Located in Poughkeepsie, NY, Vassar College is a small, liberal arts college known for their programs in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences. Formerly a Seven Sisters school, Vassar became co-ed in 1969. Vassar is a competitive school, with an 18% first-year acceptance rate, but their transfer numbers are even more competitive, with a 12% acceptance rate.
Don’t let that discourage you! We’re going to walk through everything you need to do, both logistically and strategically, to have the most competitive Vassar app possible. Let’s
Requirements
As long as you’ve enrolled in college, you are eligible to submit as a transfer applicant. Vassar also offers both spring and fall transfers, which is fairly rare! Another very interesting thing Vassar offers is “Exploring Transfer,” a five-week summer program where students interested in transferring to small liberal arts colleges can get a feel for what it’s all about. It’s primarily targeted at first-gen students and students at community or tribal colleges. Pretty cool!
They have more details about what they require on their website, but let’s touch on the highlights:
Now, let’s get into what you need to have in order to submit:
The Common App
Supplemental essays
College transcript
High school transcript
One academic recommendation from a college instructor
College report
Mid-term report
And the “optional” things:
Standardized test scores
Resume (more on this later)
Optional additional academic recommendation, as well as optional professional and personal recommendations
We recommend submitting scores if you have them, and you should submit a resume, but you don’t necessarily need to submit the extra recommendations.
Keep Your Academics on Track
If you’re aiming for Vassar, your academic performance must be perfect. Grades are often the first big hurdle in the admissions process, and even the best extracurriculars or essays won’t overshadow mediocre academic performance.
Now, the classes you take are just as important as the grades you earn. Vassar values students who push themselves academically and take courses that align with their interests and goals. If you’re eyeing a political science major, for example, dive into challenging courses in government, sociology, or history. Avoid the temptation to stack your schedule with easy electives just to pad your GPA – admissions sees what you’re trying to do.
Beyond grades and coursework, think about developing a clear niche within your chosen major. Vassar is looking for students who actively engage with their academic passions. Maybe you’re an art history major fascinated by feminist interpretations of Renaissance art, or a biology student intrigued by the ethics of genetic modification. Whatever your interest, show that you’ve taken the time to explore it deeply and intentionally. Vassar wants students with direction and purpose, so use your application to tell a cohesive, compelling story about your academic journey.
Keep Your Extracurriculars on Track
Building a strong resume is just as important as excelling academically when preparing to apply as a transfer student. Unlike high school, the transfer Common App activities section prioritizes depth over breadth. Listing a laundry list of clubs you joined but didn’t truly engage with won’t impress them, and they won’t see you as someone who can engage with their community meaningfully.
Instead, focus on a few relevant activities that reinforce the academic and career direction you’re developing. Think of this as an opportunity to deepen your niche. If you’re a poli sci hopeful, maybe you’re on student government or working on a campaign. If you are an environmental science major, maybe you’ve joined a lab or are interning with a relevant NGA. The goal is to demonstrate genuine commitment and growth in areas that align with your academic interests.
Writing
Vassar has two questions, one of which is one we think should probably be optional but we’ll get into it.
Please explain your reasons for transferring and why Vassar would serve you better than your current or most recent school. Your response should include your academic and long-term goals. (3000 characters)
If you’re applying to multiple schools, you’ll notice this prompt pops up a lot—often with identical wording. It’s a common one, so you want to take care to get specific about Vassar in this one.
When answering this prompt, focus on what excites you about transferring to Vassar without putting down your current school. Highlight the unique opportunities, programs, or aspects of Vassar’s community that align with your goals and aspirations. Instead of dwelling on what’s lacking in your current situation, frame your response around what Vassar offers that’s a perfect fit for your academic and personal growth. It’s like a more focused Why Essay! Lean into the niche you’ve developed and show them what specific things you hope to take advantage of at Vassar that fit super into your niche. You can use classes and professors here as your “evidence.”
Please describe any gaps or special circumstances regarding your educational progression. How will these experiences contribute to your education and to the Vassar community? What influenced your decision to apply now? (3000 characters)
If you didn’t have gaps or special circumstances… this is kind of a weird one to require! And even if we were to just answer the “influenced your decision” part, that’s like… basically what the last question was?
Our advice is to go at this more from a community/culture standpoint. If you’re applying from a similar liberal arts school, highlight what makes Vassar unique. If applying from a community college or large public school, talk about what you want from a smaller, liberal arts college.
If you did have gaps or special circumstances – especially hardship-related, keep our advice in mind.
In the Documents tab, upload your resume or list your significant high school and college extracurriculars along with the years of involvement and time commitment. Your activities may include arts, athletics, clubs, employment, personal commitments, and other pursuits.
The resume is marked as optional in the Documents tab, but it seems that Vassar is telling you this is not optional. So! Make a resume and submit, please!
Now… wait
Fall transfer apps are due March 15th, and according to Vassar you should hear back by early May. We know it’s annoying to just have this out there in the void, but refrain from sending lots of emails or showing up to bother them.
Best of luck!
If you need help with your transfer applications, reach out to us today.