<p>I don't think I would have considered an all-girl's college, but I just got the Wellesley Book Award for my school, so I was looking into it...
I'm wondering what the appeal is for a women's college, what current students like and don't like about it, and how prospective students feel about that aspect of the school? I want to be convinced to apply next year but the all women thing is really holding me back. Any opinions?</p>
<p>I'll be at Wellesley in the class of 2010. I didn't apply to Wellesley because it was a women's school, or in spite of it. I was so impressed by the academics and the campus and it's reputation among the learning community that the women's college thing wasn't really a big deal to me. In fact, it was the only women's college I applied to. </p>
<p>A big draw for Wellesley is its location, especially if a social life is something you'd like to maintain. Brandeis University, Babson College, and Olin College of Engineering are within a mile or two away of Wellesley. A bus runs from Wellesley to Cambridge (where MIT and Harvard are located) throughout the day. You can take classes at MIT, and MIT students can take classes at Wellesley. Boston, of course, is the quintessential college town. There will probably be no shortage of people to meet.</p>
<p>There are some programs that bring students together, like a Wellesley-Brandeis Orchestra, and a magazine published by Wellesley and MIT students. I'm sure there are other things as well.</p>
<p>I'm also class of 2010. At first, I REFUSED to go to even apply to Wellesley because it was all girls. Now, one of the reasons I love it so much is BECAUSE it's all girls. I think an all women atmosphere is totally empowering and makes you feel ten million times more confident in the long run. You feel like you can do absolutely anything. The feeling of sisterhood is, in my opinion, overwhelming in the best kind of way. I went to this summer picnic a couple of days ago, hosted by two Wellesley alums. They do this every year, apparently, and invite current, former, and future students. There were women there from as far back as the classes of '49 and '54. That these ladies get together EVERY YEAR, even though a lot of them were in different classes, and have built friendships that stemmed from a common link to Wellesley, was amazing to me. The connections you build at Wellesley will last you way beyond your graduation. </p>
<p>Go visit, and get a feel for the campus. Even though it's a women's college, it's not like you won't ever see boys. There are ways of getting involved in things that put you in direct contact with guys (for crew, for example, I think you go over to MIT or something like that?), and there are a couple of guys walking around the campus too. There was one in the sociology class I sat in on during spring open campus! But really, I LIKE that's it's a women's college-- I think the whole women empowering attitude is a really great thing and helps so much later on in life.</p>
<p>Wow thanks! I didn't know about the relationship with MIT, and I love the idea of the empowering, supportive, sisterly environment. Now I can't wait to visit!</p>
<p>At first, I thought that I shouldn't go to a women's college because it would be too much unlike real life. I mean, everyone is going to have to deal with men. After I did some more "soul searching" I realized that my initial feeling was wrong. One thing I say that makes everyone stop to think is when I ask: When ever in my entire lifetime will I be able to immerse myself in a community with so many smart, strong women? Never again. No one questions me twice after I make that statement. I am going to Wellesley because it is unreal, because this is a once in a lifetime option that I won't ever have again. I am most definitely looking forward to this experience.</p>
<p>I am one of many Wellesley students who went to Wellesley in spite of the all female aspect, not because of it. A school like Wellesley is quite different from the stereotypical images of colleges, especially socially. A lot of things that bothered me in high school involved boys being stupid, heckling teachers, and being jerks in PE. There's none of that at Wellesley. Well, okay, you still have to take gym and girls can be inconsiderate idiots when given the chance. But I feel things are better at Wellesley. I even had fun doing gym. I also can't imagine being anywhere else.</p>
<p>WHAAA GYM? There's gym????</p>
<p>Yes. You have to take the equivalent of a year's worth of PE classes to graduate (hence the saying D is for Diploma and Gym is for Graduation). However, the options were quite different from the high school standards that involve balls flying in your face and people laughing at you. I did sailing, cardio kickboxing, snowboarding and yoga.</p>
<p>when do people usually take PE?</p>
<p>from what I've heard it's considered something like a fifth class that you take outside of normal class times like in the evenings? someone please correct me if I'm wrong.</p>
<p>PE is above and beyond your regular courseload.<br>
You can finish it your first year if you are diligent, and if you do sports, faster. A lot of the PE classes are offerece when people are in class (but you may not be), but there are night classes.</p>
<p>or you can do a sport like crew and not have to worry about it. :)</p>
<p>Club sports, however, often only count for your last two PE credits. (This was a huge source of irritation with the few people I knew on the rugby team.)</p>
<p>i'm considering wellesley. i personally am not interested in a nurturing, all-female environment...but it's so closeby to other great coed schools so that's not a problem. the campus is GORGEOUS. it was absolutely breathtaking (i visited when it was freezing :))
it's not my top choice but i'd be so happy going there. it's such a great academic environment too--top-notch professors, and they're all there FOR YOU, the undergrad!</p>