Wellesley College Top Questions

I chose Wellesley for many reasons, but one of them was that I really wanted to be academically stimulated, and that has more than been accomplished in my time here thusfar. These girls are driven; driven to cure cancer, change politics, paint a masterpiece, get social justice...just driven. One of the least common personalities you will find at Wellesley is apathetic. That makes for a very inspiring, yet intense, environment. There can be some heated competition, but I've never experienced it firsthand. Almost infallibly, everyone I've met here has been truly friendly and willing to help...whether they're a peer, professor, or otherwise. The size is perfect; it is definitely intimate, but in my opinion gives YOU that many more opportunities to take advantage of the large amount of resources at hand. Many people confuse Wellesley with Wesleyan, think of it as "that girls' school," or just don't know of it at all. But I find that in the areas that really matter (i.e. getting a job/internship/applying to grad school), all the right people know exactly what Wellesley is and are more than often impressed by its rigor and reputation in the "real world." The proximity to Boston is one of the best things about Wellesley. It is not right around the corner, but if you want to go into a large, vibrant college city, you can do so (at any time of the day/night/week). Sometimes it will cost you $3/trip, others it's free altogether...but it is always worth it! And the fact that you can come back to your cozy, quiet campus at the end of the night is even better than the proximity itself. The all-women factor is a bittersweet one. There are times I miss socializing with guys and wish I had them "at my disposal" so to speak, but I in no way feel that you feel "out of touch" with the male race when you're here. I am in Boston at least once a week, and have many friends both male and female at various institutions throughout the city and/or Cambridge. I do, however, love the academic environment of having all women. Coming from a fairly normal public high school, I didn't think I would be prepared to have all women in my classes, but I've found it not only to be "okay" but inspiring! There is a definite lack of school pride on campus, heightened by the fact that many women go off-campus for the weekend (when many sporting activities normally take place). However, there is so much general camaraderie on campus that it is definitely reflected in sports as well...just not as much as most large universities. One infamous Wellesley t-shirt comically spells out "Wellesley Football" on the front and "Undefeated since 1875" on the back. If you're looking for a tailgaiting party school, Wellesley is most likely not for you. But the universality of the liberal arts experience lets both our joys and sorrows translate across broad spectrums. One common belief is that Wellesley is just like a giant, eternal sleepover. I guess technically that's accurate! I adore the friends I've made here, and couldn't ask to have met more genuine, smart, fun people than I have throughout the student body. There is not nearly as much cattiness as I would have expected being at an all-women school, and I love that!

The best part about Wellesley is the classroom dynamic. Classes are small, the students are there to learn and are usually studying the course material because they're interested it. Best of all, the professors are brilliant and highly approachable. The are no TAs, so if you have a question or hand in an exam, you're dealing directly with the profs. Size factors into other areas of college life too -- since there are only about 2,400 students at Wellesley, you'll get to know a lot of your classmates very well, which I love. And, because Wellesley is a women's school, students are rarely shy and are usually confident and outspoken. All in all, a great environment! If I were to change one thing it would be the location of the gym, which is on one end of campus rather than somewhere in the middle. That said, the campus has a gorgeous lake with a trail that loops around it, guaranteeing a beautiful run at any time of year. Wellesley College is located in the town of Wellesley, which is mostly populated by ridiculously rich people -- so while there are some great stores just off campus, most of them are outside the average student's budget. However, Wellesley provides frequent (usually hourly) transportation into Cambridge and Boston, the greatest college towns on the East Coast. A frequent complaint on campus is the lack of guys, but this is easily avoided by a short bus ride into a city populated by hundreds of thousands of college students. Wellesley students can also cross-register for classes at MIT, Olin, Babson, or Brandeis.

Someone else on here captured it perfectly when she said that your relationship with Wellesley feels almost romantic. It is a passionate and charged environment conducive to exploration and growth. Because you feel safe there as a woman, you come to feel an intense sense of ownership and connection to place. The Olmstead designed landscape and Collegiate Gothic architecture lend a certain mystery and gravity. Wellesley doesn't lock any doors, literally or figuratively, so you can come to know the campus intimately, from tunneling below ground to sunbathing on the roof of the science center. You will make great friends there, but the college is more than the sum of the individuals that go there. The alumnae network is incredible and deeply loyal to the school - I have found an instant connection with other Wellesley alums, even ones with whom I don't otherwise have a lot in common.

