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Vassar Admission Requirements

Poughkeepsie, New York

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Your chances of getting into Vassar College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

18.7%
Admission Difficulty for Vassar College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Vassar is 18.7%.  Its admission rate is the 9th lowest in New York and the 67th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Vassar and can you get accepted?

Vassar is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 2,129 out of the 11,412 who applied were admitted.

Vassar College typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.86. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 32% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Vassar?

19% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

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Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Vassar College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.86 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1480 on the SAT
  • Score 33 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Vassar GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.86*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Vassar College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Vassar are to have around a 3.86 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as Vassar is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Vassar is 3.86 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #10 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Vassar is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.86 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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Vassar SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Vassar College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 33% of students submitted SAT scores and 18% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1430-1535

Applicants Submitting SAT 

33%
SAT Scores for Vassar College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 720
Math 25th Percentile 710
Composite 25th Percentile 1430
SAT Scores for Vassar College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 760
Math 75th Percentile 775
Composite 75th Percentile 1535
Average SAT Score 1480

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Vassar College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Vassar is 1480 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1430-1535. Students who get into Vassar College score in the top 3 percent of all SAT test takers..  Vassar ranks #6 in the state of New York and #42 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1480 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Vassar regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1430 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1430, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1380, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Vassar College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1480 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1482, you have around a 19% chance of being admitted. A 1535 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 31% chance of getting in.

Vassar College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1535 and Above Good >31%
1482 to 1535 Avg + 19%-31%
1430 to 1482 Avg - 11%-19%
1378 to 1430 Reach 6%-11%
Less than 1378 Low <6%
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Vassar ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

32-34 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

18%
ACT Scores for Vassar College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile 32
ACT Scores for Vassar College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile 34
Average ACT Score 33

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Vassar?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Vassar is 33, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 32 and 34.  The school ranks #10 in New York and #48 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 33. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 32 and score in the score in the top 3 percent nationally.

18 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Vassar College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Vassar College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Vassar for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 33 score has around 19% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 31% with a 34 ACT score.

Vassar College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
34 and Above Good >31%
33 to 34 Avg + 19%-31%
32 to 33 Avg - 11%-19%
31 to 32 Reach 6%-11%
Less than 31 Low <6%
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High School Class Rank

79% of Vassar College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Vassar College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 79%
Top 25% of class 95%
Top 50% of class 97%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Vassar College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 8,129 3,283 11,412
Accepted 1,280 849 2,129
Acceptance Rate 16% 26% 19%
Enrolled 403 278 681
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 31% 33% 32%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

7

Applicants have 7 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Vassar College is $65.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Vassar College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Vassar College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
High School Class Rank Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Vassar College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Vassar is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.86 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1480 on the SAT and optimally 1535 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 33 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Vassar College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=197133 IPEDS survey data for Vassar College.

Last updated February 24, 2024