<p>So Vassar did not pop up on my Radar until late in the College selection process. then i stumbled across it and loved what I saw. I have taken Virtual tours, watched numerous youtube videos, read statements from Alumni and spent hours on college prower and CC. I am in a bind because I am potentially being recruited for athletics and the coach wants me to apply ED2. I really want to because Vassar seems like the perfect school for me, yet my parents are pretty adamantly against it. Any Suggestions?</p>
<p>S1 found Vassar late in the college search process also - I think it was the middle of December! He was interested in participating in a sport but needed to apply RD. so he applied RD and visited in mid February. He was admitted RD and made the team. So if your parents don’t want you to commit to ED2, don’t despair, it can still work out.</p>
<p>Though I did ED2 to another school (Wesleyan), it was without having visited and I can say one of the best decisions I ever made. Granted, I’m a research junkie and knew everything there is to know about the school sans seeing it in person (every cc thread, news article, student review, blog, etc). I researched other schools with the same fervor so knew for certain when Wes popped up that it was the only school I could see myself at.</p>
<p>If you have done the research (both for Vassar and your other options) and feel sure, there’s nothing like knowing you’re in to your favorite school by mid-February.</p>
<p>As a mom, I will say that my daughter had the opposite experience. Wesleyan was at the top of her well-researched list…until she visited. Visit. Visit. Visit. Each school seems to have a kind if ineffable “vibe” that you can feel when you are there. Fit is not always a rational decision. Visit. That said, after one visit my son knew Vassar was for him.</p>
<p>Current student here. I agree with the above posters that you really should visit a college in order to get a “feel” for it first. There are some things you might not be able to get from an online tour. However, if you really know that Vassar is right for you, not visiting isn’t a problem. Speaking for myself, I visited basically every college on my list besides Vassar before I committed to it. I was more interested in the academic opportunities than the social scene / surroundings / campus environment, so an analysis of Vassar’s course catalogue was all I needed to know that it was perfect for me. It was definitely a surprise seeing it in-person for the first time in August! But again, I only paid attention to academics when I chose Vassar, and the other aspects haven’t bothered me during my time here. I think that only you are able to decide what is enough for you to make a decision. Good luck!</p>
<p>I applied ed2 without visiting, I’ve been here for a semester and love it. Really is a school for most everyone.</p>
<p>If you live many many miles away do your research on line but do recognize that a visit will clarify your decision. In terms of the coach, you must ask whether he /she has the ability to help you in RD or only if you apply ED 2 (son #1 was wanted ED 2 ONLY at one LAC but did get in RD at another with some coach support). Your chances will be better for ED II but if your GPA is around a 95% unweighted and standardized scores are very strong (32+ ACT and /or over 2100 with SAT II scores over 650) then you may be able to get in RD.</p>
<p>Vassar wasn’t on our daughter’s list before we visited this week. She fell in love with the campus and the friendly people. The tour guide and the admissions director were very down to earth. The vibe was collaborative and welcoming. We wouldn’t have learned this from a virtual tour.</p>
<p>I agree we were at Vassar Thursday to, lovely campus, friendly students and the admissions staff, bit cold but the campus still looked amazing, very healthly campus, loved the dorms and academics are first rate, amazing parent panel discussion of the senior class opportunities blew me away.</p>