Similar to Vassar?

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Hi all! :) I'm only a junior so I have time, but Vassar College is definitely the top college that I've been looking into. Honestly, I squeal when I take a look at the pictures or read some facts about it. My unweighted average is about a 97- not too sure what that would be on a 4 point scale- and I've taken very rigorous courses except in my freshman year where I was only a year ahead in math and Spanish. I also have pretty good EC's, most of it is Taekwondo, though. Also my highest Princeton Review SAT diagnostic was a 1980, college board test was a 2110. I haven't taken the actual SAT yet so I'm hoping it'd be near the later score. </p>

<p>But besides those "would I even be admitted" worries, I'm concerned about cost. My dad's exact words were "We're not paying any f****** 40,000 dollars. You're getting a scholarship." BUT Vassar doesn't give scholarships as far as I can tell, and even if I think I'd have a small shot of getting in ED, I don't want to worry about how that would be financially. I mean, I highly doubt I'd get a scholarship (outside one too) when you've got those 2400, perfect G.P.A kids out there with the scary ECs.</p>

<p>So yeah...my hopes for Vassar are down the drain. </3</p>

<p>But basically, I'm trying to find some schools with an amazing library, maybe some building's with neo-gothic or something old and stone, good psychology department, kinda rural/suburban, but with a link to a city (preferably Manhattan since I live in the boroughs), and financially easier to handle. Also I'd need easier to get in to since it's unlikely the more competitive schools would accept me. My problem, though, is that I...I'm not sure. I sound like those nerdy little students on TV Shows, but I DO want to learn in college and be able to have an intellectual discussion with someone, BUT I also want free time so I can continue acting and martial arts (and soccer!). </p>

<p>Yeah, a lot to demand, and I realize I can't find a college exactly within the limits I put, so something akin to this would be good.</p>

<p>Also, architecturally I love Boston College- overall DEFINITELY Vassar. Anything out there that will please this type of taste and not kill the bank account? Any feedback will do. Even if it's just to give me an option that has one thing I mentioned.</p>

2

<p>**edit- to make this thread even more specific and spoiled brat- “want everything my way” sounding …I can’t go someplace where it wouldn’t snow in late fall/winter. so location = NY, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts type places.</p>

<p>Okay, I’m done detailing every possible characteristic.</p>

<p>Wow, I sound horribly unrealistic. xD</p>

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<p>First, are you eligible for need-based FA? </p>

<p>Second, how important is school architecture in your criteria and your need for suburban/urban? I ask as the more flexible you can be in those areas, the more options you open for yourself. </p>

<p>Third, considering you said you wanted intellectual discussions, can you be specific as to what you mean? </p>

<p>Fourth, what is your planned major if you decide psychology may not work for you or you decide on a second major?</p>

<p>Fifth, how much does your parents…especially your father care about you attending a college which fits your academic and/or personal needs? </p>

<p>As for your 97 on the 4.0 scale, assuming there’s no extra points for AP/IB to raise GPAs past 4.0 something, a 97/100 would scale in the A range as far as I’ve seen. This, however, may not necessarily apply depending on how your school grade, courses taken, etc.</p>

4

<p>Sounds like it’s time to have a serious financial conversation with your dad, including running the EFC (expected family contribution). This will give you an idea of what schools will expect you to pay based on your family income and obligations. Then, your family has to decide what they are actually willing to pay. The gap has to be filled with loans, scholarships, work/study - or you have to go somewhere less expensive. Until you know exactly what you have to work with, you will have a very hard time getting realistic suggestions.</p>

<p>There are many, many schools with lovely architecture. Not so many that will necessarily meet your family’s budget.</p>

5

<p>1) Not too sure about this, I don’t think so. My family is basically middle class; when I was younger after moving into my new house my father went out of work for a while, though so we’ve got some debt and my brother is a current Freshman at Binghamton University so we’ve got to get him through college as well.</p>

<p>2) Architecture is pretty important to me, but I understand if I want realistic ideas of where I can go, I’ve got to stop placing a lot of stress on how the campus looks. It’s horrible, but I really am turned off by some colleges I’ve seen where I don’t fall in love with the library. =/ As for the suburban/urban. I REFUSE to go to a college in a city- this is me being stubborn, but I’m convinced I would be miserable seeing as I can barely stand living on the border between suburban New York and urban (I’d rather be away from the city as you can tell).</p>

<p>3) By intellectual discussions, well…I can’t really explain or be any more specific. I’m generally a curious kid so I just would like other curious kids around me. </p>

<p>4) I’m not too positive as to what a second major might be. Most people say for me it should be education, but again, I don’t really have any clue.</p>

<p>5) Education wise my parents care a lot. Personal needs wise…well that depends. Obviously he wants it to be a sanitary/safe place, but other than the basics he wouldn’t understand my want of certain characteristics (major one being architecture- I can’t help it, I’m like a little kid and these things amuse me!)</p>

<p>And I’ve spoken with my dad, he told me about $20,000 yearly for expected family contribution, and he’d really find it simpler on me if I went to a school where I’d be able to get a scholarship to also help out.</p>

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<p>Apply to some SUNY schools for money reasons, but also apply to LACs to see what kind of offers they’ll give you. Some schools that are similar to Vassar are</p>

<p>Wesleyan University
Brandeis University
Oberlin College
Colorado College
Lewis and Clark College
Macalester College
Carleton College</p>

<p>Expand your horizons beyond the northeast…there are a ton of great schools out there that fit your criteria</p>

