Wellesley - most underrated college or university in the United States

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wellesley College
1

<p>Wellesley is the most underrated college in the country in my opinion. It's easily one of the top liberal arts colleges, with incredible professors, more resources than many universities (e.g., a huge endowment), and outstanding commitment to undergraduate education. Programs of particular strength include history, chemistry and economics.</p>

<p>The selectivity score suffers in statistical terms, but that's because Wellesley only has 50% of the population to recruit from! In reality, Wellesley has among the most successful alumni of any college or university, right up there with HYP, MIT, Caltech, Dartmouth, Amherst and Swarthmore. This is easily measured if you study the admission rates to top graduate, law and medical programs.</p>

<p>Also, Wellesley is tied with Yale, Princeton and Cornell for having the most beautiful campus in America.</p>

2

<p>Well, I don't really think that Wellesley is the MOST underrated school in the US. Take Smith for instance. Statistically, it doesn't fair so well in terms of rankings. But it's a great liberal arts college with high quality professors, students, and a high acceptance rate into graduate schools. And many people just haven't heard of it.</p>

<p>I think underratedness just depends on who you're talking to. To clarify my point- I live in San Francisco, California. I never bother telling people my age where I go to school because there's a 99% chance the person has NO IDEA what I'm talking. Most students here just know the schools in California (UCs). As far as East Coast schools, they know the ivy leagues.... and that's it. However, when I'm talking to adult, I tend to tell them I go to Wellesley just because I know there's a big chance they'll know my school. Because the people who know what the good schools are know Wellesley, and Smith, or any other LAC.</p>

<p>And it's true that Wellesley has a much higher acceptance rate than other top LACs, but only because half of the US population is already ineligible to apply. People tend to view this statistic as Wellesley being an "easy" school to get into when it's actually quite selective.</p>

3

<p>I live in SF too and I have the same experience. i'm applying to mostly east coast all women schools and no one knows what they are. even wellesley-it confuses me. i go to a girls' school and i think its' pathetic we dont know about our collegate counterparts</p>

4

<p>"And it's true that Wellesley has a much higher acceptance rate than other top LACs, but only because half of the US population is already ineligible to apply. People tend to view this statistic as Wellesley being an "easy" school to get into when it's actually quite selective."</p>

<p>That argument is silly, but not as preposterous as Poster X initial claim.. The Ivies do not seem to have problems attracting female applicants. The number of female REJECTIONS at Harvard is larger than the number of applications to Wellesley and Smith combined. </p>

<p>Selectivity is selectivity, and the non-coed schools are simply not as selective as coed schools. If it was not for a most questionable geographical and historical cronyism and voodoo statistics, the non-coed should be ranked MUCH lower in the US News Report. It was impossible to save Smith this year, Wellesley fared a lot better. If there is one thing that is underrated, it is the lower selectivity of the schools. The report buries an ED admission rate that is abysmal, as most everyone who files an application gets in. The SAT scores are 100 point below comparative schools, and the percentage of students in the top 10% are barely above 50%. The remaining statistics are equally lower than all comparatve schools. </p>

<p>That does not change that the non-coed schools are remarkable and provide a wonderful education. However, it is plain dumb to try to emulate Aesop's frog: </p>

<p>"So the Frog took a deep breath, and blew and blew and blew, and swelled and swelled and swelled. And then he said: "I'm sure the Ox is not as big as ... But at this moment he burst."</p>

5

<p>
[quote]
The Ivies do not seem to have problems attracting female applicants. The number of female REJECTIONS at Harvard is larger than the number of applications to Wellesley and Smith combined.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well of course Ivies don't have a problem attracting female applicants- they are big names. Harvard recieves more applications because men and women are eligible. Unlike Wellesley where only females are eligible. This cuts the pool by half. And by the way I have no idea how you extracted your "Ivies don't have problems attracting female applicants" arguement from my statement. </p>

