Vassar College Top Questions

Frissbee is the closest thing to a frat on campus, very cliquey, lots of partying. Kids always leave their doors open, unless you live in Strong, the all women dorm. With such a small campus, its hard for any group to be really exclusive. When the weather is nice, the entire campus parties together at senior housing. It's great. The only drawback might be trying to find something to do if you aren't a big drinker. While there are loads of performances and movie screenings each weekend, I'm not sure how much there would be to do past 10. Kids also seem to be really separated by dorm. Also, hookups are NEVER secret, and yes, if it's awkward you will inevitably run into the person you're trying to avoid several times within the next few days.

There are a million different things going on all the time at Vassar (Great theater, amazing guest speakers, eye-opening events, pow-wows, hoe-downs, sit-ins) but they are all over by 10:00. From 10:00 on, if you don't party, you don't do much. Vassar is ruled by a "pre-gaming" culture in which people drink as much as humanly possible before going out to one party or another (and the parties, I should say, are almost always lame). The one thing I do really appreciate about the party scene, however, are the campus-wide parties that Vassar throws. It is relatively unique for a school to sponsor and throw so much campus-wide parties (but then, maybe its because there is NOTHING to do in Poughkeepsie). Side note: If you want to date, don't come to Vassar. Pickings are slim when it comes to straight men and, as a result, every decent-looking straight man on Vassar's campus now thinks that they are some kind of demi-god. You can find a good one every once in a while, but its like a needle in a hay stack.

There are many different groups and activities on campus. The rugby teams are usually pretty big and the next largest groups would be environmentally concerned groups. Dating scene really isn't dating. More or less it's a hook-up where eventually the two people start to see each other more frequently. Parties happen every weekend and when the school has a sponsored event, it's usually highly attended. Founder's Day is a big celebration that is a lot of fun and irresponsible behavior. There is no Greek system which all students at Vassar are happy about. If you don't like to drink, it can be difficult to socialize.

Vassar has amazing guest speakers come to the campus on a regular basis. Every week the school sends out an email listing the week's events, and almost every time it includes at least two guest speakers. Vassar's high reputation and its connection with alumni (including Merryl Streep, & Lisa Kudrow) as enticed many famous and intellectual speakers to enter its great halls to share their expertise with the student body. Wikipedia has an extensive list of most of the notable faculty and alumni at Vassar, many of which return as guest speakers or students can learn from in classes. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Vassar_College_people

-Athletic events are only really attended by other sports teams. The athletes are very segregated in their own community. They tend to eat, party and hang out together. -If you're not involved in sports, your friends will most likely be confined to people who live in your dorm. Most friendships are made in student fellow groups freshman year, with little social mobility afterwards. -If you aren't a heavy partier, the weekends can be filled pretty easily with theater and music performances. You have to be especially adventurous if you want to find activities outside the campus because we are fairly cut off from the town socially despite countless outreach programs.

Plenty of guest speakers and like events Serenading is awesome Living in a dorm is shit sometimes, but good most of the time Weekend parties are hella fun

Drinking and drug use are huge on campus. People party at least 3 nights a week. I know that some people choose to opt out of substance abuse, but in my experience most people do not. Vassar throws a lot of really popular, huge dance parties on the weekends and those are a lot of fun- most people get drunk first. There is no greek life or anything, and virtually no bars in town, so most people buy their own alcohol and party in the rooms.

Rugby is a big thing here. Our women's team is on their way to nationals this year, actually. Since we're a DIII school, sports aren't really a huge deal overall, but there are a lot of good club sports as well as varsity. I play frisbee: it is the largest club sport on campus with over 40 people involved. It's a great bunch of people to play around with and its essentially a big group of friends who get to play a sport they love. Vassar is a safe community: most people don't lock their doors and usually people's doors are wide open if someone's just doing their homework or something. Given Vassar's rep as a predominantly female school, it would surprise people to find out that there is quite a nice male population here as well. Some of my friends are single, others have partners at other schools, and just as many have a partner at Vassar. There is no greek life here, so the big parties happen in senior housing, which are located on the outskirts of campus. There is almost always at least one party going on in senior housing every weekend, but if drinking isn't your thing, there are always movie screenings and dances going on elsewhere on campus.

