vassar supplemental essay

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How to Apply

Applying to Vassar

Whether you’re a first-year or transfer applicant, find everything you need to know here about how to apply and what we look for in an applicant.

First-Year Applicants

First-year applicants may submit in any one of the following ways:

• Common Application
• Coalition Application
• QuestBridge Application

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants can apply using the Common Application.

Submitting Application Materials

Electronic submission is preferred. Application materials may also be submitted via email, fax, or mail.

Supplemental materials can be uploaded through the application status portal, which is available after an application has been submitted and processed.

To submit documents: Email: [email protected] Fax: (845) 437-7063

Financial Aid documents should be submitted to Student Financial Services through Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC).

Selection Criteria

Vassar weighs a number of factors in the admission decision, including:

• Academic performance, as demonstrated in high school
• Personal strengths, motivation, and potential as evidenced in essays, recommendations, and community involvement

Vassar recommends that prospective applicants applying from high school take four years of:

• Mathematics
• History or social science
• A language other than English

Applicants should take a substantial portion of their work in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or the highest level of coursework available in their school.

Special attention is given to the academic breadth, depth, and rigor of candidates’ junior and senior year programs.

Optional SAT/ACT Scores

Students applying to Vassar may choose whether or not to submit SAT/ACT scores.

Know the Vassar codes

• College Board : 2956
• TOEFL : 2956

After You’ve Applied

Within 5 days of receiving your application, we will send you an email with your Applicant ID and directions on how to access an online checklist for your application.

Adding all supporting documents to our system may take a few weeks. If there are items missing from your application, you will be notified before decision release for your specified application round.

Students will be able to check their admission decision online on the same website you used to check the status of your application. Vassar does not release admission decisions via telephone.

Additional Information

If the application fee poses a financial hardship, a fee waiver can be requested on the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Fee waivers are automatically offered to applicants who are QuestBridge Finalists and U.S. Military Veterans.

• If you apply via the Common Application , under the Vassar College Member-Specific section you will be asked “Do you intend to use one of these school-specific fee waivers?” Please select “Yes, I will be using a Vassar fee waiver.”
• If you apply via the Coalition Application , use the fee waiver code: Vassar Fee Waiver .

Vassar College considers applications submitted by undocumented or DACA-mented students for the first-year class with the same consideration given to any other applicants when reviewing their application. Although funding is limited, the College is committed to meeting the full, demonstrated financial need of undocumented or DACA students admitted to Vassar following the same procedures Vassar uses to grant aid to accepted international students.

Vassar awards credit for scores of 4 or 5 on select AP exams and for scores of 5, 6, or 7 on select IB Higher Level exams. A maximum of 2 units of pre-matriculation examination-based credits can be awarded.

Students who are taking a gap year must confirm their intent to enroll at Vassar by submitting the Candidate’s Reply Card and the required enrollment deposit by May 1, and must complete the Deferral Request Form by the deadline listed on the Admitted Students website. If deferred status is approved, a formal letter stating the conditions under which the deferral has been granted will be sent to the student. Transfer students and students offered admission to Vassar from the wait list are ineligible to request a deferral of admission.

Related Topics

Application information and options for first-year applicants.

International Applicants

Vassar is a vibrant community of global citizens. Learn more about the application process for international students.

See the checklist of requirements to transfer to Vassar.

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Mastering the Vassar College Supplemental Essays: A Complete Guide

Applying to Vassar College is an exciting journey that allows you to showcase not just your academic achievements, but also your unique identity and experiences. For the class of 2024, Vassar has introduced new essay prompts designed to get to know applicants on a deeper, more personal level. In this guide, we will break down these prompts and offer tips on how to approach them effectively. Remember, each essay has a word limit of 300 words.

The Essay Prompts

Here are the 2024 Vassar College supplemental 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 it's our differences that make us stronger. Tell us a little bit about an important part of your identity and how it has shaped your life and/or interactions with others.

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 about the community (or communities) you come from and how it has shaped your lived experiences and identity.

Approaching the Prompts

Let's delve into how you can craft compelling responses to each of these prompts.

Prompt 1: Engaged Pluralism

This prompt invites you to reflect on an important element of your identity. To effectively respond, consider the following steps:

Self-Reflection: Think deeply about aspects of your identity that are most crucial to who you are. This could be anything from your cultural background to your personal interests or values.

Impact on Life and Interactions: Illustrate how this part of your identity has influenced your interactions with others. Discuss specific experiences where embracing your unique identity has led to meaningful connections or personal growth.

Contribution to Vassar: Show how this aspect of yourself will positively impact Vassar's community of engaged pluralism. Make a direct link between your experiences and how you can contribute to the campus culture.

