vassar. But, to complicate things, NYU gave me a terrible FA where as if I go to Vassar, I'll just pay half tuition. And at Vassar, I'll probably be more academically enriched and fulfilled than I would be at Stern.</p>
<p>As for the school's culture, NYU is definitely more diverse but I'm not a fan of the open campus (especially since Washington Sq. is being RENOVATED for the 4 years i'm there!). At Vassar, I can have the typical college experience and I can also easily identify with their typical student. The campus is gorgeous, and I want to get out of NYC for college, but Poughkeepsie may be too isolated and too much of a transition for me.</p>
<p>I don't know. I'm leaning more towards Stern because of its practicality but it would hurt to turn down such an amazing place like Vassar. I didn't think it would be this hard to decide. I would love and appreciate any comments on this matter! thanks!</p>
<p>I would stick to Vassar. It fits your needs and wants. </p>
<p>The money you save by going to Vassar outweighs any benefit you could achieve from NYU, especially if you aren't sure if you're going to stick to Stern.</p>
<p>I personally went to a school who was extremely strong in my previous major(top 3 in the nation) and now I find myself wanting to transfer out for the sole purpose that I realize that major wasn't for me.</p>
<p>I am in the exact same situation between vassar and northwestern.
Vassar gave me more money, and I want that kind of college experience.
I am still struggling between the two but heavily leaning toward vassar.</p>
<p>i just think vassar is the way to go. plus you can always visit nyc on the weekend, if you feel you need to get away from campus.</p>
<p>Art-Star...Vassar has its own art museum with original paintings, etc. that students use for primary research, etc! With the $ offered, go to Vassar...</p>
<p>Vassar also offers a Junior year abroad but with 12 US schools in the mix. Knowing the Vassar personal interest with its students, I would be they would permit you to spend a semester or two at NYU during junior year. Ask.</p>
<p>Or go to Vassar for first 2 years then transfer to NYU.</p>
<p>thanks guys. i'm going to visit vassar at the end of this month to surely decide.</p>
<p>i'm pretty sure i'll stick with Stern if i go to NYU. my only worry is that i won't have a very good liberal arts background and that instead my brain will be filled with thoughts of MONEY MONEY MONEY. I'm just looking to grow as a person and be well-rounded. However, if i go to Vassar, both my parents and i fear that i'll be living at home forever. Plus, the school may be too liberal for me. </p>
<p>Argh! This is so difficult. anybody else have a say in this?</p>
<p>If you are worried that Vassar College might be too liberal for you, then you are probably right. You could try NYU Stern for a year or two and transfer if you decide that it is not for you. But it would be unlikely that you could transfer into Stern after a year or two elsewhere. P.S. I read some of your prior posts. Try Vassar--especially since you live in NYC--as it will give you a sample of life outside NYC and of a LAC.</p>
<p>The only other school I got accepted to that i'd consider is Carnegie Mellon. I got accepted as a science & humanities scholar but I'm still waiting on their FA package. However with CMU I know that Stern is stronger in Econ than them. Plus, they do not have art history. But they do have a nice campus and what strikes me as a well rounded student body...</p>
<p>and yes, only after i sent in my applications did i realize that i should've applied to northwestern...</p>
<p>It sounds like you really want to go to Vassar, and it's a wonderful school! Vassar is going to have good career placement, and they will make it easier for you to double major, if that's what you want. (I should know. I go to NYU and it's difficult to get through all the administration.) You will have MUCH more academic flexibility at Vassar. If you're not totally sure about your major, I think you'll be happier with more freedom.
Why not take some summer classes at NYU? (It is not hard to get in.) Class sizes are much smaller, and you'll get to know your professors. See if Vassar will allow you to transfer the credits. NYU makes it very difficult (probably impossible) for you to transfer credits from other institutions.</p>
<p>Vassar. If you're not sure of Stern, the extra $100 K over 4 years simply isn't worth it.</p>
<p>from what you've said, the answer seems pretty clear. </p>
<p>go to Vassar.</p>
<p>Vassar has very good reputation, and the location is not bad (although not comparable with NYC).</p>
<p>If you are planning to enter graduate school, vassar is the first choice for sure.</p>
<p>But if you plan to find a job in NYC after graduation, the question seems obvious.</p>
<p>thanks, you've guys have given me great comments. however, as the indecisive freak that i am, i find myself constantly swinging back and forth between the schools. </p>
<p>my family is in no doubt for Stern. I mean, my parents are going to shell out the money for it. And even though a reasonable chunk of my heart is for Vassar, my parents don't think the money is worth it...</p>
<p>NYU Stern:
pros - practicality, job placement since i'm def looking for a business related job in nyc, diversity of every kind at NYU, i can learn anything i want here, possible minor in production at Tisch, great art history program, being a part of the NYU elite.</p>
<p>cons - questionable liberal arts and grad placement, less flexibility, students may be very pre-professional (apparently some kids go to class in SUITS!), open campus, staying in nyc again, less FA.</p>
<p>Vassar:
pros - liberal arts, small classes, better overall education and a more traditional college experience </p>
<p>cons - excessive liberalness with just about everything, relatively homogeneous student body, not as good job placement as Stern, it may feel like high school all over again.</p>
<p>have you visited Vassar? I'd say you should go see it before you judge it. I visited Vassar thinking it would be really intensely liberal and full of people who i wouldn't really relate to and I was totally wrong. I really go the impression that Vassar isnt that much more liberal than any other LAC in the northeast. NYU stern is NOT worth extra money unless you are positive of what you want to do, and lets face it, most people change their minds. From your posts, you really sound like someone who would thrive at Vassar. You can always do internships in the city over the summer.</p>
<p>Eh...it's really hard to turn down Stern, it's the best school in the world almost for business...but if you'd be unhappy there, Vassar by all means.</p>
<p>artstar, I think you're getting ahead of yourself and worrying too much about your life's work when you've not even started your college education. </p>
<p>I've nothing but good things to say about Stern for someone who wants to go to business school but since it seems that you don't want to get an undergrad degree in business it therefore seems that Stern is not for you.</p>
<p>Vassar is a very good school and art history is one of its strengths. If you are interested in pursuing the business side of art -- e.g. museum administration, estate management, art related NGO work -- Vassar will certainly provide a jumping off point in the way of internships, summer jobs, post-graduate connections. There is absolutely no reason to believe that you couldn't be gainfully employed with a degree from Vassar! </p>
<p>CMU is also a very strong choice for someone with a dual interest in economics and art. The joint degrees between the College of Fine Arts and the College of Humanities seem tailor made for you.</p>
<p>It can be really hard to argue with your parents about prestige stuff for college. Do they understand that you might not want to be a business major, or are you too afraid to tell them?</p>
<p>
[quote]
students may be very pre-professional (apparently some kids go to class in SUITS!)
[/quote]
</p>
<p>They ARE pre-professional! When I went to graduate business school, students went to classes in suits because they had an interview, or they were heading to an internship/ part-time job after class.</p>
<p>If a pre-professional atmosphere makes you uncomfortable, then I doubt that you will be happy at Stern.</p>