How to Apply to Mathematics at Vassar College: A New York Liberal Arts College Whose Mathematics and Statistics Department Offers Core, Applied and Statistics Pathways, and Admission and Prerequisites for U.S., International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

Vassar College is a liberal arts college in New York. Mathematics is taught by the Mathematics and Statistics Department, and you apply to the College itself. The application pages we read do not ask you to choose a major. Below is what the Vassar website says for fall 2027 entry, for U.S. students, international students (including those from China) and transfer students. Computer science is not covered in this article.

1. Programs and how admission works

• What the department offers: a mathematics major (listed as Mathematics on the college's majors list; the department's requirements PDF is titled "Mathematics and Statistics major") and a mathematics correlate sequence (Vassar's term for a minor-like sequence). Within the major, students choose one of three pathways: core (pure) mathematics, applied mathematics or statistics, in consultation with an advisor. The pages we read do not give the degree name (B.A. or B.S.) or STEM designation; not published there, so ask admissions.
• Choosing a major on the application: the application pages we read do not ask for one, and the department pages do not mention admission by major or a separate cutoff.
• Declaring: the department says to first complete the Intention of Major or Correlate Form, with questions going to Professor Calta or Professor Lowrance. The pages we read do not give the declaration timing, any GPA or course threshold, or any quota; not published there, so contact the department or check the Vassar College Catalogue. The department also notes the major and correlate requirements changed in 2023/24; students who declared earlier follow the old requirements.
• Moving into math from another major: not stated on the pages we read.

2. Prerequisites and course sequence

• High school mathematics: Vassar recommends four years each of English, mathematics, science, history or social science and a language other than English, with a substantial part in AP, IB or the highest level available. The department does not say calculus must be completed before majoring: students with little or no calculus should take Math 121 (Single Variable Calculus), which begins with first principles; those planning to major in sciences or math/statistics should take Math 121 followed by Math 125 in the first year.
• Calculus placement and AP (department recommendations): AP Calculus AB score of 3: Math 125; AB score of 4: Math 127 (a six-week sequences-and-series course in the second half of the semester); AB score of 5 or BC score of 3: Math 127, or possibly Math 220 (Multivariable Calculus) after consulting the department; BC score of 4 or 5: Math 220; AP scores of 1 or 2 might also start with Math 121 after consulting the department. Students who took an AP course without the exam, or a non-AP calculus course, or who have unusual backgrounds, should consult the department.
• Major courses (Mathematics and Statistics major PDF, in effect since 2023): after calculus (Math 121/126/127 or prior equivalent coursework or a qualifying AP Calculus score), majors complete 10 graded units at the 200 or 300 level. These are the foundation courses Math 220 Multivariable Calculus and Math 221 Linear Algebra; two gateway courses from Math 261 Number Theory, Math 228 Ordinary Differential Equations and Applications and Math 240 Introduction to Statistics; one pathway; and Math 301 (Topics in Advanced Mathematics and Statistics, the Intensive) in senior year.
• The three pathways: core mathematics: Math 321 Real Analysis, Math 361 Modern Algebra, one 200- or 300-level course and two more 300-level courses; applied mathematics: Math 215 Introduction to Mathematical Modeling or Math 217 Introduction to Numerical Analysis, Math 321, Math 328 Nonlinear Differential Equations and Applications and two 300-level courses (one in applied mathematics); statistics: Math 241 Probability, Math 242 Applied Statistical Modeling and three 300-level courses (two in statistics). The department recommends majors take Math 217 or a programming course in computer science, and suggests applied and statistics students take courses in fields where mathematics or statistics are applied.
• AP/IB credit (admissions page): Vassar awards credit for scores of 4 or 5 on select AP exams and 5, 6 or 7 on select IB Higher Level exams, with a maximum of 2 units of pre-matriculation exam-based credit. Which AP/IB subjects replace math major courses, and how many, is not stated on the pages we read; ask the department and the registrar.
• Honors: the department pages we read do not describe a math honors program or thesis; not published there. They do mention the colloquium series (the annual Asprey and Henry Seely White Lectures), the Undergraduate Research Summer Institute (URSI) and a list of outside summer research programs (NSF and AMS/ASA REU listings); places and application details are not published there.
• Outcomes: the department's own sentence is "Graduates with mathematics majors are in high demand in graduate programs in economics, business, and engineering, and in education, law, and computing." The pages we read give no specific employment or graduate-school statistics.