Need some inspiration or feedback? Consider using Sups AI . Sups AI is an AI college counseling platform that helps students brainstorm and get feedback on essays. They even offer one-on-one chats with current students and have helped over 10k students gain admission to top schools, including Vassar.

Prompt 2: Community Influence

This prompt is all about the communities that have shaped you. To craft a strong response, consider these steps:

Identify Key Communities: Reflect on the various communities you have been part of. These could be geographic, cultural, social, or interest-based communities.

Describe the Influence: Explain how these communities have influenced your identity and your worldview. Share specific anecdotes that highlight the impact.

Link to Vassar: Discuss how the values and lessons learned from these communities will help you contribute to and thrive in the diverse environment at Vassar. Tie your experiences back to the college's mission and culture.

Struggling to find the right words or angle? Sups AI can assist! With Sups, you can brainstorm essay ideas, get valuable feedback, and even chat with current Vassar students to ensure your essay stands out.

Final Thoughts

The Vassar College supplemental essays are your opportunity to highlight the unique aspects of your character and experiences. Remember, the key is to be authentic and reflective. If you need additional support, don't hesitate to use resources like Sups AI to fine-tune your essays and ensure they capture the essence of who you are and what you will bring to Vassar.

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Vassar Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

By Eric Eng

When it comes to applying to the top schools in the country, your application is vitally important. In order to give yourself the best chance of gaining admission, you need to make sure all aspects of your application are top-notch. In this post, we’re going to do a deep dive into how to write Vassar supplemental essays and everything you need to keep in mind as you write.

Vassar uses the common app, and this means that you will be asked to answer essay questions contained in the common app. But like many top schools, Vassar also requires that you complete a short essay about your personal or intellectual growth. The Vassar supplemental essays 2022-2023 allow applicants a certain amount of freedom when choosing their supplemental essay topic, but we’re going to look at each essay prompt and discuss the best way to respond to each topic.

Vassar Supplemental Essay Prompts 2022-2023

So, let’s start by looking at each supplemental essay prompt, and then we will discuss how to approach each one individually.

When it comes to answering the Vassar supplemental essays 2022, there are some things to keep in mind. First, these essays are in addition to the personal statement found in the common app. Second, Vassar gives you the choice of several topics, and you are also allowed to share any additional important information in the Your Space section. So, let’s take a look at the Vassar supplemental essays 2022-2023 and come up with a strategy for responding to each one.

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 it’s our differences that 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.

Vassar gives you two prompts to choose from, and the Vassar supplemental essay word limit is 300 words. This should give you enough room to thoroughly respond to your prompt of choice. Later, we’ll talk about the other options Vassar offers you to include more information.

How to write the Vassar supplemental essays?

Applicants often wonder how to write Vassar supplemental essays because the wording of their prompts is somewhat complicated. However, if you look closely at the prompts, you will see that these prompts are not so different from the ones you’ve seen before. In fact, you’ve probably already written similar essays for other applications. Let’s break down each prompt and come up with strategies for an answer.

This probably isn’t the first essay prompt you’ve seen that concerns diversity, but this prompt is a little different than many others. First, the prompt brings up the concept of “engaged pluralism,” and this is something you should spend some time considering before you start writing. The word pluralism essentially means different groups coexisting with each other, and this is something to keep in mind when thinking about the second half of the prompt.

Instead of asking you how diversity has impacted your life, Vassar wants to know what sets you apart from others. This could be the result of your background or experiences with diversity, but it could also stem from your personality or the experiences you’ve had. Ultimately, you want to highlight what it is about you that will be a unique asset to Vassar. In order to do this, you need to think about what makes you, you.

While this might seem like another diversity-based prompt, Vassar is actually asking you to reflect on your community, and the effect this community has had on you. As with most community-based essay prompts, you can define “community” however you’d like. The important factor is the effect it has had on you. How are you a different person as a result of this community?

In addition to writing about the community that has shaped you, consider the role you would like to play in the Vassar community and what you bring to the table. The admissions staff wants to see that you value community, and this is your chance to tell them what community means to you.

If you wish to provide details of circumstances not reflected in the application, please upload a file here. Similarly, if you wish to upload your resume, include it here.

This section is completely optional and allows you to share anything that feels important to you that was not included in your application. This is also where you can share extenuating circumstances that may have negatively affected your high school performance. If you suffered a severe illness or another life-changing event, this is the place to share it.

Your Space is your opportunity to allow the Committee on Admission to learn something about you that you have not addressed in another section of the application. Your Space is entirely optional. If you choose to include a Your Space submission, be sure it is labeled with your name, high school, and date of birth. Due to the volume of submissions, we will be unable to return your work. Please do not send anything that is irreplaceable.

