Vassar Feedback Please

Anonymous
Would welcome feedback from parents whose kids are at Vassar or have graduated in the past several years.

DS is seriously considering Vassar. It is appealing in multiple dimensions. We visited the campus recently but it's tough to get a feel for the campus vibe in these covid times.  What we know about the vibe has been gleaned from college guidebooks and what little we can find online. What we read online is often contradictory.  DS is trying to connect with current students.

Given its artsy, very progressive reputation, we are wondering if DS would feel at home there and find "his people" in adequate numbers.  He is liberal but not an activist, has varied interests (sports to video games to playing a musical instrument) but is not artsy, and will likely major in something on the quantitative end of the spectrum but will probably minor in something completely different.  (I am intentionally being a bit vague.)

Again, would welcome input from people with fairly recent, firsthand experience with Vassar.

(We aren't looking for suggestions on other schools to consider.)

Thanks.
Anonymous
I do not have firsthand information about Vassar but wanted to say that I know a boy who I’d describe similarly who is also strongly considering Vassar.
Anonymous
My kid got in several years ago. She eventually chose another SLAC. However, I always have a soft spot for Vassar that admitted her.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Would welcome feedback from parents whose kids are at Vassar or have graduated in the past several years.

DS is seriously considering Vassar. It is appealing in multiple dimensions. We visited the campus recently but it's tough to get a feel for the campus vibe in these covid times.  What we know about the vibe has been gleaned from college guidebooks and what little we can find online. What we read online is often contradictory.  DS is trying to connect with current students.

Given its artsy, very progressive reputation, we are wondering if DS would feel at home there and find "his people" in adequate numbers.  He is liberal but not an activist, has varied interests (sports to video games to playing a musical instrument) but is not artsy, and will likely major in something on the quantitative end of the spectrum but will probably minor in something completely different.  (I am intentionally being a bit vague.)

Again, would welcome input from people with fairly recent, firsthand experience with Vassar.

(We aren't looking for suggestions on other schools to consider.)

Thanks.



OP, our DD is currently a student at Vassar and is very happy there.

I wish your DS had had a chance to do a full-on tour like in normal times; what impressed my DD on her tour (and I took it with her) was the talk about how small classes are and how undergrads get to know professors and vice versa. That has proven to be true. DD is a sophomore and is already working one on one with a professor on a semester-long special project; she knows other students who do science research for professors etc. that at gigantic state schools just wouldn't get that chance, that early. From freshman year on, DD had small classes and seminars so there is a lot of feedback, a lot of opportunities to discuss things with professors directly. That has all been excellent. As a freshman DD got onto the "majors council" for her area of interest even though she hadn't declared her major yet--the council is students working with the department to provide student input. All that is to say -- if your DS wants actual interactions with professors from the start, and feedback, and opportunities to be part of a department in a larger way than just going to and from classes -- Vassar can provide that.

I should add, OP (and I've posted this before on DCUM, so if you saw it in a search...that's me): Vassar was not on our radar at all; we were going to visit other NY SLACS, and since Vassar was in the area, decided we'd stop there. Before the trip, DD e-mailed the head of one department and the admin for another department, and both invited her to come by and chat while on campus one on one. DD ended up taking a full-on class that turned into the head of the department walking her all around the building, popping into classrooms to show them to her, sitting down with her to answer questions, etc. Totally unsolicited and the department head spent a ton of time with this random high school senior who hadn't even thought about Vassar before. Then DD went to the other department and the "come on by and we'll talk for a few minutes" turned into 90 minutes of a one on one tour of that whole building.

Of course we may have caught Vassar on a really slow day but....they took SO much time for her individually. All because she e-mailed in advance and just asked to stop in for just a few minutes. The departments couldn't have been more welcoming. (Like you I'm not getting too specific!)

Add in the fact that there is no rigid "core curriculum" tying students down the first two years and it was very appealing to DD. Students must do a certain level of language proficiency, a quantitative course (which could be in math or science, or in sociology or econ, etc.), and a writing seminar, but that's it, and there is a lot of choice--for instance the freshman writing seminars might be in the English dept. but there are math dept. writing seminars, history dept. writing seminars, etc. Very flexible and not prescriptive.

You mention your DS likely doing something "quantitative" but possibly minoring in something totally different. That's doable for sure. It seems to us, and DD confirms it, that a LOT of students do minors (called "corellates") at Vassar. And DD knows students doing things like: Neuroscience major, minor in music; neuroscience major, minor in drama; biology major, minor in religion; history major, minor in language; and so on. (Neuroscience is pretty big, just BTW.)

