What type of student would thrive at Vassar? Are Vassar students rich, white and preppy or more artsy and liberal? I visited over the summer and loved everything I saw, but because classes weren’t in session I didn’t get a good feel for the school’s character. I’d love to hear some first-hand experiences! Thanks so much
Vassar is the most economically diverse of the top 25 LACs, so no- they aren’t all rich!
It is majority white (65%) but 35% of the student body is not white, so it is relatively diverse for an LAC.
Preppy, definitely not.
Artsy- well it has that reputation, and there are a lot of arts elements, but I wouldn’t say artsiness dominates in the way it might at some schools.
Liberal- yes, very! but in a live-and-let-live kind of way.
I would say that the students are very individualistic and very motivated by their subject. They work hard, and they work a lot, but it is less about the volume of work than the content. The ones I know seem to really enjoy their studies, classes, and (with the odd, inevitable, exception) their teachers.
It is a fit school, so if you are a rising senior I would suggest spending a night on campus & going to a class at the 2 or 3 LACs that are top of your list.
@collegemom3717 has it down perfectly. I concur with her assessment.