I was recently admitted to both Vassar College and Boston University’s Kilachand Honors College. I’m looking to study political science (maybe dabble in a bit of IR, who knows) and eventually go on to a top law school. I want to go somewhere that’ll help me realize my goal (focusing on academics) but where I feel happy, challenged, and can have fun in my undergrad experience.
Both have pre-law advising, so I’m really just wondering if it’s worth it to give up a little more prestige and a full ride at Vassar for the overall experience of BU. It doesn’t help that my parents have opposite views on this issue, lol.
If anyone could give me some advice/insight on which one to choose, I would really appreciate it!!
Vassar:
- Top liberal arts college
- I like how they emphasize “uniqueness” & it seems to be a non-cutthroat atmosphere
-I like how there’s no core curriculum because I’m into poli sci, psych, English, etc
- Beautiful campus from the pics/videos I’ve seen
- Basically a full ride in terms of financial aid
- Size of 2400 people can be a pro/con, I guess, because it’s more personal but everyone knows your business?
- Seems a little isolated? I’ve read that Poughkeepsie is “sketchy” and that there isn’t much to do besides the mall, and that people don’t really take the train to NYC that often. Not sure how true this is.
- Too hipster/snooty? I’m not sure.
- I’m concerned about the 56/44 gender split as I’m a straight female…I know this is a common problem in colleges, but the “Vassar bubble” doesn’t seem to help much.
BU Kilachand Honors:
- $8k/year, approx $32k in total, so that’s more loans I’d have to pay off myself in addition to law school.
- Describes itself as a “liberal arts college within the university”, smaller/more personal classes
- Seems to advocate an interdisciplinary approach as well, has co-curricular lectures + activities
- Much closer to my family
- The Kilachand Hall building looks really nice, beautiful location as well
- Size of Kilachand?? I think it’s around 90 people, so that helps with making friends
- A lot more activities/places to eat/things to see in Boston
- More people! I know the gender split’s also pretty bad at BU, but in a big city, I feel like this shouldn’t be that much of an issue…
- Better access to internships?
- Not as likely to feel “trapped” or depressed, I suppose?
Thank you!!
It’s been a long time since I graduated from Vassar, but it was the best experience of my life. Even without the financial advantage I’d pick Vassar over BU, even though I’m a big fan of Boston. The small classes and personal attention from faculty at a top LAC are hard to beat, and when you add the financial advantage and plans for law school, it would seem to be a clear choice. Save the large university experience for law school and stay debt free.
I almost always advocate for the cheapest option, and a full ride at Vassar is fantastic- congratulations! As someone looking to study polisci and go to law school, I think an LAC would be a good choice. Fwiw, my HS was on a very similar size scale and I really enjoyed it, you’ll probably know most people’s names and faces in your year but definitely don’t have to interact with anyone you don’t want to.
Mainly unbiased: I don’t think BU’s Honors program is a huge step up from the regular program, and I can’t see it justifying $8k/year over a better education imo. Completely and totally biased: as a Northeastern student, BU is garbage and who wants to live on that street they call a campus anyways? (half kidding… 
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While I love Boston, I don’t think you’ll feel “trapped” at Vassar. I’m guessing Vassar does a lot more programming because everyone is around campus more often.
No brainier. Take the cheaper, higher-ranked alternative. Save your loans for the best possible law school. Vassar is the better starting point.
Vassar, hands down. I went to BU for grad school. Good school, but way overpriced! Vassar is free for you. You cannot beat free! Save your money for grad school!
P.S. Re: feeling trapped. I never felt the least bit trapped at Vassar–quite the opposite. I’m sure there will be no shortage of events on campus, and I also spent a lot of time exploring NYC and took the train on weekends frequently, along with other students, to attend the theater, go to museums, shop, etc.
thank you all for your insight! and @profparent that’s especially reassuring to hear
VASSAR. Hands down. They are paying you to go? 15 years ago it was BU making me a 50% offer of aid and Vassar offered me nothing. It killed me to turn that down. Still, best decision of my life. Vassar is a small college but has the resources of a larger school. Students are all very intelligent and hard working. Besides, Boston stinks. NYC is where it is at.