<p>My sister is a freshman and she absolutely loves it. I applied RD but I don't think I'll get in, let alone go. </p>
<p>hcjr - wow, I'm really sorry your experience has been so negative. I definitely agree with you about the whole "bubble" thing (based on my sister's experience thus far and what I've seen when I've been on campus with her and not just on the tour). My sister isn't exactly the most informed person in the world, so it would make sense that it wouldn't bother her. I love to know about what's going on in the world so I don't feel I'd enjoy that lifestyle too much. She pretty much fits the description of the "stereotypical" hc student, guess that's why she loves it so much! I'm pretty much the polar opposite of her, so this is making me rethink whether I really want to go or not. </p>
<p>My one experience in downtown Worcester was hopefully my last. I went out to dinner with my sister last November after I had an interview on campus (which was HORRIBLE, the interviewer was asking me these ridiculously impossible questions). We had to park in a really dark and creepy neighborhood because there was no parking on the street. When we were done eating and walking back to the car, there was this guy standing on the sidewalk (who was clearly drunk) that came up to us and said "I'M 18 HAHAHAHAHAHA" and then walked away. It was sooooo weird and I was glad to get back to the campus. I don't feel I would thrive in a place where you're pretty much just confined to the campus, which is how hc is. Of course, everyone is different and has different opinions, so some might find this aspect of the school appealing. It certainly doesn't seem to be bothering my sister (well...not yet).</p>
<p>It's funny you mention your undesirable interview experience. I am a fairly easy-going person, and if not out-going, at the very least I have no problems talking with people. Every other school I interviewed with drew me in even further to the school. I didn't quite feel that way with HC. </p>
<p>I don't want to go as far as to say my interviewer was "cold," because she was very nice, but I definitely wasn't struck with a happy, warm feeling inside. She wasn't very good at feigning interest in the interview. I also agree there were some bad questions. I didn't feel like they were trying to trip me up, but they were just kind of awkward to answer. For example, I was asked about how I ranked compared with the rest of my grade. Well, my school doesn't rank, and she knew that. I didn't want to say, "I don't know," but I also didn't want to make up some number off the top of my head. So, I kind of "BSed" some stuff for a couple minutes. </p>
<p>I guess it was just weird because other schools tried to get to know me more through the interview.. talked about my interests, etc. I got a somewhat pretentious air from the whole experience, but maybe that's just me being liberal. The experience didn't turn me off to the school. It just didn't add anything.</p>
<p>One of my closest friends is at HC and he loves it.</p>
<p>I visited one weekend, we cabbed into Worcester and ate at a great pub called the Rhino something, went back to campus and attended a basketball game that was packed with what appeared to be very spirited students, then caught a movie on the lower level of the dining building.</p>
<p>He showed me around a little, nothing was leaking, the science buidling and labs were very modern, everyone appeared happy, I really don't know why anyone would make claims otherwise.</p>
<p>I think hcjr wouldn't be happy no matter where he or she went.</p>
<p>I think hcjr simply sounds like a person who would have been happier and perhaps more successful at a larger school. There are kids who fare better at small schools, and those who fare better at large schools, and sometimes they end up in the wrong place. Then they should transfer ASAP if possible.</p>
<p>Folks,
fpmid07 asked me what I don’t like about HC and how my expectations have not been met. I answered that question frankly based on my experience here so far. If it doesn’t compare favorably to the whitewashing elsewhere on this board, well then hopefully some people will find that useful. Obviously, others have different experiences and opinions, but it seems to me that the picture painted elsewhere on this board is inaccurate and misleading. Ultimately, I’d encourage getting as much first hand information as possible and sizing it up with the cost and what you’re looking for in a school. Would I choose Holy Cross again? Probably not. In spite of the scholarship, I think I could have found a better academic experience with aid elsewhere. Do I regret having come to Holy Cross? No. Though it wasn’t my top choice or the best fit, I will graduate at/near the top of my class and with no student loans. As I mentioned earlier, it really has been a mixed bag. There are certainly things I like and expectations that have been met (or exceeded), but that was not the question.</p>
<p>HolyCrossDad,
Thanks for your wishes. </p>
<p>rocketogod,
I’m happy you enjoyed your visit. Holy Cross might be a great match for you. Keep in mind there’s only so much you can learn about a place in one weekend. As for the leaks, the most obvious example is in the Dinand stacks (there are plastic tarps covering the bookcases), but a lot of classroom buildings and dorms have water damage on ceilings and walls. As for the science labs, they are about the furthest thing from “very modern.” A professor of mine once called them “grade school caliber.” You might be mixing them up with another school? Actually, they just announced a huge rebuilding project of the science building, so hopefully the labs will get a well-needed upgrade over the next few years. </p>
<p>Weenie,
You may be right about being happier elsewhere but I really don’t think you’re in a position to judge my success. If you read my previous post, you’ll note that I like HC’s size. I would not want to be at a big school. My dislikes are pretty specific to Holy Cross, and not small schools generally. Certainly there are small schools with more rigorous academics, more diversity, better locations, etc. that cost a fraction of Holy Cross.</p>
<p>Hi, I think that "fit" is just a very personal thing. My son got into H.Cross but after visiting twice (and they called him a lot) just didn't like it very much. He thought the staff wasn't very nice to him initially, the students seemed all alike and other things that don't really matter now. It was a good school, but not for everyone. His dentist went there, loved it, but he admits, "fit the mold" and realized later, he loved Georgetown, his grad school more because of the diversity and other options he got there. He said, "At the time, I liked the bubble, but later realized, I ourgrew it. Everyone was like me". He also said all the reading they had him do helped him later in grad school, it was less there! My niece also has a good friend that loves Holy Cross (Irish/white/athletic) but it wasn't for her, and they respected their differences in opinions.
