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14 out of 14 people found this review useful.
Christine from Salt Lake City, UT
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot Wellesley is an excellent liberal arts school because, in a nutshell, they teach you how to figure the world out for yourself. They have excellence in everything: faculty, location, students, campus, dining, residential staff, dorms, comprehensive studies, major and minor flexibility, inter-college communication, etc. You're surrounded by girls who are the top in their state and have been up to the national/international level in music, the arts, sports--you name it, you have it. The Wellesley woman is a good speaker, a talented writer, not afraid to ask hard questions, intense, diligent, and a level above other college students. We put our all into not just our academics but everything else as well--while Harvard, MIT, Babson, Olin, and other schools may not work too hard on a culture festival, an orientation event, an intercollegiate party, or an open Boston forum, Wellesley women and faculty take professionalism to a completely new level. Every woman who receives an award, a distinction, an executive position in a club or otherwise, fully deserves it. At Wellesley, you're surrounded by the best of the nation--women who will be great in the future, and who will make their mark. So am I learning a lot? Yes, both in and out of class--and most likely much more out of class. The people you encounter are insanely smart, hard-working, and honest. The students at other schools provide a way for a student of Wellesley to really see the perks of Wellesley and what sets us apart from other schools, whether all-girl or not.
Am enjoying being here The campus is one of the most beautiful in the nation, is consistently in the top 5 liberal arts schools nationally, and of course, as an all-female school, is a haven for women! Because Wellesley is all-female, the perks of really being able to focus on school are immense. While at co-ed schools you may have to take the higher road and not talk as much in class because there are rowdy boys in the class, or have to deal with the sexism that I have encountered in many boys in my grade, at Wellesley you can be completely free to do what you want and need to do in order to perform at your peak. The small class sizes are a blessing, and being surrounded by girls makes competition and performance that much more intense yet friendly. Even if I theoretically had to leave Wellesley and go to a state university because of tuition costs, I would forever be thankful for my time at Wellesley and remember what a tremendous blessing it was to meet other women who have the same goals and aspirations as me, and who don't get distracted from their goals.
Bang for the buck Definitely worth the money. The Wellesley experience is incredible. Everyone works so hard--as one of the top in my state, I went to Wellesley and met girls who were the top in their respective states, and met upperclassmen who, in my eyes, were close to achieving rocker status because they had done so many lovely, cool, and commendable things. Seriously try and visit campus and meet some of the students if you can--the prospectives I met all were awed by how much they loved Wellesley and by how nice and great the students were. There is no hierarchy, belittling, or aggression between Wellesley women--just intense yet respectful competition, and it is really every woman against herself. You compete to be better than you thought you could be--if you feel stupid because everyone else around you seems uber smart, guess what? Everyone around you feels the same way. Wellesley women intimidate Wellesley women, and that makes all of us try that much harder. We know how to party, have fun, and take care of ourselves--you do NOT have to do all-nighters if you manage your time well--but we study hard and also form meaningful relationships with faculty and students that you can't get at big universities or even at such an acclaimed school as Harvard. Wellesley is great because it is small, it is all-girls, it is far enough from Boston to be a real college and campus experience but close enough that you aren't in the middle of nowhere, it really tries to meet the needs of each student, and since it is a liberal arts school, will teach you all the skills you need for success as a person, worker, boss, wife, daughter, cousin, politician, lawyer, service worker... whatever your role is!
