vassar supplemental essays 2022

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the Vassar College Essays 2024-2025

Vassar is a prestigious liberal arts college located in Poughkeepsie (pronounced puh-kip-see), New York, just two hours north of Manhattan. Since the school is selective, your essays will be important to making your application stand out. 

Vassar has one required essay and two optional essays/submissions. Keep reading to learn how to tackle Vassar’s supplemental essays to improve your chances of acceptance! 

Read these Vassar essay examples to inspire your writing. 

Vassar College Supplemental Essay Prompts

Prompt 1: We would like to get to know you better, especially on a more individual level. In replying to either prompt below, you are welcome to touch on any unique ability or aspect of your background – be it your race/ethnicity, socio-economic background, religious tradition, gender, geographic area that you have been raised in, personal interests, etc. – that demonstrates how you may contribute to Vassar.

Please select one of the following prompts and respond in 300 words or less.

• Option A: At Vassar, we aim to foster an inclusive community through our philosophy of engaged pluralism. Engaged pluralism is rooted in “the conviction that collaborating across differences is necessary for social transformation and critical for the well-being of any community and its members.” In short, we believe it’s our differences that make us stronger. Tell us a little bit about an important part of your identity and how it has shaped your life and/or interactions with others. (300 words) 
• Option B: Vassar is a diverse community that inspires positive change through open inquiry, deep dives into society’s most difficult challenges, and collaborative problem solving. We care deeply about one another, the communities that have forged us, and the community we build together on campus. Tell us about the community (or communities) you come from and how it has shaped your lived experiences and identity. (300 words) 

Prompt 2 (optional): Your Space is your opportunity to allow the Committee on Admission to learn something about you that you have not addressed in another section of the application. For example, in the past, applicants have shared poetry, short stories, cartoons, digital images of art projects, photography, and collages, and/or links to videos, and short films. It is your space, so if you choose to complete it, send something that is a reflection of you! ‌

Prompt 3 (optional): If you wish to provide details of circumstances not reflected in the application, please upload a file here. Similarly, if you wish to upload your resume, include it here.

Prompt 1, Option A

At vassar, we aim to foster an inclusive community through our philosophy of engaged pluralism. engaged pluralism is rooted in “the conviction that collaborating across differences is necessary for social transformation and critical for the well-being of any community and its members.” in short, we believe it’s our differences that make us stronger. tell us a little bit about an important part of your identity and how it has shaped your life and/or interactions with others. (300 words).

This prompt is a form of the Diversity essay, where colleges prompt you to talk about an aspect of your identity or experience that makes you unique. An Extracurricular essay could also work here, but make sure you’re focusing on an extracurricular that provides some good background into who you are and what values you hold. 

While the word diversity might bring to mind some specific identity features, like race, gender, or sexuality, it’s important to remember that diversity can mean a lot of different things, from family composition, to culture and hometown, to hobbies, experiences, or perspectives. With a prompt like this, it’s best to think outside the box and present yourself as creatively and uniquely as possible. 

This prompt also features Vassar’s commitment to “engaged pluralism;” the valuing of collaboration across differences as a means to create a strong, inclusive community. With these two key ideas in mind, let’s brainstorm some questions to guide your writing. 

• What part of your identity feels most central to who you are? Is it your ethnicity, gender identity, socio-economic background, religion, or something else?
• Can you recall specific moments when this aspect of your identity played a significant role in your interactions with others? 
• How has this part of your identity shaped your worldview, values, or the way you relate to others?
• How does this identity influence your goals, aspirations, or the way you approach challenges?
• In what ways do you think your unique perspective will contribute to a community like Vassar? In what ways has it already contributed to the communities you are a part of now?

As you consider these questions and begin to form your essay, there are a few important things to keep in mind. First, though these questions are written broadly, your essay needs to be specific. Admissions officers at Vassar will be reading hundreds of essays responding to this prompt, and you’re going to want yours to stick out. Making your essay personal to you will help with this. Avoiding cliche topics like sports injuries, immigration stories, or “voluntourism” is another bonus. 

Along with your individuality, you want your essay to showcase your deep understanding of engaged pluralism. Not only will this make it clear that you’re paying attention, it will demonstrate your commitment to Vassar’s values. Make sure to clearly connect your story to the idea of engaged pluralism—how your identity has influenced your ability to collaborate with or understand others from different backgrounds.

Finally, to really make your essay stand out, you should highlight how your experiences and perspectives will allow you to contribute to Vassar’s diverse and inclusive community. Taking the extra step of envisioning your future on Vassar’s campus will help the admissions team visualize you there, too. 

