Planning a Visit

The best way to really get to know Vassar is to be here. We strongly encourage you to visit the campus, more than once if you’re within driving distance, and talk to as many Vassar students as you can about what it’s like to live and study here. If you’re a high school senior, we can arrange for you to sit in on a class or a rehearsal or an athletic practice. We can also arrange for you to stay overnight with a student host. If you’re too far away to arrange a visit, take the online tour, join us for our next online chat, or email a Vassar student with your questions.

Tours and information sessions are offered daily Monday through Friday and most Saturdays in the spring and fall. Tours usually take about an hour and are led by Vassar students who have mastered the art of walking backwards. Information sessions, also about an hour, are led by members of the admission staff along with Vassar students. Appointments are not necessary except for groups of 10 or more. However, before you come, be sure to check our office schedule for specific dates and times.

We offer two open houses during the fall, one scheduled on Columbus Day weekend, the other on Veterans’ Day weekend. You can choose to attend either a morning or an afternoon session. Each session includes a campus tour, an information session, an additional tour of Vassar’s art or science facilities (your choice), and an opportunity to meet with varsity coaches at the Athletics and Fitness Center. Unfortunately, we cannot arrange class visits during the open houses because of the volume of visitors on campus. However, you are encouraged to arrange a class visit with us on another date. You can make a reservation for either of the fall open houses beginning in April, or sign up to receive mailings and reminders from us throughout the year.

If you’d like to sit in on a Vassar class, please make your reservation at least 10 days before your visit. Vassar professors welcome prospective applicants as visitors in most classes; however, due to time constraints and academic scheduling requirements, such as exams and holidays, a particular class may not be available at your requested time. Please note that, in the fall, the last day to reserve a class is Thursday, December 4.

Our overnight visitation program gives prospective seniors an opportunity to spend a night in a residence house, hosted by a Vassar student. Please note that the spring semester overnight program is open only to prospectives who have been admitted. Make your reservation at least 10 days in advance.

Conducted by members of the Vassar Alumnae/i Admission Program, interviews are available but not required for admission. Alumnae/i interviews are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis and are offered in most United States metropolitan areas and in some foreign countries. To request an interview, please check the interview box on the Vassar Supplement to the Common Application. Please note that Early Decision interview request deadlines are earlier than the Early Decision application deadlines:

EDI interview request deadline is November 1.
EDII interview request deadline is December 11.

We strongly suggest that all candidates request interviews well before the application deadline. You must also submit your application fee or waiver request in order to be considered for an interview.