Tips for prospective students Don't worry too much if you don't have a perfect GPA, perfect standardized test scores, or if you don't have a million extracurriculars. Many girls I know at Wellesley didn't have a stellar academic performance, but were accepted. Just do your best in whatever you can, and write a good essay about why you want to attend! My essay was honestly about my love for Jamba Juice, Asian music, my friends, my fashion sense, and the quirks that my friends will make fun of me for--it showed my personality and wasn't overdone or boring to read (well, in my opinion and my friends' opinions) and I think it really made a different in the acceptance process. And this is from my own observations and others': Wellesley isn't incredibly hard to enter, the way Harvard, Princeton or MIT is, but honestly, it is one of the hardest colleges to graduate from with a good GPA because Wellesley women are so excellent we have to grade-deflate to make some sort of distinction between the good, the excellent, and the outstanding. I have friends at Harvard and they don't work nearly as hard as the average Wellesley women--we take our studies and extracurriculars a lot more seriously than they do. So don't worry too much about acceptance--it's not the hardest school to enter. :)
Great for these types of students Everyone! Honestly, I think one of the biggest strengths of Wellesley is how diverse a Wellesley woman can be. While I am not really a partier and prefer to spend my weekends hanging out in the city with close friends, there are definitely people who know how to party. Certainly there is a mixture of sexual/gender identity, but whether you are straight, lesbian, bi, or identify by something else, you will find others like you and are not disturbed by others. In fact, oftentimes I will be walking to my next class or my dorm and see a girl who will make me wonder how she got into Wellesley or why she applied, since she seems so different from me, and yet I love Wellesley and she does too. But even on opposite sides of the spectrum, Wellesley women truly and wholeheartedly love Wellesley--even the ones who hate it the first year come back and love it in the years following. We especially love the opportunities it offers to study overseas, meet student at other colleges, make up your own major, meet wonderful professors, and become friends with people you wouldn't be caught dead with in high school. Wellesley can sound like a school for bitc*es, or straight-edged uptight and prim girls, or lesbians only, or aggressive and scarily nerdy or smart girls, etc., but the student population will really surprise you. (Please don't take offense by any of my descriptions, I know they are very stereotypical but are only examples!) Don't cross this school off because it is all-girls and you or people around you have negative stereotypes of it--come over for spring open campus and see for yourself! I was hesitant in applying because my sister attended Wellesley and loved it, and since she and I are polar opposites I was highly dubious of whether Wellesley would be a good college fit for me. But after one year at Wellesley, I am ever grateful that I applied and decided to attend--it is really wonderful in so many ways.
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8 out of 8 people found this review useful.
A student from Brussels, Belgium
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot Wellesley College has a stellar academic reputation and it lives up to it. I have just completed my first year, but am already wowed by the intensity and quality of my classes at Wellesley. None of my classes have exceeded 35 people, the largest being Ecnomics 101 (one of Wellesley's most popular courses). My smallest class was Arabic with only 12 students (language classes at Wellesley rarely exceed 15 students). All my professors have known my name and offered personal time to help me out with any problems I may have. There are free, Wellesley-funded tutors for every subject and often student-run study groups that meet before exams and midterms. Classes are very challenging, but the school and the professors work hard to make sure that challenging does not turn into overwhelming. There is a large amount of work to be done outside of the classroom, however, it is all relevant and none of it is merely busy-work. Most classes rely heavily on discussion, and while attendance is usually not mandatory, most students come to class because the professor's lecture is worth their time. Wellesley has a liberal arts focus, so you get to take classes in all different subjects, even those with no pertinence toward your major. This is a great benefit, for you can really explore subjects you may never have been exposed to before without jeopardizing your major. I have genuinely enjoyed going to most of my classes and have very rarely skipped.
Am enjoying being here Wellesley College definitely has a unique environment. With no men around, there is a distinctly different feel than co-ed campuses. However, I think this is only an advantage. I did not want to go to a women's college; when a friend (who was a sophomore at Bryn Mawr College) suggested I look at women's colleges, I quickly dismissed the idea. Now, I am very glad that I decided to come to Wellesley. Although we are a women's college, the school makes every effort to facilitate transportation into Boston, where over 60 other schools (and an array of social activities and events) await. I am on the Equestrian Team at Wellesley and have found it very open and lots of fun. My dorm hosts many parties and themed events - this year we had a Speakeasy Dinner Party/Murder Mystery and a Silent Rave party. Wellesley's traditions make each year special with events such as Flower Sunday, sophomore tree-planting, and hoop-rolling. I have made fantastic friends at school, with whom I go tunneling, play hide-and-seek in the science center, and take boats out on the lake. Becoming involved in student government and other clubs on campus, I have found that everyone at Wellesley is able to find a niche that fits their interests. My friend from Bryn Mawr described going to a women's college as a constant slumber party with your best friends; I could not agree more.
