Rice v. Vassar

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vassar College
1

Deciding between the two! I posted this in a more general forum as well but wanted to hear from the Vassar POV… If you have any insights, I would love some advice.

The main things that I was concerned about at Rice were 1) the huge drinking culture and 2) the weather. My main concerns about Vassar were 1) everyone seemed to be into theatre and a cappella (which was cool but very abundant) 2) the Vassar bubble and 3) no graduate school, which seems to mean less big research going on.

Other things that I’m considering:

  • Prospective economics major
  • Hate the heat/humidity.. and mosquitos. Love the cold (Vassar!)
  • Always wanted to experience the east coast (Vassar)
  • Things to do off campus (Rice, but Vassar kind of has NYC)
  • Preferably good food (Rice)
  • Accessible opportunities for research, internships, etc. (Rice, not sure about Vassar)
  • Small size (both)
  • Engaging and approachable professors (both, I think)
  • Diversity in locations people come from
  • I'm trying to avoid alcohol and drugs; easy to socialize in other ways and no judgement for not participating. No huge segregation between people who party and people who don't (not sure if I could find this anywhere)
  • Recognition when job-hunting
  • Accessibility of volunteer work with education/children
  • I like the idea of a liberal arts education (even though Rice is a research school, its education seems liberal arts-like)
  • Cost is not a deciding factor (both are similar)

Ranking is important, but I’m trying to decide not just based on prestige, so that I choose the school where I will thrive best and grow the most. Thank you for your help!!

2

If you want to get a job on the East Coast, Vassar is probably a better option as it has better name recognition locally. And man, if you hate heat and humidity, Rice could be not fun at all. I would also submit to you that there are more different kinds of people at Vassar. Rice is more laser focused, and so they get a specific kind of student. Definitely more variety of interests at Vassar. The lack of a graduate school also means no TAs teaching the classes…only professors. And finally, Vassar is pretty proud of their internship possibilities for its students; they will even pay your way to NYC if that’s where it is. Certainly not guaranteed for you, but they don’t shy away from talking about them.