Vassar College follows a semester based academic calendar. It is one of the leading private liberal arts colleges in the country as well as worldwide with top rankings from a number of surveys. According to the admission common data set 2020-21, about 8,663 students applied to the college. Out of them, 2,125 were admitted which brought the acceptance rate to 25%. P rograms at Vassar College has 30 departments, 5 interdepartmental programs, 51 majors, 13 multidisciplinary programs, 2 accelerated and dual degree programs and over 1,000 courses. There is also an interdisciplinary independent program for interested students.

Vassar College has two intake seasons- Fall and Spring. There are early decision and regular decision deadlines for students who want to submit their application accordingly. The deadlines range from November to March based on the type of admission- freshman or transfer. Freshman can apply through the Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application. The annual tuition fees for an international student is 61,940 USD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqbuGVkeYdM

International applicants have to submit English proficiency test scores to be considered for admission. TOEFL and IELTS are accepted modes of tests. Candidates need to score 100 or higher on TOEFL iBT or 7 or higher on IELTS to apply for Vassar College. Standardized test scores are considered, but not mandatory.

Most students who get admitted have an SAT score range within 1360-1520 or an ACT score of 32-34. There are additional documents as well which an international candidate has to submit since the competition for entering Vassar College is always consistently high.

Highlights

Application portal	Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application.
Application fee (non refundable)	65 USD (can be waived)
Acceptance rate	25%
Average SAT score	1360-1520
Average ACT score	32-34
Mode of payment	Credit card
Number of countries represented	60
Graduation rate	91%
Retention rate	96%
Academic calendar	Semester
Intake seasons	Fall and Spring
Student:faculty ratio	8:1
Retention rate	93%
Number of students enrolled last year	594

Vassar College Admission Deadlines

There are two admission intake seasons for Vassar College applicants: Fall and Spring. There are admission deadlines for early decisions and regular decisions based on the student’s preferences. The early decision admission deadline can be beneficial for students who want to confirm their seat at a reputed college like Vassar through their senior year, so that they would not have to deal with the hassle of applying to multiple colleges at once.

However, the early decision deadline is a binding agreement and requires the student’s entire commitment to the college. The deadlines for transfer applicants must also be followed to submit the applications. The following are the admission deadlines which must be kept in mind:

Type of deadline	Application deadline
Early decision I	November 15
Early decision II	January 1
Regular decision	January 1
Spring transfer	November 1
Fall transfer	March 15

Vassar College International Student Admissions 

International students who wish to enroll at Vassar College must be equipped with all the necessary documentation- academic transcripts, school records and reports, english proficiency test scores, standardized test scores, teacher evaluations, financial records, medical form and health insurance for one entire academic year. An international applicant should keep the following information in mind.

Application portal- Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application. Application fee- 65 USD

Admission Requirements

The following documents are required for admission:

• The online application from any of the three portals, completely filled out with all the details along with the application fee.
• Academic transcripts, officials must be sent by guidance counselor with their respective english translations. It should be a complete record of the student’s coursework with the mention of local/national examination score reports like CBSE, ICSE etc.
• A mid year grade report must be submitted by an academic teacher. It should be a first quarter/trimester grade report for early decision applicants and a mid year school report for regular candidates. Early decision applicants are also required to submit their first semester grades as soon as possible.
• English proficiency test scores must be submitted in case of international admissions. TOEFL iBT, TOEFL PBT, IELTS, Duolingo etc are accepted at the institute.
• Standardized test scores to study in US like SAT/ACT can be submitted to elevate chances of admission.
• Optional interviews can be sent as supplementary materials. Interviews can be provided through InitialView and Vericant and demonstrate English proficiency of the candidate better.
• Financial documents should be provided compulsorily. It should include a statement of financial feasibility from the bank or a financial affidavit from an external sponsor declaring fulfillment of funds.
• Scholarship or sponsorship letters, if available. They are usually available when a student opts for financial aid at the college.
• Medical records and immunization form containing details about the student’s physical conditions, with mention of any disease if applicable.
• Health insurance is mandatory for international students.
• Statement of Purpose
• Letters of Recommendation
• Submission of CV/Resume is optional.

English Proficiency Test Score Requirements

English proficiency test scores are a must if a student wishes to get enrolled at Vassar College. The test results from the testing agency are preferred but PDFs of the TOEFL test taker score report are also accepted from the school counselor if the student cannot afford to submit the scores financially.

For enrollment, the test results from the testing agency are required directly. The testing methods accepted and their minimum score requirements are as follows.

English proficiency test	Minimum score required
TOEFL iBT	100
TOEFL PBT	600
IELTS	7
Duolingo	120

Vassar College Undergraduate Admissions

Vassar College provides a plethora of courses. The admission to undergraduate courses at Vassar College is very competitive since the acceptance rate is 25%- which means only a fourth of the total applicants get accepted. The admission related information for international applicants can be noted below.

