Wellesley College

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Students Say - Academics
Widely considered to be the top women's college in the nation, "Wellesley grooms its students to be strong leaders" through rigorous academic programs, "an intense intellectual environment," and "fierce commitment to social change." As a small college, Wellesley offers ample "personal attention" and a "comfortable environment;" however, choice and opportunity separate Wellesley from other similar institutions. While enrolling just 2,200 undergraduates, Wellesley offers a remarkable array of more than 1,000 courses and 50 major programs; plus, "You can cross-register at MIT (and to a limited extent at Brandeis, Babson, and Olin.)" From research to internships to overseas studies, Wellesley "provides great resources and opportunities to all its students." A senior shares, "I have had opportunities for research and independent study in both of my majors (and in at least one other field of interest.)" Attracting "fiercely driven and deeply passionate women," a Wellesley education "can be stressful and intense." At the same time, "It is a very friendly, respectful, intellectual environment where professors believe in your ability to do great things and the whole world seems to open up to you." When it comes to the teaching staff, "Not only are many of the professors notable in their fields, they are all excellent teachers. Classes in all departments are exciting, challenging, and engaging." And the benefits don't stop on your graduation day. Thanks to a "very strong alumni network" and a strong career placement program, Wellesley women are ready to enter the workplace. No matter what your field, "Wellesley women are everywhere. It's very helpful when you're looking for internships or jobs."

Students Say - Campus Life
Be prepared to burn the midnight oil at Wellesley. On this studious campus, "students tend to be very driven academically," and "Most of the weekday is spent in class or studying." Fortunately, no matter how busy they are, "People always try to make time for friends...whether it's a group study session or just dinner together." "Outspoken and well-informed," students are eager to engage in "insightful discussions about politics, religion, sexuality, etc., at the lunch table." In addition, "there are always seminars and panel discussions and cultural events to attend" on campus. Socially, the Wellesley campus is generally quiet, and "Private parties are often broken up due [to] the Draconian alcohol and party policies imposed by the administration." Therefore, when they want to blow off steam, many Wellesley students "go into Boston or Cambridge for parties, concerts, shopping, protests, or people-watching." For others, "The ideal night would [include having] a handful of friends clustered around the kitchen table in the Shakespeare house, debating, drinking, and laughing about politics, literature, and the latest celebrity events." For those concerned about meeting members of the opposite sex, Wellesley women assure us that, "You can interact with Harvard and MIT men, as well as men from the many institutions in Boston and the surrounding area, but, at the end of the day, you have a quiet, clean, and boy-free zone to come home to."

Students Say - Student Body
While many students describe Wellesley as an "ethnically and financially diverse campus," a typical Wellesley undergraduate is "white, very liberal, very intelligent, [and] politically active, does a lot of community service, and has fashion sense like you wouldn't believe." Others describe their classmates as "intelligent, engaged, curious, quick-witted, articulate, politically-aware, outspoken, thoughtful, passionate, ambitious, and poised." While they share some impressive characteristics, Wellesley women come in a "variety of packages, from women who brag about showering in the Science Library to those who party [in] Cambridge every weekend to rugby players and Shakespearean actors to sorority-girl-esque 'society' members." Students also point out that "alternative gender expressions and sexual orientations are also quite common" on the Wellesley campus. Friendly and welcoming, "everyone is accepted" within the college community, though students note that "deeply religious students are less common and Republicans are quite the minority."

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