This section is also optional, and it can best be used to share an artistic or other academic achievement or project that you are proud of. Again, no pressure, so just use this space if you feel as though you still need to communicate something to the admissions staff.

At AdmissionSight , our goal is to help you with every step of the college admissions process. The Vassar supplemental essays 2022 can seem daunting at first, but our experience and expertise will help you navigate the entire process with confidence. Hopefully, this guide to the Vassar supplemental essays 2022-2023 has been helpful, but if you want more information about how AdmissionSight can help you realize your dreams, set up your free consultation today.

Want to assess your chances of admission? Take our FREE chances calculator today!

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2 Vassar College Essay Examples by Accepted Students

Vassar College is a pretty selective school, so it’s important to write strong essays to help your application stand out. In this post, we’ll share essays real students have submitted to Vassar College. (Names and identifying information have been changed, but all other details are preserved).

Please note: Looking at examples of real essays students have submitted to colleges can be very beneficial to get inspiration for your essays. You should never copy or plagiarize from these examples when writing your own essays. Colleges can tell when an essay isn’t genuine and will not view students favorably if they plagiarized. 

Read our Vassar College essay breakdown to get a comprehensive overview of this year’s supplemental prompts.

Essay Example 1 – Why Vassar, Reading

Prompt: Why are you applying to Vassar? (300 words).

I grew up in the Hewlett-Woodmere Public Library, learning to find aisles with my eyes closed and befriending librarians. Growing up with the scent of old books and comforting silence made it easy to forget about the world outside, but even as a child, my thirst for answers pushed me into the unknown. At the age of four, I often asked my mother to reread a book about punctuation that I couldn’t understand in an attempt to puzzle out its meaning. As I moved on from Magic Tree House to Harry Potter , my inquisitive nature and determination to understand the literature around me only continued to grow. Obstacles sparked my ambition as I tackled the intimidating Les Misérables sophomore year, Crime and Punishment junior year, and Jane Eyre senior year. I could spend days in the Frederick Ferris Thompson Memorial Library poring over Macbeth or diving deeper into the wounds of American misconceptions of Asian culture through literature such as The Good Earth with Professor Hua Hsu, but I’ve learned that life beyond the library also teems with complex characters and lessons of its own–especially at Vassar. After hearing Tyrone Simpson speak at Vassar’s Summer Institute for the Liberal Arts, I realized the rooted dedication Vassar has to grapple with difficult questions. I would be able to challenge my boundaries as a reader, writer, and human being by initiating eye-opening conversations on a diverse campus through the Asian Students Alliance, follow the footsteps of Elizabeth Bishop and Edna St. Vincent Millay by curating pieces for Vassar Review or Toni Morrison in courses like New York Stories, and host an Open Mic Night with the help of friends. I might miss the library that raised who I am today, but I know I have daunting, thrilling questions awaiting me at Vassar.

What the Essay Did Well

This “Why School?” essay does a really nice job of showing the student’s interest in reading and literature. The language they used to describe their library as “comforting”, and being “raised” by the library creates a clear picture for the reader that this student loves to read. Not only do we learn about this student’s passion, but we learn through them showing us. The essay shows us how the student felt in the library and takes us on a journey as they tackle more and more advanced books, as opposed to telling us they are passionate about reading.

The use of book titles was another positive aspect of this essay. Citing actual books and explaining how they affected the student helps display to the admissions officers reading the essay that literature has impacted this student in a multitude of ways. We see the student grow from being young and curious to tackling challenging concepts, embracing new cultures, and engaging in self-reflection all through reading. 

Another positive of this essay is how it takes time to establish who this student is before directly answering why they want to study at Vassar. We learn about this student’s lifelong passion for the library and reading before we hear how they plan to continue pursuing their passion at Vassar. Even before they mention specific resources they want to take advantage of on campus, the admissions officers reading the essay get a good idea about where this student will fit into the campus community and what unique perspectives they will bring. Never forget that essays are where the admissions officers learn about who you are as a person, so even when answering prompts related to the school, you should always include personal reflection as this student did.

What Could Be Improved

The main part of this essay that could use improving was in the last few sentences that discussed how Vassar will allow this student to continue exploring their passion. Although the student did provide some explanation as to how these resources at Vassar will help them grow their interest in reading and writing, the elaboration was pretty weak. Considering the prompt asks why this student wants to attend Vassar, this section of the essay should be improved.

The student mentions they want to grow as “reader, writer, and human being”  by engaging in diverse conversations, writing for a literary magazine, and hosting open mic nights. These are all great, but nothing mentioned here is specific to Vassar. This student could participate in any of these activities at any college they go to, so they either need to pick something more unique  or provide detailed elaboration on how participating in these activities, specifically at Vassar, will help them in the long run.

