<p>So, we're all pretty much in love with Wellesley here. It seems absolutely perfect. I'm not one to "muckrake" (for lack of a better word), but it's hard to feel like I really have a balanced view of the school. It seems impossibly perfect. What experience/feedback has everyone had/heard, good and bad, about Wellesley and what do you think about it? </p>
<p>We talk a lot about admissions, but let's get into a discussion about the school itself. Alums, students, and prospies, alike.</p>
<p>I am a prospie, and very much obsessed with Wellesley. I heard from a girl that is transferring OUT of Wellesley that the environment is extremely competitive, and people care a whole ton about their grades. She even went as far to say that people wouldn’t help with assignments because of the curve. She seemed to have an overall bad time, snubbed by other students and such, but I have talked to so many other students that have not had these kinds of problems. I don’t really believe the girl because her experience seemed just SO negative, but it may have some truth to it. Other than that, I’ve heard nothing but good things.</p>
<p>^^NEVER happened to me that other students wouldn’t help with an assignment, quite the opposite. Of course if you are trying to straight up mooch off of other students and/or are an unpleasant person, you might not get the best reactions (although people will probably still be polite to your face!). That’s one I just wouldn’t worry about. </p>
<p>A fair number of students find the transition to Wellesley very difficult. A relatively significant number of students seem to consider transferring their first year, but only a few actually do. Those that stay on seem to find their way. I’m not sure WHY it is that the first year is rough for some students, or if this is more pronounced at Wellesley than at other schools, but at least this is a phenomenon that I observed. Personally my transition was as easy as could be, but if you want to hear some bad I can oblige hahaha. I knew some people who transferred out (one was my first year roommate!) and if pressed I would <em>not</em> say that they seemed like a good fit for Wellesley. That is to say, maybe it wasn’t such a huge surprise that they didn’t like it. </p>
<p>Wellesley is very intense. There is plenty of fun and silliness but the average Wellesley student would not be described as laid back. I had the choice between Wellesley and a college where the students ARE described as more relaxed, and I realized that while laid back sounded nice in theory, it actually didn’t match my personality! </p>
<p>I don’t know. I don’t feel like there are too many deep dark secrets about Wellesley, but if you are on CC your senior year of high school (as I was), you probably know a lot more than your average prospective student.</p>
<p>That’s good to hear that you haven’t had trouble with that.</p>
<p>I think the transition to college in general is just very difficult for some people. Or they don’t realize just how intense Wellesley is. I feel like my transition would be decent, because I am used to working independently (I’m homeschooled), and I would be more comfortable with the smaller community of Wellesley as opposed to a giant University. I don’t think its anything against Wellesley if people do transfer out, it is just that it wasn’t right for that person. </p>
<p>I stalk the Wellesley tag on Tumblr, and you can get some great insight that way. One girl answered a question about the competitiveness of Wellesley, and said that Wendys are competitive with themselves more than anything. People go to Wellesley because of its intensity, and they want to work hard so they do! </p>
<p>It seems like Wellesley has its subgroups, like any school. The feminist side of people comes out in an all-girl’s school, and those girls certainly seem opinionated, which can be good or bad. I think with any college, and especially Wellesley, the fit is essential.</p>
<p>Does anyone here know how hard the pre-med path at Wellesley is going to be? I’m worried that I’ll have a low science GPA and not make it to med school. Is it going to be very competitive with grade deflation of some sort?</p>
<p>While everyone will worry about their GPA and grad school regardless of where you go to college, Wellesley has a great track record of getting students into medical school. Something like over 80% gets into their top 3 med school (I don’t know the exact figure but it is very high). There are professors dedicated to helping students through the application process, with MCAT preparation, etc. You’ll have more than enough faculty and students to help (and commiserate) with as you go through the grad school application process.</p>
<p>All that aside though, someone told me some great advice when I was looking at colleges: Don’t choose a college based on what grad school you’ll think you get into. Choose a college where you think you’ll get a solid education and have the support to get you to where you want to go – grad school or not.</p>
<p>It seems that it really is true that, no matter where you go, your time in college is what you make of it. I have talked to several alums from my city, ranging from those who’s eyes are still cartoon hearts 20 years after graduating to those who had a bad experience socially, but stayed around for the academics. </p>
<p>One told me that she felt as if the school and town were hostile towards minorities, which was really shocking to me. She also said that Wellesley is more remote than the brochures make it sound and that getting to Boston can be an ordeal. </p>
<p>Another alum said that she went to Boston all the time, was extremely engaged in the community, and that the W network is still opening doors and making connections for her (years after graduation). </p>
<p>Still another told me that she didn’t go to Boston very often… because she never wanted to be away from Wellesley’s breathtaking campus. </p>
<p>So, I guess the experience really does depend on the person. I personally cannot WAIT to get there and try to take on as many opportunities, socially and academically, as I can.</p>
<p>I’m so excited to visit for the Spring Open Campus. Doe anyone know if there’s any kind of travel compensation program? It’s starting to look like a pretty expensive deal for my family… :(</p>