If you’re still struggling to picture just how these essays might look, consider a few examples of potential students with strong topics: 

• A biracial student who struggled to fit in at both a predominantly White private middle school and a predominantly Black public high school, describing how their experiences led them to start a podcast where students from different racial backgrounds shared stories about their identities. 
• A student raised in a politically divided household, where Thanksgiving dinners often turned into heated debates, who plans to discuss how they started a “Listening Circle” at their school, where students with opposing political views discussed current events in a structured, respectful setting.
• A Jewish student who faced anti-Semitic remarks at their predominantly Christian high school in rural Georgia and responded by creating a support network for Jewish teens in the rural South, to connect with others who share their faith and experiences.
• A student deeply involved in urban gardening and sustainable agriculture in a food desert community, whose interest sparked when they revitalized a vacant lot near their home. 

Prompt 1, Option B

Vassar is a diverse community that inspires positive change through open inquiry, deep dives into society’s most difficult challenges, and collaborative problem solving. we care deeply about one another, the communities that have forged us, and the community we build together on campus. tell us about the community (or communities) you come from and how it has shaped your lived experiences and identity. (300 words).

This prompt is very similar to the previous one, but it’s more focused on collaboration and community, and it doesn’t require you to explicitly explain how you’ll impact Vassar’s community. Instead, you’ll need to reflect on how this community has shaped you, and it can be helpful to show how that impacts your future goals.

Again, you can reuse an existing Diversity Essay or Extracurricular Essay you wrote for another school. This time, you won’t need to modify it unless that existing essay has school-specific elements.

If your meaningful activity or quality doesn’t lend itself well to brainstorming how you’ll impact the Vassar community, you may prefer this prompt. Just keep in mind that this prompt requires you to focus on an experience in an organized group of some sort (it can be formal or informal).

Keep in mind that community can also mean many things, including:

• Clubs, teams, classes
• Community groups
• Interests or activities
• Geography, culture, or hometown

Similar to the previous prompt, a narrative structure would work well for this essay. Rather than trying to describe the community in general, it may be helpful to focus on a specific experience that was formative to you.

Most of the essay should describe the event, including what happened, your state of mind as it was happening, your emotional state, and how your perception of the event has changed over time. 

The remaining one-fourth to one-third of the essay should be a reflection on how this event and community has shaped who you are.

Here is an example:

• A student comes from a low-income community, which forced her to be extremely resourceful growing up. She wore her older sister’s hand-me-downs, which were often sizes too large. She rarely ate out, and when she did, you saved the containers to use as Tupperware. She had to cut open her toothpaste tubes to scrape out every last bit. While she used to be embarrassed about her financial situation, she also recognizes how it pushed her to be more sustainable, and is happy these types of habits are now being popularized. She plans to take her resourcefulness to the next level by becoming an environmental engineer.

Your Space is your opportunity to allow the Committee on Admission to learn something about you that you have not addressed in another section of the application. For example, in the past, applicants have shared poetry, short stories, cartoons, digital images of art projects, photography, and collages, and/or links to videos, and short films. It is your space, so if you choose to complete it, send something that is a reflection of you! (optional)

This submission is optional, but we highly recommend that you complete it, especially if you have a creative hobby. This is a place to share any meaningful aspects of your identity that you weren’t able to share in the rest of your application. It is also a chance for you to showcase anything you did mention first-hand. 

For example, maybe you discussed in an essay how writing poems helped you get through your mom’s passing, and you could share some of those poems here. Or, maybe you listed winning a short film award on your application, and you can share the film here. Perhaps you have a comic book collection that you didn’t get a chance to mention, so a photo and description of it might be fitting for this section. 

Whatever you choose, be sure that it’s meaningful to you and reveals more about you as a person. If you submit something more creative, such as a short story or photography samples, be sure that it’s high-quality. Sending in something that’s mediocre, or not very good, may hurt your application. 

This is similar advice we give to students considering submitting an arts supplement; there will be many students who share extraordinarily-developed skills, so samples at a lower level of expertise will only pale in comparison. We recommend getting a second opinion from a trusted mentor, just to be sure!

If you wish to provide details of circumstances not reflected in the application, please upload a file here. Similarly, if you wish to upload your resume, include it here. (optional)

Unlike the essay above, we do not recommend writing anything for this supplement if you don’t have anything to say. This prompt is usually for students who faced unusual circumstances that negatively impacted their academic or extracurricular profile, such as a family death, an illness, or family responsibilities.

