Huge congrats! Awesome options!
I’m at Vassar and have friends at most of these schools! All great options, you can’t go wrong! (not trying to convince you to come to Vassar, just a couple comments based on what I know) –
If you’re interested in Poli Sci, I really think you should go to each school’s course catalog and read about the specific profs. Look at where they’re from, where they were educated, what categories of poli sci they do, what they’re interested in… Vassar’s political science is very different than Georgetown’s. I love our Poli Sci profs but recognize that it’s not the exp everyone is looking for.
Beware preppy vibes at Georgetown (noted to me by a friend)! Though there will be preppy people at any elite school… Lots and lots of quirk at Vassar. A close friend’s twin goes to Williams, and they joke a lot about how people at Williams are more “normal” and sporty than us Vassar students. I hear similar things about Bowdoin.
Don’t doubt yourself with Swat’s academics! If they accepted you, they’re confident you’ve got what it takes to do well. At any of these schools, you could pick similarly difficult schedules, or pick classes that are on the easier side… plus I think Swat still has the pass/fail first semester to transition in right?
And wherever you go, make sure to connect with their programs for fgli students (you mentioned the clutch need-based aid, so I’m assuming you’d probably fit into that?). Many of my friends were part of the Foundations/Transitions program at Vassar. Completely transformed their college experiences.
And yeah, Vassar isn’t in a “city-city,” but I like Poughkeepsie, and NYC access is pretty easy with friends from the city. You mentioned that you speak some Spanish? There’s a huge Oaxacan population in Poughkeepsie, lots of restaurants and opportunities to meet people, a big Oaxacan festival over the summer… my longer Poughkeepsie ramble here Puzzled about Vassar (and their admissions office) - #49 by swallowtail
Feel free to DM me too if you have any specific questions or would like to be connected with anything!