7

<p>Look at University of Rochester. It’s bigger than Vassar, but it’s library was voted as one the most beautiful in the US. You might get merit aid from there depending on your SATs and it has pretty strong academics in a variety of fields, psychology included. The architecture isn’t all as gothic as you’d probably like, but some of the buildings are very aesthetically pleasing.</p>

<p>I know it’s in the city (well, the Bronx), but look at Fordham. It’s library is so-so, but the campus is really pretty and it has a lot of gothic architecture (it’s Jesuit too, like Boston College).</p>

<p>Also, I agree with the above poster^^
The only problem is that you might not get merit aid from some of these schools, but I agree that they definitely have the feel you’re looking for.</p>

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<p>If one is willing to travel, Tulane University provides great merit aid and many students from the Northeast attend. Though its USNWR ranking still reflects post Katrina effects, it has an accomplished student body, small classes, excellent academics, and is in what may be the most fun city in the country.</p>

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<p>Tulane could not be more different from Vassar</p>

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<p>Made a mistake- expected family contribution is NOT 20,000. I know that’s how much my dad told me he plans to give me yearly, though. However my mother is telling me otherwise, saying my dad will. I’m generally just confused. Either way, between my family having to pay off some debt, my brother also in college, and the fact that I already feel like I cost my parents too much I want to make this easier financially for them.</p>

<p>And as for broadening my horizons beyond the Northeast well, honestly, the Northeast is my preferred area. I don’t think I can handle anything further- I get homesick pretty easily, but I’m determined to go away at least some distance. lol </p>

<p>I’m definitely going to put down some SUNYs for finance; I’m just not sure which ones I’d like/fit my needs. Can anyone make some suggestions? Also, what are some good colleges with a low student debt average at graduation? I want to go to graduate school and get a Ph D so this is also pretty important.</p>

<p>Thank You so much to everyone for offering their advice, though. :slight_smile: It’s greatly appreciated.</p>

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<p>If you want generous financial aid (scholarships, merit money), you may need to look outside of the NE. Look at schools where you are in the top 25% of the admitted students (per the Common Data Set for each school which gives that information).</p>

<p>I know you worry about homesickness, but with skype and cell phones and texting, it’s pretty easy to been in touch all day long if you want to (most people get over their homesickness pretty quickly and find that the electronic umbilical cord is more than enough.) Many LACs have parent weekend in the fall, a week off in October, Thanksgiving, and Winter Break, so you aren’t away from family for more than 6 weeks at a stretch during your first semester. I also think that LACs (like Vassar) are a good way to combat homesickness because you won’t get lost in the crowd quite as easily as you could at a large school. Consider some of the more rural LACs (unlike Vassar which is urban), where the student body stays on campus for the most part.</p>

12

<p>I have to agree with Country Day. I am a Tulane grad and I loved it but it is not very much like Vassar.</p>

<p>Check out Bryn Mawr College, Skidmore and Haverford.<br>
I think Bryn Mawr is still all women but is otherwise similar. It is somewhat less selective than Vassar and may have merit aid available.</p>

<p>Haverford is pretty selective but probably less so than Vassar. It is co-ed and is a couple miles (or less) from Bryn Mawr. It is expensive though and I am not sure about merit aid. </p>

<p>Skidmore is significantly less selective than Vassar but is still a good school. It is also in New York State (upstate). It is in/near Saratoga, NY. If your stats are good they may have merit money for you. At least give it a look.</p>

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<p>Hm thanks for the suggestions everyone. :)</p>

<p>Any others that are good with merit aid? Preferably for students with around a 2050 SAT?
Even good public schools are open for suggestion…</p>

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<p>What is your M/CR SAT breakdown?</p>

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<p>I haven’t officially taken the SATs yet (only next month! ahh), but the highest I’ve gotten on a practice college board test was a 720 CR and 660 M. Not the greatest, I know, but there’s time for improvement…</p>

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<p>So are you eligible for need-based FA? </p>

<p>Look for need-blind universities or LACs which meet full need. Milk those cows.</p>

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<p>Nope, no need-based. Money, however, is still an issue…</p>

18

<p>I mean, what is your EFC? Vassar is good with aid, usually.
My older brother’s EFC was something outrageous like 40,000 according to FAFSA. They gave him enough grants that, before loans, it would have cost us 43 or 44k. So if your EFC is around 15-20k, I’m sure Vassar will meet that.</p>

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<p>It’s fine to ask people for suggestions, but the more research you do on your own behalf, the better. I would recommend looking at this thread starting at the end, the most recent, and work your way back.</p>

<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/52133-schools-known-good-merit-aid.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/52133-schools-known-good-merit-aid.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

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<p>Have you looked at SUNY Geneseo? While there isn’t Gothic architecture, it’s definitely the most beautiful SUNY campus and it is by no means in a city. :slight_smile: Geneseo is a great school and will give you the LAC feel. With a mean SAT of 1340 you will get the intellectual feel you desire as well.
Since money seems like a big consideration, honestly, you will never beat the price of Geneseo for a school of equal quality. It’s less than $5,000 in state (though I’m sure you know since your brother goes to Bing).
The library at Geneseo, I’ll admit, is not the most gorgeous thing. I understand this desire, haha the library is an important part to me as well. But the science center more than makes up for the less than stellar library - honestly, it’s AMAZING.
I’ll put it this way for you - I have been staunchly against going to a SUNY school my entire life. But I LOVE Geneseo and will hopefully attend next year. It is not what you expect from a SUNY at all.</p>

<p>One other suggestion. If you’re a girl and have financial need (a semi reasonable EFC), Wellesley sounds like it’s exactly what you want. And it meets 100% of need for everyone.</p>