Hey there... sorry for the lack of new posts. October Break begins a week from this Friday, so I'm currently swamped in work for several midterm exams and a paper. Anyway, a couple more questions came in in the past few days, so I thought I'd answer them quickly.
Thank you for that info on the Boston bus service. Is that fare one way? and do they offer bus service for the return trip-back to Vassar after these breaks?
According to the email I received about the bus service for October Break, the service is one way.
Can you kindly offer me some tips [for applying] and is it possible for people like me to get in?
First of all, let me just say that I'm no expert as far as admissions goes. I can give you advice and tell you about my own experience; however, I can't guarantee that you'll get in by listening to me. That being said... some advice on your application. The first is to make sure that all of your application essays are strong. Your common application essay should tell your readers something about you that they wouldn't be able to pick up from your resume: it should be a personal insight into who you are. In addition, be sure to give your "Why Vassar?" paragraph plenty of thought. Tell the admissions officers what about Vassar makes it appeal to you more than any other institution and what makes you a good fit for the school. Basically, even though it's "just a paragraph," be sure to give it plenty of attention.
Another suggestion I can offer is to make use of the YourSpace part of the application. You mentioned that you're involved in music, so send in a short recording of yourself playing your instrument (please keep in mind that if you're planning on a serious study in music, you should submit a music supplement instead). The YourSpace gives you another space where you can differentiate yourself from the thousands of other students applying to Vassar, so take advantage of it if you can. That being said, if you can't think of anything to put in the YourSpace, leave it blank (that's what I did). It's entirely optional, after all.
Lastly, I'll address the second half of your question: whether or not it is possible for people like you to get in. I don't really want to turn this blog into a "what are my chances?" sort of site, so I'm not going to go into your chances based on your resume here (if you want that, try College Confidential). That being said, I will say that, generally-speaking, it certainly is possible for international applicants requesting financial aid to go to Vassar. The school is not need blind for international students; however, if you are accepted, Vassar guarantees that it will meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need for all four years.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
The Vice Presidential Debate
I'm mainly planning on writing about last night's Vice Presidential Debate and how it was received at Vassar; however, before I do, I need to tie up one unfinished piece of business about transportation during short breaks (October break, Thanksgiving break, Spring break). The other day, I mentioned that Vassar provided a bus service to Boston for these three breaks last year. I can now confirm that the school is once again offering this service this year. According to an email the student body received yesterday the bus leaves from Vassar at 3:30 on the Friday October Break begins. It costs $35 and makes two stops: MTA Riverside, Newton MA and South Station, Boston (ETA at Boston is 8:00 pm).
Now that that's cleared up... on with the debate!
Although Vassar is certainly a liberal campus, it is not an overtly political one, most of the time. There are plenty of students who are passionate about politics; however, I would say that most are interested in a few issues that they personally relate to in some manner, usually of the social persuasion. There is also a rather sizable amount of the student population that doesn't seem to care that much about politics. They complain about Bush, of course, but they're not very interested in what's going on in the political world on a daily (or even weekly) basis; I would describe them as politically apathetic, I guess.
That being said, there is a definite rise in student interest in politics this semester on-campus, and last night's Vice Presidential Debate "parties" were a testament to this. Most (if not all) of the dorms held screenings of the debate. In addition, the Vassar Dems and the Debate Team teamed up to hold a showing of the debate on a projector screen on the second floor of the All Campus Dining Center, which I attended.
It was a good thing I arrived twenty minutes early: by the time the debate started, the room and the balcony on the floor above it were both packed with students. I would estimate that at least 300 students showed up to see the debate (with more watching in their dorm T.V. rooms), and that just about everyone stayed for the entirety of it. Granted, there were some individuals who showed up with the intent of seeing which debater would screw up first, and a few guys whose primary interest lay in ogling Palin. Those people aside, most really seemed interested in what the candidates had to say. With the exception of the chortles that rose up at such trademark Palin phrases as "bless their hearts" and the claps that resounded when one of the two debaters (usually Biden) made a particularly strong point, the group was impressively quiet and focused. Most impressive of all at a liberal institution like Vassar, there were several claps and cheers for Palin (although the vast majority were decidedly for Biden). Although I'm a liberal, it was refreshing to see that there is a conservative presence at Vassar and that these students are comfortable enough to express their beliefs, even though they may be in the minority.
Now that that's cleared up... on with the debate!
Although Vassar is certainly a liberal campus, it is not an overtly political one, most of the time. There are plenty of students who are passionate about politics; however, I would say that most are interested in a few issues that they personally relate to in some manner, usually of the social persuasion. There is also a rather sizable amount of the student population that doesn't seem to care that much about politics. They complain about Bush, of course, but they're not very interested in what's going on in the political world on a daily (or even weekly) basis; I would describe them as politically apathetic, I guess.
That being said, there is a definite rise in student interest in politics this semester on-campus, and last night's Vice Presidential Debate "parties" were a testament to this. Most (if not all) of the dorms held screenings of the debate. In addition, the Vassar Dems and the Debate Team teamed up to hold a showing of the debate on a projector screen on the second floor of the All Campus Dining Center, which I attended.
It was a good thing I arrived twenty minutes early: by the time the debate started, the room and the balcony on the floor above it were both packed with students. I would estimate that at least 300 students showed up to see the debate (with more watching in their dorm T.V. rooms), and that just about everyone stayed for the entirety of it. Granted, there were some individuals who showed up with the intent of seeing which debater would screw up first, and a few guys whose primary interest lay in ogling Palin. Those people aside, most really seemed interested in what the candidates had to say. With the exception of the chortles that rose up at such trademark Palin phrases as "bless their hearts" and the claps that resounded when one of the two debaters (usually Biden) made a particularly strong point, the group was impressively quiet and focused. Most impressive of all at a liberal institution like Vassar, there were several claps and cheers for Palin (although the vast majority were decidedly for Biden). Although I'm a liberal, it was refreshing to see that there is a conservative presence at Vassar and that these students are comfortable enough to express their beliefs, even though they may be in the minority.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Reader Question Five: Computer Science 100 & Class Schedules
The class "Computer Science 101. Problem-Solving and Abstraction" sounds interesting. And about how many classes per week/day does a typical Vassar (or Cog Sci) student have?