This is also a fitting place to mention anything central to your identity that wasn’t reflected in other parts of your application. For instance, maybe you’re really passionate about learning Esperanto, the “international language,” and you’re part of a strong online community of Esperanto speakers. This could be something you include in this section.

You have the Additional Information space in the Common App for these situations, but Vassar provides more space to elaborate upon these aspects of your high school career. Just be sure not to repeat anything already in your application. If it’s already in your Additional Information section, no need to say it again.

If you wish to upload your resume, you can, but only do so if you want to provide more info. No need to rehash your Activities section. Uploading a resume could be a good idea for students with ample work experience, however.

Where to Get Your Vassar Essays Edited For Free

Do you want feedback on your Vassar essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays. 

Need feedback faster? Get a free, nearly-instantaneous essay review from Sage, our AI tutor and advisor. Sage will rate your essay, give you suggestions for improvement, and summarize what admissions officers would take away from your writing. Use these tools to improve your chances of acceptance to your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Vassar College 2024-25 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 1

You Have: 

Vassar College 2024-25 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: One essay of 300 words; two optional uploads

Supplemental Essay Type(s):   Community , Diversity ,   Additional Info

We would like to get to know you better, especially on a more individual level. In replying to either prompt below, you are welcome to touch on any unique ability or aspect of your background – be it your race/ethnicity, socio-economic background, religious tradition, gender, geographic area that you have been raised in, personal interests, etc. – that demonstrates how you may contribute to Vassar.  

Please select and respond to one of the following prompts in 300 words or less.*, at vassar, we aim to foster an inclusive community through our philosophy of engaged pluralism. engaged pluralism is rooted in “the conviction that collaborating across differences is necessary for social transformation and critical for the well-being of any community and its members.” in short, we believe it’s our differences that make us stronger. tell us a little bit about an important part of your identity and how it has shaped your life and/or interactions with others..

Odds are that this isn’t the first Diversity Essay prompt you’ve come across this year. If it is, however, please read on. Vassar wants to accept students from a range of backgrounds who will contribute to inclusivity and diversity on campus, so tell admissions about what makes you you and how you will be a meaningful addition to the Vassar student body. Think about times when people have been intrigued by or curious about your identity, upbringing, or background. Maybe you were raised practicing Buddhism and you hope to spread some wisdom and mindfulness on campus next year. Perhaps you have lived with a physical disability for as long as you can remember, and the ways you move through the world and take up space impact how you interact with your surroundings and vice versa. What do you hope to share with others about your lived experience? Show admissions what makes you unique and how these aspects will guide and enrich your interactions with a diverse range of people next year at Vassar. 

Vassar is a diverse community that inspires positive change through open inquiry, deep dives into society’s most difficult challenges, and collaborative problem solving. We care deeply about one another, the communities that have forged us, and the community we build together on campus. Tell us about the community (or communities) you come from and how it has shaped your lived experiences and identity.

This is a classic Community Essay, through and through. Admissions officers want to know not only that you value community, but also how your background and community have made you into the person you are today. Where do you come from? What you address can be reflective of larger cultural constructs or a trait specific to your immediate family. Consider how your particular background or experience will help you contribute to Vassar’s campus community. How will it help inspire and/or inform others? Maybe you come from a vibrant immigrant community, where every member looks out for one another. How has this shaped the way you think about extended family or engage with other people who may occasionally feel like a fish out of water? Perhaps you come from a long line of fishermen, who have taught you the virtue of patience. How have you applied that lesson to other aspects of your life? Do you foresee fishing as a non-negotiable part of your future? What has influenced your identity? What do you believe and how havewill your experiences molded you into the kind of person who champions open inquiry and collaborative problem-solving?

If you wish to provide details of circumstances not reflected in the application, please upload a file here. Similarly, if you wish to upload your resume, include it here.

While this section is also optional, there’s no reason not to take advantage of it! If you have a more detailed or prettier resume/CV than what the Common App can accommodate, why not upload it here? For students in good academic standing, this is a freebie. On the other hand, if you have some gaps in your resume or blips on your transcript, consider this an invitation to tell your side of the story. You might consider writing what we call an “ additional info essay ” where you shed light on the personal circumstances (like an illness or family emergency) that may have caused these inconsistencies. 

Your Space is your opportunity to allow the Committee on Admission to learn something about you that you have not addressed in another section of the application. For example, in the past, applicants have shared poetry, short stories, cartoons, digital images of art projects, photography, and collages, and/or links to videos, and short films. It is your space, so if you choose to complete it, send something that is a reflection of you! 