3. Rounds, deadlines and materials

• Where to apply: first-year applicants may use the Common Application, the Coalition Application or the QuestBridge application.
• Deadlines (the page does not print the year; confirm it is for fall 2027 entry): Early Decision I 15 November; Early Decision II 1 January; Regular Decision 1 January. Financial aid deadlines: ED I 15 November, ED II 1 January, RD 1 February. The pages we read do not give decision dates for first-year rounds. Early Decision applicants must submit an Early Decision Agreement.
• Fee: $65; a waiver can be requested on the Common App or Coalition application for financial hardship, and QuestBridge finalists and U.S. military veterans are offered waivers automatically.
• Required: the Common App or Coalition application; the School Report with the counselor recommendation and transcript; one teacher evaluation (it does not have to be from a math teacher, and any preference for math applicants is not published); a mid-year report; for ED, a fall progress report and first-term grades when available, plus the ED agreement. The pages we read give no essay word limits; follow the application platform.
• Optional: "Your Space" (poetry, stories, art, video links and so on); an informational alumni interview after applying (not evaluative); music, art and dance portfolios evaluated by faculty.
• Testing: SAT/ACT optional; you complete a test-optional form in the status portal by 22 November (ED I) or 8 January (RD and ED II); the latest acceptable test dates are November for ED I and December for RD and ED II; self-reported scores are accepted and Vassar superscores. Enrolling students who self-report must send official reports in the spring, and Vassar may revoke an offer if the scores do not match.
• Math competitions: the admissions pages we read do not say how competitions such as AMC, USAMO or IMO are viewed; not published. The factors listed are academic performance in high school, and personal strengths, motivation and potential seen in essays, recommendations and community involvement, with special attention to the breadth, depth and rigor of junior and senior year programs.

4. U.S. students

• Admission and aid: the financial aid pages say Vassar is need-blind (applying for aid does not affect admission for U.S. citizens and permanent residents) and meets 100% of demonstrated need of admitted students. It says over half of students receive aid, the average Vassar scholarship is $63,033, and Vassar awards $72 million a year in scholarships. The pages we read do not describe scholarships based on merit alone; not published there.
• Aid applications: the FAFSA (code 002895, available December, U.S. citizens and permanent residents only), the CSS Profile (code 2956, available after 1 October, all students) and documents through the College Board IDOC. Aid includes scholarships, federal and New York State grants (for example TAP, based on New York State net taxable income), loans and campus jobs; students from other states should check their home state's aid office.
• The tuition page lists a single tuition figure with no in-state/out-of-state split; any priority or guaranteed admission for New York residents is not published there.
• Department-specific scholarships for mathematics are not listed on the pages we read; not published.

5. International students

• Who counts: anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; applicants who have applied for a green card but not yet received it are also international.
• Admission and aid: the international page says Vassar meets the full demonstrated need of admitted students who apply for aid at the time of their admission application, but is need-aware when reviewing international applications. Students who are neither citizens nor permanent residents must apply for aid at the same time as for admission; those admitted without aid in the first year cannot receive Vassar funding later. There is no aid for international transfer applicants.
• English tests: if English has not been the primary language of instruction in your secondary school(s) for the last three years, you must submit an English proficiency test: TOEFL iBT, PBT or iBT Home Edition (not TOEFL Essentials), IELTS Academic (not General Training), or the Duolingo English Test (sent directly from Duolingo at the time of application). The pages we read give no minimum scores; not published there. Vassar recommends an interview for TOEFL/IELTS applicants, reviews the interview portion of Duolingo, and also accepts InitialView and Vericant interviews.
• School materials: a complete record of coursework and grades from each marking period, certified by the school; results of required national or international exams taken during secondary school (such as GCSE, IB MYP, CBSE boards) with the transcript; terminal exams (A levels, IB exams, French bac, CBSE) are required for enrollment. Documents must be in English; without an English transcript, send a certified copy of the original and a translation (preferably by an agency, though a school official or English teacher is accepted in cases of hardship); translated recommendations also need a signed copy of the original.
• Proof of funds: not stated on the international page; not published there, so ask Student Financial Services (finaid@vassar.edu).
• U.S. citizens and permanent residents at schools abroad: the decision is made without regard to financial situation, with the application reviewed in the context of the international school.

