Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 12:56     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Williams has a shockingly abysmal yield for RD - meaning, many kids choose other schools who gain admittance - Vassar is definitely at the peer level so go with it!!
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 12:06     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Anonymous wrote:Williams is #1 in the nation.


You kid yourself thinking people care about the difference between a #1 SLAC and #14 SLAC. It’s almost laughable in this new AI environment and focus on ROI that you say this. Read the room, SLACs are no longer coveted. ~signed patent of a kid attending an SLAC because of fit and because I believe kids that are meant to be successful will be anywhere but no delusions about SLACs
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 11:56     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think Williams does the art stuff especially well - with paths to commerce or academic art careers.

But for cognitive science, if Vassar is a leader, then this really he a jump ball and comes down to fit. And it sounds like he was having real conversations - this is not about a single person he loved/hated at one accepted students event. It's an easier drive , for sure!

Williams is not that great for art. They have a phenomenal masters in art history program, but their undergrad experience is just standard for all top lacs.

+1, people here are mostly delusional about Williams or repost the same thing they’ve heard from someone else. It’s alright- spectacular for Math and Geology and Physics. Everything else is the same as any other top lac.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 11:50     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Anonymous wrote:I think Williams does the art stuff especially well - with paths to commerce or academic art careers.

But for cognitive science, if Vassar is a leader, then this really he a jump ball and comes down to fit. And it sounds like he was having real conversations - this is not about a single person he loved/hated at one accepted students event. It's an easier drive , for sure!

Williams is not that great for art. They have a phenomenal masters in art history program, but their undergrad experience is just standard for all top lacs.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 10:04     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Anonymous wrote:After attending both admitted students days, DS is certain he wants to choose Vassar over Williams. This was a massive shock for our family, since he dreamed of Williams and almost ED’d. Conversation with faculty member in Cognitive Science apparently drew him, but we’re hoping he chooses the obvious answer.

Anyone else have a similar situation? DS is interested in art/art history and cognitive science.


More women at Vassar?
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 09:15     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Feel confident in his choice! Vassar is a really solid school and it sounds like the right fit for him. My student was also choosing between two SLACs and ended up picking the school ranked a bit lower because it was a better overall fit. It also offered what she was looking for in terms of programs and course of study.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 08:40     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I thought Vassar was a women's college?

Welcome back, Rip Van Winkle! Vassar has been coeducational since 1969, longer than Harvard has been co-ed!


(Also longer than Williams, Colgate, John’s Hopkins, Notre Dame, and U Penn!)
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 08:37     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
I think Williams does the art stuff especially well - with paths to commerce or academic art careers.

But for cognitive science, if Vassar is a leader, then this really he a jump ball and comes down to fit. And it sounds like he was having real conversations - this is not about a single person he loved/hated at one accepted students event. It's an easier drive , for sure!
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 08:36     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Anonymous wrote:I thought Vassar was a women's college?

Welcome back, Rip Van Winkle! Vassar has been coeducational since 1969, longer than Harvard has been co-ed!
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 08:33     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Anonymous wrote:I’d go to Williams and transfer to a top program after. The Williams prestige and not having the appropriate major will lock you in to at least one top 20 university. Your chances for a top 10 are very good as well. Know some Williams students who transferred into Yale, UPenn, and Columbia.


transfer after freshman year? but it sounds like he wants a SLAC.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 08:24     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:^^ also that's exactly the kind of unique interdisciplinary combo that thrives at Williams

Art plus history?


Reading is fundamental.

Somehow I doubt that reading is your thing, in that that prior post, toward which the arrows were directed, said this:


Unfortunately for art history I'd choose Williams. Far stronger program, sorry. My DS ended up not loving Williams after visiting, so I get it.

However, I'll admit to having introduced a silly proposition.


If you had actually read the OP, you'd grasp it.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 07:59     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:^^ also that's exactly the kind of unique interdisciplinary combo that thrives at Williams

Art plus history?


Reading is fundamental.

Somehow I doubt that reading is your thing, in that that prior post, toward which the arrows were directed, said this:


Unfortunately for art history I'd choose Williams. Far stronger program, sorry. My DS ended up not loving Williams after visiting, so I get it.

However, I'll admit to having introduced a silly proposition.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 07:57     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Congrats to your son! He needs to go where he’ll be happy and Vassar is great. Signed, loyal Williams alum
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 07:56     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Vassar is a terrific school that has been coed for decades. My husband went there and so did my male boss. Both had a great experience and have had impressive careers.
Anonymous
Post 04/21/2026 07:41     Subject: Vassar Over Williams?!
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:^^ also that's exactly the kind of unique interdisciplinary combo that thrives at Williams

Art plus history?


Reading is fundamental.