<p>Hi-we've just returned to Texas from a college tour in the NE. My d loved the Mount Holyoke and Wellesley campuses and course offerings--my questions relate to the social scene and boy/girl interaction (being how this is an all girl, or excuse me, women's) college. She isn't interested in a huge party atmosphere, but does want the opportunity to socialize, particularly with boys. Also, although we are here to judge...what is the relationship like between the students-is it a catty girl-girl atmosphere (ugh-we can't take any more drama after high school nonsense!) and also is there really an underlying (or perhaps not so underlying) lesbian environment? Are there any current students at these schools who can give us some insight?</p>
<p>Wellesley girls are notorious for dating Harvard and MIT men. Both Harvard and MIT invite Wellesley girls to their parties in general invitations (yay internet!). While I was visiting Wellesley in the fall I saw no less than 5 male suitors show up to meet/pick up Wellesley students, presumably guys coming in from Boston.</p>
<p>So she shouldn't worry about the boys aspect.</p>
<p>MH girls usually go to UMass to party.</p>
<p>From what I read the MIT guy can take classes at Wellesley too and vice versa.</p>
<p>I forgot to add, please check out C-O-L-L-E-G-E- P-R-O-W-L-E-R book or website, where it does have information from the students at a a particular college. Tons of information there.</p>
<p>c-o-l-l-e-g-e-p-r-o-w-l-e-r requires you to subscribe to read the full information.</p>
<p>I have an account though, and copied some quotes for you.</p>
<p>MHC:
"There are numerous “out and proud” lesbians on campus, though by no means is the college comprised solely of lesbians." </p>
<p>"...for those who do want to meet guys, the places to look are at the three colleges in the area that have them: Hampshire, Amherst, and UMass."</p>
<p>"Social life on campus is mostly rather laid-back, which is good for those who want to avoid the wild side, but many do exercise their creativity in this area and host dorm room parties that rival anything you’ll find somewhere else."</p>
<p>WC:
"Wellesley is extremely tolerant; many straight students graduate as self-proclaimed “cultural gays.” National Coming Out Day is practically a holiday, where a large portion of the school community—including students, faculty, and staff—share their support for the gay community. "</p>
<p>"Our dating pool tends to be guys from Boston-area schools, and so there’s a range there as well."</p>
<p>"Wellesley has several different social scenes. Some heterosexual students throw themselves into the MIT frat scene, while others keep a cynical distance and agonize over their lack of coed interaction.. Most find their groove, however, whether it’s lots of girls’ nights out (or in), or alternative male contact through extracurricular activities, friends-of-friends, or chance meetings."</p>
<p>I glanced at the book at Barnes and Nobles. Try to see if your library has one.</p>
<p>I was considering attending a womens' college for a while, and the idea of being around a lot of lesbians never turned me off. While there might be a higher concentration of lesbians at a womens' college, lots of colleges have thriving gay communities coexisting alongside thriving straight communities. Part of me thinks that the concerns of lesbian "influence" is part of a general misunderstanding. If you're straight, you're straight; you're not going to be introducing Jenny and Sheila to your parents because you attend a womens' college.</p>
<p>If you go to a womens' college, you sacrifice the ability to freely socialize with men in exchange for a strong sense of identity, community, and academics. Womens' colleges offer an experience like none other, but you have to make sure you're willing to sacrifice the no guys part of it.</p>
<p>Mt. Holyoke is part of the 5-college consortium which consists of U-Mass Amherst, Amherst College, Hampshire College and Smith College.</p>
<p>My D attends Smith and she uses the PVTA (Pioneer Valley Transit Authority) buses to get to the other schools to socialize. It's free for students. It's about a 20-30 minute bus ride between most of the schools.</p>
<p>Speaking as a rising Wellesley sophomore:</p>
<p>There are definitely ways to meet boys outside of parties (although it is pretty effective). Not only is there MIT, but there is also cross-registration with Olin/Babson/Brandeis. Some extra-curriculars are also co-ed like the MIT-Wellesley Toons (an a capella group) and I know some women who do swing dance with MIT. Your daughter will have to be proactive though, she can't just expect for the males to come to her. It's possible, but...</p>
<p>About the catty girls thing. Think about it; those type of girls that your daughter may have been annoyed with in high school are not the type of girls who would ever choose to go to Wellesley. Of course we may argue, but we are human. I think it would be worse at a co-ed college simply because most of those catty fights are about boys.</p>
<p>There is an underlying lesbian environment at every college with women. Do you have specific concerns about this issue? I would be glad to answer any questions you have about Wellesley via PM.</p>
<p>Yes-I have several questions--so, yes, I realize there might be a openly gay/lesbian population at Wellesley, but is it like they are the majority of the school population? Is it more like if you want to surround yourself with the straight crowd you do so, if you are lesbian you find that crowd and otherwise they don't mix? How do the boys from the surrounding colleges view Wellesley girls? Are they interested in socializing or do they think it is mostly 'desperate' girls-girls who are trying to hook up and try to get any exposure to men or as girls who are bi/lesbian? I just wonder how the whole dynamic is? I've seen posts where they say the '@#$@@ truck is representative of how 'outsiders' view the Wellesley girls-i.e. desperate to find male companionship--whereas others post that it is a 'prison' environment where if you only see girls day in and out that you finally concede that a girl/girl relationship is an option. I don't mean to seem paranoid-I just want my daughter to have a well-rounded college experience-that means exposure to men and women who she finds interesting and fun to be around.</p>
<p>Those I have talked to say that it is labor intensive to establish a social life outside of Mt. Holyoke/Wellesley (i.e. an all girls school)---is this really the case? My question is this--do you really have time after school work/obligations to mix with the opposite sex?</p>