I need views and advice on the above. These are the three colleges that accepted my daughter (and the two in brackets are the ones that wait listed her). Here are the criteria:
- She's an international student. It will be her first time living alone (though she has visited the US multiple times). So - big city or small college town ? Small intimate LAC or large national university ?
- Her high school is co-ed. So - womens college or co-ed ?
- Intended major is Psych / Eco. Any academic ranking of these colleges based on these subjects ?
- Deep interests in a-capella singing and jazz dance - which she has pursued for more than 6 years, and wants to continue to pursue and progress. Which college is best for these?
- Lastly, in case Wellesely or Barnard call to take her in, should she choose any of these over one of the three she's been accepted in ?
Since 4 out of 5 of these are LACs, it’s probably an indication your daughter would feel better at a LAC, and at least living in a college community (NYU can be quite impersonal).
Is there a cost differential for you? Does that even matter (ie., are all colleges “within budget” or would some be too costly?)
Mount Holyoke has the consortium, and is located in a cute college town+ near a wonderful, larger college town.
Vassar is 1h30 from NYC (the town of Poughkeepsie isn’t anything special and borderline not that great, not that it bothers students at Yale.)
Both have amazing campuses - think sprawling greens, lake/pond… - driven students.
Politically, Vassar is more on the left than Mount Holyoke. MHC is more international.
I’m also a senior, have visited all 3 schools, ended up only applying to Moho. Obviously I don’t have insider info but I’ve done a lot of research into the school. I know that Mount Holyoke has a very high proportion of international students so it seems like a really good fit in that regard. It has a very supportive vibe - not at all cutthroat academically, milk and cookies every night, strong sense of sisterhood. MHC also has the five college consortium so there are boys nearby (although the consensus seems to be that you have to go out to find them). But maybe more importantly, you can take classes at all five schools, so that expands the offerings. I also am coming from a coed high school but love the idea of a women’s college, because of the emphasis on leadership and supporting women in stem/academia.
The campus itself is gorgeous but maybe pretty quiet and the town seems super tiny. It seems like some people like that and some people don’t.
I didn’t like that NYU didn’t have a real campus; that plus poor financial aid are the reasons I didn’t apply. Vassar was very pretty and the people seemed really smart, but it was a little too artsy for me and again, not great financial aid. So I don’t have a great perspective on those two, but hope this helps!
thanks MYOS1634 and pntbttr for taking your time out and the detailed replies.
no, there is no preference for the LACs; she also applied to 3 ivies which didnt take her.
i didnt realise that MHC is more international though not sure how that is a positive.
didnt also realise the value of the consortium for MHC - thought it was just a marketing line.
i would also be interested to know your views on dropping any of these for wellesley/barnard (aware as i am of the vagaries of waitlists)