Want to attend a suburban private liberal arts college that takes academics very seriously. Continue reading to learn how to get into Vassar College!
Known for its rigorous academic program, Vassar is a private residential liberal arts college with a student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1. US News ranked it as the 16th-best liberal arts college in the country and the 20th college for undergraduate teachers. If you’re interested in giving Vassar a try, we’ll break down everything you need to know on how to get into Vassar College.
Vassar College has an acceptance rate of 17.7%. This means that out of thousands of applications received each year, only a fraction are admitted. The competitive nature of Vassar's admissions process shows the high standards the college sets for its students.
So, prospective applicants should be prepared to show not only strong academic achievements but also their unique qualities, passions, and potential contributions to the Vassar community in their application.
Take a look at how Vassar’s acceptance rate has changed over the years:
With an acceptance rate of 17.7%, gaining admission to Vassar College is highly competitive. The college receives a large number of applications from academically accomplished students each year, making the admissions process rigorous.
To increase their chances of acceptance, applicants must show more than just academic excellence. Although it is hard to get into Vassar College, it’s achievable for those with good applications.
Here is the profile for Vassar’s recently admitted freshman class:
The previously admitted freshman class had an average unweighted GPA of 4.07. It’s safe to assume they graduated at the top of their respective class. To give yourself the best chance of acceptance, try to secure a GPA as close to 4.1 as possible.
The average SAT score for admitted students indicates that successful applicants have strong performance across all sections of the SAT, including Reading, Writing and Language, and Math. Achieving scores within or above this range significantly enhances an applicant's competitiveness for admission to Vassar.
A strong SAT score indicates a readiness for the curriculum at Vassar College. `Therefore, while SAT scores are just one component of the admissions process, achieving scores within this range greatly strengthens an applicant's candidacy.
For admitted students at Vassar College, the average ACT ranges from 34. This suggests that successful applicants have a high level of academic proficiency and significantly strengthens an applicant's candidacy for admission to Vassar College.
A strong ACT score reflects a student's ability to think critically, solve problems effectively, and apply knowledge in various contexts. Therefore, achieving an ACT score within this range significantly enhances an applicant's competitiveness for admission to Vassar College.
Vassar College seeks applicants with academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and a passion for learning. The admissions committee looks for students who have challenged themselves academically and have excelled in their high school coursework. From the common dataset, you will find the academic and non-academic skills in detail.
Vassar values applicants who excel academically and challenge themselves with rigorous coursework. Writing exceptional college essays and securing glowing recommendation letters are very important in the admissions process, as well as being able to demonstrate your unique interests, talents, and experiences. To shine in your application, it’s also crucial to gain meaningful volunteer and work experiences.
Surprisingly, standardized test scores aren’t as important to admissions officers, though they are definitely still considered.
Students must submit their application through either the Common Application, Coalition Application, or the QuestBridge Application. The admissions committee has no preference on which portal you use, so you should apply using the one you’re most comfortable with.
No matter which portal method you choose, here’s a rundown of all the documents you need to provide for your application.
Your school counselor must complete and send a school report to Vassar College. The form for the school report can be found online and downloaded through Common Application. Have your high school counselor fill it out and send it to Vassar College.
Your official high school transcript needs to include all courses completed or in progress during your high school years (grades 9 to 12) and the number of credits each course has. Completed courses must also have a final grade for each course. Any academic achievements or honors should also be included in the transcript.
This is a document that Early Decision applicants need to complete and submit. It confirms that the applicant seeks to apply for Early Decision and agrees with its binding conditions, namely, withdrawing applications to other schools and enrolling in Vassar if the applicant is accepted.
Each applicant needs to submit one teacher evaluation, which is an overall assessment of an applicant done by a teacher who has taught the applicant in a core academic subject. The teacher evaluation serves a similar function to recommendation letters.
It usually includes information about the student's academic performance, such as grades, class participation, and attendance, as well as the student’s personality, character, and extracurricular involvement. As such, you should find a teacher who knows you well to complete this evaluation.
Vassar College requires all applicants to have their mid-year grades sent to them by a school official, usually their counselor. These are usually the grades at the point of the closest quarter or semester to the date of applying.
If you have applied for Early Decision, you must also submit a fall progress report and your first-term grades as soon as they become available.
You must take a standardized English language proficiency test if English is not:
Common English language proficiency exams include TOEFL, IELTS, and the Duolingo English Test. Vassar does not have any preferences on which tests the applicant chooses.
Vassar offers three application options:
Early Decision has two rounds: the first one has deadlines earlier than regular application, while the second one has the same deadlines as regular application. However, early decision II is still considered an early application, meaning you will get your admission decision at an earlier date than regular applications.
Both rounds of early decisions are binding. This means that if you applied for either of the two rounds and got admitted, you must immediately withdraw from your application to other schools and enroll in Vassar College.
Here is a table of all the dates and deadlines you should pay attention to for your Vassar application.
Source: Vassar College
Of course, make sure you frequently browse Vassar’s official website in case any sudden changes or announcements show up.