Plenty to do...PLENTY, you will NOT be bored

I'm always awake at 2am on a Tuesday. What am I doing? Probably either a problem set, or just hanging out with people. The dating pool is small, but hookups happen fast, so I'd say we have a good dating scene. Beware, however, that just because it's easy to get a date doesn't change the fact that we're low on true "date" locations, but if that's what you want, plenty of people date that way. We don't have many long-lived traditions (I only know of one traditional event that hasn't changed within the memory of the seniors, and that's the annual *voluntary* freshman hazing event called "serenading." Simply put, if you don't like singing vulgar songs to seniors and getting pelted by ketchup-filled balloons, you don't have to go--if you do, enjoy), we don't have any fraternities or sororities, and we don't do much off campus, but we have killer dances almost every weekend and there's always a place to party stoned, drunk, or substance-free.

Basketball is a popular sport to watch, but sports in general are not very big on campus. Dating at Vassar is almost impossible. Random hook ups are more likely and prevalent. People party on average three nights a week (Th, Fri, Sat) but there are some people who will never go out and some people who have four or five day weekends. There are no frats or sororities on campus which is really nice. There is no feeling of exclusion when it comes to big parties.

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Drinking, drinking, drinking, drinking, drinking, drinking, drugs, drugs, drugs, drugs. The dating scene is more like the whole college "random hookup thing," a limited number of dateable guys (if you're a gal.) The boys at Vassar are all either gay(25{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c}), socially awkward, or under 5'5. The girls are of course, very nice to the few desirable guys, and even the not so desirable ones, but relationships between girls are very strained. My advice to any girls going here is to make lots of girl friends very early on in the year. After the first few weeks girl to girl relationships have already been set, and then it's girl group vs. girl group.

Vassar has many theatrical organizations that put on many productions a year. If you're interested in theatre, Vassar's the way to go even if you don't major in it. We don't often get a lot of "very famous" speakers, bands, celebrities, etc. but once in a while someone semi-major would come and the campus would be abuzz with excitement. The weekend starts on Thursdays for most people, unless you have lab on Friday. People party a lot but there are also other things to do, eg. watch movies. There are no frats/sororities (thank heavens), just some people who party a bit more than others. Oh, what do we do off campus? The mall. It's the only thing worth going to in Poughkeepsie.

it gets boring and repetitive because you're always doing the same thing but Vassar changes it up often by having musical guests, concerts, and dance parties.

Vassar has NO frats of sororities--NONE! This is a crucial element to campus culture and is most wonderful. Our student body is very unified and students meet each other through arts, service, athletic, and other organizations. This means that no one is every limited to socializing with a particular group and everyone overlaps with a variety of students through participation in various activities. Guest speakers come nearly every night and music/art/drama/dance performances are always happening. Drinking, although happens as on any college campus, is certainly not the main feature of the social life and is often limited to events such as "wine and cheese nights" and "imported beer tastings" (after all, our founder was a brewer!)

People in the dorms definitely leave their doors open - it's a very friendly atmosphere. For many people, the dorm is home - where your friends are, where you spend most of your social time, where you feel yourself. The dorms are very homey. If I'm awake at 2am on a Tuesday, I'm either doing homework or having a fun conversation with friends where we're all sleep-deprived but can't help continuing to chat. Traditions: Founder's Day (a carnival-ish day around the end of classes in May). Dances: Harvest Ball, Scantily Clad, Shiva Rave, Halloween, etc. Serenading (at the start of classes in September, the freshmen sing satirical songs to the seniors in front of their dorms, while seniors pelt them with ketchup, chocolate sauce and plenty other fun liquids). Midnight Breakfast, followed by Primal Scream (everyone screams on the quad at midnight the night before finals, each semester). Partying varies. Some people party every weekend night, others a couple times a month, others infrequently or never. Whatever's your thing, there's always other people who are the same way that you can hang out with. There's usually 1-2 all-campus dances each weekend (which people go to drunk or sober), plays, dancing at the Mug, and just hanging out. Aside from parties at the THs (see below), pretty much anything enjoyed by people who drink is also enjoyed by people who don't. We don't have Greek life but we do have the THs (Town Houses - one part of senior housing) where the parties can feel a little Greek at times. It's a notable part of campus party life, but just one part among many.

