<p>Northwestern Vs. small LAC
Hey everyone! I was accepted into Northwestern U. I completely wasn't expecting it, so I hadn't researched the school as much as I had others. Throughout my college search, I was primarily looking at small liberal arts colleges. Right now, I'm down to Vassar College. I LOVE Vassar. But I'm concerned whether NU would better suit me for my intended major. (astronomy/ physics) and Northwestern certainly does have more research opportunities. I'm an artsy but nerdy kid. (extracurriculars include piano/pipe organ and painting) My question is, should I choose Northwestern over Vassar? I'm having a really tough time. </p>
<p>my concerns about NU: too many frats, too big a school, not the right student body, chicago weather</p>
<p>concerns about Vassar: not enough research opportunities, maybe too small for me (IDK?!)</p>
<p>NU's prestige is tugging me towards Chicago, and honestly, I thought I'd be going to Vassar, but I'm lost now. I feel like by not going to NU, I'm giving up a great academic opportunity.</p>
<p>Can any current students/parents/etc. help me out? What do you think?</p>
<p>NU is a fine large University and Vassar a fine small College, but at 2,400 bigger than many LAC’s, school. You might want to consider the type of environment you want to be in and let that decide. </p>
<p>Downtown Chicago is closer to NU than NYC is to Vassar if that is important to you.</p>
<p>Vassar has many research opportunities for undergraduates and their observatory looks interesting from the outside. You should find out what it inside if you are interested in astronomy. At NU you will have to compete, to some degree, with graduate students for attention.</p>
<p>On the arty side Vassar has 3 organs to choose from and you will certainly be able to use them as much as you like. I believe NU has an active music program but am not familiar with it.</p>
<p>Many of Vassar’s students are, by reputation, a bit more quirky/alternate (whatever the proper word is today) than are NU’s but in such a large school I expect you will be able to find all kinds at NU.</p>
<p>Vassar does lack big time athletics compared to NU’s attempt at it, as my Ohio State alumn co-worker points out, if that is a concern.</p>
<p>I think the prestige factor depends on where you ask. In the East more people will know Vassar and in the Midwest NU.</p>
<p>I don’t think academics will be different between these two, you just need to decide on what sort of environment you are most comfortable in. Large vs. Small.</p>
<p>Good luck. My Junior daughter has found all the academic challenges she wanted at Vassar.</p>
<p>Be aware that because Northwestern has a separate music school it is more difficult to take advantage of all the music opportunities than it would be at Vassar.</p>
<p>The organ in the music building at Vassar is awesome.</p>
<p>Vassar physics astronomy is a smaller department than I’m sure NU has, but it also has strong historic roots for the college. Maria Mitchell was the first professor hired! And there is no reason to think that there is less research opportunity - every faculty member wants students to work with them, and you may get to do much more since there are no grad students around. Vassar also has URSI - the undergraduate research summer institute, where students work full time over the summer on a project closely with faculty. It’s a GREAT opportunity, and very unique. Students from other schools even apply. You can look through some of the topics and learn more about the program here: [Home</a> :: URSI](<a href=“http://ursi.vassar.edu/]Home”>http://ursi.vassar.edu/) In addition, because it is such a supportive an nurturing place, you are more likely to get get guidance and make good connections with scientists around the world (and do summer research with other fellowship programs). Your classes will be small and intimate at Vassar, and it will not be the case at a larger school. Plus, if you have interests outside of the sciences, it is SO each to do that at Vassar, academically or otherwise.</p>
<p>If you have specific questions/concerns about the department, contact them! They would LOVE to hear from you. They can tell you all about all of the research each faculty member is doing. You probably could even hook yourself up to work with someone before you get there. You can try emailing/calling Debra Elmgreen. Everyone loves her. Or contact the admissions office and they will tell you the best person to get in touch with and the best way.</p>
<p>I think that as soon as you wrote that you love Vassar, you answered your question. Yes, Northwestern is a terrific university. But Vassar is also great, a known quantity for you, and a school that you were, apparently, very excited about going to. There’s no way to quantify or even predict any advantage that Northwestern’s greater prestige might convey, and thus it’s not worth trying.</p>
<p>I think that “prestige” is often (perhaps usually) overrated. It provides very little comfort if you’re otherwise regretting your choice. I urge you to go to Vassar: spending four years at a college you love is the best you can hope for.</p>
<p>thanks everyone! You’ve helped a lot. I’m leaning towards Vassar at the moment. (I haven’t visited NU yet though) But I appreciate the advice. At Vassar I could be musically and artistically inclined…as well as athletically inclined (as a top runner on the track team) the people i met were great people…so all things are pointing towards Vassar…Oh and financial aid basically gave me a full ride. :)</p>
<p>My son is a sophomore at Vassar, and every time I tell people where he goes, they say, “OOOOHHHHH.”</p>
<p>Vassar is very well known among people who have attended or know good colleges. It has a great reputation, as it should. My son is having a wonderful experience, academically and socially, at the college.</p>
<p>My son sounds strangely like you xctf. Astronomy major and plays the pipe organ. But will be going to Dartmouth. His friend is looking at Vassar v Carnegie Mellon. Tough choice, Vassar has the edge because its got that great lineage and beautiful campus. But a small liberal arts college may be the right fit for you if size of school is important to you. Either way you will be fine.</p>
<p>If it were up to me, I’d definitely pick Vassar over NU, but the school choice depends on you entirely. People who know their stuff would recognize Vassar as an equal, if not better, school than NU, though to international folks, NU might have the better rep.</p>