My friend that took to the Computer Science 101 course really enjoyed it (so much, actually, that he's currently thinking about a Computer Science major). That being said, he did mention that it wasn't for everyone: he had several classmates who dropped the course quickly. It covers the basic principles of programming with Java, teaching you how to make simple graphics programs (for example, a smiley face). Later on in the class, you work on more advanced programs, such as making a slot machine program. Basically, it emphasizes problem-solving and using logic. The class meets three times a week: twice for a lecture and once for a 90 minute lab. For my friend, homework entailed writing a weekly program; however, you should keep in mind that this could vary based on which professor is teaching the course (he had Professor Walter). Computer Science 101 is the first introductory course to computer science at Vassar; however, I believe it can be skipped with AP credit.
Now, onto the second half of your question. I would say that most Vassar students have between 1 and 3 classes per day. It is possible to have 4 on one day, as it is also possible to have none. For example... here are the schedules of some people I know this semester...
PERSON 1: 3 classes Monday, 2 Tuesday, 3 Wednesday, 2 Thursday, 0 Friday.
PERSON 2: 3 Monday, 2 Tuesday, 3 Wednesday, 2 Thursday, 2 Friday.
PERSON 3: 3 Monday, 1 Tuesday, 3 Wednesday, 2 Thursday, 1 Friday.
PERSON 4: 3 Monday, 3 Tuesday, 3 Wednesday, 3 Thursday, 0 Friday.
Based on what I've seen, I would say that the average Vassar student has between 10 and 14 classes a week. Most classes meet two or three tims a week; however, introductory language classes meet four or five days a week.
My friend that took to the Computer Science 101 course really enjoyed it (so much, actually, that he's currently thinking about a Computer Science major). That being said, he did mention that it wasn't for everyone: he had several classmates who dropped the course quickly. It covers the basic principles of programming with Java, teaching you how to make simple graphics programs (for example, a smiley face). Later on in the class, you work on more advanced programs, such as making a slot machine program. Basically, it emphasizes problem-solving and using logic. The class meets three times a week: twice for a lecture and once for a 90 minute lab. For my friend, homework entailed writing a weekly program; however, you should keep in mind that this could vary based on which professor is teaching the course (he had Professor Walter). Computer Science 101 is the first introductory course to computer science at Vassar; however, I believe it can be skipped with AP credit.
Now, onto the second half of your question. I would say that most Vassar students have between 1 and 3 classes per day. It is possible to have 4 on one day, as it is also possible to have none. For example... here are the schedules of some people I know this semester...
PERSON 1: 3 classes Monday, 2 Tuesday, 3 Wednesday, 2 Thursday, 0 Friday.
PERSON 2: 3 Monday, 2 Tuesday, 3 Wednesday, 2 Thursday, 2 Friday.
PERSON 3: 3 Monday, 1 Tuesday, 3 Wednesday, 2 Thursday, 1 Friday.
PERSON 4: 3 Monday, 3 Tuesday, 3 Wednesday, 3 Thursday, 0 Friday.
Based on what I've seen, I would say that the average Vassar student has between 10 and 14 classes a week. Most classes meet two or three tims a week; however, introductory language classes meet four or five days a week.
Reader Question Four: Transportation, Part II
I'm a potential applicant and from the Boston area. I was also concerned with the difficulty of getting home. It's only about a 31/2 to 4 hour ride home to Boston but if I were to take the train it could be well over 6 hours. Unfortunately I don't have a car. So you think that I would have no problem finding a ride to Boston during breaks? Are there many students from the Boston area? As long as I can get close enough to get on the T I'd be happy. I would be willing to help pay for gas, etc.
There are most definitely a lot of students from the Boston area at Vassar: according to a Facebook group in the Vassar network named "Boston," there are at least 61 students (but there are definitely more than that... this group is over a year old and definitely isn't joined by everyone at Vassar from Boston) who call the city or its environs home. Based on that alone, I would say that you should be able to find someone who you'd be able to carpool with.
In addition, there is the ride board on-campus which you could use. Last year, this was posted in the College Center of Main Building; however, I'm not sure if it's there this year (I haven't checked yet). That being said, there is a Facebook group called "Vassar Ride Board" which looks to be active and would definitely be a good thing to check out.
Lastly, the school did offer a shuttle service to Boston several times last year for some of the shorter breaks (October Break, Thanksgiving Break, Spring Break). I'm not sure if this is being done again this year, but I will let you know if I hear anything about it.
There are most definitely a lot of students from the Boston area at Vassar: according to a Facebook group in the Vassar network named "Boston," there are at least 61 students (but there are definitely more than that... this group is over a year old and definitely isn't joined by everyone at Vassar from Boston) who call the city or its environs home. Based on that alone, I would say that you should be able to find someone who you'd be able to carpool with.
In addition, there is the ride board on-campus which you could use. Last year, this was posted in the College Center of Main Building; however, I'm not sure if it's there this year (I haven't checked yet). That being said, there is a Facebook group called "Vassar Ride Board" which looks to be active and would definitely be a good thing to check out.
Lastly, the school did offer a shuttle service to Boston several times last year for some of the shorter breaks (October Break, Thanksgiving Break, Spring Break). I'm not sure if this is being done again this year, but I will let you know if I hear anything about it.
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