<p>This is not me, but a friend of mine who doesnt have an account here at CC> She is trying to choose between U Mich and Vassar. Financially they come out tot be about the same. Both are approx. the same distance from home. She thinks she wants to major in political sci.</p>
<p>Vassar is so leftist...unless your friend is a die-hard liberal, I'd suggest Michigan which also has a very good political science program. Also, the split between liberals and conservatives is ~50/50.</p>
<p>I don't want to say Vassar is leftist, but...</p>
<p>...at freshmen orientation day each student is issued an American flag and a book of matches with the Vassar logo on it.</p>
<p>...the Young Communists Club was forced off campus because it was considered by administration to be "a bunch of Fascist right-wing reactionary appeasers with no devotion to the cause."</p>
<p>...at basketball games, the Vassar mascot dresses up like Friedrich Engels.</p>
<p>...a match between the debate teams of Vassar and Wesleyan had to be called a tie because the two teams couldn't find anything they disagreed on.</p>
<p>My friend is pretty liberal...</p>
<p>I live right by Vassar and even have gone to the basketball camp. The campus (and food) are amazing. If your friend is looking for a big spirited sports school go with U Mich. If you want a smaller LAC go with Vassar. Can't go wrong either way.</p>
<p>I'm afraid TourGuide 446 is misinformed. I'm a Vassar student and have never heard of such nonsense. Yes, Vassar is on the left side, but it certainly isn't extremist as some seem to think. The both professors and students alike are just normal people and it is actually hard to tell at first who leans what way, because when we do disucss politics in class, it is usually to talk about international governmental systems or to compare economic strategies for different countries. Class is open for debate usually, but we don't just sit around and lament the fact that Bush got re-elected and count the days till he is gone.</p>
<p>Also, the political science department here is great - I've never had a class over 18 students in the department (even in intro level courses) and none of them have been taught by TA's because there aren't any here. Also, the professors do a pretty good job of not letting any political bias get in the way of teaching political science. We read articles and books from all ends of the political spectrum and different historical time periods, and are pretty much free to interpret it as we like. </p>
<p>The big question is whether or not your friend wants a smaller school atmosphere or a bigger school that might have a larger course catalog and a bigger social scene. I attended the University of Washington my freshman year, and my political science courses had 400 people in them, and decided that I'd be better off in a smaller college with access to professors. I don't regret my decision one bit. At a larger university, undergraduates usually have to sit by and watch resources go to graduate students, but at Vassar, that is not the case. We get to take field trips (I've taken two this semester, and we are going to New Haven for my architecture course in two weeks), we get to look at primary source documents that are 500 years old in the college's library, we get smaller classes all taught by great professors, etc.</p>
<p>But, enough of my cheerleading for Vassar. Tell your friend that the thing to consider is atmosphere (size, political climate, location, etc), since both are great schools.</p>
<p>Lollipop, you are talking about two extremes. I suggest your friend look at the two schools from a culture and social point of view. Academcially, both are excellent, but they are complete opposites.</p>
<p>I'd suggest Michigan which also has a very good political science program. Also, the split between liberals and conservatives is ~50/50.</p>
<p>No, there are very few conservatives in ann arbor. It's more like 80/20</p>
<p>Not quite Drew. You are referring to Ann Arbor residents. But in terms of faculty, Michigan's Political Science department is 50/50 Liberal/conservative.</p>
<p>I feel LACs get a bad rep here on CC.</p>
<p>Not realy Lewisloftus, Ivies get the most respect, followed by LACs and private research universities. It is state schools that get a bad rep on CC.</p>
<p>nbluth couldn't tell I was kidding in post #3. Tells you something about how painfully serious the Vassar bunch is. Next time I'll add 7 smiley faces and a legal disclaimer.</p>
<p>TourGuide446: You're everywhere! Are you a student or parent?</p>
<p>TourGuide446: sorry! my entire extended family consists of republicans so I guess I have gotten a little too used to have to defend Vassar! :)</p>