<p>So I know that people on this forum are probably a little partial towards Wells :) But I'm really torn between the two schools and would love some advice or perspective.</p>
<p>I really like the small LAC vibe, which is why I'm picking W or V over some bigger schools I've gotten into. I'm planning on majoring in Cognitive Science or Linguistics with a minor in Education, though I'm also fairly interested in biology, anthropology and French. </p>
<p>I like that Wellesley has a beautiful campus, great alumni network and excellent reputation, and it seems like an all-girls school would lead to making some life-long friends. </p>
<p>But Vassar seems to have a lot of the same qualities, and while Poughkeepsie isn't as lively as Boston it's near NYC and I have family there. I also like that it's co-ed, I'm a little uncertain about going to an all-female school. I haven't visited the campus though (I visited W) so I'm not sure what it is like, though I've seen pictures.</p>
<p>I really don't know which one to pick. My parents prefer Wellesley because they feel it has a better reputation and potential for jobs after college, but I'm indecisive :\ I know it's a bad idea to listen to stereotypes but I've heard how W women can be overly clique-y or too driven, while V is a place for hippies and people who don't really fit in anywhere else (I know these are stereotypes and I love both schools, just wondering if there is some truth).</p>
<p>Anyway I know this is long and rambly and I should just go with my gut and pick one, but I'd love any input. Thanks!</p>
<p>I swam for Wellesley this past year, and our Seven Sisters championship (which we won!!) was at Vassar. Vassar was our big competition, and they were kind of bitter that they had lost.</p>
<p>Besides that, it was my first time visiting the school. The campus seems very lovely. I talked to some girls at Vassar, and they gave me their experience. They seem to like the school, and in particular I asked them how they feel about having guys around. They like the idea of having guys, but they said that the dating culture seems a little strange since everyone knows each other. They also mentioned that they have a lot of gay-guy friends (one girl estimated that maybe 1 of 5 guys is gay). The environment seems a little more laid back than Wellesley.</p>
<p>At the same time, Wellesley is really what you make it to be. Besides the fact that there are no guys, Wellesley is such a diverse campus that you can find your niche anywhere. If you want cliques, you'll find them. If you want laid back people, you'll find them, too. It depends on who you decide to roll with. This is my first year at Wellesley, but I feel that I have become so much more driven and focused just by being surrounded by people who are all inspired to do something great. I would have never thought about approaching MIT for research positions, but now I'm finding that I have the guts to do so.</p>
<p>I feel like there's a misconception about competition at Wellesley. When people hear "competition", they think that that means being cut-throat. Wellesley students are competitive, but they're more focused on developing themselves as intellectuals and individuals. At Wellesley I find that I'm not inspired to look better than everyone else, but I'm inspired to develop my own skills so I can put them to good use in the work force. Grades are important, but students are here because they want to learn something, not because they want to put everyone else down. </p>
<p>That's just my take on it. :) Yay Wellesley!</p>
<p>PS: While cognitive linguistics is not a big major at Wellesley, I do know one senior who is currently majoring in that. She had a research position at Harvard and ran a study that involved Russian heritage versus native speakers (I was a participant). I thought that was really awesome, perhaps that would be something you might potentially be interested in doing?</p>
<p>Wow, that experiment sounds really cool! What exactly/how was it run, do you know? (I’m a native sepaker of Russian, so I’m curious.)
How easy is it to take a class/do research like this at MIT/Harvard? Do I have to be a upper classmen to do the research like that?</p>
<p>I spent a summer at Vassar, so I can comment somewhat.</p>
<p>Location:
I would say that Boston is more accessible to Wellesley than NYC is to Vassar, but students at Vassar get there (on occasion) anyway. Poughkeepsie is at the very end of the New York equivalent of Boston Commuter Rail system. You would not walk to the Poughkeepsie train station, while you can walk to the one in Wellesley.</p>
<p>A vehicle will give you equal access to shopping and local entertainment at both schools. If you had a car, you would not drive it to Boston, because that’s silly.</p>
<p>Within walking distance, I would say that there’s more to a college student’s taste in the immediate area of campus at Vassar than Wellesley. There is no “guns, ammo and knives” store in Wellesley. While I was told otherwise, I never felt unsafe on Vassar’s campus at any hour of the evening (and I mean ANY hour), Vassar’s security has a more visible presence.</p>
<p>Housing: Wellesley has very few people in off-campus, non-single or double room housing options. Vassar has a few little apartment villages, and people also may move into apartments nearby. Vassar still has its original building- the equivalent of “college hall” that burned down in 1917 at Wellesley and you can actually liver there (I don’t recommend it).</p>
<p>Campus: my mother pointed out that aesthetics seem to be a quality of former women’s colleges, and Vassar is no exception. I prefer Wellesley’s fewer buildings and fake hills. but Vassar is no exception. Wellesley’s sports facilities are at one far corner of campus. Vassar’s are up a huge hill. Take your pick. </p>
<p>Academics: I would say that Vassar has a stronger arts program than Wellesley. Both schools have nice, internal summer science research programs.</p>
<p>Culture: I would agree that Vassar seems more “laid back” than Wellesley. There is a significantly larger drug culture at Vassar than at Wellesley. Vassar professors have commented on it.</p>
<p>Personally, I preferred Wellesley hands down over Vassar. Both D’s looked at them. We preferred the academics and approach at W and certainly the area and campus. Vassar was pretty enough but the students were no where near as friendly and the surrounding area was …dumpy…to say the least. D did not even apply to Vassar. Actually we skipped out after the tour…</p>
<p>I was categorized as a heritage speaker (immigrated when one month old and speak at home) so I was in that group. The girl who was performing/helping out with the study was a senior at Wellesley. I was sat down and did a computer test to test my Russian grammar abilities, and I was recorded while speaking Russian. Results are still pending, I believe, but I believe that they found that most heritage speakers will drop the Genitive (roditelneey) case in Russian.</p>
<p>It’s possible to find research positions at MIT, I’m not sure how easy it is for Harvard. (I assume that it’s much easier the older you get.) I have found some research positions at MIT, and I’m just a freshman, which to me is very surprising but awesome.</p>
<p>It’s harder to take classes at Harvard than MIT. Classes at Harvard can be taken if the class is not available at Wellesley, MIT, or Babson. The hard part is commuting, since the bus does not go to Harvard on weekdays. However, I know plenty of people who have or are currently taking a class at MIT.</p>
<p>Cross registration with MIT is quite popular – classes, research, etc. Basically everything that MIT has, Wellesley students can use and vice versa. Harvard is more in its own bubble (Harvard students will also testify to this so this is not just a Wellesley opinion). Most Harvard programs are only open to Harvard students. However, it is possible to take classes at Harvard IF nothing else is available. You would most likely have to talk to your dean to get it approved.</p>
<p>My daughter chose Vassar over Wellesley, after Vassar took her off the waiting list. For her, a no-brainer. Another website describes Wellesley as a “very competitive college where students attack mountainous workloads with fierce intensity”, while Vassar is on the top-ten list of colleges with the happiest students. Wellesley is a wonderful place, but Vassar, for my D, a better fit.</p>
<p>You’ll enjoy your studies at Wellesley. Also remember that MIT has a great linguistics program (think Noam Chomsky); I took a linguistics class there and really enjoyed it. Also, the educational atmosphere at MIT is totally different from that at Wellesley so I found it a great asset. Have a wonderful time!</p>