You mention liberalism. DD is very liberal but not involved in any campus political groups or activism per se. That's all there for those who want it but I doubt any student is going to be pressured to be an activist if he or she isn't so inclined.

I could go on but will stop there--come back here with questions if you want. It is absolutely not the right college for everyone! But it was right for our kid.

One big add: The college has handled Covid very well so far. DD came home for spring break in March 2020 and the college closed over break, as many did, so she did not return last spring; the college arranged for students like her, who had stuff in dorm rooms, to get movers who came in, packed their stuff, and it was stored on campus for them. Vassar did manage a FULL fall semester 2020 on campus and they are back now and on track for a full spring semester on campus. This is doable because the campus is self-contained and about 99 percent of students live on campus, in campus housing -- there is no off-campus "culture" or a need for students to live off campus. Plus, there is a culture, according to DD, of the students being concerned about each other and about Covid, so DD says she and all her friends and classmates were and are rigorous about masking and distancing and staying in "pods" they were permitted to form, etc.

Hope all this helps. Sorry so long. Ask me stuff if you like.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Would welcome feedback from parents whose kids are at Vassar or have graduated in the past several years.

DS is seriously considering Vassar. It is appealing in multiple dimensions. We visited the campus recently but it's tough to get a feel for the campus vibe in these covid times.  What we know about the vibe has been gleaned from college guidebooks and what little we can find online. What we read online is often contradictory.  DS is trying to connect with current students.

Given its artsy, very progressive reputation, we are wondering if DS would feel at home there and find "his people" in adequate numbers.  He is liberal but not an activist, has varied interests (sports to video games to playing a musical instrument) but is not artsy, and will likely major in something on the quantitative end of the spectrum but will probably minor in something completely different.  (I am intentionally being a bit vague.)

Again, would welcome input from people with fairly recent, firsthand experience with Vassar.

(We aren't looking for suggestions on other schools to consider.)

Thanks.



OP, our DD is currently a student at Vassar and is very happy there.

I wish your DS had had a chance to do a full-on tour like in normal times; what impressed my DD on her tour (and I took it with her) was the talk about how small classes are and how undergrads get to know professors and vice versa. That has proven to be true. DD is a sophomore and is already working one on one with a professor on a semester-long special project; she knows other students who do science research for professors etc. that at gigantic state schools just wouldn't get that chance, that early. From freshman year on, DD had small classes and seminars so there is a lot of feedback, a lot of opportunities to discuss things with professors directly. That has all been excellent. As a freshman DD got onto the "majors council" for her area of interest even though she hadn't declared her major yet--the council is students working with the department to provide student input. All that is to say -- if your DS wants actual interactions with professors from the start, and feedback, and opportunities to be part of a department in a larger way than just going to and from classes -- Vassar can provide that.

I should add, OP (and I've posted this before on DCUM, so if you saw it in a search...that's me): Vassar was not on our radar at all; we were going to visit other NY SLACS, and since Vassar was in the area, decided we'd stop there. Before the trip, DD e-mailed the head of one department and the admin for another department, and both invited her to come by and chat while on campus one on one. DD ended up taking a full-on class that turned into the head of the department walking her all around the building, popping into classrooms to show them to her, sitting down with her to answer questions, etc. Totally unsolicited and the department head spent a ton of time with this random high school senior who hadn't even thought about Vassar before. Then DD went to the other department and the "come on by and we'll talk for a few minutes" turned into 90 minutes of a one on one tour of that whole building.

Of course we may have caught Vassar on a really slow day but....they took SO much time for her individually. All because she e-mailed in advance and just asked to stop in for just a few minutes. The departments couldn't have been more welcoming. (Like you I'm not getting too specific!)

Add in the fact that there is no rigid "core curriculum" tying students down the first two years and it was very appealing to DD. Students must do a certain level of language proficiency, a quantitative course (which could be in math or science, or in sociology or econ, etc.), and a writing seminar, but that's it, and there is a lot of choice--for instance the freshman writing seminars might be in the English dept. but there are math dept. writing seminars, history dept. writing seminars, etc. Very flexible and not prescriptive.

You mention your DS likely doing something "quantitative" but possibly minoring in something totally different. That's doable for sure. It seems to us, and DD confirms it, that a LOT of students do minors (called "corellates") at Vassar. And DD knows students doing things like: Neuroscience major, minor in music; neuroscience major, minor in drama; biology major, minor in religion; history major, minor in language; and so on. (Neuroscience is pretty big, just BTW.)