<p>Is it easy to make friends at Wellesley? Is there a lot of drama that goes on because it’s an all-female school? I’m not exactly fond of drama, seeing as I accidentally got caught up in it this year and it nearly ruined everything.</p>
<p>I’m sure there’s some drama, just like at any school, but I’ve never personally witnessed it or been a part of it. As for making friends, my advice applies to students at any college: Hopefully, you’ll be placed on a residence hall with people you end up getting along with really well. However, that may not be the case, so it’s important to get involved as soon as possible: Join clubs, get involved in student government. It’s not hard to make friends in college, but you have to reach out. That’s all there is to it. People at Wellesley tend to be pretty friendly, so don’t be afraid to reach out!</p>
<p>I feel like drama is more common where boys are involved because girls fight over guys and things. But I’m homeschooled so I don’t really know. I think you’ll find drama anywhere, and that making friends is your own responsibility. I’ve already made a friend there even though I haven’t been accepted, because I reached out to the Wellesley community on Tumblr and found someone I have things in common with. </p>
<p>I can tell you that the ladies at Wellesley are extremely sensitive about the LGBTQQ community there. In my experience, they get offended pretty easily if you show any sign of ignorance or discomfort. They won’t try to push their lifestyle or anything on you, but they make a point to educate you.</p>
<p>economiss, I’m also wondering about the travel compensation, because I heard people talk about that but couldn’t find anything on the Wellesley website.</p>
<p>I was wondering if anyone could touch on Education, Psychology, or designing your own major? Anecdotes, more than just information I could find on the site. Thanks!</p>
<p>IMO, Wellesley drama somehow really only happens when boys get involved. Parties, friends of friends, boyfriends, ex-boyfriends…they all bring their own pluses and minuses. Not to say that girls can’t be catty in any environment, but I tend to see more Wellesley students working together than against each other overall.</p>
<p>Education - small department but really close knit. Some great professors. Soo Hong was awesome. I took my one education class with her. She catered the entire class to discussions based on topics we were interested in and/or what was happening in the news at the time. Bonus that she invited us all to her house to celebrate the end of the semester. If you want to become teacher certified, you can do that too. Some students stay on for a fifth year to complete those credentials and student teach.</p>
<p>Psychology - huge department, really popular major. Most everyone will take a psych course at some point. Great professors. I took a class there in my first semester, and my professor remembered me and congratulated me at graduation </p>
<p>Designing your own major - I won’t give detailed specifics here because I don’t want to call out specific students on the internet. What I will say is that a few students do make their own majors each year. You have to prove out your case to your dean and have a plan for what courses fit and why you want to take them. It requires initiative on your part, but it is completely possible…and I think well worth it if you create something you love.</p>
<p>Sidenote: most student created majors have been one-off topics that few people have shown interest in. However, if many students show interest in an area of study, the school will take that into account and create a new major or minor. Case in point - Wellesley just approved the Asian American Studies minor a few weeks ago. It’s been a huge student effort over the past few years, and now students have made a difference in the college curriculum!</p>
<p>As far as travel compensation, I emailed the counselor for my region and she said that they have limited funds for families that really need it.</p>
<p>How is res life? I’ve heard students and alums say that Wellesley has “strict rules” concerning alcohol, men, etc. How much truth is there in that? I mean, there isn’t a curfew or anything, is there? </p>
<p>Though I really love that the campus is so safe and personally would prefer to have a low-key place (little to no drunken parties and/or drunken guys, drugs, etc) to be with the option of going off campus to party.</p>
<p>The rules re alcohol, etc. are no stricter than at any other school. The drinking age is 21 and you are not supposed to have alcohol in your room unless you are of age. Obviously enforcement is going to be spotty. Unless you rub it in people’s faces, you are left to your own devices. Drinking is not a big deal or a status symbol; some people do and some people don’t. There is a “good Samaritan” policy where if you need to take a drunk friend for medical attention, you are not punished for drinking yourself. </p>
<p>The rules for men visitors are the same as for any other non-college guest. There is a limit (3 nights?) for overnight stays and your roommates have to be okay with it. Dorm floors set their own policies re gender-assigned bathrooms. There are no parietal rules or anything like that. Dorm doors are locked at all times so no one is who is not in the company of a Wellesley student can get in. Students are responsible for the behavior of their guests.</p>
<p>Visitors of any gender are limited to 3 nights in a row. As long as you talk to your roommates there’s generally no issue with this. As was mentioned, college is college. There’s no curfew or anything, but residential life staff (there’s an adult who lives in each complex who you can go to for help with personal matters, transitioning to college, forgetting your room key, etc) and student Residential Assistants (they live on each floor with you all) all want you to be safe. If you’re going to be in Boston for the day and go to a party afterwards that’s fine – go have fun! But do make sure you have your student ID (OneCard), your room key, your wallet, the bus schedule, your phone, and the number of a cab company incase you need a ride back to campus. And if you don’t have the money with you to pay for the cab, campus police will front you the money so you can get back to campus safe. I love campus po!</p>
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