Social life at Wellesley...

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wellesley College
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<p>So, from talking to Wellesley students, I'm hearing that if you want a social life, you kind of have to work harder, like getting on a bus and actively seeking out fun.</p>

<p>I live in a small town where everything closes at 10 and the funnest thing to do here is pay a ridiculous amount of money to see a movie.
SO....what exactly is there to do at Boston fit for a college student's budget?
And what are the MIT parties like?
Is eating out/shopping in Boston going to become an unhealthy addiction that will soon make a dent in my checking account?</p>

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<p>This is basically the immediate town of Wellesley minus the movie theater. The town itself is really cute, has your basic Starbucks & Peet’s, CVS, super markets, restaurants, etc but it’s definitely geared towards the suburbanites rather than the college students. Some restaurants are college friendly though – Lemon Thai and Amarin are the local Thai places, College Square Pizza, Tian Fu for Chinese, and a few ice cream/yogurt shops. A bit more pricey but great for a once in awhile thing (at least on my budget…) is Altastrada (italian). Also, a lot of restaurants deliver to campus so you won’t break the bank if you get a few friends together and order together. </p>

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Boston has lots and lots to do – there are malls, museums (with your Wellesley ID you get into a lot of them for free… like the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Science (if you pick up tickets at the Science Center), etc). The theater/ballet companies often have student priced tickets at $20 each. There’s also obviously a lot of historical things to do: Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall, among others. It’s also nice to just hang around other universities and attend their events (though some things you do have to pay for), wander around Boston Commons/ the Botanical Gardens, or around Newbury Street (shopping). </p>

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In general, I would say MIT parties are pretty good. A lot of people come to MIT parties, so it won’t just be you and a bunch of MIT people – but also BU, Simmons, etc. Everyone has their own favorites on what fraternities they like to go to. Go out with a few friends, wander around, and see what’s out there. MIT generally has multiple parties going on every weekend so you’re bound to find something you like. If the fraternity scene isn’t your thing, MIT also has more culturally based events and parties that you can attend as well.</p>

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I wouldn’t say it’s an “unhealthy addiction.” Some girls eat out and shop in Boston more than others do; it’s a personal preference. You can find some really nice cheap places to eat in Boston – look through Yelp or something like that. Also, around Harvard, BU, and Northeastern are a bunch of little cafes and restaurants to try; generally, around large schools there tends to be a lot of student friendly prices. Shopping also depends on how much you like to spend, what brand names you like (if any), and the like. You can find some great deals if you look for them, just like shopping anywhere.</p>

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<p>Exactly, Wellesley students have to be a little more proactive in seeking out a social life.</p>

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<p>Agreed with the post above, Wellesley is kind of like that, in the sense that it’s very small town-ish? Lots of soccer moms, old people. There’s a cheese shop and random boutiques. The GAP used to have a men’s section, apparently, but they got rid of it.</p>

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<p>Just walking down Newbury street and doing window shopping is an awesome way to spend time with friends. There are fun parks to walk around during the summer, and during the winter you can go ice skating. Babson has an ice rink, and so does MIT. There are always concerts going on in Boston or at a nearby college, and not all of them are expensive. I’ve gone to MIT performances and some of my friends do things at the other nearby colleges. Things that come to my mind are that Harvard put on a beauty pageant for it’s asian male population, which was tons of fun to watch. MIT did the same thing with it’s fraternity guys. I’ve also gone to dance group performances there, acapella concerts, and other things. Mostly I just go an hang out with friends at MIT.</p>

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<p>I think MIT parties are really fun. Your first week (orientation or so?) will be Rush Week at MIT, meaning there will be TONS of parties with no alcohol. Try and get off campus as much as you can and go visit, meet tons of people. It worked my first year, I’m now pretty good friends with a fraternity, which my boyfriend will be prez of this upcoming year (I actually first met him at Wellesley). Olin/Babson/Harvard parties are also available, too, so if MIT isn’t your thing, go check that out. Be aware, though, that MIT has tons of different frats (ranging from preppy to nerdy to hipster), so if one isn’t to your liking, chances are there’s probably another frat that has the personality you may like more.</p>

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<p>Only if you want it to! I’ve done a good job of not going too crazy with shopping or what not, so perhaps the same case will be for you?</p>

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<p>They put this back in towards the end of this past semester actually. I was really surprised walking through the ville and seeing mannequins with guy clothes on them again.</p>

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<p>Gosh! Thanks guys!!! That was really comprehensive.</p>

<p>One more question…
Orientation week, will there be a lot of time for me to get off campus and travel with other wellesley girls to go around Boston and MIT?</p>

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<p>Orientation at Wellesley is sort of extended; it runs all week and the weekend up to classes starting. </p>

<p>During the main part of Orientation week itself, you will not have time to go off campus – you will have much to do getting adjusted to campus, taking placement exams, and figuring out and registering for your classes. Orientation also includes a TON of fun activities and last year’s Orientation even included a mixer on campus with Wellesley, Babson, and Olin. Definitely wish I was in Class of 2012 for that Orientation event… </p>

<p>Off campus tours of Boston are being worked into the Orientation schedule, along with buses to the local Target/mall… though this will most likely be the weekend after the first five days of Orientation (ie. Labor day weekend). That weekend will also give you a chance to explore Boston on your own if you wish though events will still be happening on campus all weekend as well. </p>

<p>Last year’s Orientation included a few buses who went into Boston and had various stops: Harvard Square, Copley Place, the Museum of Fine Arts… and another bus that circled back and forth to Target and the mall. I think this year’s Orientation will most likely be doing something similar.</p>

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<p>^^I don’t know, I was able to get off campus a LOT during orientation and just explore all around. I didn’t just go to frat parties, but a lot of frats hosted different fun events, like steak & lobster dinners, or boat rides to Georgia’s Island with a bbq.</p>

<p>I guarantee you’ll have a lot of fun at orientation, but you’ll also be very tired! I think Wellesley’s aim is to keep you so busy that you have no time to miss home (at least, that’s what happened with me?).</p>

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<p>maybe I wasn’t as adventurous as you during orientation, catsushi! Though the steak & lobster dinners the fraternities hold are very good – you generally have to know guys in the fraternity though… their steak & lobster dinners come rarely even though some do hire chefs to cook their meals year-round.</p>

<p>orientation is definitely a fun and tiring week. you definitely have to manage your time wisely between all the events and un-packing. don’t be like me and live out of your suitcase for more than the first few days.</p>