<p>I saw mention of leaving the car in Poughkeepsie and taking the train to NYC. That would be the “Metro North” line. I’m not aware of car rental places at the Poughkeepsie train station, but there is a Hertz about 5 miles away (they may know a taxi service).</p>
<p>I took the train last week from Poughkeepsie, and the ride along the Hudson is beautiful. For folks that choose this method, ideally you should travel on off peak fares and daylight to see the river. (I know though that on college tours there is not a lot of flexibility).</p>
<p>There is a rental car agency directly in the New Rochelle train station (Hertz, I think) which is immediately off Exit 16 of I-95 in NY. The trains run frequently from there (4 per hour before 9:30 AM and 2 an hour after that) into Grand Central Terminal.</p>
<p>OP-you can stay at Alumni House at Vassar very inexpensively. Stay includes parking and breakfast. Alum. House is across the street from campus and about five minutes from Poughkeepsie train station. Short drive to Bard and about 90 minutes to NYC.</p>
<p>I am overwhelmed with advice - THANK YOU. I have so much to think about. My reply comes late because I cannot currently talk to my daughter about many of the questions we all have because she is away at the Northwestern Cherubs program and this is show week! I was hoping to have the trip all planned out for her triumphant return, but it looks like she and I will have to really figure out a few more things before we commit to daily details of the trip. On the top of my head:
The Poughkeepsie ideas are great and I never thought of car rental/overnight there.
Making sure we tour colleges that track her interest is so smart - I would not have narrowed down our official visits this way and it is key.
Priceline bidding was AWESOME! NYC $202 (?) at Millenium Broadway… A treat.
I am probably going to do a subway/bus/train division and rent-a-car combo but have to wait to ask daughter about all your advice… have car cancelable.<br>
Got to go - another show to see!!! 5 this week Thank you all.</p>
<p>Pizzagirl - same with me! But since she is a Cherub this summer she may have a firmer idea as to what she wants from a college - how strong her interest is in theatre vs other areas and that will help determine schools to visit. (I agree with your daughter that Emerson is too limited in non-theatre offerings.)</p>
<p>It’s old news (I think) that my daughter turned down Yale (and Dartmouth) for Northwestern because NU has a much stronger theatre/mt program while still challenging her in other areas. She’s in summer stock this summer and is rooming with a Barnard student who is very talented and happy with her experiences at that school even though it’s not known for a MT program. There are also kids from Emerson and my daughter is much less impressed with their training.</p>
<p>The schools you mentioned have differences besides theatre vs non-theatre. Brown has few requirements and offer all classes pass/fail if the student wants, Columbia has the core requirements and is much more structured, Vassar is a smallish LAC with quirky kids and heavily female, etc.</p>
<p>I’ve done what you appear to be doing; you take things your child has said and run with it even though you’re not totally certain on the focus. The two of you need to talk further to decide what you are trying to discover on this trip, you still have time. It will undoubtedly be a wonderful time for you both.</p>
Thank you all.</p>