Essay Example 2 – Why Vassar, Law

Never. Become. A. Lawyer.

My brother, a corporate lawyer and workaholic, drilled these words into my mind. So naturally, I gravitated towards the field even more. However, what I also came to realize was that he meant that I should never become a lawyer like him–one who solely hoped to accumulate a vast fortune, betraying his morality to litigate for massive corporate entities. By contrast, I plan to pursue a career as an environmental lawyer, prioritizing progress and positive change.

In this respect, Vassar resonates with my motivations and presents ideal opportunities to develop my interests. Courses like “Infamy on Trial: Famous Trials in Early Modern Europe” and “Europe 1945-Rethinking History” would provide a means to develop my innate interest in European history and an understanding of law. My passion for advanced discourse and political activism which I developed in high school through Speech and Debate and several social justice organizations would flourish outside of the classroom through the Grassroots Alliance for Alternative Politics and the Vassar Debate Society. Meanwhile, Students for Equitable Environmental Decisions would allow me to further my commitment to environmentalism.

Ultimately though, the beauty of Vassar lies in how it enables one to pursue diverse interests and activities while being surrounded by independently motivated students with similar ideals. Thus, the Outing Club and Vassar ski team both encompass pastimes I have enjoyed throughout my life and plan to pursue into the future. Moreover, through the Vassar Wesleyan Program in Madrid, I could immerse myself further in a culture I have grown to feel a strong connection to through my study of Spanish.

Vassar would enable me to develop my interest in a vast number of topics, activities, and ideas, therefore representing a critical first step toward seeking a fulfilling life.

This essay, which takes quite a different approach to the same “Why School?” prompt , does a good job of establishing the student’s interest in a topic and sharing how Vassar will help them pursue that topic in the short and long run. We learn that this student’s passion for political activism and environmental justice began in high school in the Speech and Debate club and that they were influenced by their brother’s experience in law. The first two paragraphs provide detailed context to understand why this student has chosen to pursue this field in college and beyond, as well as what motivates them.

After establishing the student’s interest, the essay does a good job of explaining why this student wants to pursue these goals at Vassar because they cite specific resources and explain how they will directly benefit from them. Mentioning both specific classes and clubs that are unique to Vassar is already a positive, but the student doesn’t just name-drop them for the sake of it. They provide the elaboration necessary for a successful “ Why This College ” essay by explaining how each resource mentioned aligns with the student’s interests and goals.

Another positive aspect of this essay is that it mentioned both academic and extracurricular opportunities at Vassar that excite this student. Admissions officers aren’t just looking to admit perfect students—they want well-rounded individuals who will contribute to their broader campus community. By mentioning social activities this student wants to take part in like the Outing Club and ski team, the essay shows that this student has a variety of interests and will be an active member of the community. 

One area of the essay that could have used more elaboration was when the student discussed the study abroad program in Madrid. Although including this detail shows the student has done research on Vassar and is interested in studying other languages and cultures, it felt out of place in the paragraph discussing their extracurricular interests. This detail could have been removed to free up words for the student to go into further elaboration on their other academic interests. If the student felt strongly about keeping the study abroad program, they should have moved it to the paragraph focused on their academic pursuits and found a way to connect their academic goals to studying in Madrid. As is, this detail feels out of place and underdeveloped.

Where to Get Your Vassar College Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your Vassar College  essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, vassar supplement essay ideas.

Hi all! I'm applying to Vassar College and I need some ideas for my supplement essay. If you've gone through the process, what topics did you write about and what do you think worked well for you? Thanks!

Hey there! It's great that you're applying to Vassar College. The supplement essay is an opportunity to highlight aspects of your personality, interests, or experiences that might not come across in other parts of your application.

For detailed advice on tackling the Vassar supplemental essays, check out this CollegeVine essay breakdown: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-vassar-college-essays

Remember, Vassar wants to see what makes you unique and how you will contribute to their campus community. To create a strong essay, focus on a specific anecdote or moment from your life and discuss what it taught you or how it shaped your perspective.

Finally, make sure you take the time to research Vassar's programs, resources, or campus culture in order to demonstrate genuine interest and fit in your essay. Good luck!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

How to Get Into Vassar College Guide

How to get into vassar – general information.

Vassar College is a private university located in Poughkeepsie, New York, 75 miles north of New York City. It was founded in 1861 as a women’s college and has been coeducational since 1969. The school has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,435 . 

In this “How to get into Vassar” guide, we’ll cover:

• Average Vassar GPA and median Vassar SAT score
• Vassar acceptance rates (including Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate)
• Vassar admission requirements 
• Interpreting Vassar rankings
• Tips for the Vassar supplemental essays
• The Vassar application deadline, and much more!

