Vassar College Top Questions

"It's about finding yourself." I heard that phrase so often when I was looking at colleges. I ignored it, but low-and-behold, it's true. If you're at the right college, you learn things about yourself, physically, spiritually, and socially that you didn't know before. It's important to find a college in which you can learn those things. When you are searhing for schools, find one where you will be challenged by both your professors and your peers. Chose the institution that teaches you to think, not to regurgitate answers, the college that encourages you to pursue your passions. Your passion will always be your defining feature, and something nobody can take from you. Once you find that place, use every aspect of it to your benefit. Talk with your professors and classmates, inside and outside of class. Make friends with departments that aren't in your major. Participate in campus life, especially volunteering activities. Be willing to take (safe) risks, venturing out of your comfort zone to try something new. Accept other people's choices as valuable, while maintaining your own morals. Finally, trust that who you are is who you should be.

Sustain hope and happiness by allowing yourself to trust your achievements and personality. Positive self-awareness will guide you to where you need to be.

Definitely make sure you LIKE the school you're going to - take a trip and visit the ones you're accepted to! If you don't like the atmosphere, how in the world will you be able to learn in it? Also make sure that you're comfortable with the social atmosphere - if you're deeply conservative, a liberal arts school probably isn't the best choice for you, as most who go to LA instiutions are forward-thinking and have liberal viewpoints on issues such as gay marriage and abortion. If you're into sports, make sure you visit the gym and talk to the athletic director(s). Sit in on a class and see how you like it - if you can't handle lecture halls of 300+ students, a public university probably isn't for you!

Visit colleges, and truly, don't apply to a college if you wouldn't be happy there, or if you didn't pick it out. Choose all your colleges yourself. Apply for scholarships and stuff if you need financial aid. Get involved, and don't be afraid to transfer if you're not happy. Look at a lot of different kinds of schools.

Pay more attention to the atmosphere on campus and the academic/extracurricular strengths and weaknesses than name brands.

My advice would be to relax and enjoy the college process. There's no absolutely "right" school, only a school that will afford the most opportunities to students. For example, I chose Vassar because I'm a creative person and the school's mission, as well as its alumni network, will inspire me and support me for the rest of my life because that area is where Vassar's strength lies. But more importantly, college is what you make of it--Vassar wasn't even near my first choice, but I started off freshman year making as many friends as possible, and now I don't even know why I liked my first-choice at all. You will be happy, so just relax.

First, education is priceless. I personally recieve a large amount of financial aid and I am forever thankful. Make sure the education is up to par with its tuition but never strike off a college because of its price. Second, decide how your personality fits with what the college offers. A smaller college means a more cohesive communtiy but this can be stifiling for some. Liberal Arts can mean more abstract thinking and a greater emphasis on creativity but many will find it lacking substance, being pretentious or judgemental. Definitely find out what the general feeling of the campus is, happiness is key to an enjoyable campus. Everyone has a different college experience, even at the same college, so it's important to get more than one opinion. In making the most of your experience, get involved in the community as much as doesn't interfere with a healthy sleep cycle and if it's feeling stale, CHANGE IT UP! And always remember, just because you chose the college, doesn't mean it's where you should be. Give it a semester, or a year, but don't be afraid to transfer!

Why a student chose Vassar and what she wishes she knew about the small community.

A student tells us why she chose Vassar and what she wishes she would have done differently.

A student tells us why Vassar was her first choice and thats he wishes she knew about the Vassar Bubble before enrolling