This past weekend, I visited both of these schools. Both of their campuses were amazing. Colgate was beautiful with the snow, hills, and scenic views. Vassar was sunny, green grassed, and had beautiful architecture. I really enjoyed being at both schools. I could see myself at both of these schools.
In regards to their surrounding towns, I like the town of Hamilton, I’m just worried it might be too small. Poughkeepsie, however, seemed like a really decent sized town that I would enjoy living in.
Both schools cost similar amounts of money.
@Colgate, I would be a neuroscience major and be Premed. One thing I don’t like about their academics is the 5 core classes that all students are required to take. A positive aspect that they have over Vassar is they have around 250 students that conduct paid summer research, Vassar only takes around 50-60. Research is very important to me because I need good experience for Med School. However, I heard that research at Vassar is possible, I will just need to search and fight for it more. Another thing that I constantly hear about Colgate is how strong their alumni connections are, and that of course is always a plus. Frats are neither a positive nor a negative
@Vassar, I would be a cognitive science major and be Premed. (This is my preferred major). Both schools have good medical school admissions chances. Both main dining halls were nice and they are both opened late. One negative about Vassar is that their residence halls aren’t as nice as Colgate’s. Colgate is also building two new residence halls by 2019.
Sorry about how jumbled this post is but if anyone could provide any insight that would be great. I really have no idea how I’m going to make this decision.
Thanks
@zbthsjunior Are you into sports? Colgate is D1 in ahtletics. If you really into cognitive science, you might be better to go there so you don’t have to stuck with a major that your don’t enjoy for 4 years of your life in Colgate. I think Colgate has a higher med school matriculation rate than Vessar, so that is a plus. How much do you have to pay for both of them? Finance is generally a big factor, especially considering your goal is med school (with tons of debts) and both school are closely matched in their pros and cons.
I do enjoy sports, so D1 athletics is a plus. Both of the schools cost within a couple thousand of each other so cost is not a deciding factor.
Tough choice.
Which one had the student body that seemed like people you would like to hang out with?
Is the super majority of women in the Vasar student body potentially a positive/negative for you?
Do you like hockey? It’s a traditional Colgate past tine and known to be a really fun way to blow off steam from the stress of school esp premed
Nicer dorms and facilities is a plus too.
I still can’t get over that you saw so much snow on the 3rd week of April at Colgate. Just something to think about.
It’s been an unusually cold spring. I don’t think Poughkeepsie will be confused with Palm Beach anytime soon 
Have you visited both schools yet? How do you like their environment? But honestly, both are great choice and you really couldn’t make a wrong decision. Also, something to think about is that how flexible are the schools at allowing their students in changing their majors and paths. I know you are aiming for med schools now, but many students who claim to be premed drop after taking some of the difficult med school prerequisites. So don’t be blindsided by that fact. Either way, you can be successful regardless which school you choose now!
@Angelababy30 Not to undercut your good advice at all but her very first sentence was
“This past weekend, I visited both of these schools. Both of their campuses were amazing”
My oldest son is a junior at Colgate. His younger brother is headed to Vassar this Fall. The younger preferred the more diverse student body at Vassar and the limited core requirements. I cannot say enough about the quality of education and opportunities available at Colgate. I expect my estimation of Vassar will be the same. The newer dorms at Colgate are certainly a draw and their athletic teams are very competitive within the Patriot League. Vassar counters with exciting theater and dance and a somewhat easy access to NYC. Both have strong alumni connections. If you’ve been to both campuses, you likely are leaning towards one or the other. Trust yourself and your gut instinct and once you make your choice don’t second guess yourself. Either way you have an exciting future. Good luck
I think the student bodies are very different. Didn’t you find Colgate to be preppy and Vassar to be hipsterish? Which group of people can you see yourself spending 4 yrs with?
Yes, I was going to also say that Vassar is known to be more diverse and artsy. It seems like you would be happy academically at either place but maybe the open curriculum would give you more options for exploring other interests. Vassar seems to have frequent concerts, plays and dance performances if you like the arts. You can’t go wrong either way. Best of luck!
@privatebanker, I really don’t think that a 1% difference is meaningful: The Vassar gender ration (F:M) is 56:44 and Colgate is 55:45.
OP, ime Vassar students are on average more academically focused than Colgate, and Colgate is on average a bit more extroverted.
Echoing posts #6 and #8 and others. You are fortunate to have great, affordable choices. A close friend went to Colgate back in the day. Things are different now, but it does still have a frat influence, along with strong sports and school spirit, in a lovely rural setting. Vassar is more diverse, more artsy and within an enclave of a city that has some run-down neighborhoods but is situated in the booming and beautiful Hudson Valley. Great but different schools. Colgate is more conservative and Vassar more liberal (for what that’s worth – you will find students of all political persuasions). Vassar is more flexible in requirements. Go with whichever appeals to you more!
I ended up choosing Colgate. Thanks everyone for the advice!
Thanks for coming back to let us know. Congrats! Best wishes for a happy four years.
Congrats
And @collegemom3717
Thanks for pointing that out I was only going off my perception which was off. Didn’t realize Colgate was so close. It must be tough to be a young women candidate these days.