Wellesley's location is really nice. The campus is 500 acres (manufactured in some cases) with a lake, about 30ish minutes outside of Boston. I love that it's a small, green campus, with trees and trails, but that the city is just a bus ride away-- which Wellesley provides for free during the week. And while most everyone is really motivated at Wellesley to get good grades and graduate with honors and hold about 15 internships throughout their college career, you can make of the school what you will. There is such a diverse population on campus, so you're sure to find someone that you can relate to, who has similar interests or passions, as long as you put yourself out there to look for them. And yes, it's a women's college, but there are plenty of universities nearby, and again, your social life is what you make it. The bad news: Parties won't be knocking at your door when you want to have fun. The good news: Parties won't be knocking at your door when you are tired/ writing a paper/ studying for tomorrow's exam. The town is rich folk but there is pretty good food and buses and vans to take you to Boston and Natick if you need to get away. The administration is pretty weird at Wellesley. Some things seem progressive and some just seem stick-in-the-mud. School pride is underlying, I think. We don't have craziness with sports teams, but you'll see plenty of people wearing Wellesley apparel and such. And the school is pretty good about holding events on campus, like mini fairs. Which is pretty cool. We also get really good speakers, and the bands that come (twice a year) are awesome, and run by organizations and student council.

Come here if you want a good education. I have learned more academically, been more challenged and inspired and been taught what I am capable of at wellesley than every before anywhere in my life. Teachers here hold you to a high standard, and I feel that I am much better for it.

The best thing about Wellesey is the high quality of the faculty and the courses. The next best thing is the amount of freedom you have to explore the different departments; don't waste the opportunity! All across the board your professors will consistently impress you and challenge you. Every position of authority in the student body is (obviously) held by a woman, which is something you will never encounter anywhere but an all-women's college. It is a small school, so there is a sense of sisterhood and community on campus. Last but definitely not least is the campus itself. Just take a look at the photographs; it's a beautiful place! Wellesley sits on a lake flanked by a small stretch of pine forest. There is a boardwalk, a forest trail, and a well-known flock of swans who call Lake Waban home. If you need to escape the quiet of "the Ville" (what we call the town of Wellesley), just take the school shuttle or your own car to Boston. It's only 12 miles away.

Wellesley is an academically stimulating environment. People work hard. Students are very determined and focused on themselves and their close group of friends. While people are friendly, Wellesley is an environment where you would most likely sacrifice a party for work. That being said, students quite quickly self-select their peers, those who prefer to live in the libraries versus those who would rather have a personal relationship with the MIT frats. One of the great things about Wellesley is how everyone is accepted: studying on a Saturday night is not "weird" like getting drunk and sleeping all day Sunday is not considered "stupid". Wellesley students respect one another. If you want to be successful here you have to work; and I believe that regardless of individual pursuits and decisions everyone appreciates one another because of this common thing, work ethic.

Wellesley is a great school for many reasons. Foremost, the size of the college is perfect-- not to small and not too large. Due to the small classroom size, each student receives individualized attention from the professors and generally, professors are open minded, accessible, and approachable. The town of Wellesley is nice, albeit a little too upper class; Wellesley's proximity to Boston is a huge advantage. Though people are often shocked at the prospect of attending a single sex college, it is another huge advantage that Wellesley College has to offer. It develops a certain, Wellesley-specific confidence and ambition in each student. Wellesley women also form a very tight community: students and alumnae. The network is far reaching and powerful; alums are willing to exercise their "Wellesley" connection as far as jobs, and summer internships go.

It's a very small school, but I like the attention I get from all of my professors. People have very extreme reactions when I tell them that I go to Wellesley; they either are very surprised and proud, or they have no idea what school it is. When I am on campus, I'm normally in the campus center, or science center. I'm pretty close to Boston, which is a huge college town, but the town of Wellesley itself is very quiet. Wellesley's administration is very helpful and very kind for the most part. The biggest recent controversy on campus was about the students from different backgrounds not mixing with each other. For the most part, there is a lot of school pride. The most frequent complaints from students is the amount of work, or probably about the food during crunch time.

best thing about Wellesley- Professors, campus, and intelligent friends One thing I'd change- Increased accessibility to social activities on campus and off People's reaction to me going to Wellesley- Wow, good school, is that still all girls? Yes, yes it is Time spent on campus- outside when it's warm, boston on weekends, campus center during the week not a super college-friendly town Wellesley admin- okay, financially generous, but sometimes difficult to work with controvercies- often feminism-related, professor-related, food-related school pride- some, not much from sports though, even though we win a lot unusual Wellesley- all girls environment = pretty unusual unforgettable experience- lying in pool floats on the lake student complaints- food