Vassar & Swarthmore

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vassar College
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<p>I posted this in "College Search", but I thought the "Swarthmore" and "Vassar" forums might be a good place as well...........</p>

<p>Here is a decent description of my son:</p>

<p>A smart jock who is really and truly coming to terms with his intellect and what he wants to do in college. He absolutely knows that at this point in life, his sport comes second to his academics.</p>

<p>Basically, he's being heavily recruited by coaches at both Swarthmore & Vassar. I think that he feels he could probably "fit in" at either one. Academically, both are probably high matches - Swarthmore a little higher! His sport is definitely going to help him in admissions. He's met team members and feels like they are totally good guys and he could have a good college experience at either school.</p>

<p>I think what's holding him up in really coming to a final decision about where he wants to be is that both of these schools come with their own little reputation - and I don't mean that in a bad way. There definitely not "bad" reputations. Maybe they're just in my head, but it's not only what I read here on CC. It's also people I speak to in general.</p>

<p>You can't read a Swat thread without numerous people talking about the workload. He's been told by a few team members that it is definitely a serious workload, but they all manage. He's an extremely hard worker with a great work ethic. I think he feels that he too could "manage", but he definitely wants to have time to have regular college fun. Alot of people react to Swarthmore by saying it's just so "intellectual."</p>

<p>Vassar has the reputation of being so "artsy" and definitely not known for its athletics. I'm also sort of shocked about how many people think it's still all girls! Why is that?</p>

<p>I've heard that both of these schools are trying to build-up their athletics alittle. Not sure if that's true or not.</p>

<p>I guess what I'm looking for are students (or parents of students) who have had personal experiences at either of these schools who can tell me how the student/athletes "fit in". Anyone have any words of wisdom? Thanks much!</p>

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<p>It sounds to me like he could be happy and do well at either school. Reputations are exaggerations, I think.</p>

<p>There are scientists at Vassar and athletes at Swarthmore. Their locations, traditions, etc. are very different, but they are both wonderful schools.</p>

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<p>Hi China... I'd be happy to give you my impressions! Keep in mind that I'm a current sophomore at Vassar who applied Early Decision to Swarthmore (and was rejected) "back in the day" when I was applying to schools. </p>

<p>One of the things your son will be sure to find at both Swarthmore and Vassar is an intellectual student body. On both campuses, there's a real sense that academics take priority: attendees are students first before they are athletes, artists, musicians, actors, and/or activists. In addition, I would say that your son would probably find both Vassar and Swarthmore "a challenge." The schools have fantastic professorial staffs and motivated students, both of which lead to a high level of discussion both inside and out of the classroom.</p>

<p>This being said, from what I know of Vassar and have heard of Swarthmore (tour guide, interviewer, two acquaintances who are current students), I would say that you will find that Swarthmore students have, on average, a more time-consuming workload. I'm sure it's entirely possible to play sports, have a social life, and get all one's homework done at Swarthmore, but it seems to me that this is a bit easier at Vassar. Even though I'm considering a double major here at Vassar, I'm still able to find time every weekend to do the things I want to do without feeling like I "need to be working." There's always work to be done, of course, but I don't often feel that things get out of hand in terms of their manageability. </p>

<p>Another difference between Vassar and Swarthmore is, of course, on the level of extracurriculars. Neither school is an athletic powerhouse; however, I can testify that Vassar has been actively working to improve its athletic reputation lately (I don't know much about Swarthmore's scenario). Just comparing this year to last year, it feels as if the student body is more aware of the sports teams. In addition, the school just finished construction on a new turf field which is certainly quite exciting. Vassar has a strong reputation in the arts, but its not only a school "for the arts." We have our fair share of theatre people, instrumentalists, and artists, but also feature a growing population of student-athletes. I doubt your son would have trouble fitting in at Vassar as an athlete... there are plenty of students here (including myself) who aren't into art.</p>

<p>Lastly, in regards to your question about the commonly held misconception that Vassar is an all-girl's school... well, I really have no idea where that came from. All I can say is that I've heard it a lot as well and that it's definitely not true (my boyfriend, who's also a current Vassar student, seconds me on this point).</p>