<p>Hi! I'm a EE likely and I have a question for the current students at Wellesley. (or anyone who can help!)</p>
<p>I am in love with everything about the school, the only thing that's holding me back is that it is a women's college. I've attended public schools all my life so I've always had guys in my classes and social events... I know I must look ridiculous since I did apply to a women's college, which equated little to few guys, but I really liked the school so I still applied. </p>
<p>So my question is, how did you ladies feel about the all women environment? Is it easy meeting guys? (I understand it's still possible since there are many other colleges in Boston haha?) Not to be vain!! I get so excited reading the students there describing the incredible friendships they have formed in Wellesley... I just would like to not be completely without guys all through college!</p>
<p>Thank you in advance! I would really appreciate any insight into the school!</p>
<p>P.S. I'm a So Cal gal so I'm used to sunshine all year long... is Boston really as cold as most people say? Do you guys know if people have problems adjusting to the colder, gloomier weather?</p>
<p>It can be surprisingly cold in boston! I hear the all girls environment is quite comfortable because you're given the opportunity to just be yourself. I have a friend whose a freshman there who I sometimes talk to and she said there will be NO problem meeting guys. She said its quite conventional not having them on campus because it stands as good reasoning to get off campus and go hang out in the city.</p>
<p>Current first year at Wellesley, here, as well as a west-coaster. Surprisingly, there are a lot of Californians here. They do tend to complain about the lack of sun, but mostly because they lose their tan. :P I personally have found the Boston weather to be completely bizarre (sunny one day and a snow blizzard the next) but it keeps things interesting. Classes aren't too far away, and the dorms are cozy and warm.</p>
<p>As for no guys, I look at it in different ways. Sure I miss seeing guys in my class sometimes (although you do get some guys from Olin occasionally), but I wouldn't for the world make Wellesley co-ed. I love that my classes are centered around women; in my psychology class it's a lot easier to talk about women's issues. Many lectures or events are about women in the workforce, giving us confidence, or are about other women's issues.</p>
<p>As for how easy it is to meet guys, it really depends on the person. I am pretty social and get off campus as much as I can, and made friends with an MIT fraternity. I hang out with them occasionally on weekends and met my boyfriend there. I have other friends who hang out at Olin and have made friends there. Other people take classes at MIT/Babson (it's a little harder to take classes at Harvard, but it's possible). I personally feel like there's a stronger connection to MIT, but that might be because I hang out with a lot of MIT people. Meeting guys at Wellesley is definitely possible. If there's a way, Wellesley women will find it. :)</p>
<p>If you have any more questions, feel free to pm me.</p>
<p>In addition to what I write, I recommend that you do a search on this forum on "all girls environment." It's a question that comes up often and has been addressed numerous times. It'll be a good way to get several opinions besides what is written in direct response to your question.</p>
<p>The VAST majority of students come from co-ed schools. Like you, for the VAST majority of students, this will be first time they've been in an all female setting. That was true in my case and in just about everyone I knew. In other words, a lot of people are asking the same questions you are and going through the same experience.</p>
<p>Similar to yourself, Wellesley was the only women's college I applied to and its academic characteristics were the things that really attracted me to the school. Wellesley being all female was almost an afterthought and I didn't quite know what to expect. I was a bit apprehensive until I attended the spring open campus event and got a chance to see what it might be like. For me, that was the deciding factor. I fell in love with the community and just the whole vibe of the students I met there.</p>
<p>As for meeting guys, I think it's important to distinguish that while Boston is a great social resource to have on hand, don't mistake it's proximity as giving you the equivalent social experience you'd have if you went to a co-ed school. Because it won't be. You do have to put in more effort to meet guys because they're not always on campus, in your classrooms, in the dorms, the library, etc. etc. But no one is preventing you from meeting guys. I think the best way to describe it is: Your social life is what you make of it. Which can include as much or as little male presence as you'd like. If having guys around all the time is a NECESSITY for your college years, then Wellesley probably won't be a great fit.</p>
<p>As for the weather, yes, it can get quite cold in Boston in winter. My first year roommate and one of my best friends was from San Francisco and she thought it was pretty cold. But you learn to dress warmly, put on a hat and gloves and boots and make your way to class. You won't be the only SoCal girl here - there are just as many girls from CA as there are from MA, sometimes more.</p>
<p>wow, thank all you guys SO much... you guys are so informative, seriously. </p>
<p>catsushi and jacinth_ambrose, I think I got what you both are saying: guys are available, but it's a matter of expanding one's social life to meet them. This makes sense. Also I have kind of a silly question... I heard that people often stereotype girls who go to women's colleges. Is there a particular image Wellesley girls have when viewed by people from other schools? (this is purely just out of curiosity!)</p>
<p>jacinth_ambrose, I'm definitely attending the spring open campus, that's probably what it will take for me to finally decide too. And I'm surprised to hear there are so many CA girls!</p>
<p>haha squaregirl... I totally thought TX is also sunshine all year long!</p>
<p>rebanne1119... I guess having guys off campus will force you to be social! I guess that's not a bad thing :) Thanks for sharing the info</p>
<p>Oh and also, do you guys consider Wellesley particularly liberal or conservative? I'm just a tad more liberal than conservative so just curious...</p>
<ol>
<li>Texas has the worst weather known to man. Yesterday it started out 40 degrees and ended up 90. IT WAS RIDIC.</li>
<li>Liberal! Mos def. :)</li>
</ol>
<p>"you are the elusive normal person. what the **** are you doing at wellesley? you have it all figured out, don't you? you balance your social life and your workload, and few people can do that. congratulations. there are only three of you on campus."</p>
<p>Awww. I'm so dull. But it's kind of funny, I do see some stereotypes in there that I can apply to a few people here and there. :) As for image, it's really more about how you present yourself. If you're snobby you'll be categorized as the rich little Wellesley girl who lives off of daddy's money (I've only met one or two girls like this). If you're reasonable, social, nice, then you'll be associated with positive Wellesley stereotypes. I have never had a problem with being judged, it's kind of awesome that people assume that I am smart because I go to Wellesley. And when you're applying to jobs, it's especially important to roll with this. I'm just starting to learn how to milk this.</p>
<p>Also: Wellesley is pretty liberal. Conservatives tend to complain a little, but they are still active on campus. It's funny, as a town it would seem to be stereotypically conservative, but as a college it isn't.</p>
<p>I got the "normal person" result five years ago. I think that's mainly very easy to get, though in real life, I might have been an overworked science major.</p>
<p>When you consider that the quiz is asking what <em>stereotype</em> are you, then it's extremely accurate (though not all-inclusive). Stereotypes have never described an entire person, but exaggerated patterns of behavior in groups. The quiz was written by a cynical Wellesley student for other Wellesley students, and does show how they see themselves and each other on bad days. As far as quizzes go, it's not the best, but it takes into account several types of campus culture, where as people from other schools in Boston only see one side (the Frat party girl stereotype).</p>
<p>Hi all!
Thank you guys all so much for your input… I have a really great feeling about Wellesley, and it’s because it’s really nice to see that the students there are all so eager to help a new student :)</p>
<p>I just received my acceptance packet today and cannot WAIT to fly out to Boston next month! The campus and the area looks absolutely gorgeous, in a very different than suburban California way. I guess I won’t really be able to tell even if I meet you guys at the Spring Open house since I don’t know your names, but I’m happy to finally see the school you guys all love so much.</p>