Admissions

Come to Vassar because you love it and you are passionate about where your life is headed, whether it be academically, musically, artistically, spiritually, whatever. Vassar simply wants you to care. And show that in your application. However, don't get too caught up in the I need to stand out! mindset.

As a prospective student, I would recommend visiting, especially overnight. There is no better way to get to know the campus than spending the night with a current student. My time as a prospie was so much fun and I met so many people who I'm still great friends with today. As for the application, I would recommend being as sincere and honest as possible. Admissions counselor's here are great and really want to get to know the applicants. I don't know how the do it, but they find a way to accept students here, that make Vassar the amazing, quirky place it is.

Go their and spend a day. Interact with the students because the students really make or break a school, as they are the people you'll be spending four years with. Sit in on a couple of classes and ask a lot of questions of everyone you encounter. It should be a place where you think to yourself, Yeah, I could be happy here. What I like about Vassar's prospective student process is that they didn't try to make you go to their school. They want you to talk to them so that they can figure out whether Vassar is the best fit for you. It's all about you as the prospective student, not Vassar as a prestigious academic school that you should choose. Also, admissions are need-blind and all scholarships are on need-based.

Do a sport or theater! Playing on a team at Vassar has been one of the best parts of my experience, because it's a group of friends from all different years and backgrounds that I wouldn't necessarily have met otherwise. And, the sports teams at Vassar are not super intense. They're fun and you definitely have to work at it, but it's not the kind of competition that you'd have at a D-I school.
Theater is a rich culture at Vassar. There are many interesting people to meet in theater circles, and theater at Vassar is fun and accessible to students of all years.

Make sure to visit. Vassar is different from other colleges in many ways, and make sure that you can handle Vassar before coming to Vassar.

Visit the campus and feel the amazing atmosphere for yourself. You will automatically feel the comfort and kindness that radiates from Vassar. Also, check out the restaurants around campus.

Get involved on campus! If you have to do a partner project, go for someone who has a strong grasp of the concept, not necessarily someone you get along with outside of class. Run your essays through Grammarly before handing them in. Have your essay read-over by another person. Read your paper out loud to hear any weird wording. Attend office hours with your professors. The homework isn't optional.

Vassar is a very liberal and open place, which is great if that is what you are in to. Think about if this is the environment you would like to spend your time in, because it isn't for everybody.