Vassar College Top Questions

In general, Vassar has a very open environment. As with nearly all selective liberal arts schools, our student body is disproportionately from the top economic quartile. However, Vassar is very active in always trying to promote greater economic, racial, ethnic and social diversity on campus. More important, however, is that Vassar is very open to all kinds of people and we have a great deal of diversity in terms of students from all over the country and the world, cultural diversity, and diversity of background and experience. For instance, every year, our Exploring Transfer program brings in accomplished, older students as transfers from community colleges around the country after a vigorous selection process. Vassar is also need-blind in admissions and guarantees to cover full need. Therefore, one should in no way feel discouraged from applying due to the high official price tag. One note of caution: Vassar is politically and socially a very liberal environment. We have co-ed bathrooms, we read all sorts of literature, from the Satanic Verses to Thomas Acquinas, and we love to debate about social problems and politics. More importantly, since we were once a women's institution, women's rights are a very important issue here. If you are of a very conservative religious background and feel that the woman's place is in the home, that pornography should be illegal (like many other campuses, we have a student-run porn mag), or that sacrilegious texts should not be read in the classroom, you will be unlikely to find like-minded people. However, we'd love to have you here and to discuss ideas with you!

It's not a terribly racially diverse campus, although it doesn't feel like a sea of WASPs/JAPs either. Vassar seems rather godless at first glance, but really there are many religious students on campus - many of us are just rather quiet with our personal faiths, and/or keep quiet due to the spectre of the rather vocal contingent of militant atheists. LGBT diversity/acceptance is widespread. Socioeconomically, we get accused of being all yuppie rich kids but I feel that's an exaggeration. Most of us are probably middle class, with some upper middle class, and a wee sprinkling of working class. Wear whatever you want! In class, most people are on the range between comfy/funky/cozy and well-put-together. Not too many people in just flat-out sweats or in business-casual, but you wouldn't look unusual dressed either of those ways, either. Lots of student interaction! I don't think there are any exclusive social groups. Sure, there are vague clumpings - anime lovers or hipsters or tree-huggers or what have you - but they are not mutually exclusive. It's more like a way of describing people than of describing who they hang out with, since all the groups are fluid and most people feel comfortable in multiple social circles. We don't segregate ourselves into social groups in the dining hall or anywhere else. Mostly left-leaning. Not much talk about what we'll earn one day - more about what we're passionate about, the issues we'd like to work with or environments we feel happy in.

Vassar is overwhelmingly liberal, but moderates and conservatives seem to have carved out a nice notch for themselves. There is not too much conflict between them, except for a few years ago when the conservative magazine on campus published a controversial article that resulted in the VSA (Vassar Student Association) taking away their funding. Since then, however, they seem to have reached a nice equilibrium without conflict. Many students are non-religious, or perhaps are religious but non-practicing. The majority of kids I know have Christian or Jewish upbringings, although I am sure there are students with other religious backgrounds, and many are open to new experiences. Some kids make time to visit buddhist monasteries every once in a while.

One of Vassar's greatest assets is its diversity. There is kind of an idea that you are secular until proven otherwise, but religious groups get together amongst themselves. There is a tendency toward being affluent, but you'll stop feeling inferior eventually. Since there is so much diversity, Vassar is the land of the politically correct, so those who don't have much of a filter in that regard will offend someone, and they will hear about it. Different types of students generally interact--my group of friends on my hall include a Kashmiri Muslim, an Arab Muslim, a white Catholic boy, a Jew, a Serb, a Buddhist from the Midwest, a Bulgarian, and a WASP from Massachusetts, and we're a pretty typical group of friends at Vassar.

