Mount Holyoke College Top Questions

People have either never heard of Mt. Holyoke, or they know that it is the first women's institution of higher learning. I actually wanted to come to a women's college for various reasons. The size is perfect, the school is beautiful, and the weather is a nightmare for someone from the central valley of CA. There are more classes that I would love to take than I could possibly have time for.

It's a very small community and sometimes that can feel isolating. If you make the effort to go out a lot, not just to MHC parties but to the other colleges in the consortium, it's really worth it to be here.

Mount Holyoke is a wonderful place to go to school. There is almost too much going on- between events on campus and at the other four colleges in the area (that compose the 5 College consortium). Students from these 5 schools can go to events, lectures or parties at the other colleges. It's really a great resource: in the past 2 weeks I've been to a reading by Marjane Satrapi, the Iranian writer and artist, M.I.A. and Feist concerts.

As a student on the Mount Holyoke campus the thing I love most is the atmosphere. It is really empowering to know that I am surrounded by 2,000 strong, independent, and incredibly intelligent women. With about 2,200 students Mount Holyoke is just the right size.

smart girls

it's perfect for me. I dont know everyone on campus, but at the same time, i know everyone in my major department. our campus is gorgeous, the food is more than serviceable. we lucked out. Sure the workload is huge, and the parties are far and few, but being here feels like home, it fits.

size: just right reactions to MHC: oh where thats, or oh thats a really good school, or how to you survive at a women's college where do i spend time on campus: library when i'm doing work, hanging out in friends rooms controversy on campus: cultural orgs. and not doing enough except for one month throughout the year unusual about MHC: 5 colleges, so many things to do one experience: vegas night, dis-orientation, elfing complaints: living in a bubble

Best thing: our food and dorms I'd change: the stereotype that the students are gay School Size: small but I like the size Reaction to my school: "isn't that all- girls?" "do you see any men?" Most time on campus: my room or in class Town: nothing to do in South Hadley, but Amherst and North Hampton are close and are lots of fun Administration: don't have any opinion about them, don't know them Recent controversy: sex column in school newspaper/ transgender students School Pride: most people are proud to attend our school, but athletics are supported only by the athletes and the athletic department, and we don't have much of a rivalry with any other school to make us proud

The best thing about Mt. Holyoke: the financial aid. The one thing I'd change: the tuition rising The school is:just right for me. Bigger than our neighbors at Hampshire and Smith, smaller than Amherst and UMass People are usually impressed if they've heard of my college, but if they don't than they just ask. I spend most of my time, on my computer, in the library, in my room, or in an academic building. South Hadley is a small town and if by college town you mean that the town wouldn't be much without the college than that is true. The more interesting college towns are free bus rides away though... such as Amherst and Northampton. Our Administration is fine. We have a pretty good-sized endowment so I feel like our college is constantly trying to improve itself. Most recent controversy on campus is 1) transgendered persons--should they go to women's colleges. (Currently Mt. Holyoke allows in women biologically born women).2)the holyokeconfessional, a virtual space for students to write anonymously about whatever they want on a message board open to anyone of the Mt. Holyoke online network. I think there is a lot of school pride. There's a lot of women college pride in general. Mt. Holyoke is unusual because it was the first women's college founded in the U.S. and it was also founded by a woman. I will always remember...M&C's (milk and cookies at 9:30p) my first year with all my friends laughing hysterically about recounting other fun memories and staying up late studying with them. Frequent student complaints:cost of tuition rising.

In my opinion, Mount Holyoke is pretty awesome. It's a place where I feel totally comfortable to be myself, even if that means strolling into a dance in my pajamas on a friday night.