Wellesley College Top Questions

I am a photographer for the Wellesley News and I enjoy this activity! I am also a member of Japan club, because I am taking Japanese courses, and I've met some really wonderful people there. Chinese student association is also very popular here and we have a strong Asian pool. Because of the honor code, students trust each other and some definitely leave their dorms open. I sometimes just put my computer anywhere on campus and leave to have lunch and come back to get it. No one will take your belongings and it's the safest place. Wellesley has a lot of amazing traditions! You have to come to know:) Students tend to go to Boston over the weekend or hang around town. The shops and restaurants in the town are really cute:) As far as I know, there isn't a drinking scene on campus.

Student government is fairly popular here, as are the various cultural groups on campus who host lectures, parties, and dinners. Sometimes it's hard to dedicate time to a student group when you have so much academic work on your plate, but somehow people manage to do it. I'm involved with theater on campus, and love how Wellesley supports the arts (like almost everything else). Not many people attend athletic events, but crew and tennis are very popular/well respected. The community system that is started from the moment you get at Wellesley is the best way to make friends, and the residential life is amazing (both really supportive and not too in-your-face). Many students have boyfriends from schools nearby, and you can see them dotted all over campus on the weekends. If i'm awake at 2am on a Tuesday, I am either studying or procrastinating studying, and I don't know too many people who would be doing otherwise. Last weekend I met up with friends from high school who go to other colleges in the area for dinner. Then I hopped on a bus and went to a final club at Harvard (a similar institution to fraternities), met up with my Wellesley friends, and returned to campus for a quiet night of peace! There are very few well-attended events on campus on the weekends, but the cultural shows tend to garner population and the few parties the societies (similar to sororities) have are also fairly well-attended.

It's not possible to pinpoint the "most popular" groups or organizations on campus because it's not really possible to say that some are overwhelmingly more popular than others. There are groups for everything from archery and Club Filipina to Spectrum, the LGBTQ organization, and Ethos, the black students' organization. There are clubs for individual academic departments, and there's even a Science Fiction and Fantasy club. There aren't any sororities at Wellesley, but there are "societies," which are basically social clubs with emphases on specific things. For example, the Shakespeare society performs Shakespeare plays, while Phi Sig is the "lecture society" and frequently funds and hosts lectures (including and fun one I went to on the future of Mars exploration). Lectures occur just about every day, and some -- such as last semester's lecture by Madeline Albright, a Wellesley grad, and a recent show by Ellie Goulding -- are incredibly popular. During my first year I went to a lecture by Paul Frommer, the inventor of Avatar's Na'vi language (he was awesome); I also attended a fantastic talk by Tamora Pierce, one of my childhood idols. Most students choose to involve themselves in one or two extracurriculars that they devote a lot of effort to. I'm an editor for the Wellesley News, the on-campus weekly newspaper, and I volunteer once a week by tutoring high school students off campus; I'm also the events coordinator for the Pre-Law Society. I also have a job working at the circulation desks at three of the five on-campus libraries. Many students on campus volunteer and/or have jobs, and people rarely have troubles finding a group to grow attached to.

As a lesbian, I can say that if you are too, or think you might be, you should come here - it is a lot of fun. Lots of on-campus women's parties with plenty of dyke drama and debauchery. Good times. For all women regardless of sexual orientation, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to live for four years in an all-women community and really experience what it is like for women to be in charge and to relate primarily to each other rather than to men. You will get a core feminist sensibility and confidence that will serve you well throughout life. Another thing I love about Wellesley is how its very progressive politics exist alongside the many longstanding traditions, which help connect you to all the women who have passed through this place before you: Hoop Rolling, Flower Sunday, Step Singing, Lake Day, Dorm Crew, Big and Little Sisters, etc.

The greek "societies" are very popular, and so are sports teams such as rugby, volleyball, and crew. The hip-hop dance troupe Freestyle and the two most active singing groups, Widows and Blue Notes, are flooded with auditioners every year. The dating scene, considering the circumstances, isn't so bad. MIT, Harvard, and Babson boys flood the college on the weekends for society parties and campuswide events. I'll admit, our parties aren't the best. Practically every night of the week there is some kind of campuswide event, whether it's a performance, a guest speaker, or a party. On quiet nights you could go to the campus pub or drive into the city (the shuttles run until 1am on the weekends). The campus is small and the student body is all women, so Wellesley is kind of its own sorority. School spirit is high, and we look out for one another.

