<p>Vassar now joins Williams College as one of the few selective, private liberal arts colleges that will have both need-blind admissions and pledge to meet full need. Last week, Vassar announced that it will return to a completely need-blind admissions policy for first-year freshmen. Behind the move is new Vassar President Catharine B. Hill, an economist of higher education dedicated to promote the socioeconomic diversity of selective private institutions.</p>
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One policy that wont change is Vassars financial aid structure, which does not include merit aid and continues to cover all demonstrated need. As a result, about half the student population gets some form of financial aid.
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need-blind admissions policies are still rare, but more than two dozen of the country's most expensive (and best-endowed) colleges now offer it or, like Vassar, have reinstituted it.
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<p>and from the Vassar website:</p>
<p>"Vassar College returns to need blind admissions policy"</p>
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Importantly, President Hill added, Vassar's move to a "need blind" admissions policy is key to addressing the country's demographic shifts. "First-generation college students, young people from urban areas, and the new wave of young immigrants constitute the fastest growing segments of the college-aged population. We want all students striving for the best in higher education to know that a Vassar education is within their reach," she said.
<p>Need-blind doesn't always help... I know a girl who had to transfer because she can't afford to stay at Vassar another year. It's a real shame because she gave so much to the community and FinAid just didn't listen to her.</p>