<p>Thanks, mythmom. :D </p>
<p>dc89, what do you mean by "I feel that it's not particularly segregated, but there's not a lot to BE segregated."?</p>
<p>What are people there like in general? My friend visited and complained that it was "too preppy," and I heard that students there can be pretty pretentious. Any opinions regarding that?</p>
<p>Question: What are people there like in general? My friend visited and complained that it was "too preppy," and I heard that students there can be pretty pretentious. Any opinions regarding that?</p>
<p>Answer: Preppy? Vassar? Really? Well, I guess I've seen a few kids wearing polos (and one popped collar in 2+ months), but frankly, I've found Vassar to be just about as un-preppy as it gets. As for the pretentious comment, well, that doesn't fit so much either. I've personally found most of the people I've met at Vassar to be incredibly friendly, interesting, and rather eclectic, with varied interests an positive attitudes. Of course, I'm probably a bit biased :D, but I haven't met all that many pretentious or preppy people in my time here... in fact, I'd say I knew more of that type of person in my 200 person high school.</p>
<p>I mean that Vassar, as much as they try to hide the fact, is full of rich white kids from the East Coast. </p>
<p>The preppiness that I see is an extension of that population of rich white East Coast kids (and rich white West Coast hipsters, etc etc). I mean, if you're going to an expensive private school in the Northeastern US, you're going to find a lot of preppy people. But honestly, does it matter? People here are interested in more than clothes. We're not Vanderbilt. ;-) </p>
<p>Pretentious, though, DEFINITELY. But in a smart and creative environment, you're going to run into that. It happens. You just have to glare at the people who, in the middle of a lecture, feel the need to raise their hand and make really pointless comments/ask really obnoxious questions just to show off how INCREDIBLY knowledgeable they are about a topic. There's even a girl in one of my classes who fakes a British accent... good lord. </p>
<p>That's not a good representation of the Vassar population, though. In general, it's a lot of really chill people who may or may not care about fashion and enjoy learning without showing off or competing. And I love it.</p>
<p>So, sort of a lame question, but I'm trying to figure out how to apply (online, common app, paper, etc.) and seriously struggling. Is there any preferred method? And if you are sending in a paper version of the Vassar application, does it have to be done by hand, or is there a way to type into the pfd?</p>
<p>Question: I'm trying to figure out how to apply (online, common app, paper, etc.) and seriously struggling. Is there any preferred method? And if you are sending in a paper version of the Vassar application, does it have to be done by hand, or is there a way to type into the pfd?</p>
<p>Answer: To the best of my knowledge, there is no preferred method. Last year when I applied to Vassar--and all my other schools--I filled out the application by hand and mailed it in, but it's up to you on what you want to do. I'd recommend if you have bad handwriting to type your application up, but it's up to you. As long as it's legible, I don't think Vassar cares.</p>
<p>Two field questions;</p>
<p>Do you know about the astronomy program at Vassar? I would assume it would be really strong (Maria Mitchell!) but someone told me that a friend of theirs did a semester away from Vassar at a different college to study planetary astronomy...</p>
<p>Also, is there any sort of agricultural studies program or classes? And to what extent is the farm on the Farm used by students?</p>
<p>Thanks guys for all your help and answers. :D</p>
<p>I was wondering what the punk/goth/alternative/etc scene is like on campus? Is there one?</p>
<p>Question: Do you know about the astronomy program at Vassar? I would assume it would be really strong (Maria Mitchell!) but someone told me that a friend of theirs did a semester away from Vassar at a different college to study planetary astronomy...</p>
<p>Answer: I'm not into astronomy in the least (physics is definitely NOT my forte), so, unfortunately don't know much about the program. If you haven't looked at it yet and are interested in what particular classes in astronomy are offered, I recommend you check out the course handbook... Astronomy</a>, Vassar College Catalogue 2007/08. </p>
<p>Question: Is there any sort of agricultural studies program or classes? And to what extent is the farm on the Farm used by students?</p>
