<p>Alums and current students: What should we see during the days we're in Wellesley? I'll be there Sunday afternoon to Tuesday afternoon. Of course there's scheduled programming, but is there anything specifically that I should check out on campus/in Wellesley to get a more wholistic view?</p>
<p>Great question! There’s a bunch of scheduled programming, so I’m not sure how much time you’ll actually have to explore campus/the ville by yourself, but here goes:</p>
<p>Campus places –
- The Campus Center: explore all the nooks and crannies. Browse the bookstore. Get nachos at Cafe Hoop.
- Academic Quad: the art library is a nice, quiet place. Founders/Green Hall have character. The bell tower is there too, but I’m not sure if it will be open to visitors. There are some smaller courtyards around that are really cute with benches for reading/talking. Lots of “hidden” stairwells, which once you’re on-campus you’ll know which ones to take to/from class and your dorm.
- Platform 9 3/4".
- Paramecium Pond.
- The Leaky Beaker in the Science Center. I’ve not actually been, but it’s a NEW development since 2011? 2012? The Science Center in general – don’t be afraid to get “lost”.
- The library.
- The lake. Beautiful view from Tower Courtyard.
- The basement of the Chapel. They redid it a few years ago and it’s beautiful inside. You don’t have to be religious to go; it’s just a really nice gathering space.
- The golf course…though I guess there’s not much to see besides grass (haha). Free for students to play, and you can take golf as your PE class if you want to learn or improve your skills. Beautiful course and it’s the oldest 9-hole course in the country!</p>
<p>The “Ville”
- They just added in a bunch of new restaurants (Boloco, JP Licks Ice Cream, Upper Crust Pizza, etc), but the go to Wellesley spot is Lemon Thai
- Truly’s Yogurt (they have ice cream too)
- Susu Bakery
- Blue Ginger (Chef Ming Tsai’s first restaurant. He comes to campus sometimes too, and he lives nearby as well!). Note: Blue Ginger is pricey (read: this is where you go when your parents come to town and want to go out for a nice dinner hehe)
- Altastrada (the closer to campus, Italian, a little less pricey version of Blue Ginger)</p>
<p>Sorry, that was all restaurants…</p>
<p>There’s also:
- The Cheese Shop!
- Wellesley Public Library: the NICEST public library I have ever seen. And you can get a library card for free and check out all sorts of non-academic books and DVDs.
- The shops/restaurants on Linden Street. There’s Roche Bros (a main Boston-area grocery store chain), California Pizza Kitchen, Dunkin Donuts, some cute bakeries/coffee shops, yoga studios, etc</p>
<p>If you want to go to the largest mall in New England (the Natick Collection) and the nearby movie theater, then drive a car a little further down the road to Natick. Natick is where everything is for move-in… you have Bed Bath & Beyond, Walmart, Target, etc etc. During the year, there’s a shuttle on the weekends that takes students to all these places too.</p>
<p>I realize this post is really long and I went off topic a bit. But just take in campus while you’re there and if you have the time, get dinner and some ice cream in the ville. That’s what I do when I go back to visit campus at least :)</p>
<p>Perhaps the most important thing to do while you visit Wellesley is talk to and get to know other admitted students. Can you imagine spending the next four years with these women? Asking myself this question is what ultimately convinced me to choose Wellesley over other schools.</p>
<p>I would also advise you to go to a class or two, ideally in a subject you think you may want to study. Ask yourself if the class is interesting and engaging (although do keep in mind that you are only seeing one of many classes offered). Talk to professors at the open house the college schedules (at least there was one when I went to spring open campus) and ask questions about various departments. </p>
<p>The people at a college–fellow students, faculty, and staff–can have a significant impact on your college experience. Yes, it is nice to know that there are good restaurants around and that the school takes good care of its dorms, but it is the people you’ll surround yourself with that truly matter.</p>
<p>What can I say? I’m nostalgic for the food…even AVI Fresh sometimes ;)</p>
<p>If you have some down time and the weather is good, walk around Lake Waban (2 miles or so).</p>
<p>You’ll be pretty busy with planned activities, though. Last year on Monday they did a scavenger hunt with the prospies all around campus (even though it was raining) and there was an activity/club fair at night in the Lulu. You can collect some swag (pencils, cups and such). As I recall, the departments also had academic open houses in their buildings.</p>
<p>I just wanted to say thanks for the detailed list since I can’t go to the Spring Open Campus or the Admitted Students Weekend, so I’m kind of making my own itinerary for the Wednesday before. Sorry for post hijacking.</p>
<p>Folks who are going to SOC: Let’s all make sure to document our stay and post pictures on here for the next round of applicants!</p>
<p>Have a blast at SOC, everyone! It sold me on Wellesley when I was making my decision and I hope you have that same experience :)</p>
<p>So, in light of the recent tragedies, prospies won’t be allowed to leave campus. But I guess that’s just as well since we’ll be so busy. Thank you to everyone who made suggestions! </p>
<p>I’m so effing excited for tomorrow.</p>