Application portal- Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application. Application fee- 65 USD

The admission requirements for undergraduate applicants are given below.

• The online application filled out, application fee or fee waiver request.
• Official academic transcripts from previous institutions with their notarized english translations.
• Mid year grade report.
• School reports from local examinations like ICSE, CBSE, IGCSE with the scores evaluated by a licensed evaluation agency.
• Early decision agreement required in case of early decision applicants.
• Evaluations or recommendations from academic teachers, advisors or mentors from previous school/college/university.
• English proficiency test scores are mandatory.
• Financial documents in the form of bank statements showing presence of fund or an affidavit from a sponsor willing to cover tuition costs.
• An interview through portals like InitialView or Vericant is highly recommended.
• Health details and immunization form.
• Health insurance.
• Standardized tests like SAT/ACT scores are not compulsory but can be added as supplementary materials. The score ranges of enrolled candidates are as follows:
  • SAT- 1360-1520
  • ACT- 32-34
• Letters of recommendation
• CV/Resume is optional.
• SOP is optional.

Note- Art based majors have additional requirements for admission applications. Music applicants should submit recordings of 2 contrasting pieces, art applicants should provide 10 to 20 pictures of their own artwork and dance major applicants will need to provide 1 to 2 brief selections from a performance or studio work. The portfolio submission deadlines are November 17 for early decision I and January 4 for Early Decision II and Regular decisions.

Admissions to Vassar College is highly competitive because of its brand value and unmatched reputation when it comes to academics and overall campus atmosphere. While reviewing applications, the selection committee takes into account a number of factors and takes on a holistic approach.

Academic achievements in high school or previous institution is definitely a priority for selections compiled with personal strengths and motivation. Non-academic achievements like awards won in sports or art based events, participation in community service and social work as well as leadership skills are noticed while selecting appropriate candidates. Applicants for the recent years can opt whether or not to send standardized test scores like SAT/ACT.

The following 4 years from high school curriculum are prioritized while admitting students: English, Mathematics, Laboratory Science, History or Social Science, and Foreign Language.

Vassar College opens up a wide area of opportunities for students from all over the globe due to the rich cultural diversity on campus consisting of an international student body of 8.2%. With a student:faculty ratio of 8:1 and the presence of abundant liberal arts based programs, Vassar College guarantees topnotch education and research opportunities for all students. Due to its rise in rankings throughout the years as well as noticeable reputation, the college is welcoming more and more international students with every passing year.

Vassar has a long and distinguished history in drama, dating back to the early 1900s. We were the first among what were once called the “Seven Sisters” colleges to establish a formal Department of Drama. It was created through the efforts of Gertrude Buck, who started the Vassar Dramatic Workshop in 1916; Winifred Smith, who established the Division of Drama in 1938; and Hallie Flanagan Davis, who began producing plays in 1927 for the Experimental Theater of Vassar College. Davis is an especially important member of this early group of distinguished faculty. She was a dynamic and talented woman who became famous in the 1930’s for her “Living Newspaper” productions. While teaching at Vassar, Davis was appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to direct the Federal Theater Project as part of the WPA. The Department of Drama carries on the innovative work of these pioneering women and still produces productions as the Experimental Theater of Vassar College. The Department’s academic strength is evident in its liberal arts approach to the study of drama, integrating areas of history and literature, with an expectation that both students and faculty will produce powerful and vigorously experimental works.

While at Vassar, Davis used the stage that had been constructed in 1918 in Avery Hall, a building that had originally been built as the Calisthenium and college Riding Academy in 1866. Avery Hall had served as the Department of Drama’s primary residence until its recent extensive renovation in 2003. Cesar Pelli’s design for the Vogelstein Center for Drama and Film is a bold architectural exercise, and accomplishing it required exceptional planning and execution. While the bulk of the original building, in somewhat precarious condition, was carefully demolished and excavation for a larger building was completed, the original front section—Second Empire towers and Lombard Romanesque façade—was stabilized and painstakingly restored. The result, in the new building’s interior, is a commodious and graceful lobby for the new 330-seat proscenium theater; outside, the new building turns the dialogue between 19th century architectural styles into a three-way conversation reflective, according to the architect, of the “state of the performing arts today.”

