Hello all,
I am considering applying as a transfer to Mount Holyoke. I began looking at Amherst, Wellesley, then Smith, and finally MHC, and have of begun to obsessively look at MHC more and more falling for the information online thus far.
While I have not applied, what worries me is the diversity of the student body.
I am not a typical undergraduate student, more so that in many other places I would have to apply as a nontraditional student- at MHC I am not of age yet.
I get along with many my junior in social interests, but I have always been more mature for my age when it comes to goals, I suppose world “experiences”.
What attracts me to MHC is the academics, the professor accessibility,and the campus ( I actually like the rural setting, as a writer I find it most liberating and productive).
My concerns are in terms of diversity, are all of the students predominantly in your face liberal?
Are the students “babied”?
Do the women care for appearances, “cultured”?
Is it as inspiring as I believe it can be from what I have read, if not more? i.e. is there academic freedom or a set conservative academic route.
Will my age be a barrier? (23)
How do the students at MHC compare to the schools mentioned above in terms of collective interests, academic motivations ( vs amherst…)? I am a bit of an academic and art nut…but my overall goal is to attend grad school for a political focus and MBA.
I have no doubt the academic are in par with other top LACS, but how are the alumnae disperesed in the work force?
Every college has a character, esp LACS and since I cannot visit MHC any information would be most helpful.
Thank you!
I’m not familiar with MHC at all, but my daughter just got accepted into the Focus on Diversity fly-in program in November. In applying to these programs, we researched the diversity mission statements and initiatives of our target schools intensively. I found myself impressed by MHC’s on-going work in developing a more comprehensive approach to diversity even when it goes against the grain. You can find reports from the working committees on the website. To be so forthcoming about where efforts fall short was rather refreshing.
In addition to the non-traditional student programs at MHC, Smith and Wellesley, you might also consider the New Resources Program at Pitzer College for next year (minimum age 24).
I went to Wellesley, but live in Southern California now, so diversity of all stripes is important to me. Feel free to PM me, as I’m also an art nut, and my graduate degree was in intl relations/poli sci and economic development. I’d be happy to tell you more about my grad studies at UC San Diego.
As I have just finished 1 year at MHC, I can’t say I can answer every questions you have. Nevertheless, I’ll attempt as many as I can:
- Are in terms of diversity, are all of the students predominantly in your face liberal?
Not sure if I understand your question correctly, but I guess you mean if students here would intimidate you if you are not liberal?
Well, no. We understood that everyone has different believe and opinion, and as long as you don’t impose your ideas on me, I won’t do the same on you. For example, if you don’t really care or particularly interested in a protest/campaign, you can always walk away. In the past one years, I have never faced any uncomfortable situation where people actively preach to me out of nowhere, liberal or not.
Having said that, in discussion, many of us are not afraid to stand up to our belief.
Also we do have very active conservative groups/people. Personally, I have friends who hold not-so-liberal views and they have been living just fine in the school.
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Are the students “babied”?
Again, I’m not sure what you mean by “babied”, so I assume you mean if the professor will hand-hold you?
I would say, not really. Generally, professors expects you to have a plan yourself. They might step in if they feel that you are in danger, or recommend you extra stuffs if they find they you are interested, and of course are willing to help, but they will generally just leave you to develop by yourself.
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Do the women care for appearances, “cultured”?
Nah, we don’t. From what I have seen, it seems that most people just care if you dress appropriate for the occasion (eg: you might earn a few eyebrow raised with bedhead and flowery PJ to class). Other than that, you wear whatever you want to. I have worn simple tee and yoga pant, or hoodie and short to class and no one really care.
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Is it as inspiring as I believe it can be from what I have read, if not more? i.e. is there academic freedom or a set conservative academic route.
I would say there are certain academic freedom, in the sense that there are opportunities to try what you want. Having said that, each major/minor (including self-design major) has to follow certain criteria, and then there are prerequisites to core courses which can be a pain if you do not plan carefully. Some majors hence can be more limited than others, for example, some of my Biochem friends complained that their path have less freedom compare to my Econs major.
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Will my age be a barrier? (23)
I don’t think so.
Thank You @Darcy137! You have been really helpful! I do have one more question haha how do you like your housing?
@winnvanmeter Thank you, for offering to speak with me! Wellesley is also a consideration of mine, first time I have heard of Pitzer. I hope your daughter has fun and enjoys MHC, is she considering MHC for her undergrad too? Lovely, ahh, I will pm you! 
age 23 will not be a barrier. But age 28, the age you’ll graduate, may be. I think that the Francis Perkins program has a minimum age of 25. I would call MHC and ask to speak with an admission rep. You may want to look at school that offer 3+1 MA program, allowing you complete corse work that fills both undergrad and grad requirements.