<p>I'm agreeing with you that non-coed schools are not as selective (in terms of statistics) as co-ed schools. However, I'm disagreeing with your statement that the selectivity is much more abysmal. Questionable geographical and historical cronyism? That's ridiculous. Every student I've met/worked with/became friends with deserve to be there. They come from all economic and social backgrounds as well as geographics. How can you say this when Harvard and other Ivy League schools recruit underqualified applicants for athletics? </p>

<p>
[quote]
and the percentage of students in the top 10% are barely above 50%.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Hm how strange. For my class, 75% were ranked in the top 10% in high school, 94% in the top 20%. Last time I checked, 75% is not "barely above" 50%. </p>

<p>Wellesley is selective in its quality of applicants. This selectivity transcend test scores and grades. Because it's a small school and therefore does not recieve the number of applicants universities do, it is able to judge the applicant carefully. Character, talent, leadership qualities are all assessed. Because students with 1600s and 4.6s are not guranteed admission. Well-roundedness is what gets you in. It's also something that cannot be expressed in numbers.</p>

<p>Okay, so Wellesley and other comparable schools are the frog in your quote from Aesop. But there's no denying the statistics (since we all seem to enamored by them) of the amount of donation given by alumns to women's colleges. I believe this shows that higher number of alumns at such schools are satisfied with the quality of their education since they're willing to donate money (and lots of it).</p>

<p>I love rooting for underdogs.</p>

6

<p>And I'm glad we agree it's an underdog :-)</p>

7

<p>It's hard to feel too bad about its being underrated when it's ranked #4 in liberal arts colleges by US News :).</p>

8

<p>It used to be ranked #3 - I thought that was more accurate :)</p>

9

<p>Wallflower, Wellesley is experiencing a boom in admissions (4463 in 2005 from 2877 in 2002) and is solidifying its statistics. However, the class of 2006 had only 59% of its class in the top 10%. Acceptances rates are also lower, but from a high of 47%. Only Smith had a higher acceptance rate among the top 20 LACs. Despite all of this, Wellesley has been ranked at around the 4th place. </p>

<p>The geographical and historical cronyism does not show up in admissions. The comment was directed at the unusually high peer assessment that helps all the Seven Sisters schools. There is little doubt that the schools that are part of this inner circle gratify themselves with perfect 5.0 scores while delivering lower scores to competing schools. </p>

<p>All my comments are solely addressing the rankings of the US News report, and does not address the QUALITY of the education. When it comes to the quality, it is better to listen to current students, parents, or alumni. However, since the ranking does try to establish the "best" school, it is only fair to underscore that highly dubious manipulations by USN are helping maintaining a ranking that few of the underlying numbers support. </p>

<p>If the USN had an ounce of integrity, they would separate the non-coed schools from the current LAC rankings. Wellesley would be better served by being compared to its TRUE peers and not need the current manipulative assistance of the pollsters.</p>

<p>PS By the way, Wellesley is one of the largest LACs.</p>

10

<p>I don't really see how Wellesley could fare better than #4. Unless someone took out Williams :-P</p>

11

<p>I'm terribly confused as to where I stand. My SAT scores are at best, average. I'm expecting a 1900 at most. I have a solid weighted GPA of 4.3, however, I haven't taken every challenging class possible.
Part of the discrepancies in my academic record can be attributed to my atypical situation. I will have to tell you my circumstances from birth so that you may comprehend the fullness of my situation. I am a US-born citizen by document. I am of a South Korean heritage. I consider myself neither American or Korean because I believe I have been equally immersed in both cultures. </p>

<p>Right after I was born in New Jersey, my parents and I had moved back to South Korea, where I lived two-thirds of my life. There I attended an international school from pre-school to first semester of second grade and sixth grade to first semester of ninth grade. At the international school in South Korea, English was the primary language, however, Korean and many other languages were also prevalently spoken. Because students from many different countries attended the school, most students did not speak English fluently or correctly (in a gramatical sense). From second semester of second grade to fifth grade my mother, little sister, and I emmigrated to America while my father worked as a head hunter in South Korea to support us. From second semester of ninth grade till twelveth grade, which is now, a generous Korean pastor's family had accepted me into their humble abode. </p>

