Vassar College or Wesleyan University for EDII?

Applying to College Early Decision / Early Action
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I note both Renwick’s Free Academy Building in NYC (since torn down, although the Free Academy itself is now CCNY) and the Smithsonian “Castle” are often credited for helping bring about the coming wave of Gothic Revival in institutional buildings, not least Collegiate Gothic.

But aside from some one-off buildings, the idea of an entire Collegiate Gothic campus was still about 10 years off at the time he was doing Main Hall in the Second Empire style. And even then, the first attempt (the Burges plan for Trinity College) proved a bit of a false start. It really wasn’t until Bryn Mawr in the 1880s that it was successfully implemented.

Again, just some (to me) interesting history.

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Just for giggles:

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These were two of my kid’s top choices last year. He had always preferred Wes, but he had a moment where he wondered whether he should prioritize Vassar for ED based on the belief that he might have a slightly better chance there (not really grounded in anything concrete—just vibes!). I told him the chances were very similar and that he should ED to the school he preferred. He went with Wes, got in, and is really happy there.

These are both great schools with similar student profiles. Go with the one you prefer rather than trying to game out which one is more likely to admit you.

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I know this typically falls on deaf ears, but I sincerely think kids tend to write their best applications for the colleges where they have really come to to believe that college is a particularly good fit for them–and they are a particularly good fit for that college.

The first part is more obviously personal, but even the second part (being a good fit for that college) is not easily reduced to published statistics and such, at least not at holistic review colleges. I think you have to carefully study what they say they are looking for, and at some point experience a sort of revelation that, hey, they are actually talking about me! They really want students like me!

If you feel both those ways about a college and it is comfortably affordable and you are least competitively qualified and so on–that is a good ED candidate. And I do think some kids sometimes talk themselves out of thinking that way with all the ED “strategies” they hear about. And I usually think that is a mistake, they are not in fact maximizing their chances of a good result in ED if they are not applying to a college with that sort of clear, two-way fit.

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Have you been to any of the three - including Amherst ?

It sounds like prestige, not fit, is a basis of your selection.

I sure hope you have visited where you intend to spend four years.

Don’t forget ED rates are artificially high due to hooked applicants like athletes. You might do as well in RD. If you are overseas, I would not recommend an ED at all (assuming you’ve yet to visit).

And then you’d have a chance to make a proper decision.

What if you like none of the three ?

No one has to ED and there’s ton of great colleges, perhaps including these, that will want you and yet give you a chance to visit first.

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I actually love that about Wes!

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Given the challenges you likely face in visiting these schools you are smart to seek the advice of people who are very familiar with the schools you are considering. Sounds like you are trying to ensure fit.

Please continue to seek those insights as you have numerous CC members with first hand experiences at all three schools.

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There are also opportunities for video tours, which can be helpful too. Visit - Tour | Vassar College

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Agreed! I posted on another thread about visiting during family weekend, which was also homecoming, and how cool it was to walk by the football game on our way to and from other things. Really lively and fun.

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Agree with most comments here - apply to the one you like best, as prestige difference is negligible (though somewhat depending on major). Our son was admitted to both Vassar and Wes RD and chose the latter. He’s very happy. Our daughter will be applying to both RD also.

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I may have missed it, but it sounds like you haven’t visited and won’t be able to visit before making a decision. If that’s the case, then you’re in a pickle because Wes and Vassar are probably more alike than any two other colleges in the NESCAC (noting that Vassar is not a NESCAC member). They are alike in culture and, to an extent, in what they’re good at, though each school has its own areas of pronounced excellence.

That being said, they are different places and campuses. Wes is integrated into Middletown, Vassar is walled off from Poughkeepsie. Vassar has a fairly organized layout of pretty old buildings, Wesleyan has a much more eclectic mix of buildings, new and old, and the layout is less classical, though there are many beautiful buildings at Wes. The point about athletic fields in the middle of campus is partially correct. Most of Wes’ athletic fields form part of the athletic complex which adjoins campus. But Andrus field is dead smack in the middle of campus, though outside of football season it’s just a green space; there is no permanent stadium infrastructure. It’s built out during football season. The soccer field is by the CFA, and when not in use is also just another green space. When they’re in use, it’s actually a cool and pleasing collegiate aesthetic, whether you care about the games or not. And Andrus has a long history. Andrus Field 1831–1911: Athletics and the Environment - Connecticut History | a CTHumanities Project.

There is also a slight difference in environment due to Wes being a NESCAC school and therefore emphasizing athletics a bit more than Vassar. If Vassar were to ever join the NESCAC, a conference in which they would be a natural fit IMO, that would likely change. Until then, I think it makes a bit of a difference in campus feel. In that respect, Wes and Amherst are more alike. Football, especially, is a difference maker wherever you find it, and Vassar doesn’t have it (for better or worse, depending on your tastes).