You mention liberalism. DD is very liberal but not involved in any campus political groups or activism per se. That's all there for those who want it but I doubt any student is going to be pressured to be an activist if he or she isn't so inclined.

I could go on but will stop there--come back here with questions if you want. It is absolutely not the right college for everyone! But it was right for our kid.

One big add: The college has handled Covid very well so far. DD came home for spring break in March 2020 and the college closed over break, as many did, so she did not return last spring; the college arranged for students like her, who had stuff in dorm rooms, to get movers who came in, packed their stuff, and it was stored on campus for them. Vassar did manage a FULL fall semester 2020 on campus and they are back now and on track for a full spring semester on campus. This is doable because the campus is self-contained and about 99 percent of students live on campus, in campus housing -- there is no off-campus "culture" or a need for students to live off campus. Plus, there is a culture, according to DD, of the students being concerned about each other and about Covid, so DD says she and all her friends and classmates were and are rigorous about masking and distancing and staying in "pods" they were permitted to form, etc.

Hope all this helps. Sorry so long. Ask me stuff if you like.


This is what I love about Vassar and other SLACs. OP, your kid will have a strong network of Vassar alums - and parents- throughout the country. My own kid, not a Vassar alum, pretty much has sleeping places in different parts the country and the world.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:

OP, our DD is currently a student at Vassar and is very happy there.

................

Hope all this helps. Sorry so long. Ask me stuff if you like.


Thank you very much for the detailed input. It is much appreciated.

Has your DD had trouble getting into the classes she wanted to take? There are some remarks to that effect in online student reviews, and a remark during one of the admitted student sessions suggested the same. (I realize this is an issue at many colleges/universities.)
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

OP, our DD is currently a student at Vassar and is very happy there.

................

Hope all this helps. Sorry so long. Ask me stuff if you like.


Thank you very much for the detailed input. It is much appreciated.

Has your DD had trouble getting into the classes she wanted to take? There are some remarks to that effect in online student reviews, and a remark during one of the admitted student sessions suggested the same. (I realize this is an issue at many colleges/universities.)


Hi, OP, this is the Vassar parent PP back here.

I'll talk to my DD today and post again here. My impression is that, with small class sizes, it can be tough to get into some classes; DD has wanted to get some classes that she couldn't, but in her case, she said it's because they tend to fill first with juniors and seniors so she's waiting her turn. I do suspect that in the sciences, classes might fill and be more difficult to get into. Sciences have become very popular majors at Vassar in recent years. (DD is on track for a degree that's not STEM so her experience may not apply at all for your "quantitative" DS.) I'll talk to DD and dig into it a little more and see what she's heard. You are correct that this is an issue at many colleges and universities; it's one reason DD didn't want to go to another SLAC where we were told bluntly by an administrator that one popular (non-STEM) track was extremely difficult to get into. It's kind of the flip side of choosing small class sizes and individual attention -- those things are fantastic but also mean that classes aren't necessarily big enough to accommodate everyone who might want to take them. That's the case for any SLAC, I think, not just Vassar.

I suggest your DS contact the department in which he's most interested and ask them about it directly, maybe. You also mentioned your DS is trying to connect with students -- has he had any success? I haven't looked but wouldn't be surprised if Vassar has set up student "guides" online to answer questions. If they haven't, he could ask if admissions and/or the department(s) can connect him with students. If he indicates he is very strongly interested in Vassar, I would think they'd help him connect (and once he's with a student online or whatever, I think they'll be pretty honest and not just toe some administration line!).

Sounds like there have been virtual "admitted students" sessions which is good....

How else can we help? Dorm questions, food service, surrounding area?
Anonymous
Vassar alumna here. Take with grain of salt because I graduated a bit over a decade ago but keep very close to what’s happening on campus.

Your son will fit in just fine. Don’t get scared off. I was friends with and dated several guys doing computer science, cognitive science, and math majors. Because of the nature of Vassar he’ll have an easier time getting into those classes but the profs are top notch and they recently opened a state of the art sciences building.

The benefit of Vassar is it’s very tight knit but everyone finds their space including more conservative kids. I believe the “Moderate/Independent/Conservative Association” (MICA) is still a group on campus. I was more moderate than a lot of my classmates but that made it almost more fun to debate in my poli sci classes.

In terms of getting into classes, underclass men can have a more difficult time but juniors and seniors get first preference and professors will let kids in if they have a compelling reason to take the course (part of major or correlate).
Anonymous
At my kid's SLAC (not Vassar), it is also the case that classes fill up quickly. Or, the class conflicts (on the schedule) with something you have to take for your major. As PP said though, you start to get priority as you become more "senior" in the system.

