Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-08-17
Education al vas.ar College.


In Scri5aer's Monthly for August, we
notice an article on Vassar College which
will attract the attention of those who are
interested in the higher education of
woman. It ia an answer to the question
"What are they doing at Vasssr ?" aud is
written by Rev. n. 81. MacFsrland. After
devoting several pages to description of
the local charms, and of the rich material
equipment of the college; the writer
enters into a detailed account of the
course of study and the methods of in
struction. We gather the following in
formation from the latter part of bis in
teresting paper: All candidates for ad-
mission at vassar must be fifteen years of
age and of good character. They must,
for whatever grade they apply, pass ex-
sminations in Arithmetic, English Gram
mar, Modern Geography and United
States History. After this preliminary
examination the student who seeks ad-
mission to the first collegiate or Freshman
class is examined in Andrews Latin les
sons, Caesar, four books Virgil, two
books: the History of Ancient Greece
and Rome: Robinson's University Alge-
bra to equations of the second degree !;
Quackenbos's Rhetoric; Physical Geo
graphy; Otto's French course and fifty
pages of Williams English into French.
The deviation from the usual require
ments for admission to colleges for men is
noticeable, but does not make the exactions
less severe. The Greek which gives room
to French in the preparatory work, finds
its place among the elective studies in the
latter part of the course. Until the close
Of the Freshman year, the studies are the
same for all, but during the last three
years an elective system prevails which
permits the student to choose three
branches, "a greater number is prohlblted)
under the guidance of the faculty. This
elective system shows the following
branches to be the most attractive: Inc
History OF English Literature, Chemistry,
German, Natural History aud advanced
mathematics. There were one hundred
and seventy four members of the regular
colleQiate class during the last year.
Special courses are arranged for young
women who are advanced in their work,
but seek to supply Deficiencies in their
education. These numbered ffty-five. 1t
also happens that many apply for admls-
sion to the college classes and find them
selves deficient in some of the required
branches of study at their examinations,
A preparatory department is temporarily
organized for making up such deficiencies
before passing the student to her regular
GLASS. One hundred and forty-one pre-
paratories were admitted in September
1870.
Thase statements plainly show that
among the things they are doing at Vas
sar, they are organizing their work IN
such manner as to secnre adaptation to
the wants of students, and yet they are
not saorfcing thorouGhness.
From the abundant testimony given 1t
seems evident that Vasssr is true to the
wishes of its founder, for it ia faithful in
maintaining high collegiate grade, Its
success fcom the outset has been all that
its friends could wish. The corps Of in'
| struction has been increased and strength
ened. the building has been filled with
students, and the work has grown in pop
ular favor.