As you make your “how to get into Vassar” plan, know that the Vassar acceptance rate and Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate are low. Therefore, ensure you’re on course to meet the average Vassar GPA and average Vassar SAT scores, and prepare to master the Vassar supplemental essays well before the Vassar application deadline. 

In this “How to get into Vassar” guide, we’ll give you the essential information you need to succeed in the Vassar admission process. 

Figuring out how to get into Vassar takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from some of the country’s top schools. Want to maximize your Vassar admissions odds? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

How can I get into Vassar?

As you plan how to get into Vassar, bear in mind the Vassar admission team judges students on their academic and personal achievements, as well as their potential to contribute to the student community. 

The key to any good “how to get into Vassar” strategy lies in creating a balanced Vassar application. Your academic record – Vassar GPA, Vassar SAT or ACT scores, and course choices – are all critical. But, the Vassar supplemental essays and teacher recommendations are very important too. Vassar admission will use each of these to assess your personal strengths, motivation, and potential. 

Want to know how to get into Vassar? Follow our advice about each section of the Vassar application in this “How to get into Vassar” guide, and you’ll stand a good chance in the Vassar admission process. 

Is it hard to get into Vassar?

Those considering how to get into Vassar will wonder how hard it is to impress Vassar admission and gain a place at the school. The school is certainly competitive – the Vassar ranking is high, and the Vassar acceptance rate and Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate are both low. However, a place at Vassar is well within reach for those who are prepared to work for it. 

In terms of the Vassar ranking, U.S. News places Vassar at #22 in the National Liberal Arts Colleges ranking, while Niche places it at #27 . 

In addition to the Vassar ranking compared to other schools, you should consider the caliber of admitted students when thinking about how to get into Vassar. The average Vassar GPA is 3.9 , while the average Vassar SAT score is 1467 and the average ACT composite is 33. In addition, the Vassar acceptance rate is 20% while the Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate is 39% .

These figures demonstrate the importance of taking the Vassar application seriously. In spite of the competitive acceptance rate and high Vassar ranking, Vassar admission is possible for those who apply themselves to their schoolwork and execute an effective “how to get into Vassar” strategy. 

What is the average GPA needed for Vassar?

For those looking for Vassar GPA requirements as part of their “how to get into Vassar” research, look no further. The answer to whether a certain average Vassar GPA is needed is “no”.  

However, you should still strive to exceed the average Vassar GPA. Especially in light of the low Vassar acceptance rate and Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate, you should cut no corners when thinking about how to get into Vassar.

As we mentioned, the average Vassar GPA for the admitted class of 2025 was 3.9 on a 4.0 unweighted scale. Additionally, the average Vassar SAT score was 1467 and average ACT composite was 33. 

CollegeAdvisor strongly advises you to meet or exceed the average Vassar SAT score and Vassar GPA if you’re planning to complete the Vassar application. Although there’s no required Vassar GPA, the Vassar admission team repeatedly states the importance of academics when they’re trying to make a decision about your Vassar application. 

For plenty of tips about boosting your Vassar GPA, check out this article . Finally, for tips on boosting your Vassar SAT and ACT scores, take a look here . 

What does the Vassar application look like?

Given the strong Vassar ranking and high average Vassar GPA, any good “how to get into Vassar” strategy will involve crafting a well-rounded application. So, what does the Vassar application look like?

Vassar admission requires the following for any Vassar application:

• A Common Application or Coalition Application (this includes the Vassar supplemental essays)
• An Early Decision Agreement (ED applicants only)
• School Report and High School Transcript, completed by your guidance counselor
• Teacher Evaluations
• Mid-year Grade Report 
• TOEFL/IELTS/DET (guidance around when English proficiency tests are required can be found here ) 

Additionally, you can submit the following optional materials in your Vassar application:

• Vassar SAT or ACT scores
• Art, Music, and Dance Portfolios 
• Alumni or Student Interview

Again, we recommend you submit your Vassar SAT or ACT scores if they compare well to the average Vassar SAT. They are an optional part of the Vassar application, but given the low Vassar acceptance rate and Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate, you want to do everything you can to maximize your chances of acceptance.  

Finally, ensure that you’ve submitted the above materials by your chosen Vassar application deadline: November 15th (Early Decision I), January 14th (Early Decision II) or January 4th (Regular Decision). As the Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate (39%) is higher than the overall Vassar acceptance rate (20%), think carefully about whether Early Decision might be right for you. 

What extracurriculars does Vassar look for?

As you put together your “how to get into Vassar” strategy, you may wonder what extracurriculars the Vassar admission team looks for. 

Firstly, it’s important to note that Vassar values diversity , and the student body is engaged in a rich variety of activities. From spirituality to civic engagement to athletics , wherever your interests lie, you’re likely to find a place to pursue them at Vassar. 

