Matriculation at Vassar College
Poet involved
What happened
In September 1913, Millay matriculated at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York, as a member of the class of 1917, at the age of 21—several years older than most of her classmates. Her adjustment to Vassar's strict regulations was difficult, and she gained a reputation for breaking rules, often appearing before President Henry Noble MacCracken for discipline. Despite her rebelliousness, she thrived creatively, writing poetry and plays for the Vassar Miscellany, acting in productions, and starring in her own play, The Princess Marries the Page.
Literary impact
Vassar provided Millay with a formal education in literature and languages and a supportive environment for her artistic development, while her conflicts with authority fueled her iconoclastic persona. The college years were also where she began to explore her bisexuality openly and developed the wit and defiance that would characterize her poetry and public image.
Source: Vassar Encyclopedia
