<p>I have observed that liberal art colleges do not have much of a reputation outside America. I love Vassar but when I told my uncle who studied at Rice and Columbia that I wanted to study at Vassar he asked me why I wanted to study in France! He advised me to apply to Duke, Northwestern . Are schools like Northwestern and John hopkins significantly better than top liberal art colleges like Vassar?</p>
<p>the reaction you received is somewhat understandable. liberal arts colleges aren’t all that well known outside america, perhaps because of the smaller size. but that doesn’t mean they’re worse than the bigger, more famous colleges. </p>
<p>personally, i think a liberal arts college suited my needs better because i wanted a smaller student body, smaller classes, better chance to get to know my professors. </p>
<p>i think you should think about what are the subjects that interest you, look into those departments at both the small liberal arts colleges and the bigger universities. also, give some thought to what are the characteristics you want in your college. i think princetonreview.com has a quiz that helps you decide whether you want a small college or a big school. </p>
<p>make sure that in the end whatever your decision is, actually is yours. a college may not be well-known outside america but still may be a great college. also, it’s probably well-known in america. there’s also the question about international financial aid (if you’re such a candidate) that you have to look into while looking at some of the bigger schools.</p>
<p>hope it helps. :)</p>
<p>I’m not affiliated with Vassar, nor do I know much about it. I can answer the question, though. Vassar is actually highly regarded, here and abroad. My high school French teacher graduated first in her class ('68) at Vassar and had several jobs in France before returning to teach French here. Schools like Duke are good (:)), but they’re not for everyone.</p>
<p>Having worked in France, England, and Israel, I will go on record as saying that being a Vassar alum was probably the factor most responsible for my employment abroad. All five of my interviewers made some kind of “Oh, Vassar, very impressive” remark" … and gave me positions which I probably had no business having…:-)</p>
<p>I really hate to say it, but I think that’s a big part of why I want to go there. It would be really nice to have VASSAR on your resume. People do recognize it, thought I have a bunch of people at my school who have never heard of it. Now I feel so “back woods”. How can you not know VASSAR!</p>