I am a Mount Holyoke alumna and agree that it was sad that the College had to give up the individual dorm dining halls. However, my friend who graduated in 2020 echoes what I have heard from faculty and trustees that the food is great and that students these days are too busy to be tied down to one time and place for meals. It would have been far too expensive to bring all of the existing kitchens into compliance with the current requirements and it made overwhelming sense to build the dining experience into the renovation of the campus center in Blanchard Hall which was the original gymnasium. Many of the original traditions are in evidence at Blanchard (but not the individual linen napkins and napkin boxes of my day). Congratulations to GoldPenn and his daughter. Not only will she love her 4 years at Mount Holyoke, you will love your four years as a Mount Holyoke parent. lollylolly’s daughter should visit Mount Holyoke (virtually or in person) to imbibe the Hogwarts vibe in the main reading room of the College library which was modeled after Westminster Abbey.
We actually did a drive-thru-only visit to several of the schools, incl MHO! It is beautiful and when we are allowed to go inside buildings, we will return and will make sure to head to the reading room. My daughter is all about the Hogwarts vibe! Didn’t see much of South Hadley but it seemed more like Vassar’s Poughkeepsie than either the area around Wellesley, Smith or Bryn Mawr. Is there an area of South Hadley that would be fun for a mother-daughter day out and about?
Wellesley is also part of a consortium with Babson, Olin College of Engineering, Brandeis, and MIT.
Smith is the only one that has a completely open curriculum. Other than a freshman writing course, there are no distribution requirements. Decide for yourself whether that’s good or bad, but it certainly sets Smith apart as different than the rest.
Northampton is like an extension of the campus. The 5-college area is the 2nd biggest music booking area in New England and most of that is in Northampton. With great restaurants, multiple music venues, and ready access to the outdoors, students are never at a loss for things to do.
Smith also offers ABET accredited engineering.
I enjoy walking along College Street and poking into the shops and eateries. I particularly enjoy Food 101 (nice bar area for when that is a possibility for parents), the Thirsty Mind, and the Odyssey Bookshop which is a destination independent book store. If you are more adventurous, head over to Atkins Farm which is on the way to Amherst. This is on the same road where Milton Avery painted apple orchards from time to time (there are lots of Milton Avery paintings in the Mount Holyoke College Art Museum collection – do not miss seeing “the Conversation” which says everything you need to know about what goes on at Mount Holyoke). Atkins doughnuts are a staple of the undergraduate experience. You can actually order them shipped to you online. Once you’ve tasted them, you will be spoiled for life and looking forward to a return visit over parents weekend. There is a fun story about why Mount Holyoke acquired so many Milton Avery paintings. Be sure to ask when you visit the Art Museum.
While you are at it on your mother-daughter day, visit the Joseph Skinner Museum which is part of the Mount Holyoke museum collection. It was bequeathed to the College by the same man who gave the golf course to the College where the LPGA tournament was held a few years ago. He was an eclectic collector, to say the least. The Skinner Museum has just been named the weirdest place in Massachusetts. So, South Hadley looks like a little town but there are many sights to see and enjoy. Cheers!
The Princeton Review national rankings for Mount Holyoke suggest why it is a stellar place for serious students to spend four years. Most of these rankings are student-driven: #13 Best Alum Network (Go Alumnae Association!); #1 Professors get high marks; #13 Best Classroom Experience; #11 Best Schools for Making An Impact; #9 Best College Library; #18 Most Beautiful campus; #10 Best Dorms; #6 Most Active Student Government; #12 Most Liberal Students; #2 LGBTQ Friendly; #12 For Vegetarians. Mount Holyoke also has a Hogwarts vibe due to the buildings constructed in the late 19th and early 20th century, especially the Library. The Library features a spectacular glass sculpture by Dale Chihuly given by a member of the centennial class of 1937 and its resources are state of the art. If, for some reason the Mount Holyoke library doesn’t have what you want or need, it probably can be borrowed from one of the other libraries in the Five College consortium.
Emily Dickinson lived in Northampton, but left town to go to college at Mount Holyoke. What does that tell us? How does Smith feel about that?
Actually the Emily Dickinson house is in Amherst.
Yes, my bad. Brain fart. I know better, I’ve been there.