So few students at Vassar participate in varsity athletics and even fewer support them. Sports do not play a large role in the average student's life, but those who do participate in athletics are very satisfied with the balance between education and athletics that a DIII school provides. While some people are adverse to "jocks," athletic students as a whole are by no means shunned from social circles or parties. There are many things to do an campus on a saturday night that do not involve drinking. There are frequently campus-wide parties/dances that are fun even if you're not drunk. At some of these parties (not all) beer is served, but only students over 21 can drink, and the hosts are very strict about checking ID (a fake will not work at these parties as Campus Security has a list with everyone's age that they cross-check with your student ID). In addition to these parties, there are frequently film screenings and shows put on by comedy, drama, and dance groups. There are definitely things to do if you're straight-edge, and definitely things to do it you're not.

Students definitely leave their doors open--we leave our door open even if we're not in. Athletic events are hilariously unpopular, even when we're winning. Events with guest speakers are usually well-attended, as are experimental/mainstream theater things. I met my best friends because we live on the same hall, and study, eat, and go to class together--we're essentially inseparable. I'm not likely to ever be awake at 2 a.m. on a Tuesday, and if I am, I am either reading in my neighbors' room or studying in my own. People party on the weekends--religiously--but nothing much happens during the week (except the film major who lives on my hall--how does he even HAVE lungs anymore?). There's plenty to do if you're not drinking (and I never am)--theater stuff, campus parties, movies. Watching the drunk people is also fun.

If I'm awake at 2 am on a Tuesday I am probably doing homework. If I'm not doing homework I'm being distracted by talking to my housemates. Last Friday night I attended a campus event that made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to give out to Poughkeepsie residents in transitional housing. Then I went to the grocery store with my housemates and we hung out in our house listening to music. Saturday I went to my friend's tennis match, worked out at the gym, and then visited a friend at Purchase College for the evening. When I got back to Vassar I met my friends at the Acropolis Diner on Main Street for a late night birthday celebration. On Sunday I participated in a cognitive science thesis experiment, hung around with my housemates, went to a movie screening for my Shakespeare class and then did some work at the library. People at Vassar drink, but it's unlikely you would ever be pressured into or feel like you need to be drunk. People say you can't go to the campus club (the Mug) sober, but I do it all the time so that is an obvious lie. No frats or sororities is a blessing.

The most popular students activities on campus are a capella groups, drama clubs and plays, and comedy clubs. There are also tons of student athletes, although the teams unfortunately don't often get a lot of support at their games. Vassar doesn't have fraternities or sororities, and so the weekend party life often revolves around parties thrown by residents of the senior apartments. Once a month, there is a big campus-wide theme party, like Scantily Clad, Heaven and Hell, or the Halloween Party. All of these events are pretty heavily saturated with drinking-- mostly beer, and mostly at "pre-gaming"-type gatherings in people's dorms. On a quieter weekend, you'll still be able to find at least one party in the senior apartments if you're dying to party. If you don't drink, you're mostly on your own to find ways to entertain yourself on a Saturday night, because there aren't often campus-sponsored events on the weekends. That said, lots of kids do attend theme parties without drinking, and it's not hard to find a group of friends to also don't drink to watch movies or hang out. The off-campus life is pretty dull at Vassar. The adjacent town is very small-- it has a delicious cafe called Babycakes which is very popular with Vassar students and a dollar store, but other than that, there's not much to do. There's a big mall and a slew of restaurants within a 15-minute drive from Vassar if you have a car, but other than that, the social scene is pretty much centered around campus.

Stop making parties that give out free beer, cuz theyre only fun if you drink beforehand, and to the people who are 21...

music is huge at vassar. there are probably a dozen a capella groups, each with a special focus. theres all male, all female, coed, broadway showtunes only, current pop songs only, barbershop quartet, general, and others. theres also lots of choral groups. almost everyone here plays a musical instrument. student musicians are showcased every thursday night. i'm involved in 4 student groups and in the leadership of two of them. no one attends athletic events except for maybe rugby games. theater is huge here. there are not enough straight boys to go around for all of the desperate girls. many of the attractive straight boys seem to be in relationships. so the boys left are too exciting. i didnt drink the first two years at vassar. theres always a lot of organized events going on every weekend where alcohol isnt present. every friday a group of about 15 kids meet for game night. theres nothing to do off campus if you dont have a car. there are a lot of great places nearby to eat off campus.

