<p>Hey Everyone!
I hope someone can help me answer this question...</p>
<p>I visited Vassar in November, and absolutely loved the campus, the setting. The people all seemed really nice but for some reason I can't seem to shake this idea (totally unfounded, I believe) that Vassar is a very, very liberal school.</p>
<p>Let me explain: I would consider myself fairly intellectual, I'd like to discuss philosophical and political things as well as current events with fellow students, yet I will also probably participate in club sports. I would like to have a party scene at the school I choose, though not a scene that dominates the social life; I'd like to be able to go to parties without there constantly being drunken party-goers all over campus. </p>
<p>Will I be able to find these things at Vassar without being overrun by extremely liberal classmates? I, personally, have liberal political views but I would like to have a diverse campus. I am not homophobic by any means, but I would like to know that there is not an overwhelming gay population on campus... I'd definitely like to have friends that are of any orientation, but also some straight friends. (I realize how hateful this sounds to say, but I am being brutally honest... I sincerely hope I do not insult anyone, as that is in no way my intention).</p>
<p>Does Vassar seem to fit my hopes for a college? I know academically it does (I'd probably like to major in poli sci or Spanish, perhaps some sort of science as a double major)... but socially?</p>
<p>PS: That was an incredibly long post, I apologize; any help is greatly appreciated!!</p>
<p>If you have a problem with hardcore liberalism and gay people then I’m not sure if Vassar is for you…</p>
<p>What do you mean by "overwhelming gay population? What’s overwhelming to you? 10%? 20%? 51%? No college in America has a majority LGBT student body. I doubt if the most liberal, left-wing college or university in the USA has more than 15% LGBT. And if you don’t know what LGBT means, you aren’t really a liberal. You’re pretending to be one, or you’re the most sheltered liberal I’ve encountered on CC. Your fears are just silly.</p>
<p>Your blunt honesty is appreciated. It sounds to me that Vassar will be whatever you make of it should you attend. There is a prominent gay population on campus, but most of your friends will be straight. Vassar’s is a very liberal campus – most people are center-left or more liberal, though you’ll find a lonely conservative here and there. That said, though, students are very open-minded, and if you’re looking for an intellectual discussion, it probably won’t be too hard to find. As to parties, it sounds like we’ve got what you’re looking for: there are plenty, none <em>too</em> big, and alcohol may or may not be involved. It sounds like while Vassar may have the potential to annoy you, if you’re looking for a good experience, you’ll find it.</p>
<p>And yes, VC fits very well academically with someone interested in Poli Sci and Spanish.</p>
<p>Thanks, swat, for your awesome response! It’s definitely what I was hoping to hear, and I’m really glad it’s so. As for the other posters above, of course I know what LGBT means and I did not mean to offend anyone in asking my questions (thanks Swat for appreciating the honesty of my questions) but these are tough questions I really wanted to have answered before I possibly decide to spend the next 4 years of my life at a certain college… so even the most difficult questions have to be answered.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, I am a high school teacher, and one of my best students is now at Vassar. He’s definitely on the conservative side politically, and he’s very happy there.</p>
<p>I’m an incoming freshman, and I had the same issue as far as the left-leaning problem. I tend to be moderate and it irritates me when I observe close-minded and arrogant liberals. From what I’ve gained through talking to other incoming freshman and current students is that this is not the case. I think everyone is still way friendly and isn’t going to defecate their views all over you (personally how I view it). As far as the party scene, that’s hardly what defines the campus in my opinion. People do party… but a lot of people don’t. </p>
<p>As far as the gay part, I can’t really help with you that. Haha. That’s what made Vassar appealing to me. I will say-- I understand your concern, but there are a lot of straight guys at Vassar too. And a lot of attractive straight women, with good odds for straight men. Just putting that out there. </p>
<p>And I’ll have you know I was not offended with your questions. You obviously approached the question in the right way, it’s unnerving that people would bash you for it. I wouldn’t want all of my friends to be straight men, so why should it be different the other way around?</p>