Vassar Admissions

Who is considered a transfer student?

Any student who has already earned his/her high school diploma or GED and has enrolled at a college or university is considered a transfer applicant.

What are Vassar’s requirements regarding the number of credits allowed to be an eligible transfer?

There is no minimum credit requirement; students may apply as early as the first semester of their freshman year. (However, students who have completed several semesters are generally more competitive candidates.) Vassar does have a maximum limit for considering applicants: once a student has completed more than four full semesters of college-level work, they are no longer eligible to transfer. Thus, students who already have a bachelor’s degree would not be eligible applicants.

How can I receive more detailed info?

Please sign up for our mailing list to receive a copy of our viewbook and other admission mailings and reminders.

What application should I use?

You will use the Common Application for Transfers with the Vassar Transfer Supplement.

What are the application deadlines?

The deadline for spring semester is November 1; the deadline for Fall semester is March 15.

What are the decision notification dates?

Transfer applicants for spring semester are notified in mid-December; applicants for the fall are notified in early May. Admitted transfer applicants are expected to respond within two weeks of notification and are expected to enroll in the semester for which they have been offered admission. Deferrals of admission to later semesters typically are not granted, except under extraordinary circumstances.

May I re-apply if I previously applied as a freshman?

Yes, by submitting a transfer application.

What are the standardized testing requirements?

Vassar College requires all transfer applicants to submit standardized test results, either the SAT or the ACT . For transfer students submitting SAT scores, we also require two SAT Subject Tests, taken in different academic subjects. However, SAT Subject Tests are waived for students who will have completed one full year of college prior to enrolling at Vassar. The optional writing test on the ACT is recommended, but not required. Please note that proficiency or skills tests offered by other colleges will not meet Vassar’s standardized test requirements.

In assessing SAT scores, Vassar uses the highest individual subscores (Critical Reading/Math/Writing) taken from multiple SAT test dates. In assessing ACT scores, Vassar uses the highest subscores taken from multiple test dates and recalculates a new composite score. For candidates taking both the SAT and the ACT, Vassar will use whichever scores are higher.

In addition, if English is neither your first language nor the primary language of instruction you have used throughout secondary school, you should submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Vassar typically expects scores of at least 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL, 250 on the computer-based TOEFL , and 600 on the paper-based version. As an alternative to the TOEFL, Vassar also accepts IELTS. A minimum score of 7.0 on the IELTS Academic Test is required.

Do I need recommendations to apply as a transfer?

Yes, Vassar requires two recommendations. First, the Common Application College Official's Report must be completed by someone at your current institution with access to your academic and disciplinary record. We recognize that the official completing this form may not know you personally. Second, you must submit the Common Application Instructor Evaluation with a letter from a college instructor. In addition, applicants may submit a third recommendation from a second college instructor, high school counselor or teacher, or employer.

How competitive is the transfer application process?

Vassar does not have many spaces for transfer students, so competition is keen. It is generally more difficult to gain admission as a transfer than as a freshmen. Over the past two years, about 10-15% of the students seeking admission as transfers were successful.

How much is my high school record weighted in the evaluation process?

Since the transfer admission process is highly competitive, an applicant’s entire academic history is considered in the admission process, and we require high school records with the application. It is difficult for students who have had an unsuccessful high school career to be competitive applicants. However, as the distance from an applicant’s high school years grows, the weight assigned to that performance is lessened.

Are interviews required?

While we welcome your visit to campus for a tour and/or information session, Vassar does not offer on-campus interviews. Informational alumnae/i interviews are only available for freshman applicants.

What if I did not complete my high school diploma?

You will be required to submit GED scores or another applicable High School Equivalency along with that portion of your high school record you did complete.

May I request a waiver of the application fee?

Yes, United States citizens or Permanent Residents may submit a fee waiver request from their transfer counselor or the Office of Financial Aid.

Is there financial aid available?

Vassar does offer need-based financial assistance to transfer applicants. However, due to the highly competitive nature of the applicant pool and the limited financial resources earmarked for transfer students, we are not need-blind in the evaluation of transfer candidates.

Is financial aid available for international transfer students?

We regret that we do not offer any financial assistance to international transfer students. Only U.S. citizens or permanent residents are eligible to apply to Vassar as financial aid candidates.

What about the transfer of credit?

Transfer credit decisions are made by the Office of the Dean of Studies after a student has been offered admission. Vassar offers transfer credit for courses in the liberal arts and sciences which are the approximate equivalent in content, methodology, and rigor to courses listed in the Vassar catalogue. We do not offer transfer credit for physical education (excluding dance), Pre-professional or vocational courses, business courses, or other similar subjects.  One Vassar unit is the equivalent of 3.5 semester hours of work.  We do not give credit for any course with a value of less than 2 semester hours and credit earned by means of distance learning is also not transferable.

Is housing available?

Yes, Vassar will provide housing to admitted transfer candidates.