South Hadley, MA
Mount Holyoke College

As an alumnus, I look back on my time at Mount Holyoke with nostalgia and happiness. It is truly a transformative space, where students uplift and support one another through everything. As a first-generation student of color, I was able to find community quickly and during my four years there, I never felt alone. I adjusted very easily to the campus and immediately saw how tight-knit the community was. It is a place I hold close to my heart.

I love Mount Holyoke. I am so lucky to be able to spend four years in this environment, where students are able to influence every aspect of our education. This is a community that values learning, respect, individualism, and conversation. Wherever you are when you come to MHC, from there you will grow.

There is a lot more partying than the school would have you think. There are people who don't party (myself included), but most students attend at least one or two before they graduate. The academics are pretty good, and the campus is absolutely gorgeous. However, whenever you have a bunch of women together, there is a plethora of gossiping and drama. So it takes a bit of shifting before you find your good friends, and you need to be prepared for at least one drama storm a semester. The board of trustees don't always listen and occasionally come up with offensive and absurd ideas for the school, but in general the admin do a good job of listening to the students and trying to solve the issues. I got involved in a Title IX investigation and found that they take those kinds of things very seriously and work hard to help both parties be represented properly. They also make sure both parties feel as safe and comfortable as they can while on campus and especially while the investigation is taking place.

Once a distinguished, rigorous women's college, Mount Holyoke today plays host to "the gender marginalized" who aren't particularly smart. There is little rigor left. Faculty are told not to correct grammar, as that'd be judgmental. A bloated administrative bureaucracy drives pedagogy. They, for example, encourage faculty not to require deadlines, as it might stress the hot house flowers. It's the land of misfit toys.

As an alumna of Mount Holyoke, I can say that it truly changed my life. First of all, the classes and the academic experience were top-notch. The faculty were excellent and my fellow students were smart and engaged. I was challenged to work harder than I ever had before, challenged to think critically and communicate effectively, and challenged to become the person I was meant to be. In addition to the academics, I appreciated that all the positions leading activities and groups were held by women - it created space for me to really find my voice, my passions, and my leadership skills. Mount Holyoke is exceptionally diverse and I loved the global sensibilities that brought to classes and conversations. It broadened my thinking and my horizons. Finally, the campus is just gorgeous. There is something special about being in a beautiful, supportive, intellectually-focused space that enabled me to breathe, to think, and to grow. I will be forever grateful to have gone to Mount Holyoke.

First, the school cafeteria has REALLY good food. It was much better than what my high school cafeteria used to feed us, and Mount Holyoke has a lot more variety. The people on campus are also super nice. My interview ended up going half an hour longer because my interviewer was happy to answer all of my questions and describe what her experience at the school was like.

A non-negotiable I was looking for while searching for my college was for the school, its faculty and staff to genuinely care for its students. Mount Holyoke immediately caught my attention during prospective student weekend. While waiting for the second flight I was able to meet some students who were also going to the Mount Holyoke and other students who were visiting other nearby schools. We were later informed that our flight had been canceled. Stranded in Detroit, not knowing what to do, we all decided to contact our individual schools. Mount Holyoke’s staff was instantly willing to help. They told us they would find another flight for us the next morning and they made sure to get us a safe place to stay for the night. This caring gesture was not displayed by the other schools who told their prospective students to find their way back home if they were unable to be on campus by the time the activities started. Seeing the difference of student treatment by the different colleges I realize that Mount Holyoke sincerely cares about its students. The caring and supportive culture of Mount Holyoke is exactly what I was looking for in a school and ever since my arrival to begin my first year, the Mount Holyoke community has proven its self to be one where its members look after each other. Professors are easy to talk to, get in touch with and they are always willing to help. Upperclassmen are also inclined to support underclassmen. Being far away from home can be difficult but having a strong supportive community has made my first year away from home unforgettable and life-changing.

Great school. Great community.

Mount Holyoke has a welcoming environment for everyone. Although it is traditionally a women's college, we have people of all walks of life among us. There is an organization for everyone, even if it's not the one you had originally imagined for yourself. This campus is all about diversity and inclusion.

The student body is always passionate and caring. They are unafraid to stand up for a cause, even if it means they are standing up to administration. Professors are gracious, encouraging, and helpful. The overall community tries its best, even though sometimes they don't succeed.