<p>I am a student looking for a challenge. Are the academics at Mount Holyoke rigorous? Thanks.</p>
<p>From what I observed while visited MHC, yes, the academics are rigorous. I would imagine that, like any school, there is some self selection. Some classes will have reputations for being a bit easier while others will be known for being extremely demanding.</p>
<p>A recent College Ranking showed MHC as quite rigorous. My D is a Soph. She is double majoring (actually one of her 2 majors is also a dual major). She works hard, but not crazy hard, but she does plan her time carefully. She has time to watch her favorite TV shows on line, though a few days or so after the TV broadcast. There are students at MHC who work harder than she, and there are students who work less than she. It depends upon the student and the major. Some courses have a great deal of reading. In one of my D’s classes last year, she received long reading assignments over the weekend for a Monday AM class. But in some classes, the assignments are known a week or more in advance. The rigor of MHC also depends upon the student’s high school preparation – did the student learn how to write and research and properly budget time in high school? If not, these are skills that will have to be developed in college, any college, making that college more rigorous. Literature-type courses often require a lot of reading. Science courses usually require a time-consuming lab each week, along with time-consuming lab reports. If one is involved in other things (a sports team, a theatrical group, a musical group, a political group, etc.), those can also take time, making the studies seem more rigorous. That’s the same at any college. But students at MHC seem to be very busy doing LOTS of “stuff” important to them. After 1st term, students can take 20 credits. That is challenging. My D did that second semester, and she was mighty busy and challenged. You can be academically challenged at Wasamatta U, and academically bored at Hahvahd U. It depends upon what you take and who you are. It’s all up to you. At college, beyond the requirements, no one will tell you what to take and when. But at MHC, it seems that students do not compare grades, as I hear some do at other colleges and universities.</p>
<p>Yes, MHC is an incredibly academically rigorous school. There are some majors that might not be as rigorous as others, and some specific courses that might be easier than others, but overall, the academic rigor is very much present. The key to not drowning is balancing courses where you’ll have final exams and final papers. Having to write several 10-15 page papers is difficult, as is studying for several tests…a couple of each is a good way to balance it out. MHC recommended that students study twice the amount of in-class hours you had. I was a busy woman on campus (work-study, athletics, extra-curriculars) but managed to make everything work. After I graduated from MHC, I think I spent the whole summer sleeping…BUT…MHC prepares you really, really well for grad school!</p>