Creative types will likely already have a few portfolio pieces saved up for just this type of question. Visual art, writing samples, expertly coded spreadsheets, links to web apps, and music clips are just a few of the basic forms your submission could take. Your submissions, like your essays, should reveal something new about you or provide a deeper understanding of something you have listed as an activity. Think about what you like to do in your free time: maybe you learned calligraphy while watching TV during the pandemic and have a sample to send in. Perhaps you started a baking charity with your grandma and can send in a recipe along with a photo of the final product. Select one of your best works and share a limited sample. And if you’re not sure you have anything that fits, no worries! This is also the perfect place to recycle a supplemental essay that reveals more about your character, background, or interests.

About Amanda Amah

View all posts by Amanda Amah »

Check out our YouTube Channel!

Contact us for information on rates and more!

• I am a * Student Parent Potential Partner School Counselor Private College Counselor
• Name * First Last
• Phone Type Mobile Landline
• Street Address
• Address City State / Province / Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Which best describes you (or your child)? High school senior High school junior College student College grad Other
• How did you find CEA? Internet Search Podcast New York Times Guidance counselor/school Social Media YouTube Friend Special Event Delehey College Consulting Perks at Work Other
• Common App and Coalition Essays
• Supplemental Essays
• University of California Essays
• University of Texas Essays
• Resume Review
• Post-Grad Essays
• Specialized Services
• Waitlist Letters
• Private School Essays
• General College Counseling
• School list with priorities noted:
• Anything else we should know?
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

School Stats:

• Agnes Scott College
• Alvernia University
• American University
• Amherst College
• Babson College
• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Baylor University
• Bennington College
• Bentley University
• Berry College
• Bethany College
• Bishop’s University
• Boston College
• Boston University (BU)
• Bowdoin College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• Butler University
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• California Lutheran University
• Capitol Technology University
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University (CMU)
• Catawba College
• Centre College
• Chapman University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Clark University
• Clemson University
• Coastal Carolina University
• College of Charleston
• College of William and Mary
• College of Wooster
• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Culver-Stockton College
• D'Youville University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Dickinson College
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Earlham College
• Elon University
• Emerson College
• Emory University
• Flagler College
• Fordham University
• George Mason University
• The George Washington University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech
• Gonzaga University
• Hamilton College
• Hampshire College
• Harvard University
• Harvey Mudd College
• Haverford College
• Hillsdale College
• Hofstra University
• Howard University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Ithaca College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Kalamazoo College
• Lafayette College
• Lehigh University
• Lewis and Clark College
• Linfield University
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
• Lynn University
• Macalester College
• Manchester University
• Marist College
• Mary Baldwin University
• Meredith College
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Monmouth College
• Moravian University
• Morehouse College
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University (NYU)
• North Carolina State
• North Park University
• Northwestern University
• Occidental College
• Oklahoma City University
• Olin College of Engineering
• Pepperdine University
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Providence College
• Purdue University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rice University
• Roger Williams University
• Saint Anselm College
• Saint Elizabeth University
• Santa Clara University
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Scripps College
• Seattle Pacific University
• Seattle University
• Siena College
• Smith College
• Soka University of America
• Southern Methodist University
• Spelman College
• St. John’s College
• Stanford University
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• Stonehill College
• Swarthmore College
• Syracuse University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University (TCU)
• The College of Idaho
• The New School
• Trinity College
• Tufts University
• Tulane University
• UNC Wilmington
• University of California
• University of Central Florida (UCF)
• University of Chicago
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia (UGA)
• University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Massachusetts Lowell
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of Mississippi (Ole Miss)
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of Rochester
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Tulsa
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia (UVA)
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Vassar College
• Villanova University
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wellesley College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• Yale University

Want free stuff?

We thought so. Sign up for free instructional videos, guides, worksheets and more!

One-On-One Advising

Common App Essay Prompt Guide

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

• YouTube Tutorials
• Our Approach & Team
• Undergraduate Testimonials
• Postgraduate Testimonials
• Where Our Students Get In
• CEA Gives Back
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Private School Admissions
• International Student Admissions
• Common App Essay Guide
• Supplemental Essay Guide
• UC Essay Guide
• Coalition App Guide
• The CEA Podcast
• Admissions Stats
• Notification Trackers
• Deadline Databases
• College Essay Examples
• Academy and Worksheets
• Deferral Guides
• Get Started

Vassar Supplemental Essay 2023-24

Vassar supplemental essays 2023-24.

As one of the best liberal arts schools in the nation, it’s no surprise that Vassar College attracts its fair share of applicants. This means that the Vassar supplemental essays are a crucial part of your application. But, to write an outstanding Vassar essay, you’ll need to be prepared. With so many parts to college applications, students need to plan their time wisely—especially with multiple Vassar supplemental essays to write!

