After getting all of my RD acceptances, I have narrowed my decision down to these four FANTASTIC schools. I applied everywhere as undecided, but I know I am interested in studying English, Theatre, and possibly the social/physical sciences. I am definitely looking for a more arts and humanities focused college experience though.
I am a recently out gay male, so gay population/lgbtqa presence is a relatively important factor for me. (I know all of these schools are super accepting, so that’s not really an issue for me).
I am about as un-athletic as a soft boiled egg, and my main extracurricular interests are music and theatre. More specifically, it is pretty important to me that I have the opportunity to play in a jazz band and participate in musical theatre wherever I decide to go.
In terms of financial aid, Haverford offered me the best package, Middlebury offered me a good package, Vassar offered me an okay package, and I am still waiting to hear from Wesleyan because there was a mistake. My family is not rich, but I do have some money in a college savings account that I can put toward my tuition.
Right now my top choice is Vassar, but I’m still not 100% sure. I haven’t visited since last year, but will be going to an open house next week. I know Vassar fits my desires in terms of music/theatre/lgbtqa and also has great academics, but I know that Middlebury is a TEENY bit more prestigious and would also cost less. I like the campus culture at Vassar, but I’m not sure if I’m trendy enough to keep up with everybody there. The preppiness of Middlebury and the small size of Haverford are a bit frightening.
I’ve been putting a lot of thought into this decision, but if there’s anyone else out there who can provide more insight it would be much appreciated!
But more broadly, in terms of your interests as expressed, I’d say Vassar and Wesleyan – maybe, but not necessarily, in that order – followed by a close look at Haverford.
Congratulations on having so many great options! As @merc81 says, your varied interests would seem to fit the “profile” at both Vassar and Wes. DS is a bio major at Vassar (loving the new science facilities), but spends a lot of his time making films and playing in a band or two - and that isn’t unusual. I’m glad you’re taking the time for a second visit. If you can, try to coordinate an overnight with it.
@minionmemes It sounds like you would have a ton in common with my S who is very seriously considering both Vassar and Haverford. he likes both schools and is completely torn on which he prefers, so eager to see the responses you receive .Please update this thread as you move closer to a decision. Congrats on having such great choices…Oh, and FWIW, our financial aid was basically identical at Haverford and Vassar.
Thanks for your opinions everyone! As long as the financial aid package Wesleyan offers me is reasonable, I think it’s going to come down to those two schools (Vassar and Wes). @Highbury that’s interesting that your financial aid packages were the same, because mine were pretty significantly different. All of the other schools I applied to that meet 100% demonstrated need (Haverford, Midd, Skidmore, Macalester, Grinnell) expect me to contribute around $5,000 except for Vassar, which expects me to contribute around $14,000. (Wesleyan expected $25,000 when I first got accepted, but I’m pretty sure this was a mistake because there was a problem with the IDOC about a month ago that must have not gotten cleared up completely.)
Does it sound like it is worth contacting the financial aid office and asking for an appeal? If the financial aid offer from Vassar were on par with the other schools, I would almost certainly rule Haverford and Midd out.
I’ll be sure to keep updating this thread as I come closer to a decision. It’s gonna be a tough one, but I know that it’s a good problem to have and I really can’t go wrong!
@minionmemes yes, as Vassar is asking almost three times as much as Haverford, I would consider contacting them for an appeal. What’s the worst they can say?! I also hope you get news on the financial aid from Wesleyan…
@merc81, why would you list Haverford for someone interested in jazz music and theater over Middlebury (I get why Wes and Vassar would be first)? While Haverford is a really great school, it mostly relies on its tri-college consortium for people interested in those areas. It’s theater program is shared with Bryn Mawr and the plays are done at that sister campus. No film major at all. Jazz band is a club shared with Bryn Mawr. Middleburg has decent programs for all of those things, though not as well known as Wes and Vassar for them.
Don’t be surprised if the Wesleyan aid package is less. They are a need-aware school with a smaller per student (and even absolute dollar) endowment and typically higher student debt. I believe they are working to improve the endowment but for the moment their rep is they are a bit tighter on aid.
@citivas: That was based on an overall read of the post. If musical theater is the priority, then Vassar and Wesleyan seem like great choices. If this priority receded somewhat, then I could see how Haverford could offer something these schools do not. So I simply saw Middlebury being edged out in either of these scenarios, even if only by a slight margin. I’ll say here, though, that Middlebury could be a good choice as well.
Ask Vasar for an appeal if it truly would be your first choice. In the past, they would consider offering more aid if you had better offers from similar schools.
Thanks for your input everyone! I sent an email to the Vassar financial aid office today explaining my situation. Still haven’t heard back from Wesleyan. And I thought the waiting was over… [-O<
Wesleyan is only need aware for the last 5% or so of students considered. From what I’ve heard over the past few years Wes offers packages equally generous to all its LAC peers, though there might be a bit more indebtedness if comparing to schools that have entirely done away with loans. I think the family income has to be below 40 or 50k at Wes for all aid to be grants.
My son is at Vassar. He is not a theater major but he been in one or two plays a year. He has personally chose to concentrate on Elizabethan plays but there are musicals, contemporary and original put on by any number of groups. Vassar has also been known as a venue for new York bound plays to exorcise there kinks. The community also supports the theater. Theater at Vassar could not be stronger. I understand Wesleyan is very artsy too but from what random stuff I have seen on the internet Wesleyan seems more druggy maybe more partying and Vassar more of like a theater kid nerd kind of place. I think a lot of bands come out of Wesleyan. My son spends a chunk of his time playing dungeons and dragons with a group and other role playing games in others. I am not a student and not an expert in anything but that is my perspective. But I am certain that if you want to go to Vassar and get involved with theater you absolutely can. And remember Broadway is a train ride away.
By the way we submitted a financial Ai appeal to Vassar and they responded with a much better package
@minionmemes - Wondering where you decided to go and how it turned out with the financial aid packages. Are you happy with your decision so far? Thanks
