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Each year, Vassar aims to enroll the most interesting, talented, and diverse freshman class possible. We admit students based on their academic and personal accomplishments, as well as their potential to contribute to the Vassar community, not on their ability to pay. We employ a need-blind admissions policy for all first-year applicants who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; this means that admission decisions for those candidates are made without regard to the student’s financial situation.

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Admission to Vassar is highly selective. Although we weigh a number of factors in the admission decision, the most important is academic ability, as demonstrated by performance in high school. We also consider personal strengths, motivation, and potential as evidenced in essays, recommendations, and out-of-class involvements. Standardized test scores are also reviewed, as an indicator of academic aptitude.

While we do not prescribe a specific secondary school program, we expect applicants to have elected the most demanding courses available. Therefore, we recommend that students elect four years of English, mathematics, laboratory science, history or social science, and foreign language. Students should take a substantial portion of their work in enriched, accelerated, or honors courses or in Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate programs when these options are available. Special attention is given to the academic breadth, depth, and rigor of candidates’ junior and senior year programs.

Both first year and transfer applicants submit the appropriate Common Application with a Vassar Supplement. You will find detailed instructions, links to the online applications, and extra copies of various forms and supplements to download and print here.

If you have devoted a significant amount of time to an art form which you plan to continue at Vassar and which you would like to have our faculty evaluate as part of your application for admission, please consult our Guidelines For Optional Art / Music / Dance Submissions.

Vassar requires all applicants to submit standardized test results. Regular Decision applicants should take all tests by January of the senior year. Early Decision I applicants must complete required testing by November and Early Decision II applicants must do so by December.

Vassar’s College Board code: 2956
Vassar’s ACT code: 2982

Candidates for admission to the freshman class must submit EITHER the SAT Reasoning Test along with 2 SAT Subject Tests (each SAT Subject Test should be taken in a different academic subject), OR the ACT exam with the writing test. In assessing SAT scores, Vassar uses the highest individual subscores (Critical Reading, Math, and Writing) taken from multiple SAT test dates. In assessing ACT scores, Vassar uses the highest composite score. For candidates taking both the SAT Reasoning Test and the ACT, Vassar will use whichever scores are higher.

In addition, if English is neither your first language nor the primary language of instruction you have used throughout secondary school, you should submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Vassar typically expects scores of at least 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL, 250 on the computer-based TOEFL, and 600 on the paper-based version. As an alternative to TOEFL, Vassar also accepts IELTS. A minimum score of 7.0 on the IELTS Academic Test is required.

Application Deadlines
Early Decision I	Nov. 15
Early Decision II	Jan. 1
Regular Decision	Jan. 1
Fall Transfer	Mar. 15
Spring Transfer	Nov. 1

The Early Decision Plan is intended for those candidates who have decided that Vassar is a clear first choice. Students may have only one Early Decision application pending at any time. Vassar has two Early Decision deadlines: November 15 and January 1. Candidates who use the first deadline will hear from us in mid-December. Candidates who use the second deadline will be notified in late January. Senior year first quarter/trimester grades are required.

Early Decision candidates will receive one of three replies: admission; a deferral of our decision until the regular decision deadline; or denial, which is our final decision for the year. Preliminary notifications of financial aid are made at approximately the same time in the case of students who have demonstrated financial need. Early Decision candidates are expected to accept the offer of admission within three weeks and to certify that applications to all other colleges and universities have been withdrawn. When a student is offered Early Decision admission, Vassar may share their name and ED agreement with other institutions.

Please note that candidates who elect the November 15 deadline must have taken the required standardized tests by November of senior year, and candidates who elect the January 1 deadline must have taken them by December. Candidates requesting interviews must submit both their application and supplement by the interview deadline to be eligible for interviews. For more information, please consult the Prospective Student FAQ.

Applications for Regular Decision candidates are due January 1; Applicants are notified by early April. Financial aid offers are made at approximately the same time in the case of students who have demonstrated financial need. Under the provisions of the Candidate’s Reply Date Agreement, candidates to whom admission is offered must respond by May 1. For more information, please consult the Prospective Student FAQ.

A limited number of students from two- and four-year institutions are typically admitted as transfers into the sophomore or junior class each semester. If you are interested in receiving a viewbook, please put yourself on the mailing list. For more information, please consult the Transfer FAQ.

Thank you for your interest in Vassar. We look forward to reading your application.