Although writing an impressive Vassar College supplemental essay requires some time, it’s certainly not impossible, so don’t stress about the Vassar supplemental essays. Instead, look at each Vassar essay as an opportunity to bolster the strength of your application as a whole. 

In this guide to the Vassar supplemental essays, we’ll cover: 

• Vassar essay requirements for 2023
• Vassar essay prompts and word limit
• How to write your Vassar supplemental essays
• The importance of Vassar supplemental essays in the admissions process
• Application requirements and deadlines, and more!

With that, let’s kick off our guide to the Vassar supplemental essays with some quick facts on this prestigious school. 

Vassar Admissions: Quick Facts

Vassar college admissions quick facts.

• Vassar College Acceptance Rate: 19%— U.S. News ranks Vassar College as #16 on their list of Best National Liberal Arts Colleges. 
• 1 required (~300 word) essay
• Vassar College Application: First-year applicants must apply to Vassar through the Common Application, Coalition Application, or QuestBridge Application. Be sure you’ve met all of the Vassar requirements by your preferred deadline.
• Early Decision I: November 15
• Early Decision II: January 1
• Regular Decision: January 1
• Vassar Essay Tip: Carefully choose between the two Vassar essay prompts provided. Write your required Vassar essay for the prompt that most excites you.

Please note that essay requirements are subject to change each admissions cycle, and portions of this article may have been written before the final publication of the most recent guidelines. For the most up-to-date information on essay requirements, check the university’s admissions website.

Does Vassar have supplemental essays?

Yes, in addition to the personal statement , students will need to write one required Vassar essay. Applicants will have a choice between two Vassar essay prompts for this 300-word essay. Both Vassar essay prompts are classified as community or diversity essays. This means that students will need to reflect on their background and experiences to write their most meaningful Vassar essay. But, don’t worry—we’ll get into how to do that shortly.

Although there is only one required Vassar College supplemental essay, there are also two optional responses. In most cases, we encourage students to respond to optional portions wherever submissions could strengthen their application. Later, we’ll look at the optional Vassar essay prompts and evaluate what responses would best enhance an application. 

How many essays does Vassar require?

As we’ve mentioned, there is only one required Vassar College supplemental essay. Of course, students must also complete the personal essay when applying on the application platform of their choice ( Common Application or Coalition Application ). All students will have the opportunity to choose between two Vassar essay prompts for their required Vassar essay. 

Before writing your Vassar essay, it might be helpful to look at Vassar essay examples. While you shouldn’t mimic stories or themes, reading Vassar essay examples might inspire you when writing about your own unique experiences. Specifically, cultural and community diversity essay examples can be very helpful when preparing to write Vassar supplemental essays.

You’ll need to select one of the Coalition or Common App essay prompts too in order to write your personal statement. Additionally, check out these college essay topics to jumpstart your brainstorming process. Even if the prompts are different, approaching the Vassar essay prompts from a new angle may spark new ideas.

Vassar Supplemental Essays

Between required and optional prompts, there are multiple Vassar supplemental essays that applicants may write. However, for now, let’s focus on the required Vassar College supplemental essay. 

Here are the two Vassar essay prompts presented to applicants: 

Vassar College Supplemental Essay Prompts

At Vassar, we aim to foster an inclusive community through our philosophy of engaged pluralism. Engaged pluralism is rooted in “the conviction that collaborating across differences is necessary for social transformation and critical for the well-being of any community and its members.” In short, we believe it’s our differences that make us stronger. Tell us a little bit about what makes you unique and what you hope to add to our community.

Vassar is a diverse community that inspires positive change through open inquiry, deep dives into society’s most difficult challenges, and collaborative problem solving. We care deeply about one another, the communities that have forged us, and the community we build together on campus. Tell us more about the community (or communities) you come from and how it has shaped who you are.

These Vassar supplemental essays are considered to be community or diversity essays—common themes for college essays. There are many routes that students could take when considering how to respond to either of these prompts. 

You have many unique qualities and are a member of at least one “community.” You could talk about a weekly virtual knitting circle or your school drama club—the prompts are intentionally open-ended. That’s why brainstorming is such an important part of writing the Vassar College supplemental essay.  In other words, you should choose your most impactful experience, anecdote, or community when writing this Vassar essay. Likewise, you need to choose carefully which of the Vassar essay prompts is best for you. 

