Love both of these. Accepted and visited both, also accepted at 5 other schools already ruled out. Love small liberal arts close knit feel. I am undecided about major and know both of these will help me find my way. Not too worried about women only aspect because of relationships with other schools. Many strengths both of these, would love others ideas about what would sway them!
If you like sports at all HC has division 1 basketball and 1AA football.
If Wellesley is less expensive or the the costs are essentially the same, then Wellesley. It is fully an academic peer of the top co-ed institutions in the country.
If Holy Cross is less expensive, then what you and your family could do with money saved (or loans other than the standard federal student loans not borrowed) because of that difference could tip the decision in favor of Holy Cross.
Wellesley…arguably the most beautiful campus in the country, close to Boston. No gross male students. I’m surprised its not every woman’s first choice.
If costs are similar, Wellesley. Both in terms of networking opportunities (alumnae network = amazing) and in terms of educational experience. Better be an overachiever though. 
If growing in your faith is more important, then Holy Cross.
^ hit the nail on the head. First of all, costs. Remember you are talking about 4 years, not one.
As a women’s college alum, I would go with Wellesley. You will never have the chance to be in that environment for 4 years again as a young woman. On the other hand if your Catholic faith and/or coed sports make you feel at home, HC,
While they are both LACs in Massachusetts, these are not really peer schools. Wellesley is an elite institution, while Holy Cross is a fantastic but not elite school. If costs are equal, I would go with Wellesley.
What ARE the costs for HC and Wellesley? Are they similar or no?
Holy Cross offers great all-around college experience and its alumni network is imo better than Wellesley. HC has beautiful campus and plays most Ivies in Division 1 sports. Also HC has tremendous professional track record for pre-med and pre-law.
At HC you have the consortium with the other schools in Worcester; at Wellesley you have the consortium with Babson, Olin, Brandeis, M.I.T. Do you see yourself taking advantage of either? Does that help you choose at all?
This. Wellesley is world class.
Costs are similar. Appreciate all these thoughts, very helpful, keep coming please!
If costs are similar, then Wellesley. As Marvin100 said above, Wellesley is in a class above (world class).
“No gross male students”? I’d go to HC!
The points you all make are good ones and well illustrate my dilemma. Wellesley-- stellar reputation, beautiful campus, abundant extra resources even including MIT. HC – rich full experience, coed, sports, also rich church related history and culture, with better music and art in house. Wish I could do both.
On a recent campus visit there seemed to be lots of lgbt activism. Im not sure if I am comfortable being inundated with sexuality talk and wanted to concentrate on my studies. Any thoughts?
Better than Wellesley?
Here is the only systematic study I’ve seen that compares college track records as “feeders” into top medical, law, and business schools:
http://inpathways.net/ipcnlibrary/ViewBiblio.aspx?aid=1577
Wellesley was #15. HC did not make the top 50.
That study must be about a decade old by now … but I doubt the pecking order has changed too much.
I wouldn’t assume HC would be all that different.
http://www.collegeguide.org/itemdetail.aspx?item=486fb85a-5d15-4d1f-a8f5-5ce2804c3129&page=16
(This review is posted on the conservative CollegeGuide site.)
Spent a day at Holy Cross. Exceptionally courteous students and staff, don’t see posters everywhere about sexuallity concerns or how Hispanic students are abused due to lack of appreciation of their culture etc. The Wellesley experience on spring open campus was also friendly but I’m a bit taken aback by paintings of nude women in “the hoop” with lots of info on lgbt activities and “queer open mike night” etc. I am a serious student excited about getting a world class education. Am I going to be miserable listening to the din of people making noise about how Wellesley has slighted them because of their sexual orientation or ethnic group? Why is there a large bulletin board with grievances of Hispanic students who have missed Quinceaneras of friends and how that is somehow wellesleys fault? I feel Wellesley has what I’m looking for in terms of educational opportunities but I worry that it is being taken over by whiners.
Only have few days left to decide. Current Wellesley students have somewhat reassured me in other strings I have posted on. A persistent concern is the mention of lack of on campus events to promote school spirit. This would seem easier at holy cross given sporting events etc. Any counterpoints?
Sounds to me like HC might be the place for you. My daughter has visited Wellesley several times (I am an alum) and elected not to apply. She said that as a politically conservative student, she didn’t think she would feel comfortable there, which is unfortunate. Wellesley offers a world class education, but it isn’t for everyone nor is it a “typical” college experience.