Mount Holyoke College Top Questions

There are a lot of lame school sponsored parties, which often makes for a sucky freshman year party-wise because you are still convinced you need guys to have fun. By second year people find their own niche depending on their interests, and find a friend group (even including boys) that they can socialize with. Mt holyoke may not be "hoppin" all the time, but there is SO much to do in the five college area. I'm constantly busy--there are tons of theater and dance productions to see. My friends tend to have a lot of costume parties since we decided dressing up to look bad is way more fun than trying to look good all the time. The nicest thing is that since the parties are often off campus, when you get home (or if you choose not to go out) it's quiet and clean. You never wake up to find the lawn littered with beer cans and a party is really never forced upon you if you are staying in the dorms for the evening. Sporting events aren't really popular, sadly. I think if the fields were more centrally located, people would be more willing to stop by and cheer.

There are tons of groups on campus. The a cappella groups are very popular and their concerts are very well attended. I think the biggest varsity teams are crew and equestrian, and the biggest club teams are rugby and ice hockey. Being involved in a group or a team is a great way to meet people and to develop a close group of friends who are always there for you. Some of my closest friends are my crew friends, although I meet people outside of crew through my girlfriend who seems to know everyone on campus. Dorm atmosphere varies depending on your neighbors - my first year all of us left our doors open while we were in the room and unlocked all the time. This year my roommates and I still leave our door unlocked, but it usually stays closed since we aren't as close with our neighbors. Athletic events aren't usually that popular - friends come to your meets or games, but the general campus usually doesn't except to the Faculty/Student basketball game. There are always guest speakers, concerts, movie screenings, parties, and dances going on, particularly on the weekend. There are a ton of school traditions, particularly involving welcoming the new first year students, but those are too good to tell you about before you experience them... Some people party regularly, others don't - either way you can find friends who are doing what you are. There aren't any fraternities or sororities, although if that's the scene you're looking for you can always go to UMass or Amherst. Saturday night usually involves relaxing with friends and watching movies or going off campus to eat sushi. In the winter there's an ice skating rink outside of the campus center which gets a lot of use from students and families in the area.

Equestrian, rugby, and crew are pretty popular in terms of sports. Athletic events aren't very popular, most are pretty apathetic. There are some great lectures on campus that quite a few people attend. Unless you're into other girls, the dating scene is virtually nonexistant. Don't come here if you looking for a boyfriend. Most people party off campus, parties on campus are not too common. Honestly, there is not much to do on campus for the weekend; most people go to Amherst or visit the boutiques in Northampton.

The campus is relatively safe. Most doors are left open inside the dorms. Parties are usually off campus at one of the other four colleges nearby. There is a free transportation system, the PVTA, that will take you anywhere in the five college area, it's very convenient.

It is a good thing that we are part of the Five College Consortium, because without access to activities and parties at other schools our own parties would get a little repetitive. While they are fun and crazy, it is important to leave campus and get to know people at other schools, and be exposed to different environments. That being said, we have some really well-known parties. Las Vegas Night is the most famous, probably followed by Undressage. People, guys especially, flock toour school for these events, and they are a lot of fun.

Social life is what you make of it.. HAVE A CAR. then you'll have a super social life. haha

I am involved with the ice hockey team and the chorale. I love both of them! I do lock my door when I leave the dorm, but I know a lot of people who don't. The traditions that happen every year are elfing, big/little sisiter, dis-o, pangy day, etc. What I did last weekend was play 3 hockey games, participate in Relay-For-Life, hem my dress for my upcoming chorale concert, practice my pieces for the concert, and my homework. That weekend was a particularly crazy one for me.

Equestrian is big! And rugby, but totally different ends of the spectrum! Students in dorms leave their doors open but I don't. The popularity of athletic events depends on the team, for example, basketball is very popular. We have great guest speakers!!!!! Dating scene is all girls, but straight girls find boys at Amherst, Umass and Hampshire. I met my closest friends on the volleyball team and in my dorm. I am doing homework if I am awake at 2AM on a Tuesday, or complaining about my coach. There's a million traditions, pangy day, convocation, disorientation, elfing (Amazing!), milk and cookies, all sorts of good things. People party on the weekends but not so much during the week, except for a few die-hards. You can go to Amherst or Northampton or a Mount Holyoke dance or something without drinking. You can eat off campus, you can drink, dance, go to clubs, whatever!

Thank goodness, it's not a big party school- people go to UMass or Amherst to do that. There was more drinking and smoking various substances than I expected, but it is college after all, and I went to a pretty tame, education-focused high school. People sometimes leave their doors open, and what do you know, stuff gets stolen. I had a big tiff with my ex-roommate about that- I don't want my 2,000 dollar laptop, ipod, or camera stolen. Dating scene: I guess it must be pretty good if you are something other than straight. People are more than comfortable displaying their sexuality here. If you are straight, you must either have a boyfriend beforehand, try your luck at other schools, or bide your time. I wish the theater department did musicals! I wish there was a non-substance dorm. Or at least a floor.

I try to get off campus as much as I can. Initially i was intimidated being a heterosexual female because so much of the social scene here revolves around the gay community but it's surprisingly welcoming.