VASSAR AT A GLANCE: 2007-2008
Overview
- 2400 students
- 1000 acre campus
- 75 miles north of New York City
Extensive Academic Program
- Flexible curriculum
- 32 departmental majors. Five most popular majors are English, the biological sciences, political science, psychology, and economics.
- 7 interdepartmental majors including Biochemistry, Neuroscience and Behavior, and Earth Science and Society.
- 12 multidisciplinary majors such as Africana Studies, American Culture, Environmental Studies, Cognitive Science, International Studies, Jewish Studies, Science, Technology, and Society, Women’s Studies, and Urban Studies.
- Self-designed majors.
- Strong support for students interested in pre-med, pre-law, and other graduate programs. Vassar graduates enjoy impressive admission rates to the top medical, law, business, and Masters and Ph.D. programs.
- Seminar style/discussion oriented classes:
- Average class size is 16
- Student-faculty ratio is 9:1
- Student/faculty collaborative research opportunities and independent study courses.
- Credit bearing internships (Field Work) offered by all academic departments. 60% elect Field Work in areas ranging from medicine, law, and the arts to journalism, advertising, the media, social service, and education.
- Extensive Study Away (Junior Year Abroad) programs elected by almost 40% of our juniors.
Diverse Student Body
- 26% are Students of Color.
- 60% from public schools, 40% from private and parochial schools.
- Students from all 50 states and 46 foreign countries.
- 60% of students receive need-based financial aid.
- Student body is 40% male and 60% female.
Strong Student Community
- Over 100 student-run organizations and clubs including political, volunteer, ethnic, and religious groups. Weekly newspaper and other student publications, drama and comedy clubs, FM radio station, a cappella groups, student bands, and debate team.
- 25 varsity athletic teams at the NCAA Division III level: Men’s Baseball, M&W Basketball, M&W Cross Country, M&W Fencing, Women’s Field Hockey, Women’s Golf, M&W Lacrosse, M&W Rowing, M&W Soccer, M&W Squash, M&W Swimming and Diving, M&W Tennis, M&W Volleyball. New for 2007-2008: M&W Track
- Equestrian and Rugby Club teams; many intramural teams.
Excellent Location
- Students have access to the resources in Poughkeepsie and throughout the Hudson Valley.
- New York offers academic, internship, and recreational opportunities.
Applying to Vassar
Vassar offered admission to 29% of the 6393 students who applied for admission to the Class of 2011.
Academic Expectations
- Rigorous college preparatory high school program with honors and advanced placement courses.
- The high school program should include four-year sequences in English, foreign language, history, mathematics, and science or a course of studies that is comparable in breadth and rigor to this program.
- Unweighted A, A-, and B+ grades in all college preparatory subjects; rank in the top 10 to 15 percent of the class if the high school ranks its students.
- Standardized tests:
- American College Test (ACT). Our average composite scores are in the 29 to 32 range. We require that students take the ACT writing test.
OR - SAT I and any two SAT subject tests. Middle 50% range for SAT combined critical reading, math, and writing scores for applicants admitted to the Class of 2011: 1990-2210.
- Strong analytical and writing skills. The average writing score on the SAT was 710.
- Evidence of academic commitment and passion.
Extracurricular and Leadership Expectations
- Significant extracurricular involvement
- Proven leadership ability and/ or evidence of leadership potential.
- Admirable personal qualities including integrity, compassion, tolerance, maturity, vision, passion.
Other Qualities
We look for strong indications that the applicant is well suited to Vassar. We may find evidence of the solid match in an applicant’s essay, the guidance counselor and teacher recommendations, and the alumni interview report (if available).
Financial Aid
- Admission decisions are need-blind.
- Vassar meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. Vassar does not offer merit scholarships based on special academic, artistic, or athletic talent.
- Applicants submit the CSS PROFILE, Federal Application for Free Student Aid (FAFSA), and tax returns
- Helpful web sites:
- www.admissions.vassar.edu: click on “Finances”
- www.finaid.org: informative web site with numerous links to other financial aid sites.
College Credit Earned in High School
- Vassar offers college credit for Advanced Placement exam results of 4 and 5.
- Vassar offers college credit for International Baccalaureate (IB) scores of 5, 6, and 7 on IB Higher Level exams.
Application Deadlines
Early Decision I: November 15
Early Decision II: January 1
Regular Decision: January 1
- Applicants may use either the Vassar College Application or the Common Application. Both applications are available on line at admissions.vassar.edu.
- Applicants may request an alumni interview when they submit the Vassar application or the Common Application.
For more information, contact vcaap@vassar.edu.