Questions about food/dorms/intramurals

Colleges and Universities A-Z Vassar College
1

<p>Vassar is my top choice and the only school where I am considering applying ED.</p>

<p>For the most part, I love what I've heard about Vassar: beautiful campus (which I know from my visit), community centered dorms, open curriculum, diverse academic options, great professors, etc. </p>

<p>But I do have a few concerns that I'd like to hear about, honestly of course. If these are legitimate problems I want to know going in. </p>

<p>Food: I've heard that the food is kind of bleh at Vassar. By no means bad, but that it gets very monotonous and there is limited variety. Seems like a haven for vegans but, alas, I am no vegan. So basically, I'm wondering if it's at least healthy, if there are good options, if the eating spaces are comfortable and nice, and if there are good off-campus options down the street and if so how often students eat at them. </p>

<p>Dorms: The dorms are beautiful from the outside, with the exception of Noyes and that weird one near the admissions office. The idea of a quad like that really appeals to me, as a central hub of student activity. But I've heard the dorm rooms are really small and uncomfortable. Closet-like doubles, no AC. I shared a room with my sister for 10 years (I'm a boy) and my room is really small so I'm not expecting anything huge, but I at least hope I have the option of having a non bunk bed or being somewhat separate from my roommate. Also, do you have any say in which dorm you land in as a freshman, and can sophomores get singles?</p>

<p>Intramurals: Obviously, Vassar is no jock school. But as an athlete who loves sports but isn't quite D3 material, are intramurals available, well run and popular? Specifically in basketball and soccer, as these are my favorite sports. </p>

<p>Ooh, and one last question. I would normally ask my advisor but school hasn't started and she's on vacation. I've taken the SAT and ACT with writing. If I'm not doing subject tests, can I send just the ACT w/ writing or do I need to send both the SAT and ACTww? </p>

<p>Thanks, any input is greatly appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Food can be a little boring, that’s true, but there are healthy options, too. The Deece is…interesting. It’s not a bad place, by any means, and it can be fairly comfortable. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until I had to pay for my food this entire summer. Juice is expensive; appreciate the all you can eat aspect of the Deece. The Retreat is cute, but it gets boring, too. I eat off campus fairly often, and there are good places within walking distance. I like Twisted Soul, a tapas place, and Baby Cakes, a cafe, quite a bit. And Bacio’s, the pizzeria, is always popular and it’s the closest to campus. Then there’s the Acrop, a 24 hour diner, which is a bit further of a walk and is a popular drunk destination. There are plenty of non-vegan options. The vegan options are actually the most monotonous. I would hardly call it a vegan ‘haven.’</p>

<p>You have no say in what dorm you get placed in as a freshman. Jewett, my house, has tiny rooms, and there isn’t AC in any house. Most other houses have much larger doubles. Jewett’s the exception, not the rule. The only instance I’ve heard of having to bunk your beds would be to have a corner double in Jewett. And it’s really only one per floor where you have to bunk (and I had that room. Of course). Depending on what house you’re in, you might get a single as a sophomore. In some houses, it’s much more likely, such as Lathrop and Raymond, I believe. In Jewett, you are very, very lucky to get a single as a sophomore, especially this year. I managed to get one, but people were very strongly encouraged to find someone they’d be willing to live with if they had a bad draw number.</p>

<p>I don’t know much about intramurals, because I’m lazy. </p>

<p>If you take ACT+ writing, you don’t have to send in your SAT scores.</p>

3

<p>Well, at least the food doesn’t sound bad. That’s interesting, I had heard Jewett was the best dorm since it was most recently renovated. I definitely want to be in the quad or in a not completely isolated dorm. I heard from someone that on their housing survey or whatever they said which dorm they wanted and got it. Maybe just coincidence, but I’ll probably just leave it to chance.</p>

<p>Though I have a feeling that I, like you, would end up stuck with the worst room.</p>

4

<p>No, Jewett IS one of the best dorms in which to live. I, personally, think it is the best. The only other one that might give it a run for its money is Davison, but even if I had the choice to move to another dorm and get a bigger room, I’d stick with Jewett. The rooms are just small, but everything else is wonderful. There are common rooms on every floor, the water pressure is great, and it has the best kitchen of any dorm. Also, the finished basement means going to do laundry isn’t a lesson in horror tropes. I hated my room but I love Jewett so much. Davison was also renovated recently, but I don’t like it quite as much.</p>

<p>When I did housing, there was no spot to put anything about choosing a house. There might have been in years past, but not when I was doing housing, and I don’t think incoming freshmen had the option, either.</p>

5

<p>So what you’re saying is that the rooms themselves are tiny, but the dorm environment and communal areas fully make up for it?</p>

<p>I have packed lunch all throughout high school, so repetitive food is definitely something I’m used to. I just want to make sure it’s at least pretty good. </p>

<p>I definitely don’t want to base my college decision off of food or room size, but I just wanted to make sure these weren’t major issues.</p>

6

<p>i would say that you are way over thinking the room/food situation. </p>

<p>you will definitely not regret coming even if you get a crap room. honestly, lucking out with a cool roomate is much more crucial. </p>

<p>the food is fine. if you are worried about monotony as a vegan…then you shouldnt be a vegan. </p>

<p>all the dorms are pretty much the same except Raymond.</p>

7

<p>Answering your questions as the Mother of a sophomore. My son complains about the food. He also is used to eating very well. There seem to be plenty of options at the dining center and around the campus. The dorms (houses) each have their individual appeal. When my son received his dorm assignment he was dismayed. Noyes. You will LOVE where ever you end up, as did my son. Each dorm will feel like home and you will be loathed to leave once you live there. As a sophomore, my son had the option to have a single and opted for a double. Although Noyes is off the main quad, I think he prefers being away from the activity.
My son is not into any sports, yet takes advantage of the ‘house’ teams and intramural sports scene. If you like the feel of Vassar and believe it is where you ‘belong’, you will not be disappointed in housing, sports or the food. Vassar is a unique and special school that fosters community and individuality. I doubt my son would trade any short comings for any other school!!</p>

8

<p>Oh, intramural update:</p>

<p>So. Um. Somehow my lazy butt ended up playing on an intramural volleyball team with my ex-fellow group this year. Literally none of us know what we’re doing, so getting involved with intramurals seems pretty chill. So far. The only games we “won” have been the games where the other team didn’t show up. But, still, it’s a fun circuit, surprisingly. I think there’s a more competitive circuit, too.</p>

9

<p>what about dance opportunitities at Vassar? If one does not get into the VDRT (auditioned—) what dance performance groups are there where one might be supervised or helped by faculty/staff?</p>