Choosing the Right Vassar Essay for You

While both the Vassar essay prompts are essentially cultural diversity essays, there are slight differences between the two. Let’s check out each prompt in more detail to see which is the better fit for you. 

Option A: What Makes You Unique

This prompt asks students to reflect on their unique qualities. While this may be construed as an extracurricular or skills essay, it is presented in the context of a cultural diversity essay. While researching Vassar (which you should do), you’ll likely encounter their explanation of engaged pluralism , which speaks directly to diversity. So, you’ll need to not only show a unique facet of your personality but also relate it to future contributions to campus. 

If you have a hobby or interest that’s deeply meaningful to you, then this may be the essay for you. However, don’t forget about the “engaged pluralism” aspect of the prompt; Vassar Admissions wants to admit a diverse student body. Diversity can mean many things, so there are many ways to work this into your essay. Overall, you need to show what fresh perspective you have and how you’ll bring it to the campus community. 

Option B: Your Community 

We know what you’re thinking: another community-centered essay? How can you choose between the two? Well, yes, essentially both Vassar essay prompts are based around community and diversity. This means you’ll need to touch on important aspects of your identity no matter which prompt you choose.

Contrary to the first option, which looks inward at your uniqueness, this prompt looks outward towards your community. In the second prompt, applicants will need to hone into a community that has shaped them. Similar to diversity, community can mean a myriad of things. Think about your upbringing and important things that have made you who you are today. 

Are your parents chefs and food has been an integral part of your life? Did you grow up spending afternoons at the local park where you met kids from different cultures—expanding your worldview? Or have you been in jazz dance classes since your childhood, and the studio is your home away from home? You can choose to write about any community that has played an important role in your identity. In other words, there’s no “wrong” community to write about as long as it has been meaningful to you. 

How to choose your prompt

If you’re stuck between the two prompts, that’s okay! They are quite similar, which might make choosing between them difficult. The key to choosing the right prompt for you is finding the most personally meaningful theme. Writing and reflection exercises like freewrites and timed brainstorming sessions can be very effective for getting started.

Set a timer and list anecdotes, experiences, skills, and communities that have played an imperative role in your life. Which ones stand out the most to you? Is there one that excites you to write about? Then go back to the prompts. Which stories answer one of the prompts? If an idea seems right for both prompts, try drafting an essay for both to refine key points and your final prompt.

How to write the Vassar supplemental essays

There is no magic trick to writing the best Vassar supplemental essays. Rather, there are certain tips and guidelines you can follow to write your best Vassar essay. 

Here are some tips you can follow no matter the prompt you choose to respond to. 

Start early

The most stressful part about writing essays is having to do so in a time crunch. Allow yourself plenty of time to write the Vassar supplemental essays. Normally, schools release the most updated prompts in August. If you start then, you’ve got plenty of time to write your best Vassar College supplemental essay. 

Choose your prompt mindfully

Although both Vassar essay prompts fall into the general category of a cultural diversity essay, there are subtle differences between them. In one you’ll focus mainly on your identity, and in the other on your larger community. Of course, there is a lot of overlap between these two expansive themes. Choose the prompt to which you can write about something that is most meaningful and impactful to you.

Answer the prompt fully

This may seem obvious, but it’s easy to get caught up in an entertaining anecdote and skip the entire second part of the prompt. This is a huge mistake! Make sure that you’ve answered every aspect of the prompt. Your anecdote should be evidence for your main point, where you…

Show you’re a perfect fit

Your essays are, of course, expanding upon you as a person. However, just as you made sure Vassar was a good fit for you when deciding to apply, Admissions does the same when reading applications. Luckily, Vassar tells applicants what’s important to them right in the Vassar essay prompts. Show that you share these values and will bring a unique, positive perspective to campus—you’ll be sure to wow them. 

Edit carefully

There’s nothing worse for admissions officers than reading a Vassar College supplemental essay that’s peppered with spelling and grammatical errors. Have one or more people read your essay for mechanical errors as well as for content. Ask people who know you well, so they can tell you if your essay portrays you authentically. 

Does Vassar care about essays?

As one of America’s top liberal arts colleges, Vassar wants students who think critically and can express themselves well on paper. Therefore, yes, the Vassar supplemental essays play a crucial role in the admissions team’s evaluation process. Moreover, Vassar is one of many schools that have adopted a test-optional standardized test policy. If you don’t submit standardized test scores, your responses to the Vassar essay prompts are that much more important. In either case, Vassar supplemental essays are opportunities to show admissions officers who you are beyond your transcript. 