Sports at Vassar are incredibly limited. Those who participate in them are generally pretty cliquey, and usually people don't go to sporting events or care very much about what is happening in sports. But this is something I LOVE about Vassar, really; I'm from football-obsessed Ohio, and it's such a relief to be somewhere where people care about LEARNING more than they care about stupid sports! There is also no Greek life at vassar, something I find equally refreshing. Instead of frat or sorority parties every weekend, there are just PARTIES, where anyone can come and meet people. It makes the campus a lot more friendly, and it keeps people from segregating themselves too much.

the most popular groups are vassar dems, fem aliance, frisbee team, rugby, choice, qcvc, and the vassar greens. i'm involved with the equestrian team, a club sport that is not widely known. most students leave their doors open when they're in their rooms, but there is definately a group of people who lock their doors when they are asleep, in the shower, etc. Athletic event aren't popular, but some guest speakers and comedy groups have a large following. The dating scene is essentially non-existent, and I meet friends usually through other friends. If i'm awake at 2 am on tuesday, i'm probably smoking and watching a movie with housemates and friends and not doing work. the halloween party and founders day are the most popular campus events. last weekend i watched movies, hung out with friends, drank, and ran errands.

There isn't really a most popular org on campus, everyone really has a place and respect. I'm involved in Matthew's Minstrels, the oldest co-ed a cappella group and it's great. They are easily my best friends. Athletic events aren't popular really but we do have strong D III sports. If I'm awake 2 am on a Tuesday I could be watching a movie with a friend, studying, or rehearsing... everyone is so busy that often times student run orgs are forced to meet really late. Traditions include Serenading (a ridiculous and stupid drunken performance by the Freshman class), Primal Scream (the night before finals start people gather in front of the library and just scream... often times nakedness ensues), and Founder's Day ( a celebration of Matthew Vassar but really just an excuse to be high adn drunk all day). There are no frats or sororities... the closest thing would be the basketball teams.

mopst popular is drama. it sucks . i was on the volleyball team which was good and fun but it took up all my weekends when i wanted to take a trip home. Not much of a dating scene. 2am on a teusday? umm on the computer.. Traditions are pretty cool , theres harvest ball, heaven and hell, halloween party, 7 deadly sins, lots of theme parties, serenading, midnight scream, some other things too. no frats/ soroities. people party on weekends at the TA's and TH's some dorm rooms too. parties often get too crowded you could hardly walk but security doesnt bother us at all.

Vice (group that brings entertainment in all forms to campus) is pretty huge but there is no one dominant group or org. on campus which is great. I am involved with the BSU and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and next year will plan on being part of the Council of Black Seniors AND senior council and the Big Sister/Little Sister program next year. Students do leave their doors open cause its so open here-people leave their laptops and personal belongings even in parlors, comp. rooms, and even the library!!! athletic events are somewhat popular with basketball being the biggest I believe (cause they have a winning record). remember though sports is not the main focus here and its a division III school. Guest speakers come ALL the time and talk about so many things all year its great. Theater is great here too soo many drama groups abound. Dating scene-is existent but eh. Closest friends: many during freshmen week and in my dorms and at other social events. 2 am on tues.: either hanging with friends or in my room on the computer. People party ALOT here atleast every weekend there is bound to be something to do or go to whether a house party, dorm party, campus-wide party or even our campus bar the MUG. traditions: Founder's Day, heaven and hell, seven deadly sins, scantily-clad, Halloween (massive!!), serenading, Senior week, Mr. Vassar etc. Frats and sororities don't exist thank God! Last weekend went to some parties and events and went sledding by sunset lake whoo!!! Off-campus get my hair done and eat and sometimes go to a local club. Sat. night no drinking: stay in and watch a movie with friends.

Theater is great here. All shows are well-attended, as are all campus parties.

We have a yearly holiday dedicated to the memory of our founder where it is not only okay but assumed that all the students are drunk throughout the day.

