<p>Question: What can you tell me about Cushing? My S is in a triple, which sounds pretty small. Bunkbeds and a single, I'm assuming? Since it's only three floors I guess we'll be hauling his stuff up 3 flights of steps on move-in day. Not much info on the Vassar website.</p>
<p>As a parent I can say Cushing looks great from the outside.</p>
<p>Even more important from a parental perspective I can tell you that there will be student volunteers in front of each dorm who will empty your car quickly and carry stuff upstairs. I carried one small bag after parking the car. Don't get the same service this year so I will be carrying stuff to my D's 5th floor single! Kind of planning on supervising this effort myself....</p>
<p>Yes, it does look beautiful - I haven't been to the campus but my S raves about it! He knew the minute he stepped on campus that Vassar would be his top choice. Great to know that we'll have help on the first day. I guess we're trying to gage how much to bring. Also wondering about closet space in Cushing, should I get risers for the bed to store underneath, how big of a carpet we should get, etc.</p>
<p>Thanks for your insight!</p>
<p>Cushing is farther from most of the classroom buildings but nearer the dining hall, volleyball and squash courts. I think it is the prettiest dorm from the outside.</p>
<p>On stuff....well...my D did use everything we brought but my Son ended up not using some/most of the clothing/outdoor gear we brought for him two years ago. </p>
<p>I would hold off on the risers for now and let him work that out. Slim plastic storage trays/bins to slide under the bed are good to have but, once again, my son does without. The closets in the other dorms were fairly large but I don't know about Cushing.</p>
<p>I would strongly suggest a portable/folding bookcase for books as there doesn't seem to be any of those in the rooms I have seen. </p>
<p>Not sure they get used but the parent in me recommends outdoor gear (hat, shoes, and a shell) to stay dry seems in order as the kids will be walking outside in all weather more than they be at home. I figure if I send a full set then something might get used....</p>
<p>There is a Home Depot and some office supply stores on Route 9 South of Vassar that are good spots to pick up anything that looks to be needed once you are there. Ran into other families doing that last year.</p>
<p>A rug is a very nice touch (sent a small stick vacumn for it too...) but it might be best to see how the room is laid out before making a choice. You might try asking this question on one of the areas for new students (do they have a Facebook this year?) and one of the students now on campus might be able to send you a picture or dimensions of his room.</p>
<p>I suspect you have thought of these (I think Vassar may have a list in the Freshmen materials somewhere) but I can think of - shower clogs, basket for toiletries, reading lamp (non-halogen), other lamp(s) as the overhead lights are usually dim, fridge (didn't for either kid but they are popular), power strips for electronics, and a digital camera so they can send you pictures of what they are doing<g> (didnt say I get them though).....</g></p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>My son will also be a freshman in Cushing. He will be in a double. The room dimensions seem very small so I think we will take a minimalist approach to stuff (at least that's my idea). I did pick up a folding bookcase and he is bringing a hand-me-down fridge from one of his cousins - but I wonder where these things will go. Does anyone know how roomy the wardrobe/closets are? Does it make any sense to bring some sort of plastic storage to put inside since he won't have a whole lot to hang up?</p>
<p>I just saw that Vassar has posted its Supplemental Form on Commonapp.com.
There is a YourSpace part, where you can submit anything you want to show them another side to yourself. They also have an Art and Photograph part.</p>
<p>I was wondering what types of things you guys submitted last year (if they had the same supplemnt)? Or if you could give me some ideas? Because I have no clue if I should send in another college essay, or something else. And is the Photograph part meant for people who are planning on majoring in Photography?</p>
<p>by photograph they mean photo of yourself
for the yourspace, i had a short essay i'd written about having an exchange student this past year, and i added a picture of me, the exchange student and some friends. but really, you can submit anything you want.</p>
<p>to the questions about closets - i'll be living in strong next year as a freshman, but i can say that from what i've heard you'll either get a closet or a wardrobe, and the sizes vary greatly. everything seems to vary greatly by dorm and even by room, from what i've heard.</p>
<p>Question: I just saw that Vassar has posted its Supplemental Form on Commonapp.com. There is a YourSpace part, where you can submit anything you want to show them another side to yourself. I was wondering what types of things you guys submitted last year (if they had the same supplement)? Or if you could give me some ideas? Because I have no clue if I should send in another college essay, or something else. </p>
<p>Answer: The YourSpace feature of the Vassar supplement is one of the most distinctive parts of the application and the key to it is that it's completely up to you and your sense of creativity. Just about anything goes for the space: I know of people who've submitted art, collages, music, poems, essays (creative or formal), short stories, photos, and, in one case, tea bags. At the same time, don't feel like you have to fill it out... it's an optional section created for those students who wished to further express themselves in some way outside of the rest of the application. When I applied, I ended up leaving the YourSpace blank.</p>
<p>Question: Does anyone know how roomy the wardrobe/closets are? Does it make any sense to bring some sort of plastic storage to put inside since he won't have a whole lot to hang up?</p>
