Vassar College has posted its first-year deadlines: Early Decision I (ED I) closes on November 15, and Early Decision II (ED II) and Regular Decision both close on January 1. Irvine seniors have 23 days until the ED I deadline, and test-optional applicants must also declare in the applicant status portal by November 22 whether they want SAT or ACT scores included.
Who Is Affected by the Vassar Early Decision Deadline
The deadline applies to high school seniors applying to Vassar this cycle, especially students who consider Vassar their first choice and plan to apply Early Decision. Early Decision is binding, and applicants must submit an Early Decision Agreement.
Vassar does not require the SAT or ACT. The testing rules are as follows:
| Item | Early Decision I | Early Decision II and Regular Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Application deadline | November 15 | January 1 |
| Deadline to declare whether to include testing | November 22 | January 8 |
| Latest acceptable test date | November | December |
Vassar accepts self-reported scores and superscores, using the highest section scores across test dates. Enrolling students who self-report must provide official score reports in the spring, and Vassar reserves the right to revoke an offer of admission if the official scores do not match the self-reported scores.
What to Do Now About the Vassar Early Decision Deadline
Prepare the required materials. Applicants can use the Common Application, the Coalition Application or the QuestBridge Application. The application fee is $65, and a fee waiver can be requested. The file includes the School Report with the counselor recommendation and transcript, one teacher evaluation and a mid-year report; Early Decision applicants must also submit a fall progress report and send first-term grades as soon as they are available. Students whose first language is not English and who have not been taught primarily in English for the last three years must submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo results.
Decide whether to submit Your Space. Your Space is an entirely optional item for showing something not covered elsewhere in the application; past applicants have shared poetry, short stories, cartoons, photography and short films. Students with a well-developed talent in music, art or dance may also submit a portfolio for faculty review.
Prepare financial aid at the same time. Vassar states that it meets 100% of the full demonstrated need of all admitted students, based on the FAFSA and the CSS Profile, so parents should follow the requirements on Vassar’s financial aid pages early.
Whether Early Decision fits and how to plan the college list are part of the EDUBUS University Admissions Planning service and are explained in Early Application Plans; Your Space and essays are covered by the College Essay Bootcamp.
Sources
- Vassar College: First-Year Applicants (accessed October 23, 2026)
- Vassar College: How to Apply (accessed October 23, 2026)
- Vassar College: Financial Aid (accessed October 23, 2026)
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