<p>My D just found out that she’s going to be in Strong, in a double. She’s thrilled that it’s not a triple, because we had heard there would be more of those this year. Any suggestions or comments about the rooms in Strong? Or the general nature thereof. What kind of risers are the most suitable for the beds and are they even a good idea? As always, thanks for the help.</p>
<p>I lived in Strong for a semester this past year (lived off-campus the other semester). I didn’t like it very much, but it IS quiet and clean. I don’t really like living with only girls, I found it a little… prissy from time to time. It’s seriously not that bad though, and dorm life is not as big a part of Vassar life as some people make it out to be. In my two years at Vassar, I’ve spent very little time in my room - I’m always at rehearsals or with friends in their dorms. So don’t let your daughter be discouraged (as a lot of freshmen who get placed in Strong are)! </p>
<p>The rooms themselves are fine. I had a double this past semester that had bookshelves built-in, which was cool. The bathrooms are clean, and the dorm itself is in a pretty nice location - especially if you have classes in Rocky! Also, the girl who is Strong president this coming year is lovely and will probably plan lots of great events.</p>
<p>Thanks, dc89. I was surprised that she got Strong, as she had not requested to be in an all-girl situation. As a matter of fact, she spent some time getting used to the idea of co-ed bathrooms and was totally okay with it, being a musical theatre brat and used to scantily, if at all, clothed persons of both genders.Quiet and clean is good - she doesn’t anticipate being in her dorm room that much, either. Built in bookshelves would be great.</p>
<p>Thanks for your help. These posts mean a lot.</p>
<p>Right now I’m registering for classes, but I am so confused as to what’s going on. Besides the freshmen writing seminar, everything is pretty much open curriculum right? Meaning that I choose whatever classes I want? Or are there pre-reqs for certain majors?</p>
<p>Also, it says that you can choose up to a maximum of 4.5 units for the fall term. Isn’t that kind of a small amount? My friends at UC’s are taking like 13 units… so I’m lost. Does that mean we won’t have as many units completed as other schools?</p>
<p>Sorry I asked so many questions. But I’m kind of paranoid about this situation :(</p>
<p>musicmaker, I do musical theatre too! Tell your daughter to audition for FWA shows 
Also, built-in bookshelves are pretty rare, so don’t let her get her hopes up too much… I’ve never seen them anywhere but that room. (Although I wouldn’t be surprised if that room were a freshman double this year. It’s pretty small.) </p>
<p>Stephnoh, Vassar goes by “units” where UCs, etc. go by “credits.” One unit is equal to three credit hours, which is how much one class would be at a regular school. So don’t worry about it! And choose whatever classes you want. Chances are they’ll all change during your first week anyway. (Mine do every semester. It’s a personal problem… haha…)</p>
<p>*dc89 - I will definitely tell the D about the bookcases, although it will be a sad thing. I’d already told her about your other post and the light did shine in her eyes a bit. What are FWA shows? When we visited, our guide didn’t know much about the mt world there - it seemed like the theatre dept was busy, but I (being a music director) wanted more details about how the musicals got done. There isn’t a mt major per se, is there? Any info you would like to share would make me very happy. My D was heavily involved with the professional mt company in our hometown until the IB program ate her life. Music Theatre is not going to be her emphasis, but I know she misses it and was planning on auditioning for a choir there, but if there are mt possibilities open, I bet she’ll go for that. Thanks!</p>
<p>Nope, there is no MT major. I don’t know a ton about the drama department - FWA is an entirely student-run group. A couple of our shows are on YouTube - look up “Vassar Future Waitstaff of America.” It’s a great group and we have a lot of fun, in addition to selling out pretty much all of our shows. </p>
<p>The theatre department does one musical per year, I think, and next year it’s Rent, which is pretty exciting. The music director for Rent is actually a student, who music directed both the FWA shows that I’ve been in and is incredibly talented. It’s also totally possible to do both MT and choir - when I did Godspell last semester with FWA, pretty much our entire production team and half the cast were in choirs. It’s easy to be involved in a lot of extracurriculars at Vassar, as long as you don’t value sleep too much… ;-)</p>
<p>*dc89 - I remember reading “Future Waitstaff of America” on a post awhile back - BRILLIANT! The daughter will be so upset she missed out on G’spell - it’s way up there on her favorites list. She did the Joanne track (Oh Bless the Lord My Soul) in a production a couple of years ago. And she gave up on sleep when she entered the IB program in high school. As long as there’s enough Dr. Pepper around, she’s good.</p>
<p>We read that blue painter’s tape is the only thing that can be used to put things up on the walls in the dorms. What all can you put up with painter’s tape? My D is looking at wall tapestries - surely these will not be an option. Just curious - I’ve always used that white tacky stuff, but that’s out, apparently. What do you people use to decorate your walls?</p>
<p>I’m trying to decide what language to take next year. It’s between Greek, Latin, and Italian. If anyone who’s had experience with any of the depts I would greatly appreciate some input on ease, teacher competency (lol)</p>
<p>I’m considering taking whichever language I choose as an intensive course, but I worry it may be too intense.</p>
<p>For heavier items for walls, look at Command Strips and Hooks. You may still need to check to make sure these are OK…but…they’re not supposed to leave a mark, and are supposed to leave paint on.</p>
<p>*2boysima - Thanks - we’ll check on the Command Strips, etc. I’m about ready to just wait til we get to the room and see what goes on there.</p>
<p>How difficult is it to participate in a sport at Vassar? I will be a 4 year letter for varsity tennis at my small, rural high school. I don’t think I am of high caliber, but I’m athletic and would like to look into it for college.</p>
