See Vassar College reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Vassar College. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Vassar College reviews, or contribute your own Vassar College review if you're a current student there.
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11 out of 11 people found this review useful.
Maziar from Florence, MA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot Unlike many schools out there, Vassar professors are not only intelligent, good teachers, they also take the time to attend to their students. The in class lectures were always interesting, if not always easy to understand. However, I can always approach them outside of class to learn more. I never felt like I was missing out on the full learning experience of class because the professors WANT you to learn all you can.
Am enjoying being here This place is so open. You never need to worry about the clique-ness of high school here. People are always looking to make new friends. We all have our quirkier sides, and I believe Vassar not only embraces, but encourages everyone to let their's show. You never feel as stressed as you would think, being in college and all. Yet, at the same time, it never feels lackadaisical. You are always stimulated mentally and socially.
Bang for the buck The admission price here is similar to that of your typical top-tier liberal arts school. However, besides all the food, housing, and academics you pay for, you get a whole lot of intangibles. You get a vibe and community that gives you as much comfort as satisfaction as anything you paid for.
Tips for prospective students Vassar is a quirky place, but don't try too hard to force that out in your application. Not to be cliche, but be yourself. Trust me, you won't be selling yourself short. Don't try to be the kind of kid the admissions is looking for.
Great for these types of students BE OPEN MINDED. People will be different than you here, and if you can't be a generally happy person around new and diverse people and situations, you're going to have hard time here.
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6 out of 6 people found this review useful.
Erin from Boston, MA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot Vassar's zero core curriculum approach to academics allows any student to explore their academic interests to the fullest degree. The professors are wonderful and the majority have the highest degree possible in their field. They are open to student input and genuinely love when their students are passionate about what they are teaching. Furthermore, small class sizes and round table discussion facilitate student involvement in the classroom. I really cannot picture a better academic environment for the student who wants an engaging small liberal arts college.
Am enjoying being here Vassar's campus is large for its 2,400 student body and there are several student hang-out spots. It is a welcoming and diverse atmosphere that makes you feel at home but keeps you entertained and interested in what the school and student body has to offer. Even more so, campus events are literally happening everyday of the week, whether it be a lecture, sports game, campus party, benefit dinner, art showing, etc. The only challenge is the Vassar bubble. It is named so because campus often offers so many events that students do not leave very often. However, there are off-campus eateries and malls that can urge you beyond the Vassar borders. And do not forget the train from Poughkeepsie right into NYC!
Bang for the buck Although tuition is high, between the quality of the academic experience, number of campus activities, food choices, and living situations available, you do get a lot back for what you pay. Also, 60% of the class of 2014 is receiving some form of financial aid, and Vassar is known for its need-blind policy.
Tips for prospective students 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.
Great for these types of students Students who are passionate, activists, accepting, and willing to have a theoretical discussion over lunch.
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5 out of 5 people found this review useful.
Brittany from Arlington, TX
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot One of the best things about Vassar are the professors. You can tell that they all truly care about what they are teaching and really want you to succeed. I can't count how many times a professor's name has appears in our text, because these people not only know their subjects, but a lot of them were actually there! Also, the classes are some of the most interesting I've ever seen, let alone taken. They can be difficult sometimes, but overall they are all well worth it!
Am enjoying being here The student body at Vassar is so diverse. It's very importat to keep an open mind when meeting new people, which you will do all the time, despite Vassar's small size. There are also so many opportunities to do anything your want really and it is all student run, which feels amazing! I really appreciated the opportunities offered to freshman for leadership which is often hard to find in larger universities.
Bang for the buck One of Vassar's appeals is it's large alumni/ae network and name recognition. I know that once I graduate having a Vassar degree will help a lot, because it is recognized and respected. Also, the past two years have been a blast! I've been having the time of my life meeting so many new people and learning about things that personally interest me, so it is definitely worth the buck.
Tips for prospective students 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.
Great for these types of students Vassar is great for everyone! We have so many different types of people and a mixture of people that I can't imagine someone not finding their niche. The school also does a superb job of offering support to students in looking for their passion and developing that passion.
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3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
Willow from Wayne, PA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot The professors are absolutely INCREDIBLE. I have learned so much in the past year; my writing, and my way of thinking has changed a great deal as well thanks to the eye opening influences at Vassar.
Am enjoying being here The social life is fun, but it is limited. Parties mostly occur in the senior housing, and it can be awkward if you don't know seniors. Lots of parties happen in the dorms though, and they can also be fun. Security is more likely to break up these parties due to noise, though, and the students in the dorm need to take the initiative to have the parties.
