Background:
How does one write a concise review about a place he spent the most significant 4 years of their life in? Feels a bit strange writing an "epinion" on Vassar. After all, the only reviews I have written up to this point have been on video games. I've noticed that all the other Vassar reviews are overly positive. While I loved my 4 years at my college, I'll try my best to discuss some of the negatives that haven't been touched upon.

Also, I think it is important to know the background of the reviewer, so here's a brief intro: I graduated from Vassar in 1999 with a double major in Geography and Sociology. I'm also an Asian-American male. Why is this significant? Well, if you are a student of color, you should know that Vassar is not exactly the model for college diversity. While they may advertise themselves as a school which values "diversity." This was definitely not my experience. Vassar has also changed alot since I was a freshman in 1995-96. Back then, the campus had a very liberal, anything-goes atmosphere, which was one of the elements about the school that I loved. However, recently, administration and the admissions department has made a very obvious attempt to attract a more conservative, prep school crowd. They have also been cracking down on campus night life, which I think is a damn shame. More on this below...

Academics:
What most attracted me to Vassar was the lack of a core curriculum. This allowed me to have a double major while working a campus job, taking 6 semesters of foreign language classes and still have enough free time to make good friends, be heavily involved in campus organizations & athletics and graduate on time with a solid GPA.

Is Vassar competitive? Yes. But from my experience, competition is not between students, but rather self-motivated. Then again, this varies between departments. I will say however, that professors are a bit stingy with the A's. The difference between what it takes to get a B+ and an A- is sometimes HUGE. Unlike many of the other top colleges, at Vassar, they really make you work for your a$$ off for the 90+ marks.

Social Life:
If you're a graduating senior, don't ever underestimate the importance of finding a school that matches your personality. After your 4 years are up, no one really cares if you got an A on your senior thesis. However, the friendships you foster with your peers and professors can last an entire lifetime and will make a lasting impact on your post-college years.

Social life at Vassar, much like the academics, is very independently motivated. There is no Greek life (thank God!), and so one must create his/her own social life. One good thing (or bad thing depending on how you look at it) is that 100% of Vassar's social life takes place within the confines of the campus. While the school is close enough to NYC (70-90 minutes) to allow one to go there every weekend if they feel like it, all the parties and big social events take place on campus. Every semester, the college hosts a smattering of all-campus parties/raves, formal events, 2-3 big concerts, smaller concerts a few times a month, along with the campus parties that take place from Thursday night through Sunday afternoon. If this is not your speed, don't worry, there is plenty of social life going on in the dorms 24 hours a day, and the library is open late. Social life is there, but no one is gonna walk you through it. Much like everything else at Vassar, you have to go out and get it.

Everyday nightlife at the college however, revolves around an infamous campus pub called the Mug. The Mug is a cheap and dirty pick-up joint where spoiled brat upper-classmen and wide-eyed freshmen can go any day of the week (except Sunday) to listen to wack DJs, hang out with wannabe student bartenders, drink and smoke 5x their normal weekly intake, and front like they are grown-ups in a hot New York club. Did I mention that it's a pick-up joint? Strangely, it was also kind of fun. But don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be caught dead going back there. =)

Campus Life:
There's plenty to do on campus outside of the schizophrenic nightlife. Vassar is unique in that almost anyone can participate in any facet of college life, whether it be joining an atheletic team, playing intramural sports, running for class office, participating in community service or just sitting around all day discussing philosophy with your friends.

Diversity:
Nope, Vassar is not diverse enough. Also, administration just does not do enough to foster good relations between students of color and the rest of the campus. So what exactly is the problem? Hard to say... One of the biggest problems is that you can count the number of tenured professors of color at Vassar on one hand. Also, most students don't seem to care about politics or issues of diversity in the first place. Participation in student of color groups is pathetic and there is a general apathy from on the issues of campus activism and diversity. Administration also seems to take no real interest in improving the situation. This would be my biggest complaint about Vassar. If you are a student of color who has strong political or social views, make sure you know what you are getting into. Matthew Vassar did not have us in mind when he built the place, and not much has changed to improve the situation.

Overall:
Despite my views on the college's lack of diversity, I still think Vassar is a wonderful college with much to offer its students. The campus is absolutely beautiful, with enough space for every student to find a space they can call their own. Highlights: single rooms for every student by sophomore year, proximity to New York City, a dedicated and brilliant staff of professors (No TA's!), an excellent cafeteria and a great financial aid program.



Recommended: Yes