The most popular clubs are the activist groups. The Ultimate Frisbee team and Rugby are the most popular sports. I'm in the Vassar Animal Rights Club. We advise the dining services on the Vegan menu. We also raise awareness of animal rights and urge people to consider what companies they support based on their treatment of animals. Many students leave their doors open. My door is open right now and my friend is working on my room mate's bed. My room mate is in another room hanging out with our other friends. Athletic events aren't very popular. We kind of forget that we have sports teams sometimes. Guest speakers and theater are very popular. The dating scene is a bit disappointing. There are many LGBQT students and more girls than guys. Do the math. My closest friends are in my hallway or I met them through various clubs. There are no Greek organizations on campus. If I'm awake then, I'm doing homework or trying to fall asleep. Once in a while, I'll be hanging out with friends. There are tons of traditions such as Serenading, Founder's Day, Daisy Train, and lots of dances. People party every weekend Thursday through Saturday nights. Last weekend I was sick so I didn't do much, but this upcoming weekend I'm going to Rhode Island to volunteer for Obama's campaign. On a Saturday night without alcohol, you can do other drugs. All jokes aside, there are plays, musical performances, college events, cafes nearby with live music, and lots of other events. Off campus, I do a lot politically in the city of Poughkeepsie. There are nice restaurants and cafes, too.

The Vassar Greens - environmental organization Choice - safe sex stuff I'm involved with Vox which is Voices for Planned Parenthood, we work as a liaison between Vassar and the local planned parenthood. I wish I had more time to devote to it because we need to get more members active and involved and spread the word a little more loudly. Students leave their doors open - it's common to walk down a hall and see doors open and people hanging out and working inside. Some people lock their doors, others don't. Athletic events are popular. They're not an overwhelming force on campus though. Guest speakers and theater have a much larger presence. I don't really know about the dating scene honestly. I've been with my boyfriend for about a year and a half - we met through a student theater play. And I'm not one to go to the Mug (on campus club thing) and pick up people or anything. But that happens. I lived on the same hall freshman year with a lot of my closest friends. 2am on a Tuesday - reading, it means I need to get something done for Wednesday. Or I'm hanging out. Or sleeping. It's all very context-dependent. Founder's Day - great day, free beer (if you're over 21), food, music, carnival rides (though I always abstain from those), free BBQ, and just a good time. It's our celebration of the founding of the college and the college sponsors a day of fun. People party on the weekends frequently. But there's stuff to do if partying is not your thing and there are plenty of people who are completely "clean" and don't drink or do drugs at all. There are no fraternities or sororities! which was a big reason I came to Vassar. Last weekend... I wrote a paper, I hung out with some friends, did some crafts. Next weekend, my boyfriend and I are having a joint-birthday party at our friends Town House (upper classmen housing) so that's going to be a good time, we're both turning 21. A Saturday night without drinking - there's usually a performance of some kind going on, a screening, or something to do that is a campus event. There are also a lot of people who just don't drink or who don't drink every weekend so you'll most likely have friends to do something with - go see a movie or something. Off campus - I love going to restaurants whenever I can and there are good places around the campus and other places in the area that are good also. You have to do a little searching and experimenting but you find them. The Coyote Grill on Rt 9 = delicious. Tokyo Express has great sushi right off Raymond Ave and a short walk from Vassar. There's a mall on Rt 9 and Rt 9 has a lot of stores - Barnes & Noble, JoAnn's, MIchael's - and other stuff, too, those are my main destinations There's a movie theater in the mall. There's always a lot going on in the Hudson Valley also as far as art, music, and outdoorsiness goes.

I find people at Vassar to be some of the most personable I have ever met. It is a very safe, open, and welcoming society I believe. The Theater at vassar is fantastic. The Drama departments facilities are fantastic with beautiful stages! From talking with friends who go to different colleges I have found out that Vassar is very individual in the way that it has a school sponsored dance almost every Friday and Saturday,and when it doesn't there is always the Mug. People have the choice to go out on a weekend or stay in there is no pressure to do either! I think one of my favorite things about partying at Vassar is that there are no fraternities or soroities at Vassar. The partys are focused around other things like clubs or organizations. The dating seen is interesting at Vassar. We do have a large gay population at Vassar. Many girls who go to Vassar complain profusely about the difficulty of finding boyfriends since boys are already in the minority and they seem to believe that most of themn are gay. It is true that in comparison to most schools Vassar does have a large gay population however as a gay man (who thought he was straight last year so has had the opportunity to try and date both genders at Vassar) I can speak from experience that it is no easier gay or straight to find a relationship, which is probably no different from any other school. However it is not impossible to get a relationship at Vassar, and if you are just after a one stand that is even easier to find.

