Final colleges of the trip
Aug. 18th, 2006 10:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jedusorAunt Amanda and I took off bright and early to get to Sarah Lawrence for the ten o'clock tour. Our tour guide was a bit over the top, but I really liked the college. They don't do tests, and instead of finals, you have to write a 15-20-page paper for each class. Also, we were warned that standardized test scores are disregarded entirely in the admissions process. Not that my scores are bad, but I like that attitude. The college in general reminded me quite a bit of Reed.
We had to leave the tour a few minutes early to get to Vassar. I didn't get to spend nearly as long as I would have liked to spend there, and we only went to an info session, not a tour. It was enough to give me the sense that I would like the school, but not enough that I could write a "Why Vassar" essay or anything. And their financial aid doesn't look good.
Then came Bard. Holy crap. I admit that after a few tours, colleges start to seem a bit alike, but not Bard. The most unique thing about it is the Learning and Thinking workshop, which is two weeks before the beginning of official classes that the freshmen spend reading, writing, getting to know each other, and getting used to campus life before being dumped into the semester. It was going on while we were there, and the students all looked happy. There were a lot of other things I liked about it, too, not least of which was the flexibility shown by the admissions representative (as opposed to Columbia, where they practically threatened to throw my application in the trash if I include any kind of supplemental information whatsoever).
After the tour, we ate dinner at the Roasted Garlic Restaurant. The food was awesome, and I talked to a Bard sophomore who gave me his e-mail address. Then we drove all the way back to Long Island, where I discovered that Drew (the dog) had gotten into the chocolate I bought on Wednesday. Most of it was white chocolate, so he shouldn't get too sick, but I'm annoyed with myself for leaving it where he could get it. It was good stuff.
All three campuses were absolutely breathtaking. I never knew that New York was so beautiful.
We had to leave the tour a few minutes early to get to Vassar. I didn't get to spend nearly as long as I would have liked to spend there, and we only went to an info session, not a tour. It was enough to give me the sense that I would like the school, but not enough that I could write a "Why Vassar" essay or anything. And their financial aid doesn't look good.
Then came Bard. Holy crap. I admit that after a few tours, colleges start to seem a bit alike, but not Bard. The most unique thing about it is the Learning and Thinking workshop, which is two weeks before the beginning of official classes that the freshmen spend reading, writing, getting to know each other, and getting used to campus life before being dumped into the semester. It was going on while we were there, and the students all looked happy. There were a lot of other things I liked about it, too, not least of which was the flexibility shown by the admissions representative (as opposed to Columbia, where they practically threatened to throw my application in the trash if I include any kind of supplemental information whatsoever).
After the tour, we ate dinner at the Roasted Garlic Restaurant. The food was awesome, and I talked to a Bard sophomore who gave me his e-mail address. Then we drove all the way back to Long Island, where I discovered that Drew (the dog) had gotten into the chocolate I bought on Wednesday. Most of it was white chocolate, so he shouldn't get too sick, but I'm annoyed with myself for leaving it where he could get it. It was good stuff.
All three campuses were absolutely breathtaking. I never knew that New York was so beautiful.
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no subject
Date: 2006-08-20 04:33 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-08-19 01:44 pm (UTC)Given your unusual situation, they clearly need a statement about that, otherwise they won't be able to properly assess your application. Furthermore, given how much work you've done for your student newspaper, I don't think it would be crazy to include a clip--whatever article you're most proud of, that shows what a good writer and reporter you are.
I wonder if it would make sense to apply to Barnard? It sounds like they process applications completely separately, and yet you have access to everything at Columbia.
I'm glad you thought the area around Sarah Lawrence and Vassar and Bard was pretty; that's one of my favorite parts of New York state.
I'm sorry you didn't get to spend more time at Vassar, but now you know at least two grads you can talk to, and Jon can surely suggest more, if you think you liked the school well enough to find out more.
Most importantly, stay calm: You've seen a lot of terrific schools, and you'd be happy at almost any of them. This is all very exciting! I'm really looking forward to hearing about where you apply, and where you end up going!
no subject
Date: 2006-08-20 04:47 pm (UTC)I wonder if it would make sense to apply to Barnard?
It would make sense, but I'm not applying to Barnard because I really don't like the idea of an all-female college. If it were co-ed, I would probably do that.
I hadn't thought of including a newspaper article in my applications. Thanks for the idea!
I'm really looking forward to hearing about where you apply, and where you end up going!
Me, too. Let me know how the whole grad school application thing goes!