I have been accepted at Mount Holyoke, Vassar and NYU. Aside from debating about which college to choose, i want to know the pros and cons of women’s colleges, as i’m considering Mount Holyoke.
[[Some general information about me, in light of which this discussion can take place:-
I am a girl from New Delhi, India. Some of my interests are vocal music (particularly acapella), dance (various forms of jazz), and poetry and literary activities (i was the editor of a magazine in school). I haven’t decided on a major yet. I am open to exploring the areas of study which i like before deciding a major. Some of the subjects i like are Psychology, Economics and English. I have visited the US a multiple times, and I’m a big city person.]]
I studied at a co-ed high school. I didn’t however make friends with a lot of boys. Then again, up till 11th grade a lot of the guys were immature and irritating, and after that there weren’t many guys in my class, so it’s not completely my fault. I basically made friends with whoever came my way and was a bit mature and similar to me, you could say. I am a shy person, maybe even an introvert, but once i get to know someone, whether male or female, i am a very friendly person. Hence you could say i am an ambivert.
I feel a co-ed college might be better for me as it would provide more exposure, and in a women’s college i might develop a bubble or a comfort zone of only interacting and being friends with other women. I could of course be wrong, as a women’s college could also be very empowering and liberating (i am a feminist, and i’m pretty strong and vocal in my opinions).
What are the benefits and disadvantages of studying at a women’s college (Mount Holyoke in particular)?
Mount Holyoke is a wonderful college but if you are a “big city person,” you might be happier at NYU. At Mount Holyoke, you do not have to compete with men for the attention of the first-rate faculty which is pretty evenly divided between men and women. Most of the classes are small. The College is very diverse and hardly a “bubble” but it is in a suburban or small town atmosphere, not a big city. It is a two hour drive from Boston and three hours from New York. I hope this is helpful.
MHC is famous for being very international and for paying a lot of personal attention to students. it also has various programs designed specifically for women. I think you will find it a fantastic environment, and far more personal than NYU. Then again, it is not the big city. If you want an urban, bid city university, NYU is for you.
I also notice that you are from India. My personal opinion: Mount Holyoke will be far more supportive and you will have an easier time making friends and becoming part of the community. NYU is much more “find you own way” and has no campus. And don’t worry about meeting guys. You will take some of your classes at Amherst, Mass or Hampshire, where there are lots of guys. And guys visit MHC for obvious reasons.
You will meet boys at MHC if you want to. It’s a college not a convent. There’s plenty of interaction with the other 5 colleges. After your first semester you can register for classes at any of the 5-colleges. My daughter has taken two classes at Amherst, one at Umass and her PE elective at Hampshire (x-county skiing!!), she a member of 5 college clubs associated with her major, she meets friends once week for a group study session at the Amherst library. She goes to parties and night time events with boys.
I noticed Vassar is on your list. It’s coed and an easy train ride into the city, plus great name recognition. Psych, English and arts are top notch.
NYU, I think, is going to be a big adjustment. You are going to have to deal with every petty little annoyance on your own, plus it’s hard to sleep in the dorms as the outside noise is so loud.
NYU is more cosmopolitan. Vassar is close to NYC so that you can get to it in a day and back to school (a long day). Mt. Holyoke is more isolated.
I disagree that it’s difficult to sleep in all of the NYU dorms. Your experience may vary. It’s not that loud. Really. And you can get a white noise machine or app on your phone to drown out the worst of any noise. Besides dorms in general have noise, what with people coming and going all night. Vassar has singing and people shouting as they cross the quads jn the middle of the night. I’m sure Mt. Holyoke has ambient noise too.
Women’s education has a lot to offer women. Mt. Holyoke would offer a lot. Vassar academics are personal and excellent. The campus is gorgeous. NYU offers the vast resources of NYC but not a central campus or community. But it’s an excellent school Best of luck with your choice.