Because her school is so small, my kid has also had luck sending emails to professors, to ask if she could take something (like GIS) that is is designated for upperclassmen or if she could waive a prerequisite that is not relevant to her major (i.e., she wanted to take Museum Studies, without Art History, because she is interested in Natural History). They are usually obliging. I have wondered if this would be the case in large state schools, where rules might be less flexible??
Anonymous
OP, current Vassar parent back here. The Vassar alum above is spot on about people finding their place, I think, based on what my current student also says. DD is having some side effects from her Covid vaccine (yes, in NY state, college students now can get it--so she's ahead of me, ha) so I haven't talked to her much this weekend, but she did say that science students will get whatever they need for their majors - it might be classes they want for correlates, rather than classes they need for majors, that are harder to get into. But like the alum PP above, DD says that talking directly to professors does help, and profs try to be very accommodating. Because profs actually know who the individual students are, it's easier for the students to get their attention and make a case for a particular class.

FYI, in case you're interested, Vassar's spring break was three days off classes, without homework, on campus. I was pretty amazed to realize that other colleges were sending kids home for spring breaks, which seemed like an ideal way to wreck the remainder of the semester if kids bring back the virus. Vassar had said all along that it would have an on-campus-only break and students couldn't travel. They did the same with their fall break last semester. I like the fact that the college is willing to tell students and parents "No" when it comes to things like "normal" breaks at a time like this. Students did come home for a longer winter break but had to have a Covid test before returning AND got tested on arrival with a rapid test before being allowed to proceed to their dorms.

Keep us posted on your DS's decision.

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:OP, current Vassar parent back here. The Vassar alum above is spot on about people finding their place, I think, based on what my current student also says. DD is having some side effects from her Covid vaccine (yes, in NY state, college students now can get it--so she's ahead of me, ha) so I haven't talked to her much this weekend, but she did say that science students will get whatever they need for their majors - it might be classes they want for correlates, rather than classes they need for majors, that are harder to get into. But like the alum PP above, DD says that talking directly to professors does help, and profs try to be very accommodating. Because profs actually know who the individual students are, it's easier for the students to get their attention and make a case for a particular class.

FYI, in case you're interested, Vassar's spring break was three days off classes, without homework, on campus. I was pretty amazed to realize that other colleges were sending kids home for spring breaks, which seemed like an ideal way to wreck the remainder of the semester if kids bring back the virus. Vassar had said all along that it would have an on-campus-only break and students couldn't travel. They did the same with their fall break last semester. I like the fact that the college is willing to tell students and parents "No" when it comes to things like "normal" breaks at a time like this. Students did come home for a longer winter break but had to have a Covid test before returning AND got tested on arrival with a rapid test before being allowed to proceed to their dorms.

Keep us posted on your DS's decision.



Thank you for all the detailed information you have provided. My son has been able to talk to two current Vassar students in the past two days and is scheduled to talk to two more. We found them in large part through the Vassar Parents FB group. (The admin graciously allowed some prospective parents to join.) If you are part of that group, I am the Washington, DC-based poster asking about current "quant" students my son could talk to. I have been very impressed by the tone and vibe on the Parents FB group; it is quite different from the tone and vibe of another Parents FB group I am a member of.

The message my son has heard is consistent with what you describe (about getting into courses, political "climate" on campus, etc.) They also emphasized the strong alumni network and grad school placements.

As for the benefits of being at a SLAC, I went to one so I'm keenly aware of them! I was exchanging emails with a young friend today who attended a T10 university, passing up two SLACs, one of them being Vassar. (I didn't know she had passed up Vasser, and only mentioned in passing that my son was considering Vasser.) A HS classmate of hers went to Vassar. They both majored in the same subject and remained in close touch. She remarked that Vassar seemed to be able to provide so much more individual attention than her university, and that smaller classes also made it easier for students to become proactive, learning more and participating more.

Hope your daughter is back in the saddle soon. Both our kids got vaccinated this weekend (J&J at a mass vaccination site in Hagerstown) and one of them was knocked out for a while.

Will certainly keep you posted.

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:

OP, our DD is currently a student at Vassar and is very happy there.

................

Hope all this helps. Sorry so long. Ask me stuff if you like.


Thank you very much for the detailed input. It is much appreciated.

Has your DD had trouble getting into the classes she wanted to take? There are some remarks to that effect in online student reviews, and a remark during one of the admitted student sessions suggested the same. (I realize this is an issue at many colleges/universities.)


