How did you learn about Vassar and what aspects of our college do you find appealing?
Broom? Check. Wand? Check. Sister's golden graduation gown? Check. I was fully prepared to start my own reenactment of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. As a young pre-teen, I was particularly known as a zany Potter fan, with an uncanny ability of delivering lines from the film unusually well. I shouted out spells in unison with the characters, used wacky props to resemble those in the film, and---pretended I could play quidditch with a broom between my legs and a bed as my flying simulator. It has been nearly seven years since my loony Potter charade ended, and my quidditch craving has yet to have subsided. I want to know what it feels like to fly.
I was only a sophomore in high school when I had realized the usefulness of the entity that is YouTube. I viewed it as a huge time waster, procrastination's partner in crime. I must admit that I have fell victim to its allure before---especially when Vassar unexpectedly came into the picture. I was on my usual video scavenger hunt, searching for the slightest entertainment that could remedy my post homework boredom. I typed "quidditch" into the search bar and was pleasantly greeted with dozens of videos of "muggle quidditch," played by various colleges around the country. Vassar's own team immediately caught my attention. Students ran on grass as they were mounted on brooms. A deflated soccer ball substituted the quaffle as it was thrown across the field. Garbage cans had replaced the traditional hoops. Not only was I hooked but also, truthfully, utterly amused.
Vassar had suddenly solidified in my mind. It had become my childhood dream come true. I needed to find out all I could about the place Vassar students referred to as "the mini-Hogwarts." Most of my peers were completely oblivious to Vassar. For weeks it was all I could talk about. At one point my friends had had it with my small obsession, they often joked and shouted "why don't you just marry Vassar already!"
I entered Vassar's chic website like a child at a candy store. I wanted to absorb as much as I could. Quickly I requested the college catalogue, anticipating its arrival like an early Christmas present. Still, as optimistic as I was about Vassar, I wanted to make sure it was the perfect place for someone---like me. I yearned for a school that respected diversity, encouraged it. Vassar's non-discrimination policy assured me that neither my race nor sexuality would ever be treated negatively, rather, it would be celebrated. I was not even a student, and already I felt accepted, wanted, sought out.
In between taking the virtual tour and reading quick Vassar facts, my catalogue finally arrived. Its white, simple, and abstract cover intrigued me. The bolded word "limitless" stared at me like big passionate eyes. I skimmed the testimonials of students and faculty, enlightened by Vassar's ability to facilitate one's endeavors. I was amazed to see the breadth of diversity in Vassar's student organizations. How easily I could see myself as a prominent member of Blegen House. A writer for the Miscellany News. Academically, I would be taught in ways most students only dream about---with flexibility, with independence. I would be allowed to double major in English and Media Studies, while at the same time encouraged to test the waters of other academic areas. I would be able to put the foreign language requirement to use through study abroad. I could order a tiramisu in Italy. Properly ask directions to the nearest museum in Japan.
More than ever, Vassar felt like home. The Thompson Library would become my new reading space. The Shakespeare Garden my new breathing space. The incredibly diverse Vassar community, my new family.
Never in a million years would I have guessed that my childhood obsession with Potter would lead me to the college of my dreams. To this day, I have never been fortunate enough to undergo that wondrous experience of flight---literally atleast. That feeling of excitement, wonder, and adventure. It is undeniable that the meeting between Vassar and I has been fate, tirelessly at work. If you ask me, I now know how to fly. All that is left is for Vassar to become my broom.
Broom? Check. Wand? Check. Sister's golden graduation gown? Check. I was fully prepared to start my own reenactment of Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. As a young pre-teen, I was particularly known as a zany Potter fan, with an uncanny ability of delivering lines from the film unusually well. I shouted out spells in unison with the characters, used wacky props to resemble those in the film, and---pretended I could play quidditch with a broom between my legs and a bed as my flying simulator. It has been nearly seven years since my loony Potter charade ended, and my quidditch craving has yet to have subsided. I want to know what it feels like to fly.
I was only a sophomore in high school when I had realized the usefulness of the entity that is YouTube. I viewed it as a huge time waster, procrastination's partner in crime. I must admit that I have fell victim to its allure before---especially when Vassar unexpectedly came into the picture. I was on my usual video scavenger hunt, searching for the slightest entertainment that could remedy my post homework boredom. I typed "quidditch" into the search bar and was pleasantly greeted with dozens of videos of "muggle quidditch," played by various colleges around the country. Vassar's own team immediately caught my attention. Students ran on grass as they were mounted on brooms. A deflated soccer ball substituted the quaffle as it was thrown across the field. Garbage cans had replaced the traditional hoops. Not only was I hooked but also, truthfully, utterly amused.
Vassar had suddenly solidified in my mind. It had become my childhood dream come true. I needed to find out all I could about the place Vassar students referred to as "the mini-Hogwarts." Most of my peers were completely oblivious to Vassar. For weeks it was all I could talk about. At one point my friends had had it with my small obsession, they often joked and shouted "why don't you just marry Vassar already!"
I entered Vassar's chic website like a child at a candy store. I wanted to absorb as much as I could. Quickly I requested the college catalogue, anticipating its arrival like an early Christmas present. Still, as optimistic as I was about Vassar, I wanted to make sure it was the perfect place for someone---like me. I yearned for a school that respected diversity, encouraged it. Vassar's non-discrimination policy assured me that neither my race nor sexuality would ever be treated negatively, rather, it would be celebrated. I was not even a student, and already I felt accepted, wanted, sought out.
In between taking the virtual tour and reading quick Vassar facts, my catalogue finally arrived. Its white, simple, and abstract cover intrigued me. The bolded word "limitless" stared at me like big passionate eyes. I skimmed the testimonials of students and faculty, enlightened by Vassar's ability to facilitate one's endeavors. I was amazed to see the breadth of diversity in Vassar's student organizations. How easily I could see myself as a prominent member of Blegen House. A writer for the Miscellany News. Academically, I would be taught in ways most students only dream about---with flexibility, with independence. I would be allowed to double major in English and Media Studies, while at the same time encouraged to test the waters of other academic areas. I would be able to put the foreign language requirement to use through study abroad. I could order a tiramisu in Italy. Properly ask directions to the nearest museum in Japan.
More than ever, Vassar felt like home. The Thompson Library would become my new reading space. The Shakespeare Garden my new breathing space. The incredibly diverse Vassar community, my new family.
Never in a million years would I have guessed that my childhood obsession with Potter would lead me to the college of my dreams. To this day, I have never been fortunate enough to undergo that wondrous experience of flight---literally atleast. That feeling of excitement, wonder, and adventure. It is undeniable that the meeting between Vassar and I has been fate, tirelessly at work. If you ask me, I now know how to fly. All that is left is for Vassar to become my broom.
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