6. Applicants from China

• The pages we read have no section for applicants from China and do not mention the Gaokao or the Huikao, so whether the Gaokao is considered is not published; contact the admission office.
• For transcripts, follow the international rules above: a complete certified record, English versions, and a certified copy of the original if no English transcript exists. Whether Gaokao or Huikao results count as national exams to be submitted is not published.
• English: if English was not the language of instruction for the last three years, submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo (see section 5).

7. Costs

• 2026-27 (US$): tuition 76,140, housing and dining 19,800, fees 1,020; budget a further 2,250 for books, supplies, personal expenses and travel. Students living on campus must join the college meal plan; all students need health insurance, available through the College or waived if you already have coverage. Figures for 2027-28 are not yet on the page we read.

8. Transfer students

• Who is a transfer: anyone with a high school diploma or GED who has enrolled at a college or university. You can apply as early as the first term of the first year of college; as a transfer you must complete the equivalent of at least four full-time semesters at Vassar to graduate. Transfer admission is need-aware and places are limited.
• Deadlines: fall transfer 15 March, spring transfer 1 November (the page does not print the year; confirm it is for fall 2027 entry); spring applicants hear in mid-December, fall applicants in early May.
• Materials: Common App and the $65 fee (or waiver request); transcripts from all high schools and colleges; the Transfer College Report completed by your current institution; the Transfer Academic Evaluation with a recommendation from a college instructor (a second recommendation from another instructor, a high school counselor or teacher, or an employer is allowed); a mid-term grade report if currently enrolled; optional SAT/ACT; an English test if English is not your first language or the language of instruction for the last three years.
• Credit: Vassar gives transfer credit for liberal arts and sciences courses approximately equivalent in content, methodology and rigor to courses in the Vassar College Catalogue, and not for physical education (except dance), pre-professional or vocational hours, courses under 2 semester hours or distance learning. How many transferred courses can count toward the math major is not published on the pages we read.
• Math requirements for transfers: the transfer page gives no separate math entry threshold and no calculus or linear algebra sequence requirement; not published there, so contact the department.
• Aid: limited resources are available for transfer students and the pool is highly competitive; international transfer students are not eligible for aid.

Checklist

U.S. students:

• Apply by 15 November (ED I) or 1 January (ED II, RD); $65 fee, waiver available; one teacher evaluation; testing optional
• After enrolling, start calculus according to your AP score or the department's advice; file the Intention of Major form and choose the core, applied or statistics pathway

International students (including China):

• Same deadlines; TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo if English was not the language of instruction; transcripts with English versions
• Apply for aid together with admission (need-aware for international students); ask the admission office how the Gaokao should be submitted

Transfer students:

• Fall transfer closes 15 March, spring transfer 1 November; one college instructor's academic evaluation
• At least four full-time semesters must be completed at Vassar; international transfers have no aid

Sources: Vassar College, Mathematics and Statistics Department; Pathways to courses; Courses and requirements, calculus placement; Mathematics and Statistics major requirements (PDF); Department resources and summer research; How to apply; First-year requirements and deadlines; International applicants; Transfer applicants; Applying for financial aid; Tuition and fees. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check Vassar for the latest details.