Bang for the buck Wellesley is a private college and very expensive. Their financial aid program is fantastic, for those who make the cut-off. Unfortunately, I do not; I have found it difficult to finance my Wellesley education (I am paying for half of my tuition, room, and board). However, I have not transferred because I know that the education I am getting here is unparalleled and the bright, talented, friendly women who attend Wellesley could not be found at a school with a lower price tag.
Tips for prospective students Wellesley is a demanding school and definitely attracts a certain kind of person; however, it also has produced the highest percentage of women in executive, high-ranking jobs. Make sure that your writing skills are up to par, as most non-science classes require a large amount of reading and writing. Talk to a current student at Wellesley, but be aware that there are many different attitudes about the school (quite a few which have to do with the fact that it is all-women). Lastly, give Wellesley a chance. A few years ago, I never would have pictured myself at a small, women's college outside of Boston, but now I would not attend anywhere else.
Great for these types of students Wellesley is a fantastic place for driven, intelligent young women who want to focus on their education but also be active in many clubs and sports. Most Wellesley women are involved in at least one organization on campus, be it political, social, or sportive. Social life is not traditional; if you want a frat/sorority scene, you have to go out in Boston to find it. However, many other social opportunities provide for a well-rounded college experience.
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1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Meagan from Wellesley, MA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences Attending Wellesley was the best decision I have ever made. It is an empowering and inspiring place. It has provided me with opportunities I would have never imagined.
Tips for prospective students Don't let the all-girls environment scare you off!
Academic Rigor Classes are challenging and rewarding
Dorm Life Each dorm has its own different culture, east side is generally more quite and less social, west side is louder and known for more poartying
Food and Dining There have been some good improvements in the food lately.
What to do for fun Going into Boston is really fun, and going into the Ville for ice cream or coffee with friends is always nice
Bang for the buck Wellesley provides some amazing connections and opportunities you will get no where else
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus We have our own Lake! And every fall we have Lake Day, a carnival outside by the lake
Great for these types of students Dedicated, hard working, over achievers
Clubs and Activities There are so many different clubs to choose from!
Greek Life There are no sororities on campus, but we have societies which are basically the same thing
Campus Safety Campus police are amazing! They really look out for students and care about our safety. The campus always feels safe.
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1 out of 1 people found this review useful.
Student
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot A majority of things covered in class during my first semester were all new to me, so I can easily say that I am learning a lot. However, academics isn't the only thing I feel like i'm learning. The expectations at Wellesley are definitely much higher than in high school, and this makes me learn how to live effectively and efficiently. Juggling difficult schoolwork and extracurricular activities, and controlling sleeping and study habits by myself makes me feel like I can become a more independent woman by being here in this setting.
Am enjoying being here Wellesley feels like a girls camp where we have homework and tests. It's a calming feeling since our campus is quite nice and there are no scary/creepy men around (except during on-campus parties hahaha). I feel safe and the young women I meet are all wonderful, talented and bright, and help to create a positive learning environment. However, I give this enjoyment rating a 4/5 stars because of transportation. I hardly/never really leave the Wellesley area because it takes about 30-40min and costs around $3-5 depending on the day, time and mode of transportation (bus/Green line/commuter rail) to get into Boston.
Bang for the buck Wellesley's academics does give you a lot for your dollar because the professors are very approachable and helpful, and the courses are challenging. The support given to the individual students is very good since class sizes are intimate and I feel like that is something hard to come by. The high level of academics matches the high tuition cost, but calculated into the full attendance cost is an unusually expensive one-and-only meal plan, which makes me feel like I have to eat in the dining halls to get the most bang for my meal plan buck.
