Societies

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wellesley College
1

I have a few questions about societies and would really appreciate anyone’s response:

  • How "exclusive" are they- do they have 20% or lower acceptance rates?
  • I've heard the society girls have a reputation for being wealthy but are they only the daughters of multi-millionaires who have three homes and private yachts or are there some girls that are more "normally" well off (like $500,000-$750,000 income households)? I know that each society is different, so I am mainly concerned with TZE and ZA.
  • On that note, is wealth the determining factor for acceptance or do they care about your personality/fit more? I understand that you need a minimum amount of money to pay the dues and buy nice clothes, but once you've passed that amount how much does money matter?
  • Do girls who aren't in societies get invited to parties at Harvard and MIT? This is not the main reason I am considering a society but I am just curious if not teaing one would exclude me from some social events.

Thank you!

2

Please do not think that societies are a major part of social life at Wellesley. They are not. I don’t think the acceptance rates are published, but a small percentage of students “tea” and a smaller percentage get in. That’s it. Some do have the reputation of being for wealthy students, but they aren’t all like that. When you are teaing, no one is going to ask you if you have the “minimum” amount to join.

As far as parties go, it doesn’t matter one bit whether you are in a society. My daughter regularly goes to parties at MIT and Harvard, is not in a society, and had no interest in joining one. They are not sororities and Wellesley is about so much more than that.

3

Thanks Massmomm! I am glad to hear they are not the only gateway to parties/very much like sororities!

4

@Curiousfjord‌
I had ask my D about this… :slight_smile: All I can say from my little knowledge about W, there are uber rich kids [W alumni call them the corporates… I actually heard this term in the regional W summer meet] and then there are very poor kids who are on near complete aid from the college. I personally have met at least one. Everyone has their cliche but no one seems to look down up on others who are not their society.
You do not have to belong to a society to get invited to parties in MIT or Harvard. Apparently some societies have such connections but you do not have be in a society to be invited.

The reason, I am posting this is, so that prospies who are not wealthy should not feel threatened or feel that they may not belong to Wellesley. There are rich kids but you do not have to dress up or spend money to feel accepted.

5

Thanks Tamtiger!