Bang for the buck Vassar has amazing resources, but it is also very expensive. I think that the school doesn't work hard enough to make the students aware of all that it has to offer.
Tips for prospective students 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.Great for these types of students Artsy, sporty, intellectual, whatever! Dedicated students though, all around. Really anyone can find their place at Vassar. There are many different parts of the community so people can find acceptance somewhere. It is also a good school for students who thrive on being part of a small community where you will see people you know pretty much everywhere you go on campus.
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1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Marie from San Dimas, CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences the people here are amazing. the classes are small, the professors she interest in their students, and the education given here is beyond satisfactory. from the moment i stepped on campus i felt at home.
Tips for prospective students i suggest you prepare yourselves for a fun and enjoyable experience here at vassar. i learn new things every day and not just from my professors and classes but also from my fellow students and friends.
Academic Rigor the amount of effort expected of students can come as a surprise to most students but classes are also a way to communicate you thoughts and feelings. most of the professors at vassar want to hear what you have to say. the classes may be hard but the education you are receiving is top notch.
Dorm Life the dorm life is amazing here at vassar. each dorm is actually a house and has a house team, house fellows, and student fellows. the house team is comprised of students who help facilitate any and all events that may occur within the house (i.e. study breaks). the house fellows are professors who live within the house with their families and are easy to get to know. the student fellows are sophomores who are there to help ease the freshman class into an easy transition to college life.
Food and Dining the food and dining experience here at vassar is like most food and dining at other colleges.
What to do for fun at vassar, there are clubs such as the ski club, the outing club, intramurals, dances held almost every weekend with a new theme, and much much more.
Bang for the buck vassar college is not cheap but the experience here that students receive makes up for the costs.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus vassar has its own little club in the basement of main building. there is always something going on down in the mug for everyone who loves dancing and having fun with friends to enjoy in a safe environment.
Great for these types of students vassar is a great place for open-minded students who aren't afraid to be forced into new situations.
Clubs and Activities the activities and clubs here are extensive but if vassar does not have a certain club that you may feel needs to be represented you can go ahead and start it up without a problem.
Greek Life there is no greek life at vassar but the housing system here makes up for the lack of greek life.
Campus Safety the campus is located in a more rural setting and the campus security is top notch and always on alert for anything out of the ordinary.
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1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Zoe from Danbury, CT
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences Vassar College is school where anyone can go to be themselves without feeling self-conscious. It's a fascinating place with all kinds of interesting mixes of different styles and points of view, including the different architecture and the diverse student body. Especially a great place for arts students.
Tips for prospective students 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.
Academic Rigor It's not as hard as I'd imagine Ivy League schools are, but it certainly isn't easy here. It all depends on your professor, obviously, but some classes are definitely easier than others. I haven't encountered a class I'd call amazingly easy, but maybe others would beg to differ. I found that there's a large amount of reading in general and the classes are challenging, but it's all do-able if you have your priorities straight.
Dorm Life The dorms aren't bad. Some dorms have bigger rooms than others, but I've found that it's more about the people you're with than the actual rooms. They're good enough that they don't impede other things you want to do. However, I've found that Building and Grounds aren't very good about fixing things that you submit requests to fix. Also, the bathrooms are unisex, so if that bothers you, keep that in mind. However, I find that because of this, there's actually more privacy in the bathrooms than single-sex bathrooms.
Food and Dining There's one dining hall, a pay-as-you-go cafe-type place, and a bunch of places to get coffee and snacks. A lot of people get sick of the dining hall, but I don't mind it. They have a decent variety. They always have a salad bar, bagels, fruit, a stir-fry station, cereal, a sandwich bar, dessert, a grill option, and a hot-food option. They often also have other options, though they have less on the weekends. The cafe, called The Retreat, is much better, but it works on a different paying system, so you can't just eat there all the time. There's also a smoothie/milkshake type place above the dining hall that opens after the dining hall closes that many students frequent. It's open fairly late into the night.
What to do for fun There's not much to do around Poughkeepsie, but there are always parties on campus. And if you're not into parties, there are a ton of on-campus events all the time. I can never go to all the events I'd like to. Furthermore, we have an insanely overactive theater population here, so on any given weekend in the second half of the semester, we have at least 4 shows going on at once. There are also school-sponsored parties, concerts by the music department, and sporting events (though we don't hear too much about them).