Hi, OP, this is the Vassar parent PP back here.

I'll talk to my DD today and post again here. My impression is that, with small class sizes, it can be tough to get into some classes; DD has wanted to get some classes that she couldn't, but in her case, she said it's because they tend to fill first with juniors and seniors so she's waiting her turn. I do suspect that in the sciences, classes might fill and be more difficult to get into. Sciences have become very popular majors at Vassar in recent years. (DD is on track for a degree that's not STEM so her experience may not apply at all for your "quantitative" DS.) I'll talk to DD and dig into it a little more and see what she's heard. You are correct that this is an issue at many colleges and universities; it's one reason DD didn't want to go to another SLAC where we were told bluntly by an administrator that one popular (non-STEM) track was extremely difficult to get into. It's kind of the flip side of choosing small class sizes and individual attention -- those things are fantastic but also mean that classes aren't necessarily big enough to accommodate everyone who might want to take them. That's the case for any SLAC, I think, not just Vassar.

I suggest your DS contact the department in which he's most interested and ask them about it directly, maybe. You also mentioned your DS is trying to connect with students -- has he had any success? I haven't looked but wouldn't be surprised if Vassar has set up student "guides" online to answer questions. If they haven't, he could ask if admissions and/or the department(s) can connect him with students. If he indicates he is very strongly interested in Vassar, I would think they'd help him connect (and once he's with a student online or whatever, I think they'll be pretty honest and not just toe some administration line!).

Sounds like there have been virtual "admitted students" sessions which is good....

How else can we help? Dorm questions, food service, surrounding area?


Appreciate you taking the time to post this detailed message. How about minority students? We are Latin and my DD has read about the school and is interested. She would like to go to a place where she doesn’t feel isolated. Also what type of grades? UW GPA is 3.7 SAT 1400
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:OP, current Vassar parent back here. The Vassar alum above is spot on about people finding their place, I think, based on what my current student also says. DD is having some side effects from her Covid vaccine (yes, in NY state, college students now can get it--so she's ahead of me, ha) so I haven't talked to her much this weekend, but she did say that science students will get whatever they need for their majors - it might be classes they want for correlates, rather than classes they need for majors, that are harder to get into. But like the alum PP above, DD says that talking directly to professors does help, and profs try to be very accommodating. Because profs actually know who the individual students are, it's easier for the students to get their attention and make a case for a particular class.

FYI, in case you're interested, Vassar's spring break was three days off classes, without homework, on campus. I was pretty amazed to realize that other colleges were sending kids home for spring breaks, which seemed like an ideal way to wreck the remainder of the semester if kids bring back the virus. Vassar had said all along that it would have an on-campus-only break and students couldn't travel. They did the same with their fall break last semester. I like the fact that the college is willing to tell students and parents "No" when it comes to things like "normal" breaks at a time like this. Students did come home for a longer winter break but had to have a Covid test before returning AND got tested on arrival with a rapid test before being allowed to proceed to their dorms.

Keep us posted on your DS's decision.



OP here, happy to report that DS committed to Vassar. He had very good conversations with a number of current students and we had a good visit to Vassar last weekend. The campus really is gorgeous.

Thanks for all your input!

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP, current Vassar parent back here. The Vassar alum above is spot on about people finding their place, I think, based on what my current student also says. DD is having some side effects from her Covid vaccine (yes, in NY state, college students now can get it--so she's ahead of me, ha) so I haven't talked to her much this weekend, but she did say that science students will get whatever they need for their majors - it might be classes they want for correlates, rather than classes they need for majors, that are harder to get into. But like the alum PP above, DD says that talking directly to professors does help, and profs try to be very accommodating. Because profs actually know who the individual students are, it's easier for the students to get their attention and make a case for a particular class.

FYI, in case you're interested, Vassar's spring break was three days off classes, without homework, on campus. I was pretty amazed to realize that other colleges were sending kids home for spring breaks, which seemed like an ideal way to wreck the remainder of the semester if kids bring back the virus. Vassar had said all along that it would have an on-campus-only break and students couldn't travel. They did the same with their fall break last semester. I like the fact that the college is willing to tell students and parents "No" when it comes to things like "normal" breaks at a time like this. Students did come home for a longer winter break but had to have a Covid test before returning AND got tested on arrival with a rapid test before being allowed to proceed to their dorms.

Keep us posted on your DS's decision.



OP here, happy to report that DS committed to Vassar. He had very good conversations with a number of current students and we had a good visit to Vassar last weekend. The campus really is gorgeous.

Thanks for all your input!



Congrats on your kid's decision!
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