<p>What majors is Vassar college known for being good at?</p>
<p>political science</p>
<p>Art History</p>
<p>Anything in science or math?</p>
<p>The bio and chem programs are supposedly great, and Ive heard good things about earth science. Havent heard about physics though, and math isnt super great.</p>
<p>English; and it’s the most popular major.</p>
<p>Really, really strong majors include: biology, cognitive science, art history, studio art, history, English, Italian, Russian, economics, environmental studies, astronomy, political science, Victorian studies, Medieval/Renaissance studies, dance(not actually a major, but an amazing dept), American culture, drama, media studies, and maybe women’s studies.</p>
<p>The rest are generally great(with exceptions like math), but the above majors are amazing and there arguably aren’t ‘better’ schools to study them at for undergrad, although there could exist a few equals.</p>
<p>The majors at Vassar that are probably the best in the country without parallel: drama, art history, and history. English is about as good as Pomona’s, but still better than elsewhere.</p>
<p>Vell28 can you expand on “math isn’t super great?” Have math leaning son interested in Vassar.</p>
<p>I’m an incoming freshman, so I can only relay what I’ve heard. Most current students tell me that most of the math department’s professors aren’t that great compared to Vassar’s other departments. Also, in general the course offerings aren’t as strong as they are at other colleges. People tell me it’s a lot more abstract.</p>
<p>Alum here.</p>
<p>The math department is by far one of the weakest. The teaching is awful, which sticks out a lot to Vassar students since the teachers are one of the school’s strongest points. English, drama, polisci, history, philosophy, and classics (latin, greek, ancient history, archaeology, etc.) are world class.</p>
<p>I was mostly in econ, russian, history, and classics. Econ was great but not at the level of those listed above.</p>
<p>How is Chemistry at Vassar?</p>
<p>Chemistry is quite strong and consistently sends students onto top PhD programs.</p>
<p>I heard the neuroscience program was great as well. Can anyone substantiate this?</p>
<p>Any thoughts on neuroscience? Vassar’s branding says Hollywood actress to me. I can’t figure out why Forbes ranks them so high. My 11th grader has Vassar at the top of his list and I want to make sure that he can keep up with the competition at state universities that have significant STEM programs.</p>
<p>My son and his classmate(both Physics majors) got into Stony Brook’s Bio Medical Engineering PHD program. Stony Brook only choose 9 out of over 300 applicants and two of them were Vassar STEM majors so they did quite well against the competition.</p>
<p>S1 was a science major at Vassar and is now in a top graduate program in also in engineering - doing great. Vassar prepared him well in both math and science. </p>
<p>@Burgermeister</p>
<p>My older sister graduated from Vassar two years ago, and she is now at a top 10 medical school. Many of her friends are going to top tier law schools and graduate programs. One of her male friends did some dual degree engineering program at an ivy.</p>
<p>I think the “Hollywood actress” reputation is due to the fact that Meryl Streep and Lisa Kudrow are alumni. It is, however, my understanding that the artsy stereotype at Vassar is overplayed. </p>
<p>The natural and social sciences are very strong and represent a large portion of the student body. The school has vast resources (huge endowment per student) and extremely bright professors due to its academic reputation and proximity to NYC. </p>
<p>I can try to answer more questions about the school or talk to my sister about it, if you so desire. She always raves about her time at Vassar, and I am sure she would be happy to elaborate. She was accepted at several big state schools (Umich, UCB, UNC) and a few other elite liberal arts colleges, but she ultimately chose Vassar.</p>
<p>Her reasons were as follows: no frat scene/hazing culture, strong science departments (biology major), no competition with graduate students for research opportunities, very accepting/diverse student body, high acceptance rates for top professional/graduate schools.</p>
<p>I will not personally be attending Vassar because I got into Yale, but it was certainly one of my top choices. I would say that it is just under the ivies in terms of academics and graduate school placement. </p>
<p>Hopefully this was helpful. I think your son should visit Vassar, if he has not already. It is completely different from the rowdy sports/partying/frat culture at big state schools. That may be a positive or a negative for him. </p>
<p>Sorry if this post comes across as a bit wordy and incoherent, but I am currently procrastinating. If you want clarification just let me know by posting or messaging me. Save me from writing this English paper! >.<</p>
<p>Dear Emmaling – I like your sister’s reasons! Our first visit focused on a meeting with an athletic coach. We will visit again and press for more information about research opportunities. Both Tufts and Trinity stressed their research jobs for undergrads whereas Vassar did not. My dream is that he pursue Vassar’s affiliation with Dartmouth’s engineering school. Thank you and congrats on your success. </p>
<p>Today I learned of Vassar’s Undergrad Research Science Institute (URSI). We’ll schedule a meeting.</p>
<p>English has always been strong. Be aware that there are very few creative writing classes, and that you must apply with writing samples to be admitted to them. For some students that might be a deal breaker.</p>