FWIW, Amherst is third place among these schools for campus attractiveness IMO. Though the town of Amherst is more bucolic than either Middletown or Poughkeepsie, I have never been all that impressed by the college’s campus. It’s well put together and nice, but also a little boring in my book. I would put Middletown over both for restaurant options.

I think the study of history would be robust at both schools. If you can figure out which place you’d prefer, go there if Amherst doesn’t work out.

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@twixisnice -And you might want to look at a few other variables. Are you interested in theater? Vassar has an active drama program and has a 6 week summer program if you aren’t planning to return home during the summer Powerhouse Theater - Homepage | Vassar College

Vassar, Wes and Amherst all participate in the 12 college exchange, so you could spend a semester or a year at any of these (or other) institutions Twelve College Exchange – Dean of Studies

Amherst has the 5 college consortium, so you can cross register at a few nearby schools Five College Programs & Information | Academics | Amherst College

These are examples of the kinds of opportunities that schools of this caliber offer. As others have mentioned, there are many similarities across these 3 schools, and it sounds like you have done your homework and would be happy at any of them. There are shops and such right by the Vassar campus, and the Vassar farm is bucolic The Preserve at Vassar | Vassar College. The city of Poughkeepsie is not by any means charming as are the other college towns, but TBH most students don’t spend much time off campus. They do though sometimes hop the train down to NYC. Good luck!

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Hi twixisnice,

I know you asked which school you are more likely to get into. I can’t answer that.

If I had to make a quick judgement between these two schools for someone who has never seen them, I might suggest Vassar. We just visited last week. The campus is enormous and truly stunning. Nothing was in bloom and the landscaping was still beautiful. The grounds were very well maintained. We walked around on our own for almost 2 hours and did not come close to seeing everything. The atmosphere on campus (early Saturday morning) felt very relaxed. We interacted with some students - they were all very friendly and very helpful. As others have mentioned, Poughkeepsie is a bit rundown. If you don’t mind spending most of your time on campus, Vassar’s has a lot to offer.

We visited Weslyan this past summer. It was quiet so we didn’t get to interact with students. It’s much smaller but still very nice. Middletown is also a small town. Slightly nicer than Poughkeepsie I suppose.

At either school you would spend most of your time on campus and for that reason alone, I think Vassar would win.

I don’t know if that is helpful and I know it’s not the answer you were looking for.

Best of luck to you!

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Am I the only one bothered by EDing to a school that you can’t visit - and it likely doesn’t give you a substantial lift?

And I don’t care who knows what first hand about a school - you can’t get a feel unless you are on campus.

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OP it seems like you have focused in on three schools that have a fair number of similarities. Flexible curriculums, classic northeast LAC, social activist vibe, etc. That tells me you have a solid personal sense of fit and have done your homework. I have spent time on all three campuses (had Wes housemates who attended VC on 13 school exchange) and the schools have more in common then separates them. Many of the differences have been detailed throughout the thread by those who have experienced them.

Having been an alumni interviewer at Vassar for over a decade I did observe an advantage for those applying ED. This boost was particularly noticeable for male candidates but also evident for female students that offered geographic diversity or unique interests. At small LACs there is an advantage to applying ED although the extent is debatable and hard to quantify.

I know it is tough to make a binding commitment in the absence of a visit but if you are comfortable with the vibe of all three schools, I think you are smart to take your best shot given the competitiveness of RD admissions. Truth be told even with a visit you still can’t be sure of making the “right” choice so why squander any advantage you might have. Good luck with your decision.

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This

Many, many students either don’t visit schools until after they are accepted, or aren’t fortunate enough (due to distance, finances or other scheduling challenges) to visit schools before applying. You have clearly done your HW. Go ahead and line up your ED II. You will not regret it.

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Some students, and particularly those who live abroad, might not be able to visit colleges easily….and affordably. Sometimes visiting just isn’t possible.

The virtual tours linked above plus any information the applicant can get online will likely be helpful.

These schools, prestige wise, are very similar, and there are a lot of students who apply to both because of similarities.

I guess my question would be…why ED2. Why not just craft a list of varied colleges to apply to RD if the ED 1 doesn’t work out.

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That’s my point. ED acceptance rates are likely very overinflated due to hooked students. Applying ED sight unseen is a big risk IMHO. You lose choice and you likely gain zero or near zero advantage.

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Chances of admission are better with EDII than RD. And many, MANY overseas applicants apply to schools, especially prestige schools, early and sight unseen. OP has already applied to Amherst EDI sight unseen. And most kids bloom where they are planted. Especially at these schools.

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