The majority of students at Vassar are white, upper-middle class, rich-hippie type kids. The racial and economic imbalance is probably not so much Vassar's fault as the general (unfortunate) trend in northeastern liberal arts colleges. A lot of Vassar students are from the New England area, but we get people from all over. Most students are politically aware and generally left, as most of the faculty seem to be as well. Intellectual conversations are frequent outside of the classroom. At four cafeteria tables at ACDC (the all-campus dining center), you would find a handful of well-dressed bohemian-looking girls with lots of jewelry and stylish bags, one or two nerdy guys with Zelda t-shirts, a few swimmers or lacrosse players carbo-loading, maybe an international student from Italy or Japan, and a lots of kids talking passionately about politics or their most recent psychology lecture. Vassar students of all "types" are all definitely interested and engaged in their studies. Since Vassar used to be an all-girls' school, a lot of people seem to think that there aren't enough boys here and that the ones that are here are gay, because of Vassar's artsy, open-minded vibe. While we do have our fair share of gay guys, there are also plenty of straight ones to go around, so don't worry-- no matter what your romantic persuasion may be, you'll be fine at Vassar.

There are a lot of LGBT people, and they are often well known on campus. No one cares a bout money here, probably cause everyones rich.

frat types would feel out of place at vassar. the school is pretty laid back. conservatives or preps might feel slightly out of place but most vassar students are very accepting.

Vassar is very liberal, typically Northeastern school. There are plenty of openly gay people on campus, as well as trans-gendered or questioning people. This makes the atmosphere very open and comfortable in many respects, and I like that. But there isn't a lot of religious diversity— in fact, Vassar is non-denominational, so really there isn't a lot of religious observation other than the fairly large Jewish contingent. Most people just don't talk about their religion, or don't think about it much. That's fine by me, though— I'd rather be at a school where religion is a minor thing than at a school where the religious aspect is overwhelming or intrusive.

not a lot of different racial groups, and most students are not very religious. the vju is the most prevelent religious organization, however there is some focus on spirituality in a larger sense. there aren't a lot of students from lower and lower-middle classes, however there is a strong LGBT presence which makes Vassar diverse and accepting in at least one sphere of life. i think a lot of lower class and minority students feel out of place. a lot of students wear casual clothes to class, however there is definately a group of students who wear trendy hipster-y clothes. if there are four tables of students in the dining hall, one table would be full of hipster kids discussing indie films and watching videos on their macbooks, one table would be nso/barefoot monkeys kids wearing interesting black clothing and talking about anime, one group would be of "jocks" in the vassar sense, meaning they're not super athletic but think they are, and think it's an excuse to act like a frat, and then one table of a mix of students. most vassar students are from ny state, la and california in general, and the boston area. most students are middle-upper class, and definately mostly liberal and far left. a lot of them have never had to worry about money and don't really have a sense of being financially independent.

The student body is diverse, but at the same time it's not... I don't feel like people bring their cultures and perspectives to the table but rather they become Vassar-ized. I feel no hate or prejudice but I could be blind, I don't think I'm really the best judge. Straight-edge conservative people would probably feel out of place but it would be great to get some different points of view on this campus. Different types of students interact with the exception of ESL students... people stick with those who speak their first language generally. Students wear anything from pajamas to dresses to class... there is a weird fashion scene here. Jeans generally look like they've been painted on.

I kinda felt out of place at vassar im not really into music and theater so there wasnt much to do for me when everyone was going to the drama/music shows. students wear whatever to class lots get dressed up. i wore sweatpants no one cared. lost of students form california and long island but there are majority arsty-"hipsters" im not into that. majority are all poilitically active and aware. very liberal. Students dont make much money at all. students hang out with mostly who they meet in there hall their first time they get to vassar.

I think conservative students would feel a little out of place here but doesn't mean that you won't have a great experience. I am a conservative (in fact, I am a christian and still hold to that belief) and it can be hard sometimes to express your beliefs but that has not tainted my time here at all. I am a strong member of the BSU here and love it so I make sure to keep in touch with people of color on campus. Most students wear what's comfortable for them to class I guess. Diff. students do interact though there are definite cliques but like everywhere. Predominantly left but ALOT in the center-some students talk about future money plans but not overwhelmingly so but if you hear it its from upperclassmen who are close to leaving and HAVE to think about money issues haha. Financial backgrounds: alot of kids here come from some privilege or money in their families but if they do most DON't show it or reveal it which is real chill. its a good mix though I think cause there are a good amount of kids who are also on LOADS of financial aid (i.e. ME no shame). Students seriously come from all over the world but States-wise (in no particular order): New york, California, New jersey, DC metro area, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania mainly from Philly suburbs.

