Questions about Mount Holyoke?

^ I forgot about that! :slight_smile:

Hi ! My daughter has been admitted to MHC class of 2019. She is an International and I would like some info before she accepts. I have read in various forums that MHC is very isolated and inaccessible. This really worries me and she wonā€™t ask the MHC juniors that admissions have put her onto. In fact she wonā€™t talk to anyone at all and now itā€™s almost over 3 weeks since sheā€™s been accepted and Iā€™m not getting any info at all about this college from her. As the acceptance deadline is looming near I am now hoping you can answer me directly. How long does it take exactly to go by public bus from MHC to Northhampton by bus? How frequent are the buses? Iā€™ve read various forum discussions and I get conflicting information from 10 min to 20 min to 45 min. I also hear the buses are very infrequent. How long does it take to Amherst and what is the frequency of buses on that route? Is there at least a cornershop or supermarket to purchase toiletries and everyday things in South Hadley. If not then how far is the nearest mall or department store by bus? How is the frequency of buses back to MHC from Northhampton at night? When is the last bus back?

Hi @TropicFit Iā€™m happy to try to answer your questions. My D is finishing up her first year and loves it.

The free bus (PVTA) runs all the timeā€¦ I think every half hour and until pretty late on weekends. Where did you her that the buses are infrequent? My D and her friends use them all the time. My D is historically pretty lazy when it comes to getting around and chooses not to do things/go places when itā€™s at all difficult, so I was surprised last semester when we were looking for a doctor for her and there was one across the street from the campus and one in Amherst and she chose the one in Amherst. I asked her if that wasnā€™t going to be a pain to get to and she said, ā€œno, itā€™s so easy!ā€

The bus line connects MHC, Hampshire, Amherst (town/college) and UMAss in a straight line. It branches off through the ā€œstripā€ of Walmart/Target/WholeFoods/etc. to the town of Northampton and Smith College. I think it does take a while sometimes to get to Northampton/Smith but I can ask my daughter. The point is though that students at MHC jump on the bus (they call it the PVTA, or ā€œpivtaā€) all the time.

The student bookstore has toiletries and school supplies. Thereā€™s a great coffeeshop or two, sushi, deli, movies, restaurant, frozen yogurt, and a couple of banks in South Hadley right across from the campus. In the other direction (south, away from Amherst) is a more commercial strip with minimarts, chain drugstores, etc. You can also take a PVTA there, about 10 minute bus ride.

The area with all the Target/Walmart places is easily accessible by bus. (In fact during orientation MHC arranged special trips there. Pretty sure they have mall trips as well.) But on your own, taking the bus is totally do-able. D and friends have been many, many times to get snacks and bedding and shampoo and stuff.

Amherst is a 20 minute bus ride. There is LOTS in Amherst. Lots of shops and restaurants.

I think my D has probably been to Northampton about 5-6 times this year.
Sheā€™s probably been to Amherst 15-20
Sheā€™s probably been to Target/etc 4-5
Sheā€™s been to the big mall 2-3 times (but thatā€™s because sheā€™s broke. Her friends with more pocket money go more often.)
She and her friends go to parties and academic and cultural events at other colleges on a weekly basis.

It has NOT been her experience that MHC is terribly isolated. That said, you do have to put a little more effort into it than at colleges with campuses right in a town. I think my D and her friends like it though, because it allows them to return to their quiet, calm campus to study without so many distractions.

Here is the PVTA schedule for the MHC/Hampshire/Amherst/UMass line: http://pvta.com/schedules/Rt38.pdf
Hereā€™s the schedule for the Northampton line (note some are express and takes 30 minutes): http://pvta.com/schedules/Rt39.pdf

I hope this helps!

Mention of Dirty Dancing brings back memories for me. I was a MoHo sophomore when it came out and a group of us went to see it in Northampton. We went nuts when that line came up! :slight_smile:

@staceyneil Thanks a ton for your detailed reply! I canā€™t tell you how much itā€™s taken a load off my mind! I had this really dreadful vision of isolation but now it all sounds totally accessible. Thrilled to know the college bookstore has toiletries ! And 10 min by PVTA bus to the minimarts in the south. Iā€™m flying down in Aug to enroll her so will also get to visit firsthand.

Would you know by any chance if you can start horse riding classes at MHC if you are new to it? My daughter is worried she may get bored at MHC and I thought one good outlet for her will be to learn a new skill like horse riding as I understand they have super facilities.

Thank you again for your very valuable feedback! This was the only factor holding us back as she has been accepted into Smith and Bryn Mawr too though with aid at MHC. With this info feel a lot more confident about MHC.

Glad to help! I have been SO impressed with MHCā€¦

Yes, beginners can ride at MHC! The stable is right on campus and itā€™s beautifulā€¦ many student go there to hang out with the horses as a way to de-stress, even if they donā€™t ride :slight_smile: Students can take riding to satisfy their PE requirement. The only catch is that there is an extra fee (like some other athletic activities.)

Hereā€™s some info:
How much experience do I need to have to ride at Mount Holyoke?
None. The Mount Holyoke Equestrian Center has a very strong beginner-riding program. Lessons are taught to riders of all levels. An individual new to riding may even try out for one of the riding teams. Students who have never ridden will be taught basic control of the horse while mounted and while on the ground. They will learn grooming techniques, parts of the tack and other important horsemanship skills.
How much will it cost to ride at Mount Holyoke?
The cost of riding at Mount Holyoke depends on how often a student wishes to ride. Physical education riding classes are currently $575.00 per semester. This includes two group lessons per week for ten weeks. Once a week classes are $350.00 and meet nine times per semester. Boarders wishing for lessons on their own horse may arrange them with the instructor of their choice. Private lessons are $80.00 for 45 minutes. Private lessons on school horses are extremely limited and not available all semesters.

@tropicfit MHC is great! I will add that as far as access to toiletries etc. my first year daughter is also a member of Amazon Student Prime which makes it pretty easy to have just about anything sent to campus within a couple days. College students with a valid student email address can get a free six-month trial of Amazon Student and then if they want to continue itā€™s a discounted rate of $49 a year- versus $99 per year for regular Amazon Prime.

Hi!
Iā€™m an international and I got in for Spring at MHC. I have a few very pertinent questions which if answered will really help me make a choice:

  1. I want to do med, so how good is MHC science/premed program?
  2. Iā€™m an international now but will be a green card holder by the time I enroll at MHC. Keeping that in mind, what kind of job opportunities outside of campus and internships should I expect? Is MHC consistent with having ample internship opportunities AND study abroad opportunities for its students every summer?
  3. Also, since Iā€™m a spring admit and will be starting sometime in January, and feel the need to transfer(this totally depends later on) would I be able to successfully in my second year(since I will only attend MHC for on semester first year
    )

D was a fall admit and one of her dearest friends was a spring admit. Friend attended Dā€™s graduation festivities, then D reciprocated for her close friend.