We love leaving our doors open! Each House has its own personality and if the house officers (student officers who run the show) really get their act together, dorm life can provide a strong community. This means that some years there isn't that strong community because it relies on student initiative to create it, but by and large people identify with their Houses and really like to be social and open.

Off campus, there's not too much going on, but many students are trying to change that. We're trying to reach out, explore Poughkeepsie, and foster a relationship between the college and the town. Theater is very popular, and if you don't want to drink on a Saturday night, there's a fair share of people who aren't into getting smashed on a regular basis.

Chances are that if you can think of it, there is a student group for it. Some of the biggest groups are The Philaletheists (no one knows how to spell their name) which organizes student theater shows almost every weekend, and NSO, which focuses on gaming events. There is never any shortage of events on the weekends, be it speakers, debates, or shows. If you have a Y chromosome, the dating picture is somewhat less exciting :) The traditional description of the Vassar dating pool is this: Vassar is the only place in the world where you can have 3 women for every 2 men, all the women can be in a relationship, and some of the men can still be single... Parties are generally informal events, with light drinking or no drinking at all. They usually start by a student leaving their door open for too long, and some passersby deciding to stop and stay for a few hours.

Everyone's in a club. Join one, you'll like it. And if you don't, join another and you probably will. Dorms are a laid-back, fun place. Most doors are unlocked, and there's a nice sense of community and dorm pride. Guest speakers are ubiquitous and often quite good, a great supplement to what you learn in class and an important aspect of your education. Athletic events are somewhat popular but often not a cause for school spirit. Theater at Vassar is mostly great. Some productions are shoddy, but for every bad one, there's two that are excellent. Plus, they abound--there are more things to do here than you can possibly fit into your schedule, and that's always a plus. Dating is weird. Small campus means people know who you're with or on or under. That's not so horrifying as it sounds as long as you're comfortable with how you lead your personal life. College is a community and there's little privacy, but mostly that's totally okay. You'll probably be lucky to find someone really special, though some do, and there's always a contingent of hook-up's on the circuit if you're into it. Then again, many straight girls will often joke that all the best guys are gay or taken. (Then again, they're not entirely joking.) Let's not misconstrue that one either, though; for gay students, the dating scene is hardly a haven either. Bottom line is that this is a small college so the pickings are slim on most sides. Partying is prevalent and frequent, but there's little pressure to leave your comfort zone and often not what you saw on 'Animal House.' You can keep it to a small group of friends or go nuts like the freshman and cruise campus looking for dorm parties and outdoor soirees at senior housing. Off campus, there are more cheap restaurants than you think exist, and if you've got a car, multiply that by 10. If you're like most of us in college, though, and you haven't got the money, well...there's that to consider too.

Vassar has a lot of great theater, and it's all free.

theater and a capella are big. Sports too. There are soooo many organizations. I am in a lot of politically driven ones and we have meetings every week and do a lot during the week. I also play a sport, which takes up a lot of time. But people come to our games and support us! SO MUCH HAPPENS ON CAMPUS! There are too many lectures and guest speakers, which is great and makes all interests represented. If Im awake at 2am im walking back from the library. people party on friday adn saturday nights...work hard, play hard. Last weekend I campaigned for Obama on friday, came back to watch a bball game on saturday, went dancing till 3am that night, and spent all of sunday in the library. there are so many things to do on the weekend besides drink...plays, concerts, dance parties, comedy groups, the list goes on.

