<p>I visited Vassar today, and liked what I saw. I had already done quite a bit of research on the school and my tour was able to show me first hand how nice the campus was. However, my tour was not able to answer my lingering questions. Basically, as someone who is fairly moderate in their political views, does the liberal vibe of Vassar seem overwhelming? Also, as a straight guy, will the gay community feel similarly overwhelming? I wasn't able to get a feel for either of these as my spring break seems to line up with Vassar's and the campus was relatively empty.</p>
<p>Now keep in mind, I have nothing wrong with homosexuality, I am just curious how the homosexual and heterosexual portions of the campus mesh, and how it affects those on campus who are not homosexual. Do you feel out of place at times, or do the two mesh so well that neither groups feel the need to (I can't seem to find the right word) broadcast their orientation?</p>
<p>Please don't take offense to anything I have said. I am not a homophobe in the least, I simply want to know how moderate, heterosexual guys fit in at Vassar. It seems like a very welcoming place, but I just want a student's opinion.</p>
<p>Let me try to answer your questions (I’m a current freshman)</p>
<p>You definitely will not be overwhelmed by the gay population at Vassar. Vassar is known as a very accepting, gay-friendly place, but I would venture to say that many similar small LACs are just as accepting and gay friendly. I think Vassar gets the “gay mecca” reputation from its history as a women’s college and its great drama department. As a gay male, I came to Vassar expecting a larger gay community, for all that it had been hyped up to be. That said, the gay community at Vassar is “larger” than outside of the Vassar bubble, but it is nowhere near a majority of the campus. I would say that 15-20% of the men on campus ID as gay/bi, and about 10% of the girls do (maybe even less). And with guys only being 40%, this really is not an overwhelming number.</p>
<p>If you would be “overwhelmed” by something, it may be for your political stance. Vassar kids and professors are liberal, but we are smart liberals who would much rather get into an interesting debate/discussion as opposed to blindly bash the other side. I have friends who are more moderate/conservative and this happens frequently. There is a club on campus MICA for moderate independent and conservative students and I know that they do have dinners, events, and are quite an outgoing bunch. If you look on the Vassar website, under the VSA organizations, you could contact them with any questions. If you don’t mind discussing/debating your political beliefs with others from time to time, I really don’t think this will be a problem.</p>
<p>Feel free to reply with any further questions! hope this helps</p>
<p>Wow, sounds great. Hopefully I’ll be able to visit Vassar again soon when the classes are in session to get a real feel for the school, but based on what you said, I would see myself fitting in pretty well. Thanks for the reply.</p>
<p>My D will be attending Vassar (accepted ED) and she is pretty much apolitical and conservative/reserved in her ways. The friendliness of the campus is what appealed to her, and she expects to have a fun time broadening her life experience (while receiving a great education).</p>
<p>ETA: I totally agree with my D about the friendliness of the students; while she was sitting in on a class, I began walking around until I had no idea where I was. I approached a student for directions, and in spite of my protests, this student escorted me back to my starting place. What a spontaneously nice thing to do!</p>
<p>It’s kind of funny, actually, because I’ve been wondering what life would be like for a gay, politically-moderate guy. Like you, I (obviously) have no problem with the gay community but would be overwhelmed were it to be the dominant one. I love the accepting feel of Vassar but wouldn’t want to be pushed towards a specific posse based on my sexuality.</p>
<p>That said, cre90 has put most of my lingering worries to rest. Let the decisions roll in…</p>
<p>Hi guys! psychmom mentioned her daughter being able to sit in a class…is she accepted already? I never heard of the option to sit in a class when i visited…would i be able to if I got accepted? I always find sitting in on a class to be more helpful than anything (except maybe an overnight visit).</p>
<p>jacob92: To clarify, my D arranged to sit in on a class last fall ( there is something on the website stating you can request this). The professor and the students were very welcoming, and she felt included. The teacher even handed her the homework assignment at the end! It was a positive experience, and one of the factors that lead her to applying early decision.</p>
<p>My son is straight but not politically moderate. From what he tells me the culture at Vassar is to not define students by sexual or gender orientation. He is completely comfortable. He’s a sophomore and all I can say is that it is just not an issue.</p>
<p>I will point out to the original poster in particular that my D and her straight female friends complain about the lack of straight guys (the F/M ratio is 60/40 after all) so you will be much more in “danger” of being overwhelmed by them than the diverse culture of Vassar. I supect every combination of sexual preference at Vassar makes the same complaints so I would not worry too much either way. </p>
