First Words

Vassar is hot! That’s the word from the Office of Admission, which this year processed a record-setting 5,596 applications, a 17 percent increase in just one year. Dean of Admission and Financial Aid David M. Borus deems the applicant pool “fantastic” in terms of size, quality, and depth. He credits the continued strength of the economy, improved recruiting publications produced by the college, a more aggressive schedule of visits by admission officers, and a strengthened network of alumnae/i representatives nationwide as contributing to the college’s marketing success with today’s teens and their families. “Vassar is better known and better understood in the marketplace,” Borus says.

A Snapshot of ’04
As of the end of June the class of ’04 included 650 students from 15 countries and 48 states (only North Dakota and Mississippi are not represented). The average combined SATs (verbal and math scores) is 1343. More than 60 percent of the class rank in the top decile of their high-school class; more than 90 percent rank in the top quarter. Sixty-one percent are female; 39 percent are male. Twenty-one percent are students of color: 10 percent Asian, 5.3 percent Black; 5.3 percent Latino; just under 1 percent Native American. Approximately 60 percent of the class attended public high school; 40 percent are graduates of private schools. Nearly 36 percent of the class was admitted under the early decision plan. Overall, Vassar offered admission to 34.6 percent of applicants, a rate that puts it into the category of “most highly selective” of colleges. Approximately half of the class will benefit from a Vassar College scholarship. 

You can help with Vassar admissions
The class of ’04 was recruited with the help of 1,700 alumnae/i working with 113 admission committees in the U.S. and 16 abroad. They completed 1,712 interviews with applicants to Vassar. You can help with the class of 2005. Share your college experiences with students from your area, interview applicants, and congratulate admitted students. Have fun talking about Vassar. Interested? Contact the Office of Admission at 845.437.7300 for more information.