<p>Answer: It looks like someone partially answered this question, but I thought I'd add my two cents having spent a year at Vassar. Every room has either a closet or a wardrobe in it. I don't know about Cushing specifically, but do know that the four quad dorms (Davison, Strong, Lathrop, and Raymond) all generally have closets while Josselyn has a mix of closets and wardrobes. There is a lot of variation about how large the closets/wardrobes are. That being said, I would generally say that those rooms with more closet space have only one closet (roommates share), while those with less are that way because each student living in the room has his/her own closet. Of course, there are probably exceptions to this; it's just a trend that generally seems to hold true about all the rooms I've been in. </p>
<p>As for your question about bringing plastic storage... I would definitely recommend that. Residential Life provides students with a dresser as well as a closet; however, it might still be nice to have some extra storage options (if not for clothing than for extra linens, food, a first aid box, or whatever else doesn't fit anywhere else). In my closet this past year there was a shelf where I was able to store a plastic bin. I also stored three underneath my bed, which worked quite well (if possible, I would thus recommend trying to find bins that can fit underneath a bed).</p>
<p>Question: I visited campus - which is gorgeous - but i noticed that some of the dorms are sub par (and i would really love to avoid such dorms). How is housing set up at Vassar? Do you get to choose? and if you get stuck in an unsightly dorm can you apply to relocate?</p>
<p>Answer: Frankly, I'm not entirely sure which dorm(s) you're talking about. Although each dorm has it's pluses and minuses (which I'd be happy to go into, if you're interested), I've been in just about every one, and they're all in perfectly fine condition. Sure, some of the dorms may be a bit on the older side, but it's really not that big a deal. All of the amenities (kitchen appliances, washers, dryers, showers, toilets, etc.) are usually in fine working order and, if not, are (normally) repaired quickly. </p>
<p>Housing assignments are entirely random during freshman year. Residential Life doesn't give you a choice on where you'll live, other than whether or not you want to live in an all-women's house (if you're a girl). After your freshman year, you will have the option of moving out of the dorm you were placed in; however, the options of where you'll be able to move into can be limited, because they depend almost entirely on where others interested in switching dorms are moving out of.</p>
<p>Yes, I would appreciate more information on Cushing. What is your opinion of the inside - specifically the size of the doubles and triples and if you know if they have closets or wardrobes. Thanks again for all of your insights and informaiton</p>
<p>Question: I would appreciate more information on Cushing. What is your opinion of the inside - specifically the size of the doubles and triples and if you know if they have closets or wardrobes.</p>
<p>Answer: From my understanding, the doubles in Cushing are quite nice in size. I don't remember chatting with anyone who lived in a triple in Cushing, so can't really comment on those rooms. I believe that most (if not all) of the rooms have closets. The dorm itself is regarded by many on0campus as the prettiest one in which to live.</p>
<p>OK, so I got a twin size mattress pad but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't also be getting an egg-crate foam mattress topper. If any current Vassar students can give me some insight on the state of the mattresses that would be super helpful.</p>
<p>Do I need to send my Vassar freshman to school with dress clothes? Thanks.</p>
<p>Question: Okay, so I got a twin size mattress pad but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't also be getting an egg-crate foam mattress topper. If any current Vassar students can give me some insight on the state of the mattresses that would be super helpful.</p>
<p>Answer: Well, there's a lot of variation in terms to the state of the mattresses... some are practically new while others are a bit on the older side. I would say, if having a comfortable mattress is something that matters to you, you should probably bring a mattress topper.</p>
<p>Question: Do I need to send my Vassar freshman to school with dress clothes?</p>
<p>Answer: I would definitely recommend having at least one "dress" outfit at Vassar seeing as there are periodically optional events whose organizers request that students show up in nice attire. Examples of this include the Dormal Fourmal, the Harvest Ball, and an annual evening reception at the Lehman Loeb Art Center. Basically, you can certainly get by without having dress clothes at Vassar, but it probably makes sense for your son/daughter to have one or two nice things to put on in case he/she is interested in attending a more formal event. For girls, I would recommend bringing a nice dress or two and for boys a button down shirt, tie, and dress pants. I know several guys who also brought a jacket with them to school, however, it's really not necessary. In that same vein, let me add that there are no "black tie" style events at Vassar that I know of, so don't feel as if you need to go all out and buy a formal gown or a suit for school.</p>
<p>I'm trying to get a sense of the campus atmosphere.....My bro is a rising junior at Carleton and I'd love to be able to compare. Carleton is pretty laid back and there don't seem to be many that are overly impressed with themselves (or at least have the need to overtly show it with clothes, cars and other such trappings). This last thread about needing dress up clothes is making me wonder. ...I mean I have them but am not looking for cotillion balls for my free time.</p>
<p>Also, at Carleton, there's an activities fair in the Fall where all the clubs and intermural sports and other types of groups canvas for new student members. Does Vassar have something like this? I'm not a "joiner" by nature but I do want to get involved with things. This is one of the reasons that a smaller LAC is appealing to me. What's the process?
