Hi guys
So I’m applying to MH, I am international from Italy and hoping to major in history. Do you know what the course is like and whether the professors are good? I’m particularly interested in Medieval history? Is it common to go take classes at the other 5 colleges in the consortium/?
Also how easy is it to meet boys and what is social life like?
D graduated with a history degree 2 yrs ago. Had amazing professors, many internationally known in their fields. I think it was Princeton Review, rated MHC’s professors as the most engaging. She took courses at UMass and at Hampshire, as transportation was easy. It’s easy to get to Amherst, but consortium students aren’t always treated well by SOME Amherst students. She didn’t take any courses at Smith–different bus line than the other 4, required a bus change, etc, too much hassle.
She met and dated boys from the 3 coed schools. Put 2800 girls on a college campus, and boys seem to find them!
Minor correction:There are ~2200 students. Still, point well taken.
The rankings are no more than subjective opinions of students who are willing to complete the survey. Nonetheless, of interest:
http://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=professors-get-high-marks
http://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings?rankings=most-accessible-professors
My daughter, like you hesitated on committing to “all girls school”. But now, after three years at MHC she’s very happy with her choice. She met young men by taking classes at Amherst, UMass and Hampshire. She dated a guy from Umass for several months but broke it off, feeling that she really wanted to focus on her time at MHC and take advantage of as many opportunities as possible before graduating. (while he was more interested in attending UMass sporting events and parties) So yes, opportunities present for opposite sex dating, but it’s just not the same as having boys in the dining room or living down the hall. ASk your self. Are going to college to date? Or do want a supioer foundational education on which to build the rest of your life?
The benefits of all women living are numerous. The resident halls are spectacular–honestly, like living in four star vintage hotel. The women are respectful and supportive, a definite vibe of sisterhood and genuine camaraderie.
Each semester my daughter takes a class at one of the colleges (not Smith yet). Yes the bus makes communing between school easy and it’s FREE. Class selection seems easy to navigate.
For the large part my daughter likes her professors. Some more than others. She has developed nice working relationship inside her major, has contributed to two published papers, presented and at an academic event event and currently working on public commissioned project with her advisor.
For “fun” heres some things my daughter enjoyed: Taking "outdoor education classes at hampshire (X-C skiing, canoeing, ect), model UN, Her student job, joining a sports team, attending the various theater and music performances, Riding her bike around the pioneer valley, academic clubs and outings with the clubs, taking art classes and spending time in the studios (not an art major), going into Northhampton on the weekend with friends, $10 bus trips to Boston and NYC, working out in the gym and playing squash. She’s never complained about “nothing to do”.
Thanks @momneeds2no ! Mount holyoke does sound great, and after what you said and the interview I had with a Senior I do believe I would be happy there! MHC is my early decision II college now 
@Livvy97 This thread is a little old, but I feel like I would be remiss if I didn’t point it out (I’m a history major at MHC): the history department’s medievalist retired last year, and we currently don’t have one. It’s a little up in the air on whether/when we’ll get a new one. The department is really pushing, but hiring new faculty takes time. They could hire a new medievalist next year and this would be no issue, but it could also take longer. I love MHC and the academics are stellar, but it’s something to consider for you specifically.
Not this much time.
It more likely the administration hasn’t allocated the funds to hire a new history possessor/instructor.
True. I’m not clear on all the department-vs.-administration politics. I know everyone in the department is really frustrated with the process - they talk about it all the time at department events, it came up in an unrelated conversation with my advisor, etc. But it’s not as urgent as it might be elsewhere, because the five college consortium lets us take classes at the other colleges - however, it would definitely be a bigger issue for someone with a specific interest in Medieval history, which is why I mentioned it.
^^
Your honesty and concern for others is admirable. However, I’m not surprised. The aforementioned traits seem to be in the DNA of Holyoke women.
Thank you, that’s very nice of you to say!