<p>Answer: There is no "agricultural studies" major offered by Vassar, to the best of my knowledge. There are a variety of majors which have classes in agricultural-related subjects, however, such as environmental studies (Environmental</a> Studies Program, Vassar College Catalogue 2007/08%5DEnvironmental">http://catalogue.vassar.edu/courses/enst/)), earth science (Earth</a> Science, Vassar College Catalogue 2007/08%5DEarth">http://catalogue.vassar.edu/courses/esci/)), and science, technology, and society (Science,Technology</a> and Society Program, Vassar College Catalogue 2007/08%5DScience,Technology">http://catalogue.vassar.edu/courses/sts/)). You could either pick one of these majors, or could also make your own major, which is frequently done at Vassar, from my understanding.</p>
<p>Question: I was wondering what the punk/goth/alternative/etc scene is like on campus? Is there one?</p>
<p>Answer: There is most definitely a punk/goth/alternative scene on campus. It's not the majority, however, it definitely has a noticiable presence. Basically, my take on the campus is, regardless of how "different" you consider yourself and how "unusual" your interests may be, you'll find our niche.</p>
<p>I understand that it's possible to find non-drug oriented activities and groups at Vassar. Is it possible to avoid drugs in the dorms? I'm really not into contact highs :-) Is there substance free housing?</p>
<p>Thanks so much. These answers are infinitely helpful. And sorry for all the pesky questions.</p>
<p>Question: I understand that it's possible to find non-drug oriented activities and groups at Vassar. Is it possible to avoid drugs in the dorms? I'm really not into contact highs :-) Is there substance free housing?</p>
<p>Answer: Yes, it is possible to avoid drugs in the dorms... or at least, drugs on your specific corridor. There are "wellness" corridors in several of the houses that are reserved for those students who wish to live in a substance free environment.</p>
<p>Not a question but....I applied and have sent everything in! Woooo!!!</p>
<p>Now I just have to wait...</p>
<p>Me too! Just my interview left...</p>
<p>in another thread you mentioned that you liked the student body type, academic scene, athletic scene, social scene, and level of intellectualism better at swarthmore and several other schools. Could you comment on what these things are like at Vassar and how you feel they compare to other LACs?</p>
<p>Question: In another thread you mentioned that you liked the student body type, academic scene, athletic scene, social scene, and level of intellectualism better at swarthmore and several other schools. Could you comment on what these things are like at Vassar and how you feel they compare to other LACs?</p>
<p>Answer: Indeed. When I applied to college last year, Swarthmore was my ED school while Amherst was my second choice., the University of Pennsylvania my third, and Vassar was number four. Seeing as you asked only about LACs; however, I'll forgo comparing Vassar and Penn and focus on discussing similarities and differences (as I see them) between Vassar, Swarthmore, and Amherst. This is by no means official, so consider it a personal take on the three.</p>
<pre><code> Politically-speaking, I'd say that both Swarthmore and Vassar are on the extreme end of "liberal" when one looks at the LACs nationwide. Swarthmore strikes me as more politically active; however, Vassar has its fair share of activists. In contrast, Amherst comes across as more moderate. All three schools seem to be, however, very open and accepting to different "types" of people: Amherstians just come across as a bit more buttoned up than their Vassar and Swarthmore peers.
From the standpoint of a school where athletics is a prime extracurricular, Amherst is by far the best option, in my opinion. At Swarthmore, the focus of students seems to be more on academics and activism (or the students I've chatted with from Swarthmore came across like that) while those at Vassar are more focused on the arts, as well as activism to a lesser extent. That's not to say that Amherst is a total jock school or that Swarthmore and Vassar completely lack student-athletes: it's just that sports seems to be "a bigger deal" at Amherst while the arts are more focused on by Vassarites and activism by Swatties.
Academically, I personally feel that all three schools are superb (that's why I applied to all three, after all). Swatties are particularly known for being "intellectuals" while Amherstians are stereotypically quite competitive, academically-speaking; however, I don't know enough of them to say whether or not these perceptions are true. I can say, however, that Vassar has its fair share of "bright" people and that students aren't particularly competitive with one another here, when dealing with academics at least.
