How to Get Into Vassar
“File:Students’ Building, Vassar College, August 2014.jpg” by Collin Knopp-Schwyn is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

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:

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

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!

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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.