<p>How is the Lesbian population at MHC?</p>
<p>i love the campus, but i was concerned because i wasn't sure if i'd feel comfortable rooming with a lesbian...</p>
<p>gosh i sounded mean didn't i?</p>
<p>I actually asked an admissions officer about the lesbian population at MHC. At first, she hemmed and hawed about how "ohh, lesbians are everywhere, they're nothing to be afraid of, you won't have to deal with them if you don't want to..." and later started backpedalling frantically when I told her I was asking because I was queer. (Note: NOT a direct quote, just the general feeling I got from her)</p>
<p>Hmmm. </p>
<p>I was seriously unimpressed by that answer, but it's a pretty bad idea to judge an institution by just one of its representatives, I think. Anyway, I've gotten a much more laid back and accepting vibe from everybody else MHC-related that I've been in contact with. From what I've seen/heard, there is a visible lesbian population on campus who are comfortable expressing their sexuality. That doesn't mean that straight girls feel strange, however. The whole campus seems to be comfortable with diversity of all kinds, including that of sexual orientation. </p>
<p>This is all IMHO, so alums/students, please feel free to correct me if anything I'm saying is off </p>
<p>On a slightly different note...I can see how/why you'd be worried about a lesbian roommate, but please don't be, for your own sake and your future roommate's sake. I know I was pretty hurt when I found out an old (straight) roommate had been uncomfortable rooming with me due to my sexual orientation...people are people, and as long as you're both respectful, it should not be an issue at all. Besides, queer ladies aren't attracted to the straight ones so much, so y'know, don't flatter yourself...;)</p>
<p>Anyway, my apologies for the marathon post, and best of luck in the admissions process!</p>
<p>I am an MHC alum and mother of an applicant for 2010 class and sometimes interviewer. Have visited campus about three times in the last two years. Just wanted to echo hey-la's commment :</p>
<p><<... there is a visible lesbian population on campus who are comfortable expressing their sexuality. That doesn't mean that straight girls feel strange, however. The whole campus seems to be comfortable with diversity of all kinds, including that of sexual orientation....>></p>
<p>That seems to sum it up about right. When visiting with my D, we spoke to a number of students hanging around in the Student Center --all of them expressed great satisfaction with their college experience, many referrred to boyfriends or places where they went to meet guys. All were extremely friendly and welcoming. </p>
<p>If you are attracted to MHC, the posssiblilty of a lesbian roommate should not put you off--if you don't get along, it 's one year at most and there are many reasons why roommates don't work out at any college. A roommate whose outlook on life differs from yours can be a valuable education in itself. The majority of MHC women --as in the world in general -- are heterosexual.</p>
<p>Lower than the gay male percentage at Yale. (I mean that seriously - in the general population, gay males outnumber lesbians by about 5 or 6 to 1, and Yale has the finest lesbian/gay studies program in the U.S.) </p>
<p>The reason I bring this up is because, when I attended an all-male college (Williams at the time), nobody ever asked about the gay population (which was over 10%). The issue only comes up because the idea of WOMEN getting such a great education at a school with such huge resources, and learning to be leaders, makes lots of people uncomfortable. </p>
<p>Make sure you are comfortable living with an international student, though. 15% of Mt. Holyoke's student body!</p>
<p>thank you so much you guys!</p>
<p>i really appreciate it.</p>
<p>i loved my representative (mrs./ms. lichtenstein) and i fell in love with MHC.</p>
<p>why do you guys love MHC?</p>
<p>mainly, pyewacket, i would appreciate it deeply if you could answer it!</p>
<p>I am pleased with my college experience and happy I went to MHC but I am not really a passionate MHC booster--I think the college is a good choice for some women and would not suit others. Loving the campus --natural surroundings and architecture --is one way to tell if you'd be happy there-- what if felt like to be there contributed a lot to my happiness as a student-- removed from commercial-industrial activity( I grew up in New York City) in a serene environment where most people valued learning, the arts and the exchange of ideas. I also appreciated the intimacy and friendliness of the community-- a real sense of sisterhood, especially within the dorms mixing all four classes. Many of the professors were stimulating, dedicated to teaching and passionate about their subjects--also available and welcoming to students on a personal basis. The limits of South Hadley and a women's college also spurred me on to take Junior Year Abroad at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Taking all 4 undergraduate years together, it was close to an ideal education (for an English major). Also, I still feel bound to the MHC community as an alum--so it is a lifelong connection.</p>
<p>well, i did ED 1 this year and the main reason m in lub with MHC is it's unique blen of intls... and the resources... and the fact tht everyone is soooo friendly in the college, I have talked to a number of people in the administration plus some students currently studing there... and they all seem soooo friendly to me</p>
<p>MHC is a pretty diverse place, so you may have a roommate of a different sexual orientation, nationality, political persuasion, religion, etc. That's college. You might learn something. She's not out to hit on you. Don't flatter yourself.</p>
<p>I’m a lesbian considering attending MHC. I’m really worried about the fact that it’s an all-girls school, because lots of my close friends in HS have been gay and straight guys. Lesbians: What is your opinion on this? Were any of you in the same situation?</p>
<p>I graduated from MHC a long time ago and am not a lesbian, nevertheless, I have done alumna interviews with prospective students and have been to campus recently a couple of times and keep up with what’s going on.</p>
<p>If you value casual friendships with men, those sorts of relationships are not that easy to come by at a women’s college. Situations in which you can get to know men are through 5-college cooperation courses or activities at Amherst, Hampshire or UMass, summer or January internships, and junior year abroad. On the other hand, MHC is a great place to meet a vareity of interesting and accomplished women from all over ther world. Many of the professors are men and there is a tradition of faculty members meeting with students informally in social settings and really getting to know them.</p>
<p>Attending a women’s college should not be confused with entering a convent but the presence of male contemporaries in your everday life will be much more limited than at a co-ed school and this factor should be included in your deliberations.</p>
<p>That was the only thing that made my daughter pause about attending an all female college. She loved what she read about Mount Holyoke and even though it was more isolated, applied there with the hope of acceptance. After talking to some students though, she has some reservations. She doesn’t care if she has a boyfriend in college so much, but likes male friends and values a male opinion when discussing and debating certain things. Never having a discussion outside of her female friends wouldn’t be awful, but “different”.