<p>I understand my explaination was a little obscure so to put it simply, I have been emmigrating back and forth from South Korea to America. Now I am living with a pastor's family in a suburbian city in Ohio, while my family is living in South Korea. </p>

<p>People will assume that I am completely American because I speak fluent English. I, however, am aware of the subtle differences in the English language that I cannot bring myself to master. This may be part of the reason why my verbal scores on the SAT (around the low 600s) aren't stellar. I am also not a math oriented person so my math score (around the high 500s) also detracts from SAT scores. All in all I am terrified about the admissions process because the SATs are a BIG component in the admissions process. And mine, as you can see, are...yes, average. I haven't been able to take all the honors and AP classes because my previous counselor advised me not to because I transferred schools from South Korea. And because honors and APs should be taken after all prerequisite classes I couldn't take all the APs I wanted to take. </p>

<p>Ever since I was little I have apsired to go to a prestigious college where I can learn to my fullest capacity. My dream college was Brown, but ever since I had discovered Wellesley's brochure (and many nights of researching Wellesley's website/ hearing beautiful comments about Wellesley) I fell in love at once with Wellesley. </p>

<p>I will apply to the following colleges (I am aware ALL of them are reaches)
1. Wellesley (will apply for early decision)
2. Brown
3. Cornell
4. Duke
5. U Penn
6. Columbia
7. Georgetown
8. NYU
9. BU</p>

<p>And of course, other safety colleges. </p>

<p>Here's an outline of my academic record:
GPA
9th: 3.3 (bio 9, CP Alg, Eng 9, Fine Art I, PE, Music, Spanish I, US History 9, World History)
10th: 3.7 (Acting I, Aerobics, Bio II, CP Geometry, Government, Honors Eng; Mental Health; Spanish II, US History 10)
11th: 4.0 (first semester: accounting I; AP psyc; Chem 1, CP Alg II; honors anatomy; honors english; Spanish III; second semester: Adv. Chem; Adv. Spanish III; Alg II, Anat/Phys; AP Psyc; Adv. Eng Religion 11; Speech)
12th: 4.3 (AP Spanish; AP English: Religion 12, Ap Government; Adv. Physics; Calculus; Ceramics/Graphic Arts) </p>

<p>(Please keep in mind these are all weighted.) </p>

<p>SATs: expected 1900 (based on new scale) </p>

<p>My extracurricular activities:
Great Miami Youth Orchestra (First Violin) - two and half years
Grace Korean Church (Violin for Choir) - two years
Science Fair (first place at international school in South Korea) - 9th grade
Su Casa (community service) - one year (sr. summer)
Chesterwood Village Nursing home - one year (jr. summer)
NSLC (National Leadership Conference) - (sr. summer)
Creative Writer's Workshop (Summer program at Duke University)
Spanish Club (President) - 11th grade and probably through 12th grade
Babel Tower (a multicultural club I had started at school) - 11th grade
Psychology Club - 11th grade (no longer available in the school I transferred to.)
Big Sister, Little Sister - 11th grade (no longer available in the school I transferred to.)
Student Government - 9th grade - president; 10th grade - just transferred student; 11th grade - transferred to a new school so missed the chance to become elected so I became Rep.
I've also helped Korean immigrants who have been invited to the pastor's house with adjusting to the American culture and English.
From middle school I've worked as a translator (korean - english).
Summer of my sophmore year I visted my parents in South Korea and worked as an intern/receptionist at a executive search firm for my father. </p>

<p>I missed many chances to get involved in the National Honors Society and clubs such as that because I had transferred high schools three times. I also failed to win various academic awards for this reason also. Because I had no one to provide transportation for after school activities I couldn't be involved in sports. However, I made the most out of what I got to work with and reached out to whoever I can. </p>

