Main differences between Vassar, Hamilton, and Middlebury

TheGreyKing
Sat, 04 Apr 2020 00:18:09 +0000

Congratulations! Great choices!

You can’t go wrong here, and I would argue that the three are more similar to than different from one another.

Vassar:

1. Artsy, liberal vibe. Great theatre. Famous alumni in the performing arts.

2. Lovely buildings and grounds.

3. Coed now, but its history as a women’s college still affects the feel of campus, from the male-female ratio to a female empowerment vibe.

4. Suburban, whereas the other two are rural.

5. Nearest of the 3 to a major metropolis (NYC), but still not very close (approx 2 hours).

6. Specific academic requirements are pretty loose/ flexible, although not as much so as Hamilton.

7. Nice socially, making a home away from home, due to living in the same dorm for three years.

8. My spouse is an alum. He loved it! He has maintained friendships all these years.

Hamilton:

1. Seemed to have the friendliest folks of the three on first impression, although you will find friends at any of the three.

2. The “dark“ and “light” sides of the campus (dark is modern building old Kirkland campus, light is classic architecture old Hamilton campus) are also reflected in a student body that reflects both an artsy side and a jock/frat/prep side.

3. It is the only one of the three choices to have fraternities and sororities. That may be a plus or a minus for you.

4. Probably the most comfortable for a conservative of the three, although all three are more liberal than not.

5. The only one of the three, and indeed one of the few colleges in the nation, with a completely “open” curriculum. A major plus!

Middlebury:

1. The mountains!

2. Arguably the most breathtakingly beautiful, and indisputably the best-maintained campus, of the three.

3. Most isolated of the 3.

4. The most distribution requirements to meet of the three colleges.

5. Want to major in a foreign language? Go here!

6. Best dining/ food of the three.

You can’t go wrong with three such great choices. Make a choice and don’t look back. Good luck!