<p>I realize that this is a broad question, but what is it really like to go to an all-girl's school? Is the social and academic life much different than at a comparable co-ed college? Also, I know this may sound shallow, and it is certainly not the deciding factor in my decision, but is it easy to date/have a long-term relationship when there aren't any guys close by?</p>
<p>It's just like school, really. I read somewhere (LJ maybe or perhaps here) that the College women's environment is very different from the High School girls' environment.</p>
<p>The social/academic life is a little different. I don't know any other colleges well enough, but there is certainly less emphasis on sports, very many social events involve teas.</p>
<p>I've read some remarks by people over the summer discussing the culture shock of the real world. What I've read comes out to 1. Why do so few of the other women in this class I'm talking know anything about women's issues? and 2. Okay, this is really awkward. This lecture came with free food, but why am I the only one eating it? And I'm eating quite a lot of it. Don't other people come to lectures for the food?</p>
<p>It's easiest not to be in relationship, but doable if you want it. Wellesley has busses into Boston which allow you to meet/see people Elsewhere, making relationships workable in the immediate area provided you've met someone who is worth it. Women at coed institutions certainly have relationships with people at different schools and schools hundreds or thousands of miles away, so it's more like being in an LDR</p>
<p>Unfortunately, few students have had experiences at both a women's college and a similar co-ed college. But, having been at Wellesley and at co-ed universities, I'll try to offer a little information.</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Pranks are fewer and less damaging at Wellesley. People don't randomly pull fire alarms, drag furniture around campus, or steal university property and hang it out their windows. There's also less graffiti. </p></li>
<li><p>There are fewer men at Wellesley. Obvious as this sounds, it's not as astonishing an experience as you might think. Honestly, it doesn't feel particularly strange until you see a guy your age and realize that you don't see people like that very often. The sensation passes quickly.</p></li>
<li><p>The classroom dynamic is different. Silence is more acceptable while people ponder a question. Students tend to be less aggressive in class.</p></li>
<li><p>Plenty of students date while at Wellesley. There are three co-ed colleges within a few miles of campus, and Boston is just a bus-ride away.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>What's it really like to go to a women's college? It's refreshing. Another alumna once pointed out that they're probably the only four years of your life where you will know that everything you do (or don't) get/earn/win/receive has absolutely nothing to do with your gender. It's an opportunity to explore exactly what you are capable of doing and what you enjoy doing. At the same time, the college isn't for everybody. Visit, if you can; it's the best way to see what the campus and students are like.</p>
<p>
[quote]
1. Why do so few of the other women in this class I'm talking know anything about women's issues? and 2. Okay, this is really awkward. This lecture came with free food, but why am I the only one eating it? And I'm eating quite a lot of it. Don't other people come to lectures for the food?
[/quote]
</p>
<ol>
<li>Why am I the only woman in this class who says anything? And why are all of the other female students deferring to the guy who uses way too much hair gel and doesn't actually have anything useful to say?</li>
</ol>
<p>Yeah, the transition out of Wellesley is frequently filled with disappointments.</p>
<p>thank you, all of those replies were very helpful :)</p>
<p>when I visited during spring open campus, two of the students told me that they had decided to take a course at MIT together. They were extremely surprised that were the most active people in the class and were the ones asking the most questions- this was only their second semester at Wellesley by the way!</p>
<p>That's because MIT students <em>don't</em> talk in class, and were probably wondering why the Wellesley ones were. Talking in class is a liberal arts sort of thing, and it's not something that's done as much in a university setting where you may have been one of hundreds in another class. Students would also be used to taking their questions to recitation sessions, which don't exist Wellesley. If people remember that you're the one raising your hand, they start to find you annoying.</p>