That being said, Vassar does specify their evaluation criteria on their website . Academic achievement and rigor both play an important role when it comes to admissions decisions. They want to see not only good grades but challenging courses. Ideally, applicants competing for a spot at Vassar should be taking AP or IB classes during their junior and senior years. 

However, grades aren’t everything. Admissions is looking for the whole package in each candidate. Therefore, they want to learn more about each student and what they’ll bring to campus in these essays. As we can see, Vassar deeply cares about the Vassar supplemental essays when evaluating students.

What is Vassar looking for in essays?

Vassar Admissions wants to see several important qualities in each candidate; qualities that can be clearly expressed in the Vassar supplemental essays. Vassar looks for evidence of “personal strengths, motivation, and potential” in each Vassar College supplemental essay. And, which may be obvious from the required Vassar essay prompts, students should demonstrate community involvement. 

Successful Vassar essay examples showcase the writer’s positive characteristics, skills, and values. Are you a natural leader? Show Vassar with a story of how you organize the yearly block party to create a stronger sense of community. Are you an avid reader? Show Vassar how you relate the stories you read to your everyday life. Do you have big dreams for your future? Show Vassar what practical steps you’re taking in your present life to get you there. 

Use the Vassar supplemental essays to highlight your best qualities that haven’t yet had a chance to shine in your application. Just remember, community involvement is of the utmost importance! Even in an essay about your unique qualities, your ultimate goal is to paint a picture of yourself at Vassar. How will your experiences and qualities help you contribute to Vassar’s community?

Include the qualities that Vassar looks for when drafting Vassar College supplemental essays—show them through your experiences and anecdotes. But don’t make things up or plagiarize. Be authentic—you already possess these qualities, so find a way to write them into your Vassar supplemental essays.

When is my Vassar application due?

Having the most amazing Vassar supplemental essays won’t matter much in your “how to get into Vassar” plan if you miss the submission deadlines. So, let’s check out what options you have when it comes to submitting the Vassar requirements and application. 

The three Vassar deadlines are: 

Be sure that you give yourself sufficient time to write each Vassar essay. Of course, don’t neglect the other requirements of your chosen application platform, like transcripts and recommendation letters . Be sure you have plenty of time to write your essays, complete the application, and get recommendations before your deadline of choice.

Of course, in addition to the required Vassar essay, students must also write a personal statement essay. Applicants may also submit optional Vassar College supplemental essays, which we’ll get into now.

Vassar Application: Your Space

In addition to the required Vassar essay and personal statement, students may submit optional Vassar supplemental essays or other materials. Quite literally, Admissions is giving applicants “a space” to use however they like. Let’s check out the prompt. 

Vassar College Optional Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

Your space is your opportunity to allow the committee on admission to learn something about you that you have not addressed in another section of the application. for example, in the past, applicants have shared poetry, short stories, cartoons, digital images of art projects, photography, and collages, and/or links to videos, and short films. it is your space, so if you choose to complete it, send something that is a reflection of you your space is entirely optional..

This is a chance to share more about yourself with the admissions committee. If you felt like you couldn’t share an important part of yourself when responding to the Vassar essay prompts, then now’s the time. Do you have a hobby that’s an integral part of your life? Are you a creative writer, serial sketcher, or avid foodie? Whatever it is, use this space to include it!

Keep in mind that you don’t need to submit a traditional essay; in fact, this question accepts uploaded files. Maybe you want to share one of your short stories or original songs; you have total freedom here. Of course, since Vassar is such a competitive school, make sure that you’re submitting high-quality work here. You wouldn’t want this space to weaken your application. 

Ask others for feedback on what you plan to submit so that you can be objective when deciding. And of course, if your work was made in collaboration with others, get their permission before submitting it. We highly recommend submitting a Vassar College supplemental essay or other material here if it strengthens your application. 

On the other hand, the following is another optional Vassar essay prompt. 

Vassar Supplement: Unique Circumstances or Resume

Vassar college optional supplemental essay prompt #2, if you wish to provide details of circumstances not reflected in the application, please upload a file here. similarly, if you wish to upload your resume, include it here. (optional).

Most universities have a space like this for their applicants to explain any discrepancies in their grades or extracurriculars. If you’ve had extenuating circumstances that have affected your academic achievements, now’s the time to mention them. You might also choose to submit a resume. However, this section is completely optional! Don’t force yourself to answer if it doesn’t apply to you. 

How do I make my Vassar application stand out?

Writing college essays is a crucial part of the application process. Vassar is no exception—the Vassar supplemental essays play an important role in every applicant’s “how to get into Vassar” strategy. In light of that, how can you make your entire application impress admissions?