There are alway events being held on weekdays and weekends. We have a pub and a small cafe that are open everyday. If you want to be social you can easily find places and people. I ended up spending the majority of my weekends in Boston, socializing either at Harvard or the MIT frats. We have some societies. While everyone knows about them, the majority of students are not members.

There are literally TONS of different organizations and clubs on campus ranging from a capella singing troupes to political organizations to international clubs. There are lots of performances on almost a regular basis too-- from guest speaker lectures to concerts to theaters. People generally are quite social, and it isn't unusual to have impromptu hallway dorm parties for even just a few minutes. There are also lots of traditions, such as a nondenominational service in the fall called Flower Sunday, Senior Hoop Rolling and Step Singing. All of these traditions keep the Wellesley community a tight community of sisters. People can party at fraternities at nearby universities, or on campus but there are always options for different people. It is absolutely not necessary nor expected of each student to party with alcohol every weekend, though if that is what the student wants to do, she can. Off campus, people usually walk to the nearby "ville" to run errands, or enjoy a coffee. Also, people go into Boston and Cambridge quite often just to people watch, shop, eat out or hang out.

The most popular groups would probably be the cultural organizations, because they normally are the ones that throw parties and organize other events on campus, and then the college government. Living at Wellesley I feel pretty safe, because many students leave their dorms unlocked, and theft is really not a large problem on campus. There are a few different traditions that happen each year, some of which people don't know about unless they come to this school. During the week, most students work pretty hard, so that they have the weekends to relax and go off campus. Most people go out to party on Fridays and Saturdays, sometimes Thursdays and Sundays as well, or go to dinner, or movies, but if you want to stay on campus, you can hang out with friends, or watch a movie, or just relax. Greek life is not a large part of Wellesley's activities, because there are no sororities recognized on campus, but there are Boston chapters that you can pledge to.

I joined Waterpolo, which has been amazing. There's a million other things though if you're not into sports.

There are a ton of organizations on campus. Attending all of those events alone, you would be too busy to go to class. Sometimes people complain that Wellesley is too quite socially; it is not a big party school so in that way that is an accurate complaint. But people do have parties and the new student center has a space that is being utilized for bigger parties and a lot of people go into Boston to party there. There are two societies (basically sororities) with houses on campus and they throw big parties every so often. People date at nearby schools (or at Wellesley!) or visit with significant others from home. Sports are not very popular but if you know someone on a team, you'll probably see them play. Guest speakers are huge- we have great funding for student orgs to apply to to bring people from all over. Cultural shows are big as well. The campus is really safe- a ton of people don't lock their doors. You'll meet a lot of people in your dorm. I met most of my friend during my first year, in what is called my First Year Mentor Group which is like your orientation group.

Athletes definitely tend to stick together. They are the most carefree group of students. Non-athletes don't care about sports..... Guest speakers are always popular. Everyday there seems to be something going on. Everyone leaves campus to have fun. Whether is be a party are a different college or just to go hang out in Bosotn. There is no greek life. There are a few societies, which are basically sororities, even though they claim not to be.

Wellesley is very low on parties. They banned our biggest parties a few years back but now they have them- just really controlled. Most people go into Boston or Cambridge to party (again here's where the senate bus comes in). For boys there's MIT, Babson and Harvard. For girls you got all of Wellesley. My closest friends ended up being my floormates 1st year and people I met in orgs. If you're awake on a Tues, you're prob studying. If there's a boy on-campus with no girl attached to him- everyone will wonder why.

Tons of campus organizations to get involved in and continue to compete outside the classroom for who is more of an overachiever and going to take over the world. Students are involved and most social conflicts arise from these acitivities. Students don't leave their dorm doors open and like 5 people go to sports events. More go to guest lectures. Dating= non existent unless you have a boyfriend from high school, you're willing to settle for a huge loser, or you are gay. my closest friends and I met by living together and bonding over our misery and trying to make fun of the situation while making the best of it. I don't go out much but people do drink at frat parties at MIT and Harvard. I try to get off campus as much as possible but with classes and homework I usually crash friday nights and just watch a movie and pig out.

Social life at Wellesley can be lacking. One has to make a very special effort to have a social life off of campus. I have a very good time with my Wellesley friends, but it usually includes dinner and a movie. Very often we also have parties on campus, people who are "party people" can find a party on most weekends. In addition, Wellesley girls tend to spend a good amount of time at Harvard and MIT, at one frat or the other. Ive found it quite difficult to make Harvard and MIT friends, but others have found it easy. So I guess it depends. As far as activities and extracurriculars go, you can find something for any interest. Groups on campus are plenty. Im fairly active on campus, and I love it. Most people at Wellesley are involved in extracurriculars. Students at the dorms are very friendly. People do keep their doors open, and become fairly attached to their resident halls. However, every dorm differs. The West side of campus is well known for its great resident life. I lived on the East Side first year and people keep their doors closed more often, but are still very friendly. There is always something exciting going on on campus as far as speakers and events go. There is always a great speaker coming, and its hard to keep up. However, as far as parties and social events go, we do OK, but Wellesley is not a party school.

