<p>Okay, so I've been here for about a month and i think i have a pretty good perception of what Vassar's like and what the people here are like. So feel free to ask me questions about Vassar. They could be admissions stuff, academics, social, whatever. I'll give an unbiased answers too because I'm not trying to get you to apply here or anything. </p>
<p>Firstly, about the points made in the other posts. </p>
<p>-I don't know where you get the perception about how the SATs are more important here than at any other college. Quite frankly, I think they matter less here than at most other selective colleges. I'm not saying that they are not important, but I can't think of a college I would have wanted to attend that didn't put some focus on the SATs. You have to remember colleges do compete against each other, and one thing they ALL like to have are high SAT numbers. That said, if i remember correctly, the Vassar app leaves a lot of room for other information about yourself. Like that space thing. Perhaps you should look at other apps and compare them with vassar to see what each actually focuses on. </p>
<p>-I'm not in orchestra, theater, whatever. I don't feel isolated from these people in the least bit because of that. I remember my tour and there were a lot of theater people on it. Almost everybody there seemed to ask theater stuff. I sort of felt the same way, but it turned out not to be representative of the school. As for orchestra and choir, you can't even tell they do such things until they actually tell you they do, and they don't segregate themselves either. You'll usually just become friends with a person and then they tell you they have to go to practice or you see them start playing the piano and thats how you find out they are in such organizations. Also I see it as a positive that there are so many organizations. I dont know about you, but I like going to acapella concerts, choir events, and plays. </p>
<p>-As for the hard science thing. It doesnt focus in there at all. I'm sort of looking at becoming a bio major but because of the great departments in social sciences and the like, I won't decide until i take more classes. Hard sciences are more like a moderate sized niche in the whole scheme of things. They have their own little quad and stuff. Most kids here go by without even taking any science courses i think. </p>
<p>I know this may sound like an ad for Vassar or something, but I didn't try to make it this way. You just touched upon points that I have a positive stance on. I'll gladly talk about some of the negatives here if you all want.</p>
<p>How's the town of Poughkeepsie like these days? I graduated in 02 and been thinking about Vassar recently... is Main St. downtown improved at all? Is there anywhere to go that's not Confetti's?
My friends and I are planning a "reunion" in Poughkeepsie next time I'm up north, just wondering if there's anything new around!</p>
<p>1) I've heard many people mention that drug use is pretty widespread among students. While I'm not afraid of being pressured by others to use drugs, I just personally do not like to associate myself with people who do drugs. How much truth is there to that statement?
2) As an addition to that, how would you generalize the student body. I know Vassar values diversity, which I love, but, in your opinion, how would you describe the majority?
Thank you</p>
<p>I second ParisKM's first question. But also with alcohol. I just had a horrible experience with a few friends getting really sick, and I'm promising myself to never hang out with kids who binge drink ever again. Will this mean I'll have no social life if I go to Vassar?</p>
<p>You may want to check out the Social Life thread because there are already some answers to your questions (actually busybee singlehandedly answered a ton of specific requests for information), although I'm sure we'd all like to hear additional perspectives as well. </p>
<p>classact, it sounds like you're liking it so far. The good news is that it just keeps getting better the longer you're there.</p>
<p>Hi Classact~I'm a freshman too! Which dorm do you live in?</p>
<p>Regarding drug use...I don't know much about it except that if you don't do it, you won't feel pressured to do it because it really isn't widespread on campus...at least not that I know of.</p>
<p>Vassar embraces diversity. As an international student, I don't feel isolated at all. Everyone I met here has interesting background, and it's been such an eye-opening experience for me. I guess you can say the majority of the students are very open-minded, talented and friendly. Most people study hard and play hard (on the weekends), and there's always something going on on campus...concerts, movies, parties, organization meetings...to keep you fully occupied.</p>
<p>Poughkeepsie is all right...there are a few pretty good restaurants, cafes, and a K-mart within walking distance from the campus. Shuttles run on weekends to the local mall, so it's easy to get off campus if you'd like to. There's also a farmer's market every Thursday right across the street from Vassar, and you can get fresh fruit, cheese and vegetables there for cheap prices.</p>
<p>Hmm, speaking of academics, I love all my classes, although the courseload is pretty heavy for me(coz I'm taking 5 units and the amount of reading in my philosophy class is insane). The professors are great, and the facilities are amazing. Although I'm not taking any bio or chem classes this semester, I know a lot of prospective science majors, especially pre-meds. The science courses are intense, and biochemistry is known as one of the hardest majors here. </p>
<p>All in all, I'm loving this place more and more...if anyone has more concerns please don't hesitate to ask. I've done too much work today so now I'm taking a break before going to bed. Classact, hope you enjoyed your weekend. :)</p>
<p>Does Vassar have an overall "intellectual attitude" like those people usually describe in schools like Swarthmore? Do students like talking about school work and other academic interests out of the classroom, or would this be considered uncommon or "uncool"?</p>
<p>Did anybody attend that breakdance activity at Vassar ? I saw it in Vassar's viewbook and got in love with it :)
Are there any Vietnamese students at Vassar yet ?</p>
<p>Hey sorry about the late reply...was busy with exams and paper this whole week.</p>
<p>Xgreenmachinex: It's definitely not "uncool" to talk about school work outside class. People here are all concerned about academics. Some students form study groups and people exchange ideas for papers. Of course students don't just talk about academics outside classes as we are interested in all sorts of things, and it would be rather tiring to hear too much about school work when everyone is already stressed out about the work load. </p>
<p>hlvietlong: Sorry don't know about breakdance activity...there are just too many activities on campus...and each dorm has its own activities too! It's hard to keep track of everything. And yes!! There is one Vietnamese student here. She's a freshman too and lives in my dorm. Very nice girl. Attractive, too... hehe. She studied in Singapore for a few years though, so she's not directly from Vietnam.</p>
<p>filmxoxo17: Ehh the 60:40 ratio is kind of noticeable but it's not that bad...and the college is trying to balance out the ratio in the future. It's certainly not true that girls are dominant on this campus; guys are equally active. </p>
<p>All right hope I answered your questions...:)</p>
<p>Hey all...sorry I've been busy with my midterms...but now I can answer your questions.</p>
<p>amptron: I don't know much about the studio art program, but I accidentally went on a tour for students interested in drama, music, and studio art in April, and saw the art studios. They seemed O.K. to me, but I haven't seen other school's art facilities so I can't really compare. I have a few friends who are going to major or minor in art, and they all described the basic drawing class as intensive. Everyone, no matter how good an artist you are or what you got on your AP art, has to take the year-long basic drawing course before taking any higher level art classes. </p>
<p>redstapler: I don't really know about the Russian program, but cog sci and linguistics are pretty strong and my friends who are taking the intro to cog sci class really like it. I'm currently taking math and comp sci. According to the professors, not many students major in these two areas. There's a five-year program with Dartmouth in the comp sci department, where you spend your 3rd and 5th year at Dartmouth and complete a graduate program. But honestly speaking, Vassar isn't known for math or computer science. Biochem, psychology and physics are really good though.</p>
<p>gcheng: Vassar, like most other LACs, does't have a business program. I'm a prospective economics major, which is the most popular major for ppl wanting to go into business after college. Students can apply for internships in NYC, and many companies recruit on campus. So if you're thinking about major in business (like I did), don't just limit your college search to schools with business programs and definitely check out LACs~~</p>
<p>I was wondering how strong creative writing is at Vassar. I know the student body is very artistic and creative. Is there a strong creative writing faculty? Is there student interest evident? Maybe a student literary mag? Just curious. Thanks!</p>