Vassar College is a highly competitive institution that evaluates various factors when considering admission decisions. Among the most significant factors are academic performance, personal strengths, potential, and community involvement.
To increase your chances of getting into Vassar, you should demonstrate excellence both as a student and as a person. Here are some more specific tips that could effectively help your chances of getting into Vassar College.
The admissions committee considers a student's GPA a crucial academic factor for their chances of admission. Special attention is given to the academic breadth, depth, and rigor of junior and senior year curriculum. So, doing well in your high school courses should be at the top of your priorities list.
Make sure you allocate enough time for studying, attend all of your classes, take notes, and stay connected with your teachers and instructors to get help and assistance. You should also prepare for assignments, tests, and exams as early as possible.
But there’s more to your high school performance than your grades alone. Course selection is also an important element. Vassar recommends that prospective applicants take four years of the following courses:
To further improve your competitiveness, you should take the most advanced or challenging coursework available in your school, such as the Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate programs.
Keep in mind that Vassar is favorable towards those who are willing to tackle challenging situations head-on and will not back down in the face of difficulties.
Of course, merely doing well in the classroom is not enough. Vassar prides itself in its diverse student body who embrace the value and ability of learning from each other’s differences.
Your extracurricular activities are an excellent way to reflect these non-academic values that Vassar holds near and dear. On top of being an indicator of how you spend your time outside of the classroom, extracurricular activities are a splendid opportunity for you to meet new people and discover new interests.
Vassar College has a section in its application where you can submit music, art, and dance portfolios. If you have well-developed talent or accomplishments in those areas, here is your chance to showcase them to Vassar!
Vassar College has two essay prompts, and students need to select one of them and write a response no longer than 300 words as their essay. Here are Vassar College essay prompts:
“At Vassar, we aim to foster an inclusive community through our philosophy of engaged pluralism. Engaged pluralism is rooted in ‘the conviction that collaborating across differences is necessary for social transformation and critical for the well-being of any community and its members.’ In short, we believe our differences make us stronger. Tell us a little bit about what makes you unique and what you hope to add to our community.”
“Vassar is a diverse community that inspires positive change through open inquiry, deep dives into society’s most difficult challenges, and collaborative problem-solving. We care deeply about one another, the communities that have forged us, and the community we build together on campus. Tell us more about the community (or communities) you come from and how it has shaped who you are.”
The main point of the essays is for Vassar College to know more about you, not only as an applicant but also as a person. So, make sure your personality, experiences, and goals are at the heart of your responses!
Do some deep and thorough self-reflection. In what ways do you resonate with the essay prompt? Is it your past experiences? Your beliefs, skills, and capabilities? Anything about yourself can be a starting point as long as it connects with the prompt, so open your mind and be venturous. You can check out some examples to guide your essay.
Vassar College interview for applicants is an opportunity for candidates to show their personality, interests, and fit for the college. The interview questions and structure may vary based on the interviewer.
Before you go for a Vassar College interview, you should prepare adequately. Here are some tips to assist your preparation.
Research the college's history. Get to know their mission, values, and campus culture. Identify key aspects that resonate with you and align with your own interests and values. This knowledge will enable you to articulate why Vassar is a good fit for you and how you can contribute to its community.
Reflect on your own experiences, achievements, and future goals. Consider how these align with Vassar's academic offerings, extracurricular opportunities, and values. Be prepared to discuss how Vassar can help you achieve your academic and personal aspirations.
Here are some common questions you can expect during your interview:
These interview prompts are designed to help Vassar College know the applicant's personality, motivations, and potential fit for the campus community.
Applicants should prepare thoughtful responses that highlight their strengths, accomplishments, and genuine interest in Vassar College.
If this is your first official interview, you may be nervous. Work on some stress-relieving mechanisms before your interview. It is an opportunity for the college to get to know you better, so be authentic and honest in your responses.
Need a guide to help you prepare for the Vasser interview? Download our College Interview Cheat Sheet to learn more!
Here are some frequently asked questions on how to get into Vassar College!
Vassar doesn’t have any GPA requirements for applying, so students with any GPA are free to apply as long as they deem it viable. However, the average admitted freshman class for the previous year had an average unweighted GPA of 3.9 out of 4.0.
This means that the average student admitted to Vassar did very well in their high school courses and graduated at the top of their class. So, your GPA needs to be very high if you want it to give you an advantage.
Vassar College admits students who are not only incredibly academically skillful but also willing to share and contribute their talents and capabilities with the community they’re in.
The most recently admitted freshman class had an average GPA of 3.9. So, getting accepted with a 3.7 GPA is somewhat of a challenge. It requires excellent performance in other aspects of the applicant profile for one to get in with a 3.7 GPA.
Fortunately, 3.7 is quite close to the Vassar average of 3.9. Do your best to improve your academic performance, and if you need help, your teachers, instructors, tutors, and counselors are some examples of where you can go.
Vassar College is a great liberal arts school that takes its academic education very seriously. Although getting into Vassar is a challenge, hard work always pays off, and Vassar is always interested in those willing to commit to overcoming challenges. Best wishes on your road to college admission!
