College
Admission
Seniors' Share
College Admission Q&A
Q1: Why did you choose a liberal arts college?
I prefer liberal arts colleges because they have close-knit communities.The school vibe is often supportive and inclusive. Particluarly, there is a similarity between the scale and environment of liberal arts colleges and SCLSID.
Equally importantly, the student-to-faculty ratio is low. It’s easier to take the classes you want with these small class sizes. Classes are often taught by professors (not teaching assistants), and it will be easier to reach out for expert insights.
Q2: Why did you want to apply for Vassar College? What makes it unique?
I chose Vassar College because it has an open curriculum: it has no core class or distribution requirement. I can take courses across multiple disciplines and explore my different interests, ranging from environmental science, to economics, and even art.
“Arts play an integral role in Vassar’s curriculum and culture.” The artsy and culturally vibrant Vassar community provides me with abundant opportunities to explore my artistic side.
Vassar has a museum right on campus! The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center is lauded as “a symphony of architecture” by the New York Times, and it houses one of the finest teaching collections in the nation. There are many concerts and performances on campus. Studio program classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, video, and architecture are open to non-art major students.
Q3: When did you decide your major? Any good suggestions for selecting majors?
I decided my major only approximately one and a half months before turning in my first application. This was very late! Initially, I did not have a clear idea of a specific subject or career I was particularly determined to explore, and hesitated whether to apply “undecided.”
But as I organized my activity list, I realized I had been naturally drawn to many clubs and events connected with environmental science. I found myself enjoying exploring this subject and decided to select it as my major. If anyone reading this is also having a hard time making a decision, my suggestions would be to organize your previous activities, reflect on your memorable experiences, and follow your interests and curiosity. Keep in mind that you can generally change your major until the end of your sophomore year in most American colleges, so it is OK to take some time in college to figure out your real passions.
Q4: Are there any memorable things or difficulties you have encountered when youapplied for the universities?
The most difficult part was writing the personal statement essay. When I brainstormed ideas, the memories and events I jotted down were very scattered. They fell onto a wide time spectrum, with the earliest moments from as early as my childhood doodles. I struggled to find a central theme, and my initial draft came out as very ethereal and “dream-like.”
Fortunately, as I met with English teachers and the counselors in SCLSID to talk about my drafts, they guided me to clarify my thoughts. Our college counselor Mr. Josh recognized the underlying connections and implications of the small anecdotes I wrote and helped me better align them more logically and coherently to tell the story of my artistic journey that led to the realization of my interest in nature and passion for environmental conservation.
A memorable part of my application was writing my Vassar supplementary essay.
The prompt was simple: "Tell us a little bit about what makes you unique and what you hope to add to our community.” I wrote about my encounters with traditional Chinese art.
I started by narrating my memories of imagery in Wuzhen, depicting scenes like watching the long strips of blue and white Caomuran (a plant pigment dye process) hang and float between the high bamboo frames. Then, I wrote about how its beauty sparked my interest in traditional Chinese crafts, leading me to experiment with Caomuran and involving myself in other Chinese arts like Chinese classics and minority dance in the subsequent eight years, and more recently, Kai calligraphy. These experiences molded my identity through Chinese cultural art. I hope to bring my insights and passion to Vassar and continue exploring art there under its vibrant and diverse cultural backdrop.
Q5: Are there any extracurricular activities (hobbies/clubs/competitions/ECAs) you think are helpful for your college application?
SCLSID has a variety of extracurricular activities, providing significant support for my college applications. By participating in community service, academic competitions, and cultural experiences, I could freely identify my true passions and reflect beyond my applications to appreciate the personal benefits each activity could provide in my life.
1. Greenhouse (G9-12) and Birdhouse (G11-12)
I am the Founding member and Planning Manager. I participated in the initial blueprint drafting of the greenhouse and botanic gardens; designed environmental awareness promotion posters; co-hosted open house conservation activities; and I edited fundraising plans.
I think my involvement in the development of these environmental clubs throughout high school contributes to demonstrating my interest/passion in nature and environmental science/conservation.
2) USAD (G10-11)
National awards in art and economics. International award in science. National Overall Team + Super Quiz Awards
USAD is the primary competitive event I participated in during high school. I think it supplements my academic attributes and showcases my ability to self-study and cooperate with others.
3) Chinese culture-related activities
In Vassar's supplemental essay, "Tell us a little bit about what makes you unique," I explored the impact that my encounter with Caomuran had on me, along with my involvement with Chinese classics and minority dance. These past experiences displayed unique cultural aspects of my identity.
Vassar College
Vassar College—located in New York’s scenic Hudson Valley—is an independent, coeducational, residential liberal arts college, which fosters intellectual openness and lively exploration through its widely varied course offerings. Founded in 1861 to offer women a fully equivalent education to that of the best men’s colleges of the period, Vassar became the first women’s college in the nation to expand its mission to coeducation by opening its doors to men in 1969. Today’s students, who meet each other as equals, are encouraged to develop diverse perspectives through engaging in lively dialogues with faculty and fellow students, which enables them to achieve the insight and confidence needed to function most creatively in today’s complex world.
Vassar College's ranking in the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, #13. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,516 (fall 2021), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 1,000 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Its tuition and fees are $64,800.
Written by 俞安妮 Annie Yu
Edited by Mr. Josh Yager
把最宝贵的东西给予儿童
GIVE CHILDREN THE MOST VALUABLE THINGS