I agree, some people would be miserable anywhere, it's attitude, but there are some colleges, that really aren't a fit for some students and have "labels" they earned over the years that sometimes are accurate. That's why visits and observations of others are so important to see through the hype vs truth. And it helps to know the student. Everyone coinsidentally that loved H.Cross that my son talked to was catholic, white and did sports for many years. (He joked once that 3 were named Colleen) That of course doesn't mean that a student that was Jewish or a URM wouldn't love it, but you have to understand that students viewpoint before you take it to heart.</p>
<p>Congrats to everyone accepted already! I'm a freshman here, so I know exactly what ya'll have been going through. Feel free to ask me any questions about Holy Cross. Having completed a semester and a half here, I can honestly say that I'm having the best time of my life! : ) There is a lot of work and studying, but nonetheless it's a great time! : )</p>
<p>And to answer the question above, the party life is a blast. Our motto here is "work hard, play hard." Just be sure to get your work done first!</p>
<p>Dwerner87....I went to HC for a visit in order to see if it was a true fit for me and I absolutely love it and I hope to be granted admission for fall 2007....but I was just wondering if you have found Worcester to beneficial or not? I am just worried that Worcester isn't the best city and that I might be stuck on campus for a while....what do you think? Am I just nervous and worried or should I be?</p>
<p>I've really enjoyed living in Worcester so far. There is a lot more to do than one would think <em>college books, such as the Princeton Review, don't help Worcester's rep</em>. There's a lot of great restaurants in the city. Plus, there's a pretty good club life here. On Thursday nights, many students head to Club Raw for Holy Cross night. It's an 18 + club and it's a lot of fun. On the weekends, the school offers a wide variety of services to get you off campus. We have buses that bring you to Boston or Providence on Fridays and Saturdays, shuttles to both Blackstone Valley mall and the Salomon Pond mall, and a service called Night Rider, which will pick you up anywhere in Worcester on the weekend until 3 am! I've taken advantage of all these opportunities and it has helped make my Holy Cross experience as great as it has been so far! I had your same concern last year, but you have no need to worry! : )</p>
<p>Thanks for answering my questions! I am really glad to here that there is fun night life in worcester and that it really isn't that bad...this makes me less worried and kind of anxious to see whether or not I got in...thanks again! I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind telling me your stats because I'm kind of worried that I won't get in....</p>
<p>Here was my post from last March when I got in...</p>
<p>Accepted!!! : )</p>
<p>Did not submit SAT's
GPA: 3.64
Rank: 15/113</p>
<p>Essay: Very Original<em>connected my favorite childhood stuffed animal to stepping outside the norm and succeeding in life</em>
Recommendations: 4 - Great
Hook: No Hook</p>
<p>State: NY
School type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male</p>
<p>Extracurriculars: Captain Varsity Soccer, Varsity Hockey, Captain Varsity Track, NHS President, Student Council Treasurer, Knowledge Master Open, Band President, Harvard Model U.N., North Country Model U.N. Security Council President, 2004 N.Y.L.F. Med Forum/Boston participant, 2005 New York Boys' State Participant.
Why I got in: Pretty strong grades, very strong extracurriculars, excellent interview.</p>
<p>To be honest, I really didn't think I was going to get in. I saw a lot of other stats that had 2200 Sat's and 4.0 GPA's, so I was pretty nervous. I still believe it was my extra-curriculars and my essay that got me in here, but who knows?</p>
<p>Thanks DWerner87...I was just wondering because I am still kind of nervous that I won't get accepted....but my stats are rather similar to yours and I hope I get in....</p>
<p>According to campus tourguide this week, they got 7100 applications for 700 spots. Don't know how many they issue acceptances to, though. That number could be high if a lot of people who apply to other schools use Holy Cross as a back up.</p>