First and foremost, prepare early for the college application process—not “senior fall” early, but “sophomore spring” early. Vassar is an elite and selective institution. Maximizing your admission odds means taking challenging courses and focusing on academics throughout your high school career. Additionally, get involved in extracurricular activities and take leadership opportunities. Explore your interests outside of school; if you fall in love with something, make the effort to explore it further! 

Community involvement is an important part of the Vassar supplemental essays; however, Vassar isn’t the only school that prizes community. Most colleges want applicants to be active participants in their communities. Show what positive attributes you’ll bring to campus through both your actions and in your Vassar College supplemental essays. 

Through a combination of academic achievement, course rigor, and impressive essays, your application is sure to stand out to admissions. Reading successful college essay examples will help you see what works. Even if they aren’t specifically Vassar essay examples, they’ll help you write your Vassar essay and other college essays. 

Vassar Supplemental Essays – 5 Takeaways

We’ve covered a lot about the Vassar supplemental essays in this guide, so let’s review some key takeaways. 

Five Takeaways for Vassar College Supplemental Essays

1. there is one required vassar college supplemental essay.

However, students must also complete a personal statement for their application platform. Additionally, there are two optional Vassar supplemental essays. We highly recommend submitting something to “Your Space.” 

2. Vassar is a competitive liberal arts college

You might know this from your incessant googling of your dream school . Because of Vassar’s high ranking in U.S. News and Forbes , it has a low acceptance rate of 19% . This means your application needs to be carefully crafted—especially your essays. If you know how to get into Vassar, you know that impressive grades and essays are paramount. 

3. Answer the Vassar essay prompts completely

Don’t forget to answer any part of the prompts. No matter the prompt you choose, they are both two-part prompts. So, be sure to answer every part of the questions asked completely and comprehensively. 

4. Be authentic and get personal

The Vassar supplemental essays are the time to share more about yourself with admissions—the best parts, of course. Choose the experiences and anecdotes you use carefully. Your essays should be specific, engaging, and unique to you. Avoid clichés or generic responses.

5. Start your essays early!

Your Vassar supplemental essays are an extremely important part of your application. Give yourself plenty of time to write them. Remember they are only one part of the Vassar requirements. Plan carefully so you can put your best work forward and meet the deadlines !

Remember that CollegeAdvisor is here to help you with your whole college journey, from writing the Vassar supplemental essays to understanding financial aid. While reading Vassar essay examples (or any college essay examples) is a good way to get started, sometimes personalized guidance is necessary. If you need personalized coaching, reach out for help with your Vassar supplemental essays from one of our admissions experts. Good luck, and happy writing!

This essay guide was written by Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

Personalized and effective college advising for high school students.

• Advisor Application
• Popular Colleges
• Privacy Policy and Cookie Notice
• Student Login
• California Privacy Notice
• Terms and Conditions
• Your Privacy Choices

By using the College Advisor site and/or working with College Advisor, you agree to our updated Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy , including an arbitration clause that covers any disputes relating to our policies and your use of our products and services.

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, vassar supplemental essay.

Hey y'all! I'm working on my college applications and I've been struggling with the Vassar supplemental essay. Can anyone give me some guidance on what the admissions committee is looking for and how I should approach this essay? Thanks!

Hello! The Vassar supplemental essay is an opportunity for you to showcase your genuine interest in the school and its unique community. To approach this essay successfully, you'll want to do thorough research on Vassar to better understand its values and opportunities. Look into the academic programs, clubs or extracurricular activities, and any resources or initiatives that resonate with your interests and goals.

The admissions committee wants to see that you've thought carefully about why Vassar is a good fit for you and how you can contribute to its community. Highlight specific programs, classes, or faculty members that you find appealing and tie them into your essay to demonstrate your excitement about learning and growing at Vassar. Make sure that your essay is personal and unique to you by relating your interests and experiences to what Vassar has to offer.

Moreover, since Vassar is known for its liberal arts education, you can emphasize your desire for interdisciplinary learning, inclusivity, and intellectual curiosity. Talk about how you plan to take advantage of Vassar's open curriculum, collaborative environment, or any other core values that align with your personal and academic growth.

Avoid using generic descriptions of the campus or school size that could apply to many other colleges. Instead, be specific about what attracts you to Vassar and what sets it apart from other schools in your mind. Lastly, it's essential to maintain a clear, concise, and engaging writing style. Be honest about your motivations and illustrate your passions through concrete examples and anecdotes.

Good luck with your Vassar supplemental essay, and remember to make it clear how you will both fit in with, and contribute to, the community!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.