QCVC (the gay group) is huge, so is Ultimate Frisbee, Ski Team, Vassar Dems, and then any tiny group you could possibly want. Everyone leaves their doors open in the dorms. Athletic events aren't popular, but theater is always sold out and there's at least 2 shows every weekend. Guest speakers are also usually very popular. The dating scene is very low-pressure, not at all predatory towards either gender. There's lots of long-term couples or singles having a good time, but not a lot in between. I met my closest friends because they lived in my dorm or were in groups/classes with me. Frats and sororities don't exist. People party about 2 weekends a month, usually, but not that hard. We drink and have fun but we don't need to get shitfaced constantly. There's always non-drinking alternatives like movies, theater, etc. Off campus, there's good food within walking distance and a super cheap movie theater at the mall.

ultimate frisbee habitat and amnesty, habitat!!, unlocked, not really, great, very good, difficult for straight women, class and extracurriculars, homework, founders day, depends, we don't have any, i had to work, theater performances upcdc events, not much.

Vassar offers a lot of weekend activities for students. The college or some of the larger organizations will often sponsor campus-wide parties, sometimes with free beer, that usually revolve around a theme: The Seven Deadly Sins, Moulin Rouge, etc. There are tons of student organizations and it's very easy to start one if you feel there's a need. Some of the more unique groups are the Barefoot Monkeys, a circus/acrobats performing group and Air-Capella, a whisting a-capella group. Athletics are NOT a big part of social life at Vassar; most students have never been to a sports game. During the week there are lectures, coffee houses, smaller parties, and concerts. Matthew's Mug is the on-campus dance club and bar that has different themed nights - Wednesday is 80s night, Thursday is Jazz Night, etc. Once a year there is Founder's Day, which is essentially a carnival held on one the athletic fields celebrating the founding of the college. Most students spend the entire day in some form of intoxication, and it usually ends with fireworks and an outdoor movie. There are no fraternities or sororities at Vassar; the larger parties take place on the lawns of the Senior Housing complexes. There's a mall nearby (The Poughkeepsie Galleria) with movies and shopping; there are also a few nearby bars (within walking distance) and plenty of restaurants (sushi, Indian, Middle Eastern, Mexican, etc.).

There are a ton of clubs and organizations on campus, pretty much anything anyone could want. There are political groups, discussion groups, hip hop appreciation groups, horse-back riding groups, writing groups, singing groups, groups that distribute condoms, really and truly anything. I'd say student theater, a capella, and improv are the biggest extra curricular activities on campus. There are so many productions each semester, and a shockingly large amount of people are involved with these productions. Going to see one of the many singing or improv groups perform is a fairly typical beginning to a Saturday night. That being said, there are still a sizable number of athletes and some of our sports teams aren't half bad. However, sporting events are not very popular in terms of social activities. The Vassar social scene is unique. A typical Friday or Saturday night might start with dinner with friends at a restaurant within walking distance. Dinner out, however, is one of the only things people do off campus. There is little-to-no bar or clubbing scene. After dinner, people might go see a play or concert or go to one of the weekly movie screenings. After that there is a bit of a lull in the evening until one of the parties starts. There is almost always a party- they usually start at ten, but people don't show up until 11:30 or midnight. Lots of these parties are sponsored by college organizations or dorms. Some of the big ones that happen every year are “Seven Deadly Sins,” “Shiva Rave,” “Harvest Ball” and, of course, Halloween. It's nice that there are no fraternities or sororities because that means that parties are usually campus-wide and completely free. On nights when there aren't huge parties, usually someone is throwing a small get-together in her dorm room or there is something going on at Senior housing. Many people engage in what we call the “traveling party,” which means you travel around to different places through out the night and can end up anywhere. The majority of party-goers pregame these parties. Not everyone drinks and, if you like to dance, you don't have to feel weird going to the party sober. It's also entirely possible to find a group of substance-free friends, but it might not be a very large group. I find that there isn't any pressure to drink- no one will think less of you if you choose to stay sober. However, if you're uncomfortable being around other people who drink, you might have difficulty finding things to do on the weekends, and this can be frustrating. The non-weekend social scene consists of having meals with friends and visiting people in their rooms. No one locks their door and often times people leave their doors wide opened, inviting neighbors to come in and chat. A social-staple is the “fellow group,” or the group of freshmen you live with during your first year who have the same student fellow (the Vassar equivalent to an R.A.). Those friendships usually last your entire time at college.