<p>Okay, kind of a silly question, but how much stuff do students find themselves carrying to classes at Vassar. The bag I got for school carries about 2 binders (packed full of a a year’s worth of notes), a big 5 subject notebook, and accessory type things like pencils, calculator, planner, etc. There’s still a little room in there too…</p>
<p>Assuming that what one carries depends on one’s classes, I’m considering (for now) a double major in math and art history. Are those book heavy classes? I’m guessing math is… still even if I do end up sticking to those classes, I plan on taking some classes outside of those majors as well.</p>
<p>I have a question. How are internationals treated at Vassar?</p>
<p>Some quick responses from a parent which I am sure the students here will fill out later.</p>
<p>Helvetica: Check out the tennis team’s website. A sport is a serious time commitment but the athletes I have met through my daughter seem to balance things nicely. Back in the “old days” when I was in school the time involved was a bit less. While still Division III I believe that the tennis team at Vassar is fairly strong. Contact the coach and talk to her. No reason not to try.</p>
<p>brandnewstate: As I suspect you know, students try to carrry as little as possible and I believe suceed. Most college classes do not require the text in class. Some students carry laptops to take notes. You can see what books have been assigned for your classes on the bookstore website. I suspect math and art have only one big text per semester but you should check. The bookstore is at - [Your</a> Customized Textbook List<em>-</em>Vassar College*Bookstore](<a href=“http://vassar.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TBWizardView?catalogId=10001&storeId=32560&langId=-1&level=1]Your”>http://vassar.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TBWizardView?catalogId=10001&storeId=32560&langId=-1&level=1)</p>
<p>omega007: Based on my D’s, now a Junior, experience meeting new friends from all over the US and the world internationals are very welcome at Vassar. Housing arrangments can be worked out for breaks and over the summer if you don’t go home and there are support groups to help one adjust. Good luck.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for taking the time to answer our questions!!</p>
<p>I’m a senior in high school looking into a couple different colleges through Questbridge, and at this point in time Amherst and Vassar both stand out to me for several different reasons, so I’m trying to find out all I can–if you could answer my Vassar questions, it would be extremely helpful!</p>
<p>First off, I’m looking into majoring in English with an emphasis on creative writing. How is the creative writing program at Vassar (do you know?) and have you heard how Vassar stacks up against other schools like Amherst in their English program?</p>
<p>What’s the social scene like at and around Vassar? I currently live in a small town in Wyoming where just about all we have is a park and a movie theater that only shows one movie at a time–what are some of the things to do in Poughkeepsie? </p>
<p>Will it help my chances of getting accepted since I’m from Wyoming? I’ve heard that there is an extremely low number of kids from the west at the New England schools and I know diversity is something just about every liberal arts college is working towards.</p>
<p>Finally (for now) what does Vassar do to assist first-year students in the transition from high school?</p>
<p>Hi, I was wondering if anyone would be able to answer this question.</p>
<p>I am currently a student (rising sophomore) at an Ivy League college- I haven’t been too happy there, and I am thinking about transferring to Vassar. I know that the transfer process is extremely selective, so I am not even sure I would be able to get in (I have a pretty good GPA and some ECs, but nothing astonishingly impressive), but I justed wanted to get a student opinion:</p>
<p>How do you think transfer students adjust? Is it reasonable to transfer this late in the game? (If I do transfer, it would be either for Spring '10 or Fall '10, the beginning of junior year) Do you think a transfer student can make the most of Vassar’s campus experience within such a limited time frame (I would only be there for two years)? </p>
<p>This is a very difficult decision for me, so I would really, really appreciate any input. I know that my current school has a lot to offer, and most people I’ve consulted about this feel that transferring would be rash. However, I feel that going to Vassar would be much more fulfilling. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>Mewria, if you’re coming from an Ivy League school, that alone puts you ahead of most people. The transfer applicants to Vassar are generally community college students, SUNY system students, or students from lesser liberal arts colleges. The fact that you did well at an Ivy League school would be seen as a good indication that you would do well at Vassar. That said, you need to have a GPA equivalent to a straight A- from your school, and your test scores from high school (SAT I, SAT II, ACT, AP, etc…) need to be very high. If you’re in the fine arts, you need a very strong portfolio as the arts program at Vassar has high standards. Likewise, if you can’t get two bery strong reccomendations from professors, then you’re chances will be low (Vassar cares alot about those). Finally, if you’re a rising sophomore you should declare a major. As a Sophomore, Vassar would expect you to have figured out what you’re primary interest is and pursue it.
Regarding your other point, I don’t think it would be difficult to fit in at Vassar. Vassar is very accepting and the transfer students I’ve seen have been welcomed without reservation by most students. Moreover, the school goes to great lengths to integrate the transfer students with the main student body during orientation. The “Vassar Experience” is really about house living and intimate relations with the professors (as well as traditions like serenading). What you really get out of College is friendship and memories, so if you feel you’d be happier at Vassar than where you are now, then transfer would be a great option. I guarantee you that as long as you like Vassar, Vassar will like you back.</p>
<p>when we visited vassar we couldn’t get a read on the fine arts. how are the arts at vassar. ie. sculpture, illustration, graphic arts, painting…?? thanks.</p>