That said, the Vassar supplemental essays will ask you to show demonstrated interest in the school. So as you think about how to get into Vassar, it would be wise to make sure that your extracurriculars align with what the school offers. Research their academic , artistic , and extracurricular opportunities and ensure that your own goals and interests would be met if you were to attend. 

What is the acceptance rate at Vassar?

If you’ve researched how to get into Vassar thoroughly, you’ll know that the Vassar ranking and average Vassar GPA are high. Vassar is a tough school to get into. Additionally, the Vassar acceptance rate and Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate make it a “most selective” school, according to U.S News. 

So, what is the Vassar acceptance rate? The Vassar acceptance rate for overall Vassar applications is 20%. Meanwhile, the Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate is much higher, at 39% .

Because the Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate is higher, do consider making an Early Decision Vassar application. Bear in mind that, if you make it through the Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate and are accepted, you must withdraw your applications to other colleges and universities. You will be required to attend Vassar if you’re granted Early admissions. So, think carefully before putting Early Decision in your “how to get into Vassar” plan. 

Read CollegeAdvisors’ resources for more tips on determining the college that’s right for you , and your dream school . 

Finally, although the Vassar acceptance rate is competitive, it should not be daunting if you’re serious about your Vassar application. If your Vassar GPA, Vassar SAT and ACT score, and teacher evaluations all look promising, be optimistic about your chances in the face of the Vassar acceptance rate. 

For more guidance about interpreting the Vassar acceptance rate and Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate, check out this article . 

How does Vassar College rank?

Anyone making a “how to get into Vassar” plan will be curious about the Vassar ranking. 

The Vassar ranking is very strong. As we mentioned above, U.S. News places Vassar #22 in their list of the best Liberal Arts Colleges in the country. Meanwhile, Niche gives a Vassar ranking of #27 in the same category. 

The Vassar ranking is also high in Best Colleges for Veterans, where it comes in at #3 . Vassar is a part of the Yellow Ribbon program , which offers financial support to veterans. 

Lastly, the Vassar ranking is #30 in the Best Value Schools list. Vassar meets 100% of the demonstrated need of all admitted students, so if you are concerned about how to get into Vassar with financial support, do not hesitate to apply.

Overall, the Vassar ranking tells you that it is a desirable school – a target or reach for most students. However, try not to get too distracted by the Vassar ranking. Instead, focus your “how to get into Vassar” strategy on the things you can control, such as your Vassar GPA and Vassar SAT or ACT scores. This is how to get into Vassar successfully!

How to write a Vassar College essay

The Vassar supplemental essays are a required part of your Vassar application. So, make sure you’ve thought about how to answer the Vassar supplemental essays as part of your “how to get into Vassar” strategy. 

Only one of the Vassar supplemental essays is compulsory, and it simply asks:

Why are you applying to Vassar? (300 words)

Of all the Vassar supplemental essays, this one is a typical “Why School” essay. It asks you to reflect on why you have chosen Vassar in particular, as opposed to another university. To impress the Vassar admission team with your essay, it is very important you show you have done thorough research.

Go beyond superficial things like the Vassar ranking and average Vassar GPA. Instead, take stock of your own goals and interests. Then, research the academic courses and extracurriculars that would help you achieve them. As you answer the Vassar supplemental essays, explain why these specific things will help you achieve your goals and pursue your passions during your time as an undergrad. 

Find more guidance on tailoring your extracurriculars to your Vassar supplemental essays here . 

How does Vassar College review applications?

As you perfect your “how to get into Vassar” plan, you may wonder what happens to your Vassar application after the Vassar admission deadline has passed. 

Given the low Vassar acceptance rate and Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate, the school clearly has a rigorous process for filtering applicants. While the Vassar admission team does not publish its review process in full, we can tell a lot about the process from the Vassar admission requirements. 

The school states that their typical candidate “has taken a very challenging curriculum at their high school, taking full advantage of all that their school has to offer”. This suggests that Vassar will seriously consider the difficulty of your courses, alongside your unweighted Vassar GPA. The depth and breadth of subjects in your junior and senior years are especially important.  

Vassar recommends you take four years of the five main academic core subjects: English, Math, Foreign Language, Natural Science, and History/Social Science. Furthermore, their typical applicant has an A- average and is within the top 10-20% of their class. 

In addition, they consider “personal strengths, motivation, and potential”. Most applicants have been “actively involved in extracurricular activities and have shown leadership and other accomplishments”. Therefore, engage in extracurriculars that challenge you and demonstrate good character. This will give your Vassar application a strong chance in spite of the low Vassar acceptance rate. 

