Vassar College Admissions 2022

  • Admission Deadlines: Vassar College has two intake seasons- Fall and Spring. There are early decision and regular decision deadlines for students who want to submit their applications accordingly. Currently, the deadlines have passed, however, students can apply in November for admissions.
  • Application Process: Freshman can apply through the Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application. The application fee charged by international students is 65 USD, however, students can get waivers for the same. 
  • Academics: Programs 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.
  • International Student Requirements: 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 in US are considered, but not mandatory.

Highlights

Application portal Common Application, Coalition Application or QuestBridge Application.
Application fee (non refundable) 65 USD (can be waived)
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 4
Regular decision January 4
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 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. 
  • Early decision applicants are also required to submit their first semester grades as soon as possible.
  • 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. 
  • Financial documents should be provided compulsorily. 
  • 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

US Visa Process

International students need to obtain a Study visa to study in the USA at Vassar College. For getting a student visa, the first and foremost requirement is getting hold of an i-20 form which is issued to the student after getting accepted by the institute. International students make up more than 10% of the student body and they hail from over 60 countries. For getting an i-20, the student needs to submit their academic records, transcripts, english proficiency test scores, evaluations, financial documents, medical information and additional materials. A statement from the bank declaring financial stability and presence of abundant funds must be included in the application. Upon submission, the college will check and review everything and then issue the i-20 form to the student.

The next step is submitting the visa application along with payment of the SEVIS fee which is 350 USD. The website of the embassy or consulate should be checked out to ensure all the materials required for appearing in a visa interview.

The interview will be the final step in determining if the candidate is eligible to receive a student visa or not. The following documents should be brought to the interview by the appearing candidate:

  • A passport valid beyond the period of the student’s stay in the US.
  • Signed SEVIS form or DS-2019 form.
  • i-20 form and acceptance letter from Vassar College.
  • SEVIS fee receipt showing payment of 350 USD.
  • Photographs
  • Sponsorship or scholarship letter, if applicable for the student.
  • Immunization form.
  • Diplomas, degrees, report cards, transcripts from all institutions attended.
  • Financial evidence showing presence of sufficient funds to study in the USA or verdict of a sponsor covering the costs.
  • Results of standardized and/or english proficiency test scores like SAT/ACT/TOEFL/IELTS.

After the interview, the consular representative will let the student know if any additional steps are necessary. Upon clearing the interview, a US student visa will be generated from the embassy for the applicant.

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
Admission Requirements: 

  • 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.

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 recent years can opt whether or not to send standardized test scores like SAT/ACT.

The following 4 years from the 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.

FAQ

Who is eligible to apply as an international freshman candidate at Vassar College?

Students who are currently enrolled in their final year of higher secondary institution or students who have finished high school but not enrolled into a college are considered freshman candidates. Students who have enrolled at another college/university upon completion of higher education must apply as transfer candidates.

Are standardized test scores required for admission at Vassar College in case of international applicants?

Normally, standardized test scores like SAT/ACT are a necessity for application at Vassar College but for the 2020-21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 intake years the need for submitting standardized scores has been eliminated. Students can still opt to submit the scores and they should request them from the college board and/or ACT. Scores recorded on official academic transcripts are also considered.

Is an interview required for admissions at Vassar College?

Applicants who will be submitting the english proficiency test scores, as in all international candidates are recommended to submit an interview to demonstrate their English skills further. Vassar College accepts interviews from InitialView and Vericant. Interviews are, however, not mandatory for admission.

Does Vassar College offer financial aid to international students?

Vassar College does offer significant financial aid to international students. The college can meet 100% of the student’s financial need for the entire duration of study. Students need to submit a separate application for financial aid and their neediness must be properly addressed since Vassar College offers need-based financial aid.

Can the application fee at Vassar College be waived for international students?

Yes, the application fee can be waived for international students. The applicant must request a fee waiver by sending an email to admissions@vassar.edu. The applicant’s counselor or mentor can also request an application fee waiver by sending a letter to the Office of Admission.