Some women’s colleges like Bryn Mawr and Bernard are very close to other co-ed colleges and you can stay on your campus or explore others. The availability of taking courses elsewhere is easier also.
That alone shouldn’t make or break most decisions, but you must go in with eyes wide open.</p>
<p>pyewacket - I’m considering attending MHC, and I plan on majoring in English to become a writer later on. What do you think of the English department at MHC? Did you have enough freedom to pick as many classes as you want in English, or did you feel the general requirements were too restrictive in your choices? What are you doing in your post-MHC days, if that’s not too personal?</p>
<p>Sorry about the abundance of questions! I’m just really curious about an education at Mount Holyoke versus one at Hamilton, where I’ve also been accepted.</p>
<p>I was an English major at MHC and I think their English department is very good. There is probably more freedom in course choice now than there was in my day. I did not regard the requirements as restrictive–I believe they were carefully thought out and emphasized the range and breadth of literature in English, as wll as the historical tradition. That sort of background is very valuable to anyone taking literature seriously as a reader or a writer and being “forced” to confront texts you might not have chosen yourself is the best way to promote intellectual growth and discernment. Good teachers help to get you excited about authors, periods and genres you may have been unfamiliar with. Literature gains its meaning from the interdependence of all texts on each other.</p>
<p>I live in Europe, where I teach English as foreign language and American Culture at the university level.</p>
<p>P.S. I just re-read your question. Perhaps you were referring to the distribution requirements in other areas outside English?</p>
<p>Here too, I think breadth of exposure is always an asset!</p>
<p>I was in deed. But thank you so much for your response, it really reassures me that I would receive a good, broad, and sufficient foundation in English Literature and language for my future career and personal culture.</p>
<p>I know you did not attend Hamilton College, but if you know anything about it, how would you advise my attendance of MHC versus Hamilton? I’m facing a huge dilemma and don’t know which to attend. Which do you think would be preferable for honing my skills as a writer, and would preparing me best for life (again in terms of credentials and personal enrichment)?</p>
<p>Thank you again!</p>
<p>I know nothing about Hamilton College so I think you should ask about it on a thread for that college.</p>
<p>However, I can say with confidence that Mount Holyoke will provide you with a great deal of intellectual and cultural enrichment valuable for a future writer. I have found that the MHC name is recognized and respected and helps to open professional doors–also there is a wide network of alumnae with influenece and experience in many fields and they are usually very friendly, approachable and eager to help. MHC builds a strong sense of community and “sisterhood”. This feeling also extends to recognition by other Seven Sister alumnae, in my experience. I spent my Junior Year in Edinburgh, Scotland and I would recommend broadening the South Hadley experience, if you can, in your junior year.</p>
<p>hi!
I was wondering–hw hard is it to meet with guys if u go to MHC? I heard its connections with Umass, amherst and hampshire means students aren’t isolated in an only-girls community or anything, but I also mean how hard is it to get into relationships etc?
I’ve never met a lesbian (or gay person for that matter) but I’m not too worried about that because I travel a lot and have met people of different religions and ethnicities; I’m assuming its going to be a similar experience. However, I’ve never been to an all-girls school or anything so I just wanted to know how hard/easy it is to get to know guys…</p>
<p>Aditi 13, </p>
<p>The anwer to your question depends partly on how easy you find it now to establish relationships with men. To give you an honest answer, I would say it’s not that easy to meet men as a student at Mount Holyoke. There are opportunities via the 5-college cooperation, etc. but you have to be quite self-confident and extroverted to take advantage of them. You also have to be willing to take the initiative. A current student made the same point to my daughter when we visited 5 years ago–my D chose a coed school instead.</p>
<p>When I was a student at MHC, one woman in my dorm used to go on the 5-college bus to the Amherst library --dressed very nicely and with make-up on-- and take her books to study there; she knew how to use the opportunity if anyone tried to distract her from her work.</p>
<p>Nevertheless, in the long run, MHC women get married at about the same rate as the rest of the college grad population and they also find good jobs in the “real world”, which is co-ed.</p>
<p>Thanks pyewacket. Ofc boys arent anywhere near my top priority! and since MHC is the only college so far that has given me a good deal in terms of financial aid (which has proved to be incredibly hard this year, especially for international students like me) so I’m pretty sure I’m going to be attending…
Thank u again =)</p>
<p>Congratulations on your scholarship, Aditi, as an International Student you will probably also find that the MHC internationals organize events with others at Amherst, U Mass and Hampshire.</p>
<p>That’s one of the things I liked about MHC–of course students sometimes sat around and talked about how to meet men but they all had plenty of other things on their minds–they weren’t waiting for “prince charming” to show up but were pursuing their own dreams and getting the most out of their lives.</p>