Club sports teams, especially ultimate frisbee and rugby, seem popular. A lot of people become involved in reslife or student government, too. I'd say those are the most popular extracurricular activities. I'm in an a cappella group and a dance company, and I met my closest friends through both of those, particularly a cappella, since we rehearse together almost every day. I especially love my a cappella group because each member is so talented, and has a really distinct personality, very quirky. I like a cappella parties so much better than frat or society parties because they're more intimate and because I like the people better. Students leave their rooms unlocked all the time, although people who live in singles tend to lock them more, I guess because they don't have to worry about accidentally locking out their roommate. A lot of the cultural shows on campus are extremely popular, more so I think than athletic events or plays. People really seem to embrace opportunities to learn about other cultures. Some people make it a point to party every weekend, and sometimes there are parties on campus, usually hosted by a society, which is similar to a sorority, that they can go to, but for the most part, they go off campus. When I go off campus, it's usually to take a ballet class, go shopping, or to go out to a cute restaurant. I especially like the atmosphere at Harvard Square. Generally speaking, Wellesley girls don't party that much. I know lots of people who have never even tasted beer before.

Wellesley is full of traditions, and has hundereds of different organizations. There are always free lectures going on, theater productions, and crew is a big sport. Students leave their doors open, and my roomate and i almost never locked the door all year. I met my closest friends during orientation week and the bonds grow from there. There are 4 of us that are almost like family, and i have never had such close friendships. there are always a handfull of wellesely women that end up transfering to coed institutions after their first year, because of the lack of males, or feeling isolated on campus. I found getting off campus with a few other girls actually really easy. if you want to explore boston, meet guys, and have a social life, you have to put forth the effort. Wellesley tries to make this easier for us with the bus systems which take wellesley students into boston every hour. from any of the bus stops you can then take the subway or taxi anywhere in boston. It takes homework, effort, and always helps to have friends with you. I found wellesely to be a both a stimulating academic enviorment, but also a safe one that i always returned to when i needed to focus. It does feel seperate from the rest of boston, but that is why i would go out every weekend even for just a movie with the girls.

Students shut their doors and are not open to making new friends after their first year.

Students are willing to talk to one another and are pretty open to meeting new people. Some students are primarily concerned with academics while others like to go into Boston every weekend. Your social life here is what you make of it.

Depending on where you live (dorm), you can either live on the floor/dorm that always locks their doors or leaves their doors open so you can stop by and say hello and vice versa. First semester I lived in the former scenerio. Second semester, I lived in the latter. So I can only say this- open your doors!! Now I don't mean 24/7 but when you are in your room and can afford to reply with a hello to passing floormates, then you should open your door. What most women worry about when they accept to attend Wellesley is where they will find their guys. When I came to Wellesley, this wasn't even a problem- I liked both women and men. My problem would be whether or not someone also liked women. But sometimes it is very easy to tell whether someone was not straight. There are plenty of parties hosted both here at Wellesley and nearby colleges (Harvard, Olin, Babson, MIT, Boston College, Boston University etc.) for students to go to and look for their guy/woman. There's the Wellesley Exchange bus that runs by Harvard and MIT so that people from those schools can come to Wellesley and the other way around. It's definitely not like we are trapped in an enclosed "women only" environment- there's ways to meet other people.

I've already talked about this somewhat. There is a group for pretty much everyone. I play Ultimate, which is AMAZING. The game, the team, pretty much everything is awesome. Most of my friends also play (as do both of my roommates for next year). I spend most of my time hanging out/doing work with the team. I made a bunch of friends at the beginning of first year through my FYM (first year mentor) group, many of whom lived on the same hall. Their hall was really social, mine a lot less so. There are no first year dorms, but the hallways with a lot of first years tend to be a lot more social than those with more juniors/seniors. The mix is nice, though, since I've met some upperclassmen that I would never have met otherwise. Sports are really not a big deal at Wellesley, people generally don't go to sports games unless they happen to be friends with the Athetes. Our sports teams are not great, although teams tend to be very tight-knit. We also have 4 societies, three of which are like traditional sororities, and one of which is a Shakespeare Society, and is known to be a little strange.