<p>I am torn between the two schools. I have heard many different stereotypes about the two schools like for example Hollins is the "weird, lesbian school" and Sweet Briar is the "preppy, bratty school where girls go to get their M.R.S. degrees". I am also interested in a dating scene as I am coming from Illinois. How is the nightlife at the school? Any advice will be greatly appreciated! Thanks!</p>
<p>When I was looking for colleges, I was just as torn as you were. Sweet Briar and Hollins were my two top picks and, upon being accepted to both, I faced a difficult decision in choosing between two strikingly different schools. They both have beautiful grounds and extensive histories, but what it truly comes down to is what you want your college experience to be. I chose Hollins and I must say I chose right. The academic prestige of Hollins and a single weekend visit convinced me: if the the beautiful 450+ acres werent persuasive enough, the close alumni relations, the abounding opportunities for student leadership, and the inclusiveness of the athletic program made Hollins not only my top choice, but the best choice. I also visited Sweet Briar. I have nothing negative to say about Sweet Briar: the buildings are gloriously austere. But, from my MANY visits there (I was quite determined to go there for awhile), every bit of information I received revolved around the architecture of the buildings, not of the institution itself. I could list founding dates and building construction years by the end of my senior year, but I did not know one thing about the academics, internships, etc. Hollins sold me on everything: unlike Sweet Briar, you do not have to wait until your junior year to study abroad on a school-owned venture. Hollins owns programs in London and Paris and offers internship opportunities (even in Parliament).
A Division III school, our athletic program is growing extensively and becoming more competitive, but that did not stop me and others from trying to be as involved as possible and trying out for sports despite limited past experience. This was my first year ever on a competitive swim team and, not only was the swim teamcomposed of some very talented swimmers including Margaret Dwyer who was First Team All-ODAC this yearaccepting, they were supportive and many of the girls are my closest friends.
I guess I could be very biased, but thats what happens when you love someplace so muchobjectivity gets thrown out the window. I did not come to Hollins for an M.R.S. DegreeI came to receive an education. Im just lucky enough that fun and friendship is coupled with academic rigor. I am looking to be an English major with a double minor in Business and Communications. The classes are challenging and invigorating. One of my favorite things Hollins offers is a first-year seminar. For the first semester of your freshman year, you choose a seminar (a 4 credit class) that interests you. The professor(s) that teach this class are your advisors. I was in Leadership in the 21st Century, a class that taught us leadership theory on Tuesdays and let us actually put what we learned into action on Thursdays. I learned a lot about my leadership capabilities. One of my favorite memories involves when we did a high ropes course at Camp Roanoke; I was scared out of my wits, but it served as a great bonding experience for me and my classmates. My professor who led this is actually one of the major contributors to the existence of Camp Roanoke; Jon Guy Owens, director of the Hollins Outdoor Program (HOP), maintains a program that allows students to achieve their Outdoor Leadership Certificate. There is an HOP program over the summer for incoming freshmanI highly recommend it if you are at all interested in the outdoors, making friends, and creating memories.
When it comes to dating and nightlife there is so much going on that it keeps you beyond busy! Almost every weekend there is an event: whether it is a concert hosted by the Hollins Activity Board (HAB), a social created by the Student Government Association (SGA), or an Album sponsored poetry reading (Andrea Gibson was just here on Tuesday), there is an abounding number of events. We have two annual formals: Fall Formal and Spring Cotillion. Fall Formal was downtown Roanoke and an absolute blast: it opened with a live band and then switched to a DJ when everyone was pumped to dance! The fact we truly do integrate the school into the urban life of Roanoke makes meeting new people and developing connections extremely simple when not on campus. I was in Lexington last week and, just waiting for dinner, a VMI cadet asked about my Hollins sweatshirt. We talked for quite some time and are even Facebook friends now (thank you, social networking)! Spring Cotillion is coming up in April and we are all very excited! Parties do occur on campus, keeping the weekends buzzing with excitement. When it comes to dating, boys do attend campus-sponsored events and parties, but some of our girls go to Hampden-Sydney or VMI on the weekends. Even though Hollins is an all-girls school, if you want to see guys, you will.