<p>I really and truly am enthusiastic about Wellesley. Seventeen years of my life had been built up towards this moment! I would most gratefully take in any advice you can give me to help me with the admissions process. I cannot rely on anyone for guidance concerning colleges except my counselor, but sadly she isn't very attentive to my needs because she has many students who need her assistance also. The pastor and his wife have shed great spiritual light unto my life, but they are not familiar with American colleges and their admission processes. My parents in South Korea are also unfamiliar with American colleges. I’m sorry if I sound whiny, but I really am desperate. Help~</p>

12

<p>I'm terribly confused as to where I stand. My SAT scores are at best, average. I'm expecting a 1900 at most. I have a solid weighted GPA of 4.3, however, I haven't taken every challenging class possible.
Part of the discrepancies in my academic record can be attributed to my atypical situation.
Right after I was born in New Jersey, my parents and I had moved back to South Korea, where I lived two-thirds of my life. There I attended an international school from pre-school to first semester of second grade and sixth grade to first semester of ninth grade. At the international school in South Korea, English was the primary language, however, Korean and many other languages were also prevalently spoken. Because students from many different countries attended the school, most students did not speak English fluently or correctly (in a gramatical sense). From second semester of second grade to fifth grade my mother, little sister, and I emmigrated to America while my father worked as a head hunter in South Korea to support us. From second semester of ninth grade till twelveth grade, which is now, a generous Korean pastor's family had accepted me into their humble abode. </p>

<p>I understand my explanation was a little obscure so to put it simply, I have been emmigrating back and forth from South Korea to America. Now I am living with a pastor's family in a suburbian city in Ohio, while my family is living in South Korea. </p>

<p>People will assume that I am completely American because I speak fluent English, but I'm aware of the subtle differences in the English language that I cannot bring myself to master. This may be part of the reason why my verbal scores on the SAT (around the low 600s) aren't stellar. I am also not a math oriented person so my math score (around the high 500s) also detracts from SAT scores. All in all I am terrified about the admissions process because the SATs are a BIG component in the admissions process. And mine, as you can see, are...yes, average. I haven't been able to take all the honors and AP classes because my previous counselor advised me not to because I transferred schools from South Korea. And because honors and APs should be taken after all prerequisite classes I couldn't take all the APs I wanted to take. </p>

<p>Ever since I was little I have apsired to go to a prestigious college where I can learn to my fullest capacity. My dream college was Brown, but ever since I had discovered Wellesley's brochure (and many nights of researching Wellesley's website/ hearing beautiful comments about Wellesley) I fell in love at once! </p>

<p>I will apply to the following colleges (I am aware ALL of them are reaches)
1. Wellesley (will apply for early decision)
2. Brown
3. Cornell
4. Duke</p>

<p>And of course, other safety colleges. </p>

<p>Here's an outline of my academic record:
GPA
9th: 3.3 (bio 9, CP Alg, Eng 9, Fine Art I, PE, Music, Spanish I, US History 9, World History)
10th: 3.7 (Acting I, Aerobics, Bio II, CP Geometry, Government, Honors Eng; Mental Health; Spanish II, US History 10)
11th: 4.0 (first semester: accounting I; AP psyc; Chem 1, CP Alg II; honors anatomy; honors english; Spanish III; second semester: Adv. Chem; Adv. Spanish III; Alg II, Anat/Phys; AP Psyc; Adv. Eng Religion 11; Speech)
12th: 4.3 (AP Spanish; AP English: Religion 12, Ap Government; Adv. Physics; Calculus; Ceramics/Graphic Arts) </p>

