<p>I'm not a Vassar student either, but I worked there last summer as part of the KNAC consortium. That's an Astronomy research consortium that passes around students from eight member LACs, but you probably don't care. I can tell you that Vassar has the (tied for) largest telescope in New York state and I enjoyed using it. My only experience with the Chem labs is having a pizza lunch and latex workshop in the Chem building on the one day that summer when it was 100 degrees outside.</p>
<p>What you do probably care about is the fact that I was housed with everyone from Vassar's URSI program (Undergraduate Research Science Institute). URSI happened to be in its 20th year, and let me tell you Vassar is EXTREMELY proud of their program. Another professor told me that it was frustrating because admissions tours didn't always emphasis how much science actually happens at Vassar.</p>
<p>So I wouldn't count Vassar or any other LAC out if you are a science major.</p>