<p>I like both vassar and wesleyan, however they both seem so similar, i don't really know what's different about them. So, what are the differences? Also, academically wise i'm most into the humanities and arts (writing, history, music, etc.)</p>
<p>from what I can tell:</p>
<p>Vassar and Wesleyan are similar in the sorts of kids who are attracted. Both are located in similar towns. Both have great LAC open curriculum, friendly people, lots of opps for undergrads, happy students.</p>
<p>Wesleyan is a bit larger with about 2700 kids. Wes has closer to 50/50 M/F ratio than Vassar. Wesleyan is a bit more known for "political" and "crunchy" kids. Wesleyan has more minority and international students. Wesleyan is known for music & film depts.</p>
<p>Vassar has good NYC connections (internships.) Vassar's gorgeous campus is self-contained/walled while Wesleyan's gorgeous campus spills across streets and intermingles with the town more.</p>
<p>Have you visited both places and talked to students? They are very similar on paper (well, similar in general, probably), so I'd think it would be hard to compare based on other people's comments. I mean, I love Vassar to death, but I'm completely biased. I'm sure Wesleyan people feel the same way about their school. But I think a visit or at least some conversations with students will really illuminate differences. </p>
<p>Vassar is probably a little cozier. You will know, or at least recognize, most people on campus if you're a fairly social person. Most of the social life is on-campus as well. Depending on want you're looking for, that's a good or a bad thing. Wesleyan, being larger, is probably a little different in that respect. Academic quality is probably similar. Vassar has a particularly awesome English department. It used to be the most people major, but was recently overtaken by poli sci. Music is probably stronger at Wesleyan. </p>
<p>Most internships in NYC are done during the summer (it's a fairly long commute to the city, probably 2 hours each way), but there are a ton of Vassar grads in New York, which is great for job hunting (especially in the arts/non-profit community). I can't tell you enough how helpful that is. But in all honesty, it's probably fairly true of Wesleyan too.</p>
<p>thanks for all the comments. i know i haven't visited either and i don't think i'll get a chance before i apply</p>
<p>I have spent a weekend at both, I liked Vassar alot more. I think SBmom nailed it.</p>
<p>I would agree with SBMom's description. Middletown plays a slightly larger role in everyday Wesleyan life than Poughkeepsie does in Vassar's; faculty and staff live on many of the surrounding streets; so do quite a few juniors and seniors; it is a place where a select number in every class have family; there's a comparatively healthy commercial center only two blocks away, including an all night diner popular with students. Vassar, OTOH, is further away from downtown Poughkeepsie and most students avoid it, if at all possible. In that sense, the most apt comparison might not be to Wesleyan per se, but to another Connecticut college--Trinity.</p>
<p>slipper, why did you like vassar more?</p>
<p>Vassar's campus is much more attractive in my opinion.
Schools seemed very similar in many respects.</p>
<p>Vassar was much less "elitist hipster." The students were friendlier and more down to earth..</p>
<p>That's funny, slipper, I found Vassar kids a little more Upper-East-Side & polished and Wesleyan kids a little more low key.</p>
<p>I guess our huge random sample of 4 or 5 kids might not be too reliable ;)</p>
<p>how to vassar and wesleyan also compare to oberlin?</p>
<p>Wesleyan is slightly stronger in the sciences, but that would be of less concern to you. The Vassar campus is more attractive in terms of landscape and buildings, but S liked the Wes kids just a little better. The ones we met seemed more down to earth.</p>
<p>Both are great colleges that have a lot to offer. I don't think you could go wrong at either if you want a LAC.</p>