We respect each other. Period. We don't always agree, but our dissent is logical, thought-out, and respectful. While not as racially diverse as many would like, we are certainly moving in a positive direction and making Vassar accessible to more people each year. Certainly college is expensive and a lot of people come from money, but socio-economic diversity is strengthening. And yes, it's a great place to be gay.

Oh its very left here. Not much else is tolerated. Not enough inter-sphere friendships but I feel it is getting better with time. Yet sometimes the blacks sit at one table, the asians, at another, and the jocks somewhere else and it feels like an archipelago. poop.

The Vassar campus is mostly white, non-religious, and very liberal. There is a very diverse socio-economic background for all students. Politically conservative students would feel very out of place here. Vassar students wear anything from jeans to sweatpants to skirts to classes. We wear t-shirts, sweaters, and everything in between. Different types of students definitely interact and Vassar stresses taking advantage of the diversity in our student body. The four tables in the dining hall will have one with a sports team all sitting together, one with a hallway all eating together, one with a student sitting along studying while they eat, and the other will have students eating with a professor discussing the class material. Most Vassar students are from New York, California, New Jersey, and the Northeast of the United States. Most financial backgrounds are middle to high class. Most students are politically aware and active. There are many activist clubs on campus. Most students are left. Students do not talk about how much they want to earn in the future.

I think everyone can be included at Vassar for the most part. We're not overwhelmingly diverse - we are predominantly white and trendy - but no one looks down their nose at those who want to walk to the beat of their own drum or practice whatever lifestyle they choose. We are very much about promoting and accepting alternative lifestyles. Most students wear jeans and stuff - a lot of people are trendy, but not ridiculous about it. You'll feel comfortable in anything from sweatpants and a t-shirt to a casual dress and high heels. Different types of students do interact, but there are a lot of places where groups with similar interests/cultures/experiences interact with each other. Four tables in the dining hall: There's always a sports team eating en masse after a practice or before a practice. Um... other than that I think we all kind of eat with our friends and whoever else we meet up with at the DC - it's not like high school where there's like a goth table and a punk table - I think we're much more inclusive than that. I think upper middle class is the most prevalent financial background, but there's people of all types of means here, and some people will flaunt their money, but most people are more modest about it. I'm from a lower economic tier and never feel inadequate or any kind of bias towards me because my parents aren't super power executives or stock brokers or whatever. Students are politically aware, certain groups are very active, and we are predominantly and inexcusably left. Which can get old - bring in your various viewpoints and spark some debate! Some students talk about future earnings, a lot of people I know (and this just may be my friends circle) are more concerned with enjoying what they do after Vassar rather than how much money they're going to put in the bank.

Some people complain about the Vassar student body not being diverse enough as far as race, I have just for my own observation looked in every class I have been in and often find the class to be very diverse. One of my classes is about 20 people of which only 8 are caucasian. Though this not always the case I have found it a fair representation of the school as a whole. I don't know how it compares to other schools but Vassar does have a large gay population especially gay men. It is not like a certain sect of vassar just kind of part of the society.

The sense of GLBT community is uneven. Plenty of people participate in the Blegen House (GLBTQ resource center) events or in the Vassar Student Association's Queer Coalition, but GLBT people (perhaps a little less on the T side of things) are so well accepted here that it's hard to build community between GLB people. This is changing little by little thanks to strong efforts by Blegen House, but I think people are generally so comfortable here that the perceived need for solidarity is less than at other colleges.

A very conservative person (politically, religiously) might feel out of place at Vassar, but we're a generally accepting community. I think you'll only feel out of place if you're intolerant of people with lifestyles that might differ from yours.

Pick it, you will find it here.