seniors2008

have you visited Vassar? I'd say you should go see it before you judge it. I visited Vassar thinking it would be really intensely liberal and full of people who i wouldn't really relate to and I was totally wrong. I really go the impression that Vassar isnt that much more liberal than any other LAC in the northeast. NYU stern is NOT worth extra money unless you are positive of what you want to do, and lets face it, most people change their minds. From your posts, you really sound like someone who would thrive at Vassar. You can always do internships in the city over the summer.

Infinite_Truth

Eh...it's really hard to turn down Stern, it's the best school in the world almost for business...but if you'd be unhappy there, Vassar by all means.

momrath

artstar, I think you're getting ahead of yourself and worrying too much about your life's work when you've not even started your college education.

I've nothing but good things to say about Stern for someone who wants to go to business school but since it seems that you don't want to get an undergrad degree in business it therefore seems that Stern is not for you.

Vassar is a very good school and art history is one of its strengths. If you are interested in pursuing the business side of art -- e.g. museum administration, estate management, art related NGO work -- Vassar will certainly provide a jumping off point in the way of internships, summer jobs, post-graduate connections. There is absolutely no reason to believe that you couldn't be gainfully employed with a degree from Vassar!

CMU is also a very strong choice for someone with a dual interest in economics and art. The joint degrees between the College of Fine Arts and the College of Humanities seem tailor made for you.

sfkef2010

It can be really hard to argue with your parents about prestige stuff for college. Do they understand that you might not want to be a business major, or are you too afraid to tell them?

Burb Parent

They ARE pre-professional! When I went to graduate business school, students went to classes in suits because they had an interview, or they were heading to an internship/ part-time job after class.

If a pre-professional atmosphere makes you uncomfortable, then I doubt that you will be happy at Stern.

art_star

"Do they understand that you might not want to be a business major, or are you too afraid to tell them?"

I have told them many times. My mom is quick to say that I'm just being silly and she's not going to pay for "some useless education" otherwise. For them, basically, Vassar is not really in the question anymore. And yes, my parents are very into the "prestige" factor of things. They make sure to say that I got into NYU Stern when people ask.

I will tell you that I was much, MUCH more happy/relieved to get my Stern acceptance than when I got my Vassar one. I know that ultimately I'll probably be working in the business world somewhere. My main concern is that I won't be a very well rounded person if i go to Stern, but perhaps that can be remedied with my elective space. At Vassar I know I can do anything I want, but it won't prepare me well for that business world that lies after graduation.

What makes me so unsure is that it's really hard for me to turn down an opportunity like Stern. Sigh, it would be a LOT easier if I got off one of my waitlist schools! I'll be visiting Vassar this weekend hopefully if my parents are willing to make the drive up there.

In the meantime, please, lend me more of your comments!

momrath

I don't agree with that statement. A liberal arts education, whether it's from Yale, University of Michigan or Vassar (e.g. medium private, large public, small LAC) DOES prepare you for business as long as you take appropriate steps along the way like summer jobs, internships, networking, etc.

Business is a big bad world, but there are plenty of CEOs, CFOs, COOs with undergraduate degrees in music, art, history, philosophy.

art_star, you will most likely find satisfaction at Stern. Even if you're not able to supplement your business focus with art-related courses, you still have all of New York City to draw on.

But I would not be so sure that a degree from a top Biz School necessarily is the be-all and end-all for business success. The ability to communicate -- orally and in writing -- the ability to evaluate, analyze, the ability to work well with others, the ability to lead a group -- are all skill sets that can be secured through many routes, not just through business school. That's what an undergraduate education is really all about. If along the way you pick up some Shakepeare or biology more the better -- but the point is to learn how to think, how to communicate, how to function in a complex society.

Good luck and let us know how you do.

sfkef2010

art_star, why don't you contact the admissions office at a business school, and ask what they would like to see in an applicant. You need to be specific about your situation. Then, you can show the response to your parents.

I just sent a note to Yale to ask questions about my current course of study in college. The note I received back was very helpful, and I forwarded it onto my mother, who was pleased with the response.

Native NJ

I know its apples vs oranges, but if your parents are into prestige, they might not realize that Vassar ranked #11 of all liberal arts colleges and is now co-ed because they turned down Yale's offer to merge. (Radcliffe is now part of Harvard). Vassar is "Ivy League" while NYU is one of many excellent large universities. Wharton trumps (no pun even though the Donald went there) Stern in business.

However, if you go to Vassar you WILL get into NYU for an MBA (or even more likely, Harvard) if you (they) want you to go into "business".

UCLA, Ph.D.

Vassar save your money. Vassar is a great place.

Newyorkladii

Vassar. Do it.

art_star

Just an update...I chose Stern. It was tough but I talked to some academic advisers at Stern about the curriculum and there is a liberal arts core and a lot of elective space. There was also the advantage of possibly minoring in production at NYU Tisch that also pulled my decision.

Unfortunately I never got the chance to visit Vassar. My parents were "too busy" to take me and they knew that they wouldn't have let me go there anyway. But I actually talked to a student who transfered to NYU from there and she has no regrets. And I don't regret my decision either and I think I'll be perfectly happy at Stern. Thanks everyone for the comments!

liek0806

Good to hear you're happy with your choice. I wish you luck at Stern, and it definitely is a great option to have.