Hey all, Vassar sophomore here. Just wanted to comment on surrounding communities, because that was mentioned here – if you’re looking for a “college town” that just exists as an extension of the school you’re going to, don’t come to Vassar. I like Poughkeepsie – it feels real, and is made up of wonderful, diverse communities… and yeah, there’s some grit too. I understand how some folks would feel more comfortable in a small college town, but want to note that I have a lot of friends who have expressed that they feel more comfortable in Poughkeepsie than they would in some kind of college town, as Poughkeepsie is full of communities that make them feel at home. I feel safe in Poughkeepsie, and have walked down Main Street plenty of times.
Some of the critique of Poughkeepsie is in part class/ racially motivated. Not saying that’s anyone here, but I’ve heard it at Vassar a couple times. Some folks don’t get off campus much because there’s so much going on here on campus, and others are quick to make assumptions about what Poughkeepsie is like and that there’s nothing there without ever engaging with people who live in Poughkeepsie.
I’ve really appreciated Poughkeepsie while being here. I’ve volunteered in the public middle school and high school, and work with migrants learning English every week. There are a TON of ngos doing really cool work in Poughkeepsie, and our Office of Community Engaged Learning connects people to them. People volunteer all the time and are safe. There are community events all the time… art shows, theater performances, spring and fall festivals, a winter festival of light, all sorts of quirky art stuff and events, a lot from the youth in Poughkeepsie… I could keep going. Lots of public parks too, especially stuff on the Hudson. A really nice rail trail-turned-biking/walking-path that goes by campus and eventually gets to the Walkway Over the Hudson.
And food! Every student gets $105 to spend at Arlington restaurants every semester. Within a 5-7 minute walk into Arlington, there’s a coffee shop, bagel shop, fusion South American, 2 Mexican, Thai, Dominican, a diner, Indian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Jamaican, Sushi, 2 “american,” pizza, a Dunkin, an indie bookstore, a bowling alley. When you adventure further than a 10 minute walk there’s way more… Honduran, a couple places with soul food, a bunch more Mexican (specifically Oaxacan), sandwich places, pubs, bars, fancier places, etc. For Poughkeepsie’s size, there’re a TON of good restaurants, a reflection of the diversity of this community. People leave campus to eat at them.
I do lots of stuff off campus, and have never heard a story about a Vassar student being in danger off-campus.
Sorry to repeat stuff that some of you have read before! Poughkeepsie isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. But there’s a lot more going on here than most folks realize, and in my mind, being here is far more desirable than being in a cute little college town.