From the standpoint of a social scene, all three schools have their positives and negatives. Amherst, for instance, has--what seems to me at least--the fantastic advantage of the Five College community, which doubtless adds to the amount of social events available to its students. At the same time, however, it is located in a relatively rural area, which means that city access isn't so easy. In contrast, Vassar offers its students access to New York City, as well as a better developed (if less well to do) surrounding area. The social scene does, however, feel a bit like a bubble at times, in that there's less of a dynamic between the surrounding community and the campus. Moving on.... Swarthmore offers students access to Philadelphia, and also a consortium with Haverford and Bryn Mawr. I would thus say that Swatties have the best social scene available to them out of the three student populations being compared because they have both city access and a larger community to get involved in. That's not saying that there's nothing to do at Amherst or Vassar: it just seems that Swarthmore could potentially offer the best social mix.
</code></pre>
<p>I go to an all male Jesuit school of about a thousand kids and was a little worried about the size of vassar. As I moved into junior and senior year, I felt a little stunted knowing everyone really well and not having anyone new to meet.</p>
<p>I was wondering if any vassar students begin to feel a little clostraphobic as time goes on.</p>
<p>I'm applying to similar places like dartmouth, brown, pomona, amherst, etc, but they are all either twice the size or are linked with other colleges (the claremont schools and the 5 college consordium).</p>
<p>I like the intimate feeling of the school, but i don't want to be in the same position i am in now--constrained--in another 4 years.</p>
<p>I have another question. The freedom to design my own major and take the classes that I want to take sounds really exciting, but how is the red tape at vassar? Are counselors, advisors, etc accessable and helpfull in facilitating the designing of majors, class selection, study abroad, etc? </p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I know this isn't a very important question but:</p>
<p>I don't want to bring a car to college my first year, and I was just wondering how easy it is to live at Vassar without a car. Did you bring a car?/Do most kids bring cars?</p>
<p>Question: I was wondering if any vassar students begin to feel a little clostraphobic as time goes on.</p>
<p>Answer: I've only been at Vassar for three months so my take probably won't be too helpful, but I certainly haven't felt claustrophobic thusfar. I don't know if there are any upperclassmen/alums on the board, but if so, they could probably give you a better, more long-term answer. I can tell you, however, that one of the reasons why college students in general choose to do study abroad programs is due to a desire to get away from the campus for either a semester or a year and get a change of scenery. This could definitely be an option for you, if you do find yourself feeling as if you really need a change for awhile.</p>
<p>Question: The freedom to design my own major and take the classes that I want to take sounds really exciting, but how is the red tape at vassar? Are counselors, advisors, etc accessable and helpful in facilitating the designing of majors, class selection, study abroad, etc?</p>
<p>Answer: From what I've heard (and experienced, course selection-wise), advisors and counselors here at Vassar are quite helpful in all aspects of academics. I'll use the example of class selection to give you an idea, seeing as that's the majority of the work I've done with my advisor to date. During freshman orientation, there were required meetings with advisors to get to know them a bit and discuss preliminary plans (majors, study abroad, class selection for the semester, etc). Following this, there was then a second round of meetings in which the courses for which students pre-registered were looked at. Advisors give students their takes on what they think of the schedule, what would make sense to add or drop based on the student's major, and so on. A meeting similar to this second one is then held before pre-registration for second semester. They thus serve as mentors in the course selection process to ensure that students register correctly and don't "fall through the cracks." From everything that I've experienced, the set-up with a pre-major advisor is quite effective: I feel that my advisor gives me support and helps me think my course selection process through without making me feel like I have to do exactly what she suggests.</p>
<p>Question: I don't want to bring a car to college my first year, and I was just wondering how easy it is to live at Vassar without a car. Did you bring a car? Do most kids bring cars?</p>
<p>Answer: At times, it would definitely help to have a car... but it's by no means necessary. All of the resources that you need are pretty much on campus or within walking distance. There's also a shuttle to the mall on weekends as well as a constant flux of taxis (which are relatively cheap) throughout the campus. Basically, getting transportation off campus if you need to go somewhere isn't too challenging. Of course, having a car would make getting off campus a bit easier, but it's certainly not necessary. The majority of freshmen (along with myself) don't have cars. Come to think of it, I only know of two that do.</p>
<p>thanks, that sounds good</p>
<p>What are your favorite things about Vassar? And is the 63-37 women to men ratio noticeable on campus? Thanks!</p>