Hollins is an amazing place and, even as a first-year, I dread graduating. I know what a hard decision choosing a college isit truly determine the rest of your life. But, in choosing Hollins, I know that the rest of my life is something I look forward to and am prepared for thanks to the education I am receiving here.</p>
<p>Hi Briana,
Choosing a school that is the right fit for you is one of the hardest things you’ll have to do! I think it is really great that you are taking the initiative to ask questions and advice about your decision! While it is ultimately your decision to choose which school to go to, asking for advice is a really great way to figure it out! This is my last semester at Hollins ( so I obviously have a major bias) and I am so thankful for everyday that I get to spend on campus. I am from New York, and I was really nervous about coming to the south for school. I thought that it would be completely rural and boring. I knew the second that I stepped onto campus my freshman year however, that I had made the right choice. </p>
<p>The thing that I hated most about looking at schools is when they would say things like “at _____ you can be whoever you want to be”. That phrase annoyed me so much because I wanted to stay the same old me I was in high school, just grow into the person who I already was. Hollins is a place that really helps you to develop those things about yourself that you love, and foster creativity, independence, and new interests you never knew you had before. When I came to Hollins I really didn’t know what I wanted to get involved in on campus, and honestly spent my first year here not too involved. By my second year I had found that I really loved Student Government and I loved film. I joined SGA and HUTV. As my time went on at Hollins I began to find myself having more and more interests that I had never thought that I would, or even that I would be good at! Now, I am the editor of our yearbook, Chair of the Hollins Activity Board, and Executive Producer of HUTV. What other school can you do that at? I love that I can love so many things at Hollins, I am not simply tied down to one interest. </p>
<p>Hollins also gives you some really amazing life experiences that you are unable to get at a lot of other universities or colleges. I studied abroad TWICE at Hollins (both times on scholarship)! My Sophomore year I spent a J-term abroad in Berlin with the film department, and as a third semester college student, it was an amazing experience that I will never forget. Later, during the spring of my Junior year, I spent a semester abroad in London. It was great because Hollins has a school right in downtown London. That semester I had friends in Ghana, Ireland, Rome, Spain, and Japan! I got to travel all over Europe to Barcelona, Paris, Budapest, and Italy. Studying abroad was not the only great opportunity that Hollins gave me, I also got to participate in two really amazing internships. During the most recent one, I got to work under the CEO for a major Nonprofit organization in New York City. Hollins set me up with the internship, paid for my dining, housing in NYC, and an additional stipend! It was an amazing learning experience and helped me to decide what I want to do next year when I graduate! </p>
<p>As far as nightlife goes, Hollins is in a really great location because it is right near downtown Roanoke. We have a shuttle that runs downtown wednesday-Sunday making stops at the local mall as well. The great thing about downtown is there are tons of shops and restaurants. A lot of times my friends and I will go downtown to Mill Mountain Coffee shop or to Frogurt during the day on the weekends. At night they’re are open mics, and bands that play downtown. Once you turn 21 there is a lot more to do because a lot of the bars have themed nights. For example, one of the really fun bar / restaurants downtown is having a “Hollins Night” a week from Friday! I know my friends and I are really excited to go downtown for that! The other great thing about our location is we are right near Roanoke College, Virginia Tech, W & L, Radford, VMI, and two hours from H-SC. A lot of times there are people carpooling to their schools too! Every weekend our Activity Board Sponsors events both on and off campus. Last week we had the slam poet Andrea Gibson come, soon we are having Jake Oustly, a BLACKOUT party, Spring Cotillion (downtown), and The Dean’s List!</p>
<p>Clearly, I really love Hollins and would be happy to answer any more specific questions you might have in an e-mail. I hope that you can come visit Hollins this Spring, we are having so many great events! I am sure that you will make a great decision, and I hope that you are happy wherever you decide to go! Even if Hollins isn’t the school for you, I hope that you get to experience the same amazing college experience that I got to here at Hollins!</p>
<p>On a final note, stereotypes are often times not accurate. You will have all of those kinds of people you mentioned at ANY school you go to, single-sex or not. Don’t worry so much about the stereotypes surrounding the school if it is the place you think you will be most happy! I am confident that you will make the best decision for YOU!
GOOD LUCK and enjoy the rest of your senior year!</p>
<p>I would say Hollins because I happen to love the atmosphere and I have family history of going there!</p>