@dustyfeathers—if you’re referring to Olmstead, I believe Olmstead also designed the lakes area of Mt. Holyoke.
https://www.smith.edu/garden/about/our-landscape/olmsted-plan
https://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/rschwart/hatlas/campus_environment/olmstead_plan/plan.htm
Olmsted was a busy guy.
http://www.brynmawr.edu/library/exhibits/thomas/olmstedmapbig.html
Um yeah, not to mention the master plans for some lesser-known schools like Cal Berkeley, Stanford and UChicago. :))
I get the sense that colleges are starting to appreciate applicants who have work experience. I first started reading this on the admissions blog for Tulane, but I have seen it other places. There is a lot to be said for a HS student who understands the responsibilities of having a regular job on top of HS academics; it may even set an applicant apart from one who just does the standard HS clubs. The important thing is to frame it well on the application.
The difficulty of getting in to Wellesley is very much underestimated. Because it is a women’s college, it naturally gets grouped with the other usual suspects. But admissions at Wellesley is now in a different place than the others. Spend some time with their most recent Common Data Set which you will find here https://www.wellesley.edu/oir/instdata and see for yourself.
Meanwhile, math and physics at both MHC and Bryn Mawr are excellent. Show a lot of interest–it matters.
I think colleges want to make it clear that what they are looking for are students who are busy and engaged. They are likely trying to make the point that a part time job is a very legit EC, especially so students from lower income families who must work don’t feel discouraged from applying. I wouldn’t say it is the hot new thing (or gives an edge), but I think colleges want to make that point that they consider it as solid an EC as anything else a student might do.
It’s early days for us but I have a hunch BMC and MHC will be at the top of D20’s list when it’s time to apply. Love @Dustyfeathers’ “Goldilocks” comment above. D20 has also seen Barnard and Smith, and will likely visit Wellesley next spring. She really dug that homey, tradition-filled vibe of both MHC and BMC. Didn’t like Smith at all but more on a gut feel than anything else. Loved Barnard when she visited and thought she wanted urban (super-urban, like NYC) but has rethought that a bit after more visits to small-town/suburban campuses with their lovely leafy quads and courtyards. Also at this point Wellesley and Barnard would be reaches; hopefully BMC and MHC are matches.
The big question for us (uh…, I mean for her of course! 
) is whether she will also apply to co-ed schools and which ones. Which co-ed LACs give you the same feel of a BMC/MHC? So far Macalester has a bit, and Bennington. I’m hoping she’ll also visit Sarah Lawrence, Bard, Bates, Vassar, Wesleyan (in increasing selectivity).
“Which co-ed LACs give you the same feel of a BMC/MHC?”
Haverford makes sense to look at for someone who likes Bryn Mawr.
Have you checked your school’s naviance?
@roycroftmom – were you asking me about checking Naviance? If so, then yes. I love the Application Overlap view - super helpful. It’s a little skewed for our school because huge numbers of kids apply to our local Ivy so that’s usually the top overlap for any other given school, but it’s still very useful info. The list in my post above is basically what comes up.
Olmstead also designed the Wellesley campus landscape.
BTW, access to Cambridge is available by hourly free bus.