<p>I would make the same suggestion to you and all the other posters as Vassar has a very laid back and tolerant culture, or so it seems to a parent of Junior.</p>
<p>Now if a huge outpouring of joy and noise in the quads when Obama was elected is an issue for you might find the prevailing political wind an issue. Do remember those celebrations (it was an excusre for a big party after all) were quite common on many/most campuses and that political views constantly evolve as one ages and matures. You will not feel out of place whatever your views (even Red Sox and Yankee fans get along at Vassar…not sure how that works myself…) and will have plenty of opportunity to sharpen your debating skills if that is what you like. Seriously, most kids are apolitical (to us old folks that is) though lean to the left, especially on social issues.</p>
<p>My son is a second semester freshman. He says there are plenty of political moderates at Vassar. Most of his friends are moderate, he says it just happened to work out that way. You will be fine at Vassar.</p>
<p>My son is also applying to Vassar. Hes a straight Athletic kid. He will hope to play Rugby there. I know its a strong academic school so it would be a blessing to be accepted. I also am worried about him fitting in.</p>
<p>ctparent2006: Yeah I have gotten that impression from visiting/researching the college, so it doesnt come as that much of a surprise. Of course, the skewed ratio is an advantage (on a certain level) for straight guys like me!</p>
<p>My son is a Vassar alum ('08). He is straight, moderate-to-conservative, and was an athlete. Although he was often in the minority politically, he loved his experience at Vassar. It is a unique school with so much to offer, don’t base your decision to attend on
stereotypes. And just like ALL schools, Vassar is what you make of it.</p>
<p>I live in Poughkeepsie. I’m only in HS but I could throw a rock from my back yard and hit Vassar campus. </p>
<p>Anyway, the area is really nice and everyone I have ever met is extremely friendly in Vassar. I’m conservative on just about everything (though I’m rather liberal in my views on gay rights) and I get along just fine with most the people there. Typically no one really cares enough about your political views here to really judge you based on them. Just don’t go around bible-bumping and preaching Reagonomics and no one will really bother asking you about your views.</p>
<p>The people there aren’t the typical “I believe this because everyone else does” kind of thinkers. I don’t think you will find many “Liberals” or “Conservatives” there, almost everyone is a free thinker and has a wide view of opinions. However it is undeniable that they lean left, just not as far as one would think. Great debates happen among my Vassar friends and I, but they aren’t a focal point of our interaction by any means.</p>
<p>As for the gay stereotype, it’s just like cre90 said. There aren’t as many gays as one would be led to believe and it isn’t really one of those places where a straight person would feel ostracized at all.</p>
<p>Anyone else have any thoughts on the same two issues? I’m also a potential freshman for the fall and am curious about the straight gay ratio as well as the political spectrum. I lean to the left somewhat but am not blindly democratic, and would hope Vassar kids, as intelligent as they are supposed to be, aren’t so outrageously liberal they lose sight of the issues (read: the Wesleyan stereotype). Also, I’m a straight male and would like to make sure there are enough other, fairly normal/not super-hipster guys to be friends with around campus. And other straight men’s thoughts about if the gay population is overwhelming.</p>
<p>WTG2010: My son played lots of intramural sports and also played on one of the college teams. He met lots of great “normal” guys, most of whom he is still great friends with. Vassar kids tend to be very high achieving and hard to categorize. For example, my son was a science major, premed (in med school now) loves alternative music (loved all the concerts and performances that came to Vassar), spent time DJing on campus, and also played sports. His roommate, who was a star baseball player, is now a PhD candidate in England and just published his first book of short stories. So it is pretty common to be artistic, scientific, and athletic all at the same time. In terms of being straight, well for guys it is an advantage because there are many intelligent, interesting and beautiful women on campus. </p>
<p>I think you should consider Vassar if you truly like/love the school. You will find people you relate to there and at most any school for that matter. Good luck with your decision! (PM me if you have additional questions or I can put you in contact with my son, Vassar '08)</p>
<p>I’m going next fall- There are plenty of moderate straight guys (I live down the street from the campus).</p>
<p>Bear in mind the nature of public opinions, if a school is “all gay and everyone is a socialist” (like Vassar allegedly) it means slightly more than average are gay and liberal. I can assure you that the majority of the campus is what you would call, “normal.”</p>