From the very beginning, the Department of Drama has been graced with talented, creative, and energetic students who have become dedicated theater artists. Edna St. Vincent Millay began her playwriting career at Vassar, and talented actors like Meryl Streep, Frances Sternhagen, Lisa Kudrow, and John Tenny are among the college’s graduates. More recently, Jon Togo, Josh Alexander, Erica Schmidt, Ethan Slater, and Beowulf Boritt enjoy successful careers in Film, Television and Theater. Many other recent graduates are enjoying successful careers as actors, directors, designers, and writers and several have formed their own theater companies that continue to produce exciting, innovative, and inspiring theatrical work.

Vassar SAT Scores and GPA

What are Vassar’s average SAT scores and GPA? In this guide, we’ll discuss what scores are needed for you to get admitted into Vassar. You’ll also get to calculate your own chances with our admissions calculator.

Location: Poughkeepsie, NY

This school is also known as: Vassar College

Vassar Admissions Statistics

There are three critical numbers when considering your admissions chances: SAT scores, GPA, and acceptance rate. All these combine to tell you what you scores are required to get into Vassar College.
The average SAT score composite at Vassar is a 1440.

Vassar SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile New SAT score is 1370, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1510.

In other words, a 1370 places you below average, while a 1510 will move you up to above average. There’s no absolute SAT requirement at Vassar, but they really want to see at least a 1370 to have a chance at being considered.

Here’s the breakdown of new SAT scores by section:

Section	Average	25th Percentile	75th Percentile
Math	730	690	770
Reading + Writing	710	680	740
Composite	1440	1370	1510

The average GPA at Vassar is 4.0. This makes Vassar Extremely Competitive for GPAs.

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. This school did not officially report its average GPA, but we’ve estimated it here using data from over 1,000 schools.)

With a GPA of 4.0, Vassar requires you to be at the top of your class. You’ll need nearly straight A’s in all your classes to compete with other applicants. You should also have taken plenty of AP or IB classes to show your ability to excel in academic challenge.

If you’re a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change from this point on. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4.0, you’ll need a higher SAT score to compensate and show that you’re prepared to take on college academics. This will help you compete effectively with other applicants.

Academics at Vassar College – Majors, Faculty & More

Wondering what academic life at Vassar will be like? In addition to the degrees and majors, as well as the faculty composition at Vassar this section includes detailed information on freshman retention rates, reasons students did not graduate, and an analysis of full-time and tenured faculty vs. adjunct teaching staff.

All About Academics

What’s the point of going to college without academics? Find out more about the faculty and staff, what majors and fields of study are offered at this college, and information on online classes if offered. Here are some of the things you’ll learn in this section.

• The student to faculty (instructor) ratio.
• The Majors offered at this college.
• What online and distance learning options are available.

The Most Popular Majors Students Choose

Vassar College offers 48 distinct undergraduate degrees, concentrated into 41 majors within 17 broad fields of study. Across all fields of study, Vassar College awarded 761 undergraduate degrees in 2018 – 2019 .

Most Popular Majors	Associates Graduations	Bachelors Graduations	All Graduations
Child Development & Psychology	0	56	56
Economics	0	55	55
Political Science & Government	0	49	49
General Biology	0	48	48
Romance Languages	0	38	38

For the academic year 2020-2021, the undergraduate tuition & fees at Vassar College is $61,010.The undergraduate estimated tuition & fees for academic year 2021-2022 is $63,335.The 2021 undergraduate tuition has been risen by 3.81% from the previous year. On-campus living costs increased by 4.95% from the previous year. Off-campus living costs increased by 4.79% from the previous year. Its undergraduate tuition and fees are much higher than the average amount of similar schools’ tuition ($42,342 – Private (not-for-profit) Baccalaureate College – Arts & Sciences).

Year	Tuition & Fees	On Campus Room & Board, Other Expenses
2019-2020	$58,770	$15,570
2020-2021	$61,010	$16,340
Change % 2020-2021	3.81%	4.95%
2021-2022	$63,335	$17,148

How Much is the tuition for 4 years at Vassar College?

For the students who were admitted in Fall 2021, the estimated tuition for 4 years is $258,889.The estimation excludes the book, supplies, and living costs before receiving any financial aid. See the other tabs for estimating 4-year total costs of attendance and after financial aid. The next table shows the estimated 4-years tuition & fees for the next 5 admission years. The estimation is based on 4-years changes in tuition & fees at the school.

	Admission Year	Freshmen	Sophomore	Junior	Senior	4 Years Total
Class of 2025	Fall 2021	$62,460	$63,944	$65,464	$67,020	$258,889
Class of 2026	Fall 2022	$63,944	$65,464	$67,020	$68,613	$265,042
Class of 2027	Fall 2023	$65,464	$67,020	$68,613	$70,244	$271,341
Class of 2028	Fall 2024	$67,020	$68,613	$70,244	$71,913	$277,790
Class of 2029	Fall 2025	$68,613	$70,244	$71,913	$73,622	$284,392