Mount Holyoke College Top Questions

The best thing about Mt. Holyoke is the feeling of pride that you get knowing that you are part of an institution that fosters such brilliant minds and values all kinds of women without passing judgment. I do wish that the college was located in a more urban setting. It is just the right size. When I tell people that I go to Mount Holyoke, they are almost always taken back by the prestige of the college and the quality of the education it offers. I spend most of my time at the equestrian center or at the library (two of the most beautiful places on campus). The students here are unusually supportive and friendly. Everyone strives to do well, but there is rarely a feeling of competitiveness. Students complain that there is not much to do on campus during the weekend, but if you are resourceful, there is always a party to be found, or an event to go to. Also, the 5-college consortium allows students to take classes at UMASS, Amherst, Smith, and Hampshire Colleges. It also helps to expand your social network beyond the gates of the Mount Holyoke College.

I like the all women's environment. Things get done quicker and there's less overt competition. I'd change how the campus policies make it hard to have a good time on campus and don't do enough to promote safety when partying etc. When I tell people that I go to Mount Holyoke they ask me one or a combination of the following: Where is it? Is that a religious school? Are you gay? Have you hooked up with a girl? How do you get by without guys? How can you go to school in the middle of no where? Why did you decide to go there? I'm in the library, campus center or the dorms a lot. The administration seems a little slow and somewhat out of touch. Sometimes they're right on and a lot of the individual people are great. We have a lot of unusual things - class colors/mascots, traditions like M&Cs, elfing, Dis-O and random stories that get passed around campus. Students don't tend to ever like the hours of things - like the dining halls, the library, the offices they need to use. The health center is also hit or miss. A lot of people also have complaints about the CDC.

The best thing is its alumni network. I would want it to have more rigorous academic and more professors, and also more financial aid! Too small, but beautiful. Either they have not heard of it, or "that's cool", mainly because it's a girls college. I spend a lot of time in my room when i'm on campus, this semester. Before I also spend much time in academic buildings where i have many meetings. I don't think we have a town, but I like Odyssey. I actually do not have much idea how it is. Don't see any controversy lately, used to be about racial issues. Yes, more or less, but not as strong as I think it should be. That it's in the five college area, and a girls school, so we have a double experience of both a women's education, and a mixture of others. My Class Board experience--I have been serving on the board for two years, loved the job, committed, and it's hard to forget such things. That we do not have quality food in dining halls.

You don't go to Mount Holyoke for the guys. You go because you will make the most amazing girl friends you'll ever have in your lifetime. I'd want to be closer to the city. It's just a little bit too small. Some people ask me "Where is Mount Holyoke?", lots of people just don't know anything about the school...other people know that it is prestigious and are really shocked. I spend most of my time running around from class to studying to meetings. What college town? There isn't even a pharmacy that isn't run by the school. The administration is really slow sometimes. The race controversy was pretty big (someone claimed in the newspaper that minority organizations weren't involved enough). There's a lot of school pride, but there is some school hate too. It's mostly because it's just stressful to be here. Mount Holyoke is just a sweet place. I'll always remember living with my three best friends in a quad and LOVING it. Lots of people complain about boys--I think it's natural, but it goes away after awhile, when you realize that you don't need them to be happy.

The best thing is the pretty campus and the huge international community!!....it's just right!!....well i get mixed reactions....some get really impressed and go wow.....nd some go 'are you a lesbian?"

I love Mt Holyoke for its diversity. It has one of the largest acceptance rates for international students, and this helps in building a global culture. The college promotes and supports diversity and the huge array of cultures that co-exists exceptionally well in a small college community. We have 'gracious dinner' nights with different themes, such a Chinese Gracious night or Mexican Gracious night. This is usually held by the language departments but does a great job at fostering cultural awareness. Besides diversity, Mt Holyoke surreal location is captivating. Its a clash of history and modernity. The new technologically advanced science building, Kendade, with plush couches and winding stairwells is connected to a towering Victorian looking building, Clapp, made out of old red brick with ivy growing on its walls. That would be something that Mt Holyoke has been doing right for a long time: preserving the old while promoting the new. We are simply very different from so many other colleges that I have visited. Residence Halls are scattered across campus amidst academic buildings, and the environment is not commercial at all. There aren't any small outlet stores or coffee houses inside the college campus, though we do like to complain a lot about a lack of Starbucks in the vicinity. The worst thing about Mt Holyoke though is that you can't really do anything without a car. We're situated in South Hadley, which is a small college town, and is lifeless after 7 at night. The public transportation system is not the best in the world, though there is the PVTA, which is the bus service that runs through the 5 colleges - Hampshire, Amherst, UMass, Smith, and Mt Holyoke, through sometime in the morning to 2 at night. This is a lot of help but it could get painful to go anywhere outside the 5 college area.

Best thing about MHC: the classroom. everyone wants to participate and you learn from every other student and they help to shape your own viewpoints. One thing I would change: I would completely rebuild our indoor athletic facility. Just not a good building. School size: Just right for me, small liberal arts. Reaction: Where is that? Isn't that all-women's? Why do you go there?...other people who know it say "Oh great school!" Spend the most time: Dorm room or athletic facility "What college town?"....the college towns are down the road (Amherst, Northampton) Administration: Very close to students and do their best to meet students' needs. Some departments are better than others, as to be expected. For the most part, we have a great administration. Controversy: Transgendered students is pretty big, when will the new dorm open. School Pride: Among alumnae and athletes there is a great deal of school pride. not much anywhere else. Unusual: We get milk and cookies every evening in our dorms from 9:30pm-10pm...we love it, Experience I will remember: Tearing my ACL in a soccer game against Clark U. Complaints: Wasting energy/resources, FinAid