Will Vassar College review my social media accounts?

While thinking about how to get into Vassar, you may worry about how your social media presence affects your odds. Given the low Vassar acceptance rate and Vassar Early Decision acceptance rate, you don’t want to take any chances. 

Rest assured, the Vassar admission team is unlikely to look at your social media profiles. For the class of 2025 alone, they received 10,884 applications. They use their time to focus on the primary parts of your Vassar application – your Vassar GPA, Vassar SAT or ACT and Vassar supplemental essays. It would take them far too long to check through everyone’s social media too. 

However, you should still be responsible . While social media might not directly impact your Vassar application, employers and internship directors might look at your accounts. Plus, there’s always a chance that someone from the Vassar admission team takes a quick look. In that case, you wouldn’t want them to find something that reflects badly on you.  

Therefore, our recommendation is to enjoy social media but play it safe. Follow these tips on how to use platforms responsibly. 

Is Vassar a good school for me?

It can be easy to get distracted by the Vassar ranking and Vassar acceptance rate, and forget to see whether the school is a true cultural and academic fit. As you work on your “how to get into Vassar” strategy, remember to ask yourself whether Vassar is the right school for you! 

Vassar has a small and diverse student body. In the class of 2025, 38% of students identify as people of color and students came from 22 different countries and 41 different states. The student body is more female than male, so if you are looking for an even split, Vassar may not be the school for you. 

Vassar has an incredibly broad curriculum and increasingly emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach. Before you apply, make sure you explore their course selection to ensure you could pursue your academic passions as an undergraduate there.

Additionally, Vassar has a thriving student life. Their residential living arrangements and bustling campus dining room allow you to fully immerse yourself in the community. Students interested in sports, sustainability, religious practice , civic engagement, and leadership will probably find themselves quite at home. Note that Vassar does not have a Greek system, so if you’re looking for a fraternity or sorority, it might not be a good fit. 

Overall, Vassar has a lot to offer students. If you are academically talented, interested in others, and engaged in the world, you’re likely to thrive at Vassar. Don’t hesitate to submit a Vassar application before the Vassar admission deadline!

Additional tips to get into Vassar College

As we come to the end of this “How to get into Vassar” guide, and you begin to work on your Vassar application, keep the following tips in mind: 

Be authentic

The Vassar admission team wants students who will genuinely contribute to the community. So don’t take up hobbies you won’t enjoy, just so you have something to write about in your Vassar supplemental essays. Early in high school, well before the Vassar application deadline, pursue the things that really interest you. 

Master your timelines

Remember, the Vassar admission deadline is January 4th. Make sure every part of your Vassar application – your Vassar GPA, Vassar SAT, Vassar supplemental essays, etc. – is ready to go well before this date. For more top tips on perfecting your Vassar application timeline, check out this article. 

You’re now ready to execute your “how to get into Vassar” plan and craft a Vassar application that has a good chance of acceptance. Best of luck!

This guide was written by Bethany Nelson. If you want to know how to get into Vassar, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from the country’s top schools. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

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HIST 300: Guide for History Thesis Writers

• Starting your thesis project
• More on finding sources
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• Reflection questions

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Attribution

This guide was created by Carollynn Costella, Vassar's History and Multidisciplinary Librarian 2006-2024. Carollynn passed away in July 2024 and is greatly missed by the Vassar community. Her colleagues in the Academic Engagement department hope to build on her excellent work in order to support this year's History majors. 

Refine your topic

In consultation with your faculty thesis advisor, you will articulate a broad beginning of a thesis topic. Through your initial research in preparation for submitting your thesis proposal and preliminary bibliography, you will begin to focus your thesis topic to an appropriate scope.

Consider the following questions:

What did you discuss with your advisor about the feasibility of your topic?

Did your advisor suggest any sources that could be essential?

What other sources did they suggest you look into?

What would your “dream” sources be? (e.g., I hope ____’s papers are published. I wonder if there was a trial about _____. I'd like to read newspaper coverage of ___ event from _____ perspective.)

What sources may be easiest or hardest to attain? What sources will be easier or harder to read and work with and how? What opportunities and risks could a digital version of a particular source present? Where are there gaps or silences in the archives related to your topic, and how might you address these? 

Where would you locate your topic in the bigger picture? One way to approach that is in terms of its position within social, economic, or political conditions.

What scholarly conversations are relevant to your topic? Identify the scholars, ideas, and debates that are essential to your topic. How does your thesis fit into these conversations? 

Identify key secondary sources

Secondary sources help to situate your thesis in the framework of larger scholarly conversations. Identify scholars whose work you will engage with early on in your research process.