Thanks!</p>
<p>Question: I'm trying to get a sense of the campus atmosphere.....My bro is a rising junior at Carleton and I'd love to be able to compare. Carleton is pretty laid back and there don't seem to be many that are overly impressed with themselves (or at least have the need to overtly show it with clothes, cars and other such trappings). This last thread about needing dress up clothes is making me wonder. ...I mean I have them but am not looking for cotillion balls for my free time. </p>
<p>Answer: I guess I didn't express myself clearly in my last post. There are a few formal events at Vassar throughout the year, however, only a few. The majority of the time the campus is a very casual place: students go to classes in jeans, t-shirts, even pajamas. Most school-sponsored events are casual as well; Vassar certainly isn't a "cotillion" sort of place. The events I mentioned are just a few of the many that take place throughout the year, many of which have a theme to them. You certainly don't need dresses for class or the vast majority of events. Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression with my suggestion... the Vassar campus is for the most part very casual. I haven't been to Carleton, but I imagine that the scenes at the two places are rather similar to one another, from what I've heard from a friend of mine who attends the school.</p>
<p>Question: Also, at Carleton, there's an activities fair in the Fall where all the clubs and intermural sports and other types of groups canvas for new student members. Does Vassar have something like this? I'm not a "joiner" by nature but I do want to get involved with things. This is one of the reasons that a smaller LAC is appealing to me. What's the process? </p>
<p>Answer: During freshman orientation week and the first week of school, there are several events held for the purpose of getting students (both freshmen and returning students) involved in new activities. One such event is a club fair held outside of the main campus cafeteria. Here, many of the school clubs set up tables where they advertise for their clubs and explain what they do, where and when they meet, and how the club generally runs. They also all have sheets of paper where interested students can sign up for the club email lists. These lists are very important to join in that they're the primary way that clubs schedule meetings. </p>
<p>Similarly, there is also a club and intramural sports meeting held during freshman orientation week where students can meet with the coaches (for club sports) or get information about how to get involved (for intramural sports).</p>
<p>Lastly, freshman orientation also features an afternoon activity which is meant to introduce students to Vassar clubs that interest them. Freshmen spend the afternoon in groups of up to thirty or so with club staff members to work with them and give them a taste of what being part of their club is like. For instance, my freshman year, clubs that were involved in the afternoon activity offerings included the Miscellany News, the Vassar-Haiti Project, the Rugby Team, the Queer Coalition, and the Barefoot Monkeys.</p>
<p>Adding to what littleathiest said about dress clothes: my son lived in shorts, t-shirts, polo shirts, and jeans/cargos and the only time he needed a step up from that was for an athletic banquet in the spring when khakis, dress shirt and shoes were fine.</p>
<p>Thanks to both of you. I am seriously thinking of applying ed based on academics and on my visit last month but, a summer visit certainly does not give the whole story. However, since we are so far away it was the best I can do. I really don't know anyone who has gone to Vassar in the last 10 years. (A friend of my mom's is the most recent and it turns out he's 32....young by her standards but still not up on the current campus climate!)
So far Vassar would have to rank as my first choice but I have some doubts on the social settings there. I just want to be somewhere where I can be who I want without social cliques or pigeon holing. (effete intellectual,geek, artist, preppy, jock, musician, stoner, partyer, "bro", nerd, ....) I'm just trying to ascertain if this is the place. I saw lots of schools and some of them gave off the wrong vibe even during Summer but Vassar was in a handful that seemed like they could fit me.</p>
<p>hey nevalu, i'm interested in Vassar and Carleton too. they're actually my top two choices right now - i'm thinking of applying ED but i'm still struggling between choosing one of the two. we seem to be in the same place - i definitely agree with you on not wanting to be somewhere full of social cliques and i'm also doubtful of the Vassar social scene. we'll see what happens. good luck on your decision. maybe we'll see each other next fall haha</p>
<p>I'm not sure if you two are looking for more information about the cliqueness of Vassar, but if so, here you go....</p>
<p>One of the things that I like so much about Vassar is that it is made up of such a diverse mix of people. This of course, has to do with ethnic, racial, socioeconomic, and geographic diversity, but also diversity of interests and personality. As cliche as it might sound, there's no one "type" of student that goes to Vassar. Instead, it's the sort of school where you'll find dancers on the rugby team, singers in the biology labs, and pre-med students who are also Medieval Renaissance majors.</p>