<p>@prossproductions: As a Vassar sophomore, ex-drama major, currently english major who’s thinking of switching to psych and getting certified in elementary education, just thought I’d tack on my experience to H’s answer. Just about any combination of majors/concentrations is possible at Vassar, but if you are looking at an English/Drama double major (and education correlate/certification?), I would definitely recommend making up a 4-year plan during your freshman year, and really thinking about what you want to get out of the majors. I came in to Vassar thinking I would be an English/Drama double major, but found that this would mean taking courses in these departments almost exclusively. Seeing as the free range of courses was a large part of why I came to Vassar, I was not willing to make this sacrifice for a double degree. If you do decide double majoring is right for you, the only thing you would need to watch out for would be that at least a quarter of your credits have to be outside of your curricular division of concentration (both English and Drama are in the Arts division).</p>
<p>In terms of a concentration or certificate in education (you can receive a NY state teaching certificate in childhood or adolescent education by the time you graduate from Vassar, or with one additional semester for student teaching), if you are interested in that, there is a specific guide of courses to take for which you need to meet with the chair of the department and plan out. If you do secondary education, you also need to plan out courses in your field of concentration based on the subject you would ultimately be teaching. It’s a pretty excellent opportunity, but another thing that it’s better to figure out sooner rather than later, as I am in the process of learning.</p>
<p>Despite my severe indecision and frustration with the majors, the fact that I even have these options in something unique to Vassar, and for that I’m grateful.</p>
<p>I read the other thread and it concerned me. I am pretty opposed to smoking (history of smoking and lung cancer in my family plus my brother took it up recently). Of course, I’m not one of those type of people that go around saying “you’re going to die” and all. I believe my opinions on smoking should only apply to myself and I will only tell people my opinion if they ask.</p>
<p>That being said, I hate the smell of smoke and I don’t like it when people smoke around me. I don’t mind at all if they smoke when I’m not there. Is this a normal feeling or do you think I’d feel weird around campus?</p>
<p>Checked with my Junior daughter and her two roommates today as I had not noticed a great deal of cigarette smoking at Vassar, especially compared to Bard where my son goes. Naturally I am only there a couple of times a semester for transportation duty.</p>
<p>They confirmed that smoking does not seem to be an issue for them who don’t smoke All buildings are smoke free of course and smoking is supposed to be 50 feet away from building entrances. There is some discussion starting about making the campus smoke free.</p>
<p>There is definitely a smokers presence on campus … though I think that would be true of any college. My grandfather died of lung cancer and I have never nor plan to ever smoke cigarettes, so I think I understand where you guys are coming from. That being said, I haven’t found it a problem. You can request a non-smoker roommate. The 50 ft from a building entrance isn’t always strictly enforced, but you just walk by and it’s one unpleasant breath. I have friends who are smokers, who go off for a cig break while I do something else. It’s never a divisive thing like non-smoker = not cool. I have never encountered that. If people are smoking in a corner outside and you hate hate hate the smell, avoid that corner. It’s not that hard. I think it would be difficult to find anywhere that was totally smoke free, but maybe there are college campuses who have enforced a smoke free policy, I don’t know. And if it IS that important to you, then it’s good you know yourself that well and it should become a factor in your decision making. As for the smoke free campus at Vassar, I haven’t personally heard anything about that, but as a non-smoker, it wouldn’t necessarily come up in conversations I have. I do know that the Vassar store does not sell cigarettes due to a campus policy.<br>
Hope this helped!</p>
<p>As a parent I don’t understand why any education young person would smoke. Over the years the number of smokers I have worked with has declined significantly with no more than 1 or 2 in the roughly 100 people in my current office.</p>
<p>The Misc reports on the consideration of a smoke free campus this week.</p>
<p>Thanks Hannah that was exactly the type of answer I was hoping for. Like I said, although I’m opposed to smoking, I personally believe everyone should have a choice whether or not to take it up. Its nice to hear there’s no separation between the smokers and non-smokers.</p>
<p>@gapyearstudent: Glad to see I helped! I was just ■■■■■■■■ back through the thread and I noticed I never did address your race question, though someone else did. I didn’t answer because I didn’t really know what to say, but I’ll give you what I can. I know there are race-specific student organizations and there is a centre dedicated to students of colour (basically anyone who isn’t white). As someone who IS white, I haven’t had much to do with the program. I don’t know if you’ve read Vassar acceptance stats recently, but the class of 2013 was the most racially diverse in the college’s history. Something like 25 or 35% I don’t remember the exact figure. I have friends from all different backrounds and races so I don’t see the self-segregation. That’s not to say that it doesn’t exist but I wouldn’t necessarily call it self-segregation, I would argue that people with similar experiences tend to gravitate toward one another. International students for example get to campus earlier than other students, have their own meeting day during orientation, so its natural that friendships will emerge from this as well as the fact that it’s nice to talk to and be friends with someone who’s having a similar experience! However, if you would like to talk to someone with definitely more knowledge than I on the subject contact Vassar’s ALANA centre.</p>
<p>Hi Hbannah, thank you so much for everything. Unfortunately, I got waitlisted. I’m really so disappointed right now, but hopefully, everything will work out for the best.</p>
<p>Thank you for everything, and I hope you continue to have fun at Vassar!</p>
<p>Ohhh. I’m sorry! I do believe that for the most part people end up in the right places. And of COUSE it’ll work out! But at the beginning of the disappointment it’s not as helpful to hear that and so I will also say that that completely, utterly sucks and you should take a self-indulgent weekend doing whatever you want as consolation. Good luck with the rest of your applications!</p>
<p>Haha, Vassar was my first choice but I didn’t have much hope for myself because I’m an FA-needing international. Got waitlisted by my second choice, Amherst too, today.</p>
<p>You’re right, this really sucks. I was already imagining myself in Poughkeepsie. Sigh. I’ll accept it soon hopefully.</p>