<p>I've come across the saying, "Vassar likes students who love Vassar" many times on these boards.
I'm wondering how true it is (whether it's to protect the yield or a genuine search for a good fit).
Does anyone have anecdotal evidence for or against this?</p>
<p>I was unable to apply Early Decision. However, Vassar is my top choice. My interview is tomorrow and though "non-evaluative", I have heard that interviewers are asked to gauge the interest level of the applicants they interview.
Would it be acceptable for me to tell my interviewer that Vassar is my number one? I don't want to come across as tacky or fake. Yet, I don't want to leave any chance of my interviewer thinking that I'm not interested. I'd appreciate input!</p>
<p>The off-campus interviews are given by alums and probably do not count for anything unless the interview goes very poorly. If an applicant were to tell an interviewer, “I am only applying on my parents’ insistence and would never attend if admitted”, I doubt the student would get in. Otherwise, the interview is an informational one.
You need high grades, high standardized test scores, and good extracurricular activities to get admitted. Better to show how you would fit into the Vassar community than to simply state that it is your top choice. Vassar (as do most small liberal arts colleges) want students who will create a vibrant community on campus and would want to know how you would help. Are you a theater buff who wants to continue to participate in theater in college? Are you the editor of your high school’s literary magazine? Do you sing and would you be interested in trying out for one of Vassar’s many singing groups? Do you play a sport and have you contacted Vassar’s coach for that sport? Explain why you think Vassar would be a good fit for you based on your interests. Given that most outstanding small liberal arts colleges have decent programs in most academic areas, you show your interest in Vassar mostly by using your extracurricular interests. Vassar’s Art History Department is particularly well-known, and if that’s your interest, I would mention it, too, but I don’t think they would believe you if you said that you wanted to attend Vassar because it has the very top department in the nation in another subject.</p>
<p>I wouldnt say they “don’t count for anything”,but they aren’t a deciding factor. As I said previously, don’t bring a weapon. That would be a bad thing :)</p>
<p>My son really loves Vassar. He went to visit it twice and it is on par with Yale and Brown in his mind. However, Vassar is the ONLY school, including 4 Ivies and other similar LAC that has not contacted him for an interview. I know they have been very busy lately trying to deal with their “admissions issue”. But the guidance counselor did check with them a couple of months ago and was assured he would be contacted by February. My son is a top student t(top 5%), good SAT (over 2200) perfect SAT II, musician, Class President, etc. So it is not that he is not qualified. and we live in Westchester so there are plenty of alumni in the area. He is going to email the admissions office again. But would Vassar admit someone that did not have an interview? I think the interviews, while not crucial, have been very helpful at reminded my son what he liked about the school in the first place. Each interview has also allowed him to talk about his interests and activities in a much deeper way. He is going to email them again this week. but with vacation coming up its a very short window.</p>
<p>My S1 is a senior at Vassar now and requested but never got an interview in 2008. Obviously it didn’t hurt him. We are in the Boston area where I also assume there are plenty of alumni. Interviews don’t seem to be a priority.</p>
<p>Hm… I think a big part of the interview is demonstrating interest. But I would say that requesting an interview shows interest too.
It is a bit of a bummer though, I learned a lot from mine.
I think they occur in January and February so maybe there’s still a chance?</p>
<p>I just gave an interview yesterday… there are a number of interview opportunities still available. I also did an interview when I was first applying to Vassar and highly recommend it just because it offers a great opportunity to ask all the questions you want to know about Vassar.
Twoboys2, instead of asking the guidance counselor, I would try contacting the Alumni House directly.</p>
<p>My son has his interview a couple of days ago. It reconfirmed for him everything that he has liked about Vassar all along. It was his last interview so he breathed a sigh of relief. We are all looking forward to a much needed family vacation next week. And hopefully a little R&R will make the waiting a little more bearable! Good luck to all!</p>
<p>We were told at the college information session, explicitly, that the interview was purely informational for the applicant and had no impact whatsoever on admissions.</p>
<p>There’s a thread on whether they’re evaluative or not.
Although the official stance seems that they’re informative, it’s disputed. Mine was just super fun. I believe the interviewers do send in a report.
I really have no clue though.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that Vassar encourages interviews, but the interviews are not for evaluative purposes. Supposedly, the admissions staff has found that when they evaluate the applicants who have been accepted, the ones who have had an interview are more likely to accept an offer of admission. Whether this is because the applicant bonded with the interviewer or because students who are more interested in Vassar are more likely to request an interview, no one knows.</p>