<p>My daughter, who is very interested in theater studies within the context of an excellent liberal arts education, is deciding between primarily Vassar and Haverford. I would appreciate any insights that you may have about the two schools. Also, specifically, how happy are the students at Vassar? What is the social life like? Is there a strong alcohol/drug component? Do students leave the campus (for Poughkeepsie?) or are events pretty much maintained on campus? Thanks!</p>
<p>I was accepted to Vassar, but now attend Bryn Mawr which is Haverford's sister school. The two schools form the bi-college consortium and students can take classes at both schools through cross-registration. I'm not involved in the theater department, but I know that it is shared between Haverford and Bryn Mawr. I think it is based out of BM; the classes are held at Bryn Mawr, and most student productions take place here because we have the theater (Goodhart Theater).</p>
<p>theater program's website: <a href="http://www.brynmawr.edu/theater/index.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.brynmawr.edu/theater/index.html</a></p>
<p>I'm still a prospective student, but from what I've heard:
-Vassar students and Poughkeepsie don't get along
-Drugs and alcohol are available easily at Vassar, but there is no pressure to use either
-Vassar has a beautiful theatre (I've seen it, and I agree.)</p>
<p>Vassar seems more fashionable, arsty, "counter-cultural" than Haverford. Haverford seems smaller, more comfortable, and maybe more supportive.</p>
<p>Hope this helps.</p>