<p>I have just been admitted to both Sarah Lawrence College and Eugene Lang and I am very excited about the prospects of these two schools but am unsure which I should go to. They both have very similar programs and the only difference seems to be location, and reputation. While nobody seems to have heard of Eugene Lang, everyone knows Sarah Lawrence is a reputable LAC. I am looking to study creative writing and literature. </p>
<p>Any advice?</p>
<p>Personally I’d go with Sarah Lawrence</p>
<p>Sara Lawrence has a traditional college campus, Eugene Lang does not. Eugene Lang has what many students would consider a fairly awful housing situation. In your first year, you’ll probably be put up in a cramped, overpriced, converted apartment building somewhere in lower Manhattan, a train ride away from campus. By second year you may feel compelled to move out to Brooklyn. So it’s almost like attending a commuter college. It is missing its own facilities, for athletics and other functions, that students elsewhere take for granted. It does have a very interesting academic environment, but then so does SLC. Probably the biggest thing EL has going for it, compared to other LACs, is Greenwich Village. SLC is close enough, though, that you can get into Manhattan often from there.</p>
<p>Sarah Lawrence has a great creative writing program & literature dept. Terrific reputation in terms of jobs & later grad. school. Taking three courses per semester while doing independent study outside of each class is unique and enlightening. You should try to visit, if you haven’t already. I think SLC has a pretty campus, mostly traditional buildings, nice newer arts bldg, a mix of not-so-nice more modern dorms and lovely older dorms.</p>
<p>Even though I dream to live in NYC, I would choose Sarah Lawrence.</p>
<p>I understand what you guys are saying, but Sarah Lawrence is THE most expensive college in the country. Unless you are filthy rich, an amazing student (as in good enough for a huge merit scholarship) or demonstrate enough need for a huge grant, there’s really no way to afford it.</p>
<p>If you said The New School people will know what you’re talking about with Eugene Lang. Nevertheless, I’d likely choose Sarah Lawrence, especially for the majors you’re considering - SLC has an excellent writing program across the curriculum.</p>
<p>As for costs, the cost at SLC and Eugene Lang are comparable. SLC has a high tuition ($41,000 per year) and the total cost of attendance is something like $52,000, which is kind of insane. However, although Eugene Lang’s tuition is a lot lower (about $34,000 per year), they make up for it in housing costs. Even the cheapest housing, a triple or a quad, costs nearly $13,000 per year - with fees, this brings your total cost of attendance up to $46,000 per year. If you choose to live in a double we’re talking $47,500 per year, which is only $5,000 less than Sarah Lawrence. And single rooms will bring the price up to $50,500. (Honestly for less than the price of a single room at Eugene Lang you could probably rent a one-bedroom apartment in upper Manhattan or Brooklyn, and for less than the price of a double room you could split a two-bedroom apartment with a friend!)</p>
<p>Also, financial aid at the New School is notoriously bad. They don’t even fund their doctoral and MFA students adequately.</p>
<p>The clear choice here is Sarah Lawrence. As you said, its a reputable LAC with an interesting program. As others said, it has great creative writing and literature. Eugene Lang gets much less respect than SLC and apparently has a lot of serious issues. Also, I think that SLC is in a great location. Eugene Lang is actually in Manhattan, but with SLC you get a great campus, a really cute town, and NYC just an hour (or a bit longer) away. I live near SLC, and it’s really easy to get to the city from there using public transportation, and if you or your friend has a car you can be downtown in half an hour. So SLC has (probably) better academics, better reputation, actual campus, and access to both Bronxville and NYC. Sarah Lawrence > Eugene Lang.</p>