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?
Can you visit? I think you will know immediately. If you want the city right as you open your door every day, then BU is for you. Vassar has a beautiful campus and is very peaceful. S1 went to many concerts on campus and in Poughkeepsie so it certanly is not isolated.
Re: Gender split - BU FT undergrad is 61% female / 49% male. That aside, as @chemusic notes, a visit to both would show that they are very different colleges. D and S both know several BU students who have enjoyed their experience there, but S chose Vassar because he liked the sense of a defined campus and a close learning community. One of his biggest complaints (other than the soon-to-be-ex dining service) is that there isn’t enough time to attend or participate in all of the activities that he’d like to on campus, let alone going to NYC (which he does about once a month).
Have you made a decision yet? I was surprised to hear you say that the BU Honors College has a better academic reputation. I grew up in Boston, so probably not the best judge, but around there Vassar has the stronger reputation. The campus vibes are completely different. BU doesn’t have a true campus. It’s buildings are spread among lots of other non-BU buildings, kind of like New York University. The city is at your doorstep, the trolley is right outside, it is on a busy thoroughfare. Vassar is a more traditional campus, although you can walk to several businesses and get the train to NYC. Parts of Poughkeepsie are dicey, but the part near Vassar is not. In fact, students may be more of a target at BU because it is in a strip with a lot of colleges and Greek houses, and. well, drunk students make easy targets. In general, though, the area around BU is safe.
BU is much bigger, although it sounds like the Honors College will give you a school within a school type feeling. Lots and lots of foreign students at BU who can pay the full ride. My father was a lecturer in the business school there, and he was always surprised at how many of his students would jet home for a long weekend. Not sure about Vassar I’m sure there are lots of foreign students there, too.
I would ask BU about their housing policies. If they do not guarantee housing for 4 years, do they help you find housing? The housing nearby is very expensive, even for student dumps.
The two schools are so different. Both are very good. so it all depends on your personality and what you are looking for. I am an introvert, so I would go for Vassar because I think introverts can be lost in the shuffle in a big, urban school like BU, but I know several current BU students and recent grads who really loved being in such a dynamic, bigger school.
