How unrealistic is Vassar for me?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vassar College
1

<p>Hey, guys :) I'm a junior looking at colleges and I'm in love with everything I've heard about Vassar. It's a huge reach for me, but I'd love some opinions on how high of a reach it would be. </p>

<p>-I'm a white and hispanic (Puerto Rican) female from CA.
-My GPA (this is what will kill me..) at the end of junior year will be about 3.4 UW and 3.75 W. I attend a very competitive public school (ranked in the top 50). I did badly in freshman year and have a huge upward trend--2.8 freshman year, 3.8 now. (How much will this trend help me in general, with applications?) I'll have taken maybe 7 AP classes by graduation.
-2200 SAT (Would it help me to get this higher?)
-member of GSA, multiple geeky clubs (Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Sherlock), volunteer at SPCA, volunteer with local environmental society, participant/winner of National Novel Writing Month each year, babysitter</p>

<p>I'm also looking for some safeties, matches, and more realistic reaches for my stats. Thanks for any help :)</p>

2

<p>First of all I’d like to encourage you, and everyone else applying to college, to take a close look at the “Common Data Set” most colleges provide, usually on their web site. It has a wealth of information and is especially useful to evaluate your chances for admission. Let’s take a look at some of Vassar’s data for 2020-11, the most current available [C</a>. First-time, First-year (Freshman) Admission - Institutional Research - Vassar College](<a href=“Institutional Research – Vassar College”>Institutional Research – Vassar College) :</p>

<p>For Fall 2010</p>

<p>Total first-time, first-year (freshman) men who applied 2,408
Total first-time, first-year (freshman) men who were admitted 792
So, the acceptance rate for men was 32.9%</p>

<p>Total first-time, first-year (freshman) women who applied 5,414
Total first-time, first-year (freshman) women who were admitted 1,055
So, the acceptance rate for women was 19.5%</p>

<p>You’re at a disadvantage as a female applicant.</p>

<p>The Common Data Set lists 19 factors for admission that are ranked Very Important, Important, Considered, or Not Considered. Interestingly, Vassar considers only 1 factor Very Important - Rigor of secondary school record. Class rank, GPA, test scores, application essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities are Important.</p>

<p>Here’s the data for SAT scores (for enrolled freshmen):</p>

<pre><code> 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
</code></pre>

<p>SAT Reading 670 740
SAT Math 640 720
SAT Writing 660 750</p>

<p>So, your 2200 SAT score roughly places you in the 75th percentile.</p>

<p>GPA for enrolled freshmen (4.0 scale):</p>

<p>Percent who had GPA of 3.75 and higher 58%
Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74 26%
Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49 12%
Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24 4%</p>

<p>Your GPA will be an issue (although mitigated by the strong upward trend - many schools weigh sophomore and junior grades higher than freshman grades).</p>

<p>Class rank (for enrolled freshmen):</p>

<p>Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class 65%<br>
Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class 96%</p>

<p>Finally, here are some statistics about the “Wait-list” for Fall 2009 I found astonishing (and quite ridiculous):</p>

<p>Number of qualified applicants offered a placed on waiting list 1,421
Number accepting a place on the waiting list 568
Number of wait-listed students admitted 0</p>

<p>Good luck in your college search.</p>

3

<p>Thank you so much for that information! I forgot about the common data sets and how helpful they can be.
So Vassar is a reach for me–I’ll probably apply, but make sure to have plenty of other options. I just have to find some I like :slight_smile:
Those stats about the wait list are unbelievable…is it like that across the board, or do some schools really draw students from the wait list? :/</p>

4

<p>Play up the Latina angle!!</p>

<p>Similar but slightly less competitive schools include Connecticut College, Skidmore, Sarah Lawrence (although they don’t look at SAT scores), Trinity, and Bennington (some might disagree).</p>

<p>alternatives that are just as competitive are Wesleyan and Bard.</p>

5

<p>Some other similar schools that are easier to get into are Oberlin, Hamilton, and Smith. They all have open curriculums like Vassar.</p>

6

<p>I agree with many of the above messages except that admission to Bard is definitely easier than admission to Vassar. Bard is probably an excellent safety school for a student for whom Vassar is a moderate reach. Colgate and Brandeis are also good likely or safety schools. But if you are looking for a “hipster” school as a backup to Vassar, Bard is probably it. Play up the Latina angle and emphasize the upward trend in your GPA. Think carefully about which teachers you want to ask to write your letters of recommendation, because a stand-out letter always helps. The relationships between colleges and high schools vary from one school to the next. If you have a Naviance account with your high school and students have applied to Vassar in the past, how do compare with previous applicants from your school?</p>

7

<p>I wish our high school still had Naviance! They got rid of it just this year. I’ll have to find the Naviance login for a similar school to mine. (Does anyone know how to go about doing that?)
I also love Wesleyan and Reed (I know, both reaches!). I’m visited Reed yesterday and I’m loving it more and more. Oberlin and Bard are also interesting, but Oberlin is in Ohio…and I’ve heard varying opinions about Bard’s academics.
I would like to play up the Latina angle–the only thing stopping me is that although my mom is Latina, I have my dad’s last name, which is very “white.” I feel like it may come across as lying…?
Thanks for all of the school suggestions! :slight_smile: Bennington sounds so cool…I’m not sure if I would fit in, though!</p>

8

<p>I will just say that Bard was my daughter’s first choice, over Vassar and Wesleyan. She’s a serious writer and a serious intellectual and after sitting in on classes at all three, she felt Bard was a better match for her, even if technically it was “easier” to get into. She is having an astounding experience–and reading and writing a ton more than friends elsewhere, even at ivies. It’s a special place Bard but worth a look. If arts are your sports and reading and thinking are your thing, it’s a great place.</p>

9

<p>Our tour guide at Bard who was a biology major said he writes a 10 page paper per week in his major. S1 loved Bard and was accepted but after visiting Vassar twice realized the Vassar was for him. His writing (which was good before) has improved tremendously at Vassar. </p>

<p>Hamilton may also be a good option. They stress writing as well and you should check it out. The arts appeared to be very strong there.</p>

10

<p>Thanks for the input :slight_smile: Hamilton sounds really great (except I don’t know if I’d really fit in there). I also really like Bard!</p>

11

<p>Do not let any specific statistic dissuade you from applying to Vassar. Vassar takes a very holistic approach to admissions. They look for applicants who will contribute to their class and to the school. Your GPA, although not fantastic for Vassar in general, is good and shows and upward trend. You seem like someone that has a passion for the school and this too goes a long way towards being accepted at a school like Vassar. Most small LACs look to have a diverse class and your stats are otherwise right in line with the type of applicant that would appeal to a school like Vassar.</p>

12

<p>I agree with MandMom’s post. Your upward trend is wonderful - keep up the good work. For your senior year, take some of the most rigourous classes in your school. Rigor of studies is very important in admissions considerations at Vassar. It is a great school, I think you should apply!</p>

13

<p>Fwiw, Bard probably has the best undergraduate writing program in the country.</p>

14

<p>Thanks so much for all the posts, everyone! All of your advice and encouragement is really helpful :)</p>