<p>I know these schools are completely different, but this is what my decision has come down to. In the Midwest it seems no one has heard of Vassar. I know this shouldn't be a factor at all in my decision, but does this say anything about the strength of Vassar's academics? Academically, which is more highly rated? I plan on attending law school, and hope to get into litigation. Any insights on how either school compares in preparing for law?</p>
<p>Also, I know that the student body at Vassar is completely different than that of BC. I tend to identify myself more with an artsy crowd, so I should survive, but I have heard there's a high ratio of... Strange people? Just repeating rumors haha, but it is a concern in comparison to BC. The lopsided girl to guy ratio is also pretty bad for me as well. I've heard Vassar's great for straight males, and horrible for straight girls. Any insights at all into the Vassar student body/social life?</p>
<p>I was just saying in another thread, that when I tell people that my son goes to Vassar, they invariably say, “OOOHHHHHHH!” Vassar is highly regarded, much better reputation than Boston College, which is getting better every year, but still…it’s not Vassar.</p>
<p>Vassar also has an interesting, creative student body, a closer knit group of students, as Boston College is bigger and more in the city. If I had to help my son choose, it would be Vassar hands down.</p>
<p>While I did not attend either school (I recently graduated from Penn), I do have some insight into both institutions. I attended a Jesuit high school, and knew a number of people who went to BC. People in the Midwest are probably more familiar with BC because of its football team which plays on a national level- it has very little to do with academic quality. BC is very homogenous in terms of its students- white upper-middle class and Catholic. It’s a big enough school that I’m sure there is an artsy scene, but it is by no means known for it.</p>
<p>When applying to college I seriously considered Vassar. I was extremely impressed by the beautiful campus, and friendly students. I remember being really pleasantly surprised by the students I met. I had heard similar things about the “strange” people. I come from a white Catholic background, and I was afraid that the students would be too “out there.” On the contrary, I had two tour guides- a boy from NYC who played on the baseball team and a Southern girl clad in pearls and a preppy sundress. After the tour I talked to them and they introduced me to some of their friends who totally fit the Vassar stereotypes of artsy hipsters, but they were all extremely nice. There seemed to be a lot of fluidity in terms of social groups, which I really loved. It may have just been my own experience, but it’s definitely worth noting.</p>
<p>I completely agree with cwmpenn09. I live halfway between Vassar and BC and have had many friends and family attend BC. Have spent time on campus and, if you are looking for a “Rah Rah” sports school with a very homogenous student body, then BC would be for you. If you fit in, it’s a wonderful place. Academically, it can’t compare to Vassar. Reputation wise, Vassar is considered near Ivy League and BC is definitely one tier below that, which is still highly selective. BC is a VERY good school; it’s just not at the level of a Vassar. Its selectivity has increased a great deal over the past many years because it draws from the very large upper middle class Catholic population in the northeast. Many kids that fit this group in this area choose BC as their top school when applying. While the academics are very good, I believe the selectivity ratings are misleading because of the popularity among the specific demographic I mentioned.</p>
<p>I just spent the day at Vassar yesterday, as my son will be attending Vassar in the fall. It was our third visit and it was an entire day with students and faculty. The students at Vassar are definitely an eclectic group. ALL of the students we met were incredibly friendly, confident, and very well spoken. Definitely an artsy feel to many of the students but also many students of just about every stereotype. To be superficial for a moment, I was also surprised that it was such a good-looking group of students in an eclectic, sometimes exotic kind of way. Definitely NOT the “strange” student body sometimes rumored on these discussion threads. </p>
<p>I was surprised to learn that there are multiple student produced theater productions and concerts every weekend to choose from at Vassar and all are free to students. Meeting with the professors was also very informative. The classes are small and the vast majority are discussion based. Further, the lack of a core curriculum creates an environment in each class where students are there because they have real interest in the subject. This leads to an atmosphere of real intellectual curiosity in every class. All of the Catholic colleges and universities in the northeast are heavy into core curriculum. While I do not know the specifics of BC’s core requirements, the general formula among these types of schools are that students spend their first two years fulfilling the majority of their core requirements and the last two years concentrating on their major. The lack of a core curriculum at Vassar allows many students to take courses in a variety of disciplines and many come out with double majors. Often, completely unrelated, such as Astronomy and Womens Studies or Art and Math. </p>
<p>Good luck with your choice. Both are very good schools and it depends on what you’re looking for.</p>
<p>I’m actually having the same dilemma, and am having a hard time choosing between BC and Vassar, though they are totally different. Anyone else have any thoughts on the pros and cons of each? Frankly, I’m leaning toward Vassar. My only reservations come with the alumni network and getting a job after college. It seems the BC network is stronger, though I could be wrong. Also, I’m not as eccentric as vassar kids have a reputation to be. I’d love any suggestions or thoughts from grads and current students.</p>
<p>“Vassar’s acceptance rates for medical school and law school are significantly higher than the national average. In fact, Vassar’s acceptance rate for medical school is almost twice the national average. Last year, 80% of the Vassar seniors who applied were accepted; the national average was 46%. Among the schools they are attending: Harvard, Columbia, Penn State, Vanderbilt, Dartmouth, Einstein. The law school acceptance rates are also impressive. Last year, 82% of the seniors who applied were accepted; the national average was 66%. Among the schools they are attending: Yale, Stanford, NYU, University of Chicago, and University of Pennsylvania.”</p>
<p>that’s straight from the vassar website. i thought about applying to boston college last year also, but i decided against it because i was already applying to too many schools. i will be attending vassar college in the fall next year. i had a hard time deciding between vassar and the university of chicago, and what really helped me make my decision was how friendly the people at vassar were. both schools gave me a pricey financial aid package, and i appealed to both schools for more money. vassar gave me a reply in three days and offered me a generous six thousand more dollars, which finally convinced my parents to let me attend. uchicago took two weeks for a reply, and instead wrote me a long letter telling me they won’t offer me any more money. also, i would occasionally call the vassar office of admissions freaking out about something miniscule, and the admissions counselor would always just tell me to “breathe” and that things “will be alright”. whenever i call uchicago freaking out, the admissions counselor would sigh and i’m sure she was thinking to herself “oh, god. not this kid again.” </p>
<p>i used to live in the new england area, and after moving to tennessee, i was exposed to what the southerners take pride in–southern hospitality. and it was a bit strange to see that same feeling of hospitality on the vassar campus. i really did not expect it.</p>
<p>cwmpenn09 is correct. The only reason people in the Midwest have heard of BC is because of the football team. It is true that “school spirit colleges” have advantages post-graduation because of the heavy networking, but I wouldn’t make a four-year decision based on it. Pick the campus culture that you feel fits you the best. If you’re a rah, rah, go team, kick Notre Dame’s a** kind of student, then go to BC. If you want a college where the focus is on academics and exploration of the mind, pick Vassar.</p>
<p>If you’re aiming for a job right after college, and that job is NOT on Wall Street, pick BC. If you’re thinking of graduate or professional school, pick Vassar. Don’t get me wrong. Obviously you can go to grad or prof school from BC, and you can get a job with a four-year degree from Vassar. But these schools have different strengths. Pick the one that is stronger in the direction you want to go.</p>