<p>(Please keep in mind these are all weighted.) </p>

<p>SATs: expected 1900 (based on new scale) </p>

<p>My extracurricular activities:
Great Miami Youth Orchestra (First Violin) - two and half years
Grace Korean Church (Violin for Choir) - two years
Science Fair (first place at international school in South Korea) - 9th grade
Su Casa (community service) - one year (sr. summer)
Chesterwood Village Nursing home - one year (jr. summer)
NSLC (National Leadership Conference) - (sr. summer)
Creative Writer's Workshop (Summer program at Duke University)
Spanish Club (President) - 11th grade and probably through 12th grade
Babel Tower (a multicultural club I had started at school) - 11th grade
Psychology Club - 11th grade (no longer available in the school I transferred to.)
Big Sister, Little Sister - 11th grade (no longer available in the school I transferred to.)
Student Government - 9th grade - president; 10th grade - just transferred student; 11th grade - transferred to a new school so missed the chance to become elected so I became Rep.
I've also helped Korean immigrants who have been invited to the pastor's house with adjusting to the American culture and English.
From middle school I've worked as a translator (korean - english).
Summer of my sophmore year I visted my parents in South Korea and worked as an intern/receptionist at a executive search firm for my father. </p>

<p>I missed many chances to get involved in the NHS and clubs of that nature b/c I had transferred high schools three times. Also I had no one to provide transportation for after school activities I couldn't be involved in sports. However, I really did try to make the best out of what I had to work with. </p>

<p>I really and truly am enthusiastic about Wellesley. Seventeen years of my life had been built up towards this moment! I would most gratefully take in any advice you can give me to help me with the admissions process. I cannot rely on anyone for guidance concerning colleges except my counselor and I wish to not say this but she isn't really attentive to my needs. The pastor and his wife have shed great spiritual light unto my life, but they are not familiar with American colleges and their admission processes. My parents in South Korea are also unfamiliar with American colleges.
I'd GREATLY appreciate your advice. Thanks for taking your time to read all of this!</p>

13

<p>Wellesley has a pretty good reputation. Among those who've heard of it is not underrated, I don't think. It's a great school that is looked on as a great school.</p>

14

<p>Wellesley is an excellent place to attend to college. Wellesley students are extremely bright, supportive, and ambition. Many young women chose the college because of its history of educating women who make a difference in the world and its strong academic reputation. </p>

<p>Please ignore those who are jealous of Wellesley's consistent high rankings. The USNews ranking takes into consideration a variety of factors -- not just the percentage of applicants accepted. Acceptance rates are often higher for schools that self-select...single sex institutions, some religiously affiliated schools, and institutions like University of Chicago. </p>

<p>According to the College's website, about 92% of Wellesley students are ranked in the top 20% of their high school classes (I bet that you didn't know that more than half of high schools don't rank). Moreover, a 2003 Wall Street Journal article ranked Wellesley 15th (among all LACs and national universities (Harvard, Yale, etc) in terms of placing its graduates in top medical, law, and business schools. In addition, 80% of Wellesley graduates receive an advanced degree within 10 years of graduation from Wellesley. Lastly, Wellesley graduates are disproportionately represented in corporate board rooms, philanthropic organizations, science and medical insitutions, etc. These alumnae LOVE Wellesley and show it by giving generously to the college. In fact, it has one of the largest endowments for a LAC. </p>

<p>So yes, Wellesley is underrated by those who don't know about its legacy or the accomplishments of its alumnae -- old and young.</p>

15

<p>I read something on another thread that really surprised me. </p>

<p>it said:
Wellesley seemed to be the kind of place that students didn't particularly enjoy while they were there, but alumni appreciated it more afterwards. </p>

<p>Is this true??? Do the women who attend wellesley focus more on sucess in the future rather than fun/learning in the present??</p>

16

<p>I can see how that might be true.</p>

17

<p>(: H20nline and I share some similiarity. I am in <3 with Wellesley, I'm a Korean-American (I know Korean about as equally as I know English), etc.</p>

<p>Anyways, I would like to see some more arguments based on facts, not those based on emotions.</p>

18

<p>I totally disagree with that statement. The vast majority of students love Wellesley while they are there and take advantage of all the courses, extracurricular activities (more than 150 clubs/organizations), cultural activities and internship opportunities available. For what its worth, students probably appreciate Wellesley more after graduation because of the vast alumnae network. </p>

<p>The best way to determine the veracity of the statements made on collegeconfidential is to visit the campus and interact with the students. </p>

<p>Good luck.</p>