Bang for the buck It's an expensive school, but I think it's a great education and the opportunities it affords you are worth it.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus All of the buildings are different, so I highly suggest exploring every single one. The library especially is magnificent and gorgeous, with a neat meditation room on the very top floor, hidden away beyond a twisty staircase. Also, all of the window fixtures are different. Random but interesting point.
Great for these types of students Hipsters. Artsy students. Theater majors. Weird people. People who know that everyone is weird, so being weird is normal. Students who know how to work hard and play hard. Anyone who's interested in studying liberal arts or doesn't know what he or she wants to study.
Clubs and Activities There are so many different groups on campus, especially for it being such a small school. Anything you like to do, you can find a group. And if you can't find a group, you can make it yourself. We even have a quidditch team.
Greek Life Non-existant, which I love.
Campus Safety I've never felt in danger on campus. It's very safe. Although I've heard of strangers coming onto campus, so that's something to watch out for. Security is very friendly and very helpful though, so just give them a call. There could be more lamps in dark places, but otherwise it's safe. Just don't go off campus late at night.
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1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Jelena from Boise, ID
Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.
Categories Rating Comments Will learn a lot From what I have seen and heard from Vassar students, there isn't a doubt in my mind about the quality of education to be received at Vassar College.
Will enjoy being here I visited Vassar not too long ago, and stayed on campus for three nights. And, let me tell you, it was Spectacular. Not only were the current students completely open and welcoming, but it was impossible not to fall in love with the campus. It is absolutely gorgeous, from it's stunning buildings and Sunset Lake, to the regal trees everywhere you look. The library, especially, is breathtaking. Each dorm has its own special personality-but each one's inhabitants would swear that theirs is the best...That's dorm loyalty for you! I felt so welcomed by the students and faculty. This is really a remarkable school-I cannot wait to move-in next month! (:
Bang for the buck It's worth it. That's all anyone needs to know. For the caliber of professors, the diverse and wonderful student body, the academic freedom, and the beauty of the campus, it's worth every cent and more.
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John from Braintree, MA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences if you want classes with intelligent, experienced, and celebrated professors who don't flaunt their talents, come to vassar. the school has a wide range of specialties, from political science to theater, and has a quickly growing science department. the student body is extremely diverse and open to all types of people, and is extremely eccentric.
Tips for prospective students absolutely sleep over before applying, to see what it's like to live with the student body. it may be an old, elite liberal arts college, but its students are hardly the typical selective school type.
Academic Rigor classes are tough but fair, and require a great deal of reading.
Dorm Life depending on where you are dorms can range from fine to great, but all housing is fantastic.
Food and Dining food can be ok or great, depending on where you are and what day it is. sometimes the main dining hall can be disappointing.
What to do for fun you can do anything, from sports to theater to cooking to knitting. everyone does something, and every weekend is jammed with events ranging from day glo toga parties to lectures from professors and poets.
Bang for the buck it's expensive, but financial aid can be great, and the school is amazing.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus serenading is when freshmen in each dorm come up with a song about how great the seniors are, then perform them for the seniors.
Great for these types of students unique, self-motivated, creative, expressive.
Clubs and Activities everything, anything, but it can be difficult to get funding for a new organization.
Greek Life none. which is fantastic.
Campus Safety there are minor incidents, as the campus is next to a city, but never threatening, and security is always present.
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Anonymous from CA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences Great school for the humanities. Life outside the classroom is important. If you want it, you can make it happen.
Tips for prospective students Sow your wild oats freshman year, in terms of classes. Try and keep it together outside of classes. No one is what they appear. Learn from your upperclassmen.
Academic Rigor As you move into 200- and 300-level classes, especially, you will see a greater workload and heightened expectations.
Dorm Life Life in the dorms (or senior housing) is where it's at. Hardly anyone lives off-campus, there is too much going on. Always something to do.
Food and Dining Better than a lot of cafeteria food. Still a lot to complain about.
What to do for fun Anything your little heart desires.
Bang for the buck In terms of balancing academics and opportunities with getting the 'college experience', I can't imagine anything better.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus Sex tree on Joss Beach. Finding the good bathrooms.
Great for these types of students If you felt out of place in high school, in any way, Vassar is probably a good fit. Students who want only to go to school and go home, with no outside activities, probably won't love Vassar.
Clubs and Activities What club doesn't exist?!
Greek Life Answer to my own question: Greek life doesn't exist.
Campus Safety We may complain about security, but they're generally there when we need them.
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