Wellesley College Top Questions

Professors are probably one of the best things here at Wellesley. Yes, many of them do know your name and some even set up individual meetings with everyone in the class JUST to get to know you better. While it varies between types of classes, discussion is usually encouraged and used a lot. One of my favorite seminars was 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} discussion and we definitely had some heat in there. And some really cool fun classes I've taken include a robotics class and a theater class. I'm majoring in Psychology and the whole department is pretty strong with a range of really amazing professors. I think the students at Wellesley tend to stress out a lot though, and the atmosphere definitely feels competitive. But people are also extremely intelligent and have both fun and intellectual chats out of class.

Academics are the heart and soul of Wellesley. Academics are the reason that we are there, and it shows. People study like crazy everywhere, all the time. Each one of my professors knows my name and my interests (a few even know my life story). I am on a first-name basis with quite a few of my professors. My favorite class has probably been econometrics, but that's because I love economics and I love practical statistics- I guess you could say that I am a typical geek. In class participation is what classes here are made of. Almost everyone participates in active in-class discussions all the time. Even outside of class, students are constantly having academic discussions...we love to use our brains! Academic competitiveness is apparent in some departments, but for the most part, students are very helpful and supportive of one another. The distribution requirements can be annoying sometimes, but I honestly think they are for the better- I would never have discovered my love of economics if it weren't for the distribution requirements. All in all, an education at Wellesley is about the love of learning, but you will get such a good education in whatever major you choose, that you will be able to do almost anything you want after you graduate! It's the best of both worlds!

Wellesley is the place for academics. The professors are amazing and more than willing to make time for a student. The classes are small and discussion oriented. Every student is passionate about their work, many students even do research abroad.

Professors are very approachable and want to help you succeed in their classes. Standards are incredibly high at Wellesley. In addition to a heavy workload, your assignments must be completed with absolute perfection or you won't get an A. This is due in part to the mandatory grading curve and in part to the nature of the school. However, at the end of the day, the seemingly impossible standards make you a better scholar. Your struggles through the 100 and 200 level classes will prepare you to succeed in your senior year seminars and in graduate school.

The class are engaging and exciting. I am always thrilled come course registration time because I always find classes that focus on the most interesting topics. I am so excited to take the Politics of China course and the International Security course next fall. Do not get scared about the distributions - there is a large variety of classes for you to choose from- most people finish their distributions without even realizing it.

The academics at Wellesley are the reason I didn't transfer. The professors are brilliant, accessible, and supportive. I've never taken a class I didn't like. My favorite was a CompLit seminar last year called "Reading Travel." The class sizes are really nice and even the biggest classes still somehow manage to have discussions. The one down side is that students are VERY competitive, to the point where sometimes participating in class is too intimidating.

Academics are very challenging. I think the grade Deflation policy should be eliminated in order to reduce the competition and intensity levels among students. I like the challenge of Wellesley, but sometimes it is too overwhelming.

Academics are tough. The work load is heavy, the material is deep, and the scheduling can get pretty intense - but it is all do-able. The professors are kind and caring, and they can, in fact, learn your name. One of the best resources you can take advantage of at Wellesley is 'Office Hours' where you can go to discuss with your professor pretty much anything that is on your mind. In the (nearly) two semesters I've been at Wellesley, I have taken 2 physics classes, 1 language class (Latin - it kicked my butt), 2 religion classes (Buddhism and a class about Hildegard of Bingen which I'm actually taking for music credit), 1 math class (second semester calculus), and 2 writing courses (short story composition and a required writing class on the relationship between the great apes and humans). Next semester (yes, I'm coming back) I'm changing gears completely and taking some environmental studies courses, as well as a psychology 101. I do have to say that the academic requirements are tough - but the best thing to remember about Wellesley - and college in general - is that nothing is set in stone. Just because you get through a year and realize you're studying entirely the wrong thing (like I did) doesn't mean that your future is ruined. If you have to do another year, well, then do it! You need to follow your dreams and d something you love - if I've learned anything in my time at Wellesley, it's that following your passions is the absolute best thing you can do with your life.

Academics are INTENSE at Wellesley. Your friends can tell you how hard it is at their school- don't believe them- Wellesley is probably 10 times more intense- and you really have to EARN every point of your grade. They will not give you an A (or even an A-) unless you truly reached excellence.

All of my professors have known my name. They aren't superhuman so it might take awhile and sometimes they know when you have no idea they know and it can freak you out sometimes. Professors are generally really helpful and friendly especially when you go to office hours, all professors have them and if you can't make it in the scheduled times they can usually help you out and work with your schedule. My favorite class has been American Politics, it's very interesting, informative, and fun. My professor usually teaches by lecture but we have had hands-on experiments in statistics featuring M&Ms (chocolate is an easy way to get a Wellesley Woman's attention), and films that offer insight into different aspects of American politics. Wellesley is a lot of work, you have to expect that. You will have to write many, many papers and the reading load is a bit excessive. Problem sets and labs are also time consuming but it also depends on the class and teacher. You can't slack off all the time, maybe a few days each semester or a few weekends. You might regret it though. Everyone participates to different degrees. Some girls speak up once or twice a class or semester, others have trouble not speaking in class. Every class has a "that girl" who talks all the time and is either always right or hit or miss. Everyone here is different and some people love intellectual conversations others not so much. It depends on your friends, roommate(s), classmates, or hallmates. There is a good variety of intellectual conversations and debates and normal girly talks and experience and life talks. I have a lot of intellectual debates because many of my best friends are very liberal and try to liberalize me, with my friends from College Republicans it is more an intellectual reassurance of beliefs. People tend to be accepting to differing opinions but some people aren't.