Tips for prospective students Like previous students commented, don't be afraid to apply even if you don't meet the academic standards. I for one did not completely meet the standards, but I was still accepted. Having an interview with an alumni was beneficial, I think, because I was able to show my enthusiasm in person and talk more casually about myself, interests and goals.
Another tip is to think about what you would like to pursue. Even if you decide to come in undecided, you should do your homework on possible majors. Since Wellesley is a small school, the number of course offerings and majors are limited, especially for upper level language courses, so looking up majors and courses on the Wellesley website will be beneficial to see what is offered.Great for these types of students I was looking for a small school with smart and hard working students that would fuel my academic fire and that is exactly what I found at Wellesley. This school is good for students who are willing to work hard at academics. From what i've noticed, all the students are hungry for success and they are willing to pour their sweat and tears into their work to reach it. There doesn't seem to be any slacker groups of students at Wellesley, and that makes me work harder to keep up with all the rest of the students.
Wellesley is also good for students who enjoy small class sizes, which allows you get to know your professors better. This past semester, class sizes for me ranged from 3 to 24, which made it easier to participate as a somebody instead of a lost number in a 100+ student class.Login to rate or flag the reviews
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6 out of 11 people found this review useful.
Grace from Bellevue, WA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot At first, Wellesley College was the only college I was thinking of and when I started to learn about the Wellesly there's a lot of departments that I want to take. When i clicked on the department I was thinking of taking in Wellesley there's these courses that I got really excited and suddenly get the feeling of going to this college and do my best to attend this school. If I attend this college I will write notes during class to keep on top all the time.
Am enjoying being here Women's college was something that I always wanted to go, because there's no males students hanging around in the campus that there's sisterhood bond building up that I know that my experiences will change dramatically, because honestly I feel uncomfortable being surrounded by males ( honestly, I believe it's a distraction).
Bang for the buck I'll do anything to go this kind of college desperately that I'll do whatever it takes to go here.
Tips for prospective students the environment are more soothing than the mingle party of sex that the male will dominate the school ground more than women would. Excellent education program. Encouraging environment.
Great for these types of students Women's college will support the female students, because people here would are very encouraging that anyone could succeed.
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2 out of 5 people found this review useful.
Taylor from Maplewood, NJ
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments Am learning a lot The academics here are top notch, without a doubt. This is not a school for the faint of the academic heart- it's not enough to show up to class everyday and do as the professor says to get an A. You have to go above and beyond what you learn in the classroom in order to do well here.
Am enjoying being here Wellesley is an amazing school, without a doubt. However, Wellesley is not for everyone, and the social set-up can be very daunting if you're used to going out and having fun in high school.
Bang for the buck They have a good chunk of change to dole out to students, so the financial aid was pretty fair. It's a beautiful campus, the dorms are gorgeous, and the food is pretty good.
Tips for prospective students DEFINITELY visit before you come here, spend some time with the students before you make a decision. Also, if geographical location is important to you (ie., east coast, suburban setting, etc.), make sure you check it out.
Great for these types of students Self-disciplined intelligent girls that love to learn and have slumber parties every night.
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Gina from Wellesley, MA
Reviewer is A current student here.
Categories Rating Comments In three sentences this place prizes excellence, yet has a wonderful sense of community. wellesley is incredibly diverse and accepting-- i've learned so much from my fellow students. this school has so many resources that it is impossible to take advantage of them all.
Academic Rigor we don't have grade inflation. enough said.
Dorm Life it really depends on the dorm. the new dorms have a reputation for being quieter, and west campus is known to be more social. i don't know that many people within my dorm, other than the people in my hall.
Food and Dining i think the food is great. there are lots of vegetarian options, and there's ice cream in all the dining halls at every meal.
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