As you search through library catalogs and databases, take note (literally, make lists) of the keywords and terms that you find useful, as well as the Library of Congress Subject Headings associated with your topic. The subject headings will be the same in other library catalogs and databases, and that language provides crucial keyword searching terms.

When you are searching in library catalogs for book length studies about your topic, remember to search broader than your topic as well as in narrower related sub-topics. Many book-length secondary sources will not require reading in entirety. Use tables of contents and indexes effectively to identify crucial chapters and passages. 

Peruse the bibliographies and footnotes in your secondary sources; this will help you find additional relevant secondary sources and may direct you to primary sources in archives, published sourcebooks, databases of primary source collections, and elsewhere. Also take note of dates/events, organization names, personal names, names of particular policies, laws or initiatives etc.; all of these are potential keywords for finding primary sources.

• Library Search (Vassar's catalog)
• WorldCat WorldCat is the union catalog for all the libraries that participate in Interlibrary Loan.
• Historical Abstracts Index to scholarship about world history after 1450 excluding U.S. and Canada
• America: History and Life Index to scholarship on U.S. and Canadian history
• Databases at Vassar Browse Vassar's databases in other disciplines to find scholarly indexes (e.g., Index Islamicus, ABSEES, HAPI, ITER) that are likely to include citations relevant to your thesis.

Confirm your primary source base

Before you begin searching for primary sources, ask yourself: What types of sources are most likely to contribute perspective on my topic?

Some examples of primary sources include: newspapers and magazines, personal narrative sources like memoirs and letters, government documents, the papers of organizations, and scholarly journals of the historical period. You will search for different types of sources using different techniques.

Use the Advanced Search screen in Library Search to:

• place limits on your search by location, language, or material type.  
• do subject searches. A subject search will look for keywords ONLY in the subject fields of catalog records. Knowing the vocabulary used in the subject searches will help you do effective searches of library collections. For example, Library of Congress Subject Headings use the following keywords to indicate primary sources: sources, letters, interviews, speeches, personal narratives, diaries, correspondence, sermons, notebooks, sketches, description and travel, treaties, pamphlets, biography (includes memoirs), newspapers, periodicals, pictorial works, art, architecture, portraits, caricatures and cartoons, cookery, decorative arts, furniture, material culture, guide books, maps, fiction, poetry, periodicals, newspapers, bibliography, early works to 1800.   It's not a perfect system, but an effective technique. Example search: (united states women) AND (sources or correspon dence)
• find reference sources like encyclopedias and historical dictionaries. Never underestimate how helpful these sources are in establishing historical context, suggesting keywords, identifying related people/events/places for your topic and providing bibliographies of important primary or secondary sources.
• identify digital collections of primary sources. Some of the digital primary sources that appear in our catalog are from unique databases that are more effectively searched in their native interface. If you find digital sources in our catalog that you are interested in finding more of, ask a librarian .
• WorldCat WorldCat is the union catalog for all the libraries that participate in InterLibrary Loan. Use Library of Congress Subject Headings to search for material. If an item is not available through ILL, use the "Libraries worldwide that own item" link to determine if you can travel there to look at the source in person. ALWAYS CALL AHEAD and speak to a librarian to confirm you will be allowed access to the library and to the sources you want to see.
• Center for Research Libraries Center for Research Libraries is an actual library in Chicago that Vassar Library pays membership dues to so our campus can access items in CRL's collection through ILL. EVERYTHING in CRL's catalog is available through ILL. Indicate the OCLC # on an ILL form in addition to all the other citation information when you make a request.
• Databases at Vassar Electronic databases of primary sources require some specialized techniques for thesis level research. Browse in various "Content Type" categories of Vassar's databases page and consult with a librarian about the most effective way to navigate the databases you are interested in.
• New York Public Library The NYPL system includes specialized Research Libraries (Stephen A. Schwarzman Building and Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture) that have invaluable resources available and are only a train ride away.
• HathiTrust HathiTrust is a partnership of academic & research institutions, offering a collection of millions of titles digitized from libraries around the world.

Meet with librarians and thesis advisors

Some tips for effective meetings with librarians and thesis advisors:

• Bring a working bibliography with you. Even if you're not sure about many of the sources on there, it will give us an idea of what work you are doing and what direction you are going in.
• If you're looking for a particular source you found cited somewhere else, show your librarian the original source you found the citation in.
• It helps to have an idea about the types of sources you are interested in finding. Is it a personal narrative, a foreign newspaper, a magazine written from a particular political perspective? Do you have secondary sources addressing the relevant "layers" for your thesis questions? Do you need sources that contextualize your topic, provide historical background, or help you understand the historiography of your topic? 
• Next: More on finding sources >>
• Last Updated: Sep 10, 2024 11:50 AM
• URL: https://library.vassar.edu/hist300