You are more likely to get a response when you shout out.
Mount Holyoke College is a liberal arts school, which I really like because no matter what major you choose, you still have plenty of room to take classes outside your major or to study abroad. The professors are very supportive. They are generally good in the classroom and also very willing to meet outside of class. Introductory science classes are disappointingly large, but eventually you get to have smaller classes. But, even in the larger classes, the professors will make an effort to know you if you do the same.
I'm not terribly aware of sports ever, but my impression is that we always have some very good individual athletes in every sport, but not an exceptional sports program overall. We have an excellent golf course and equestrian center. Although we're generally not the most impressive teams in the country, all of the dedicated sportswomen I know here have seemed to love their teams and feel accomplished in their sports. I think if personal growth and team love are more important to an athlete than division prestige, our sports programs are pretty solid.
At first I didn't appreciate our food, but it is much better than the food at most other colleges. The dining halls are very nice, and the dining hall staff is friendly. There are always different options at the different dining halls. The major drawback is that they are only open at specified meal times.
Dorm life is one of the best experiences of Mount Holyoke. The older dorms are my favorite. I lived in Brigham junior year, which has hardwood floors and, if you live on the fourth floor, sloped ceilings. The downstairs area was so homey, with a comfortable living room and TV room. You become very close to the women in your dorm, creating your own home. You get the closeness and sisterhood of a sorority, but in a small dorm without all of the sorority fuss.
Public safety's strictness seems to vary depending on which officers are working and how well you know them. However, if you do get caught doing something illegal, it's bad news—you can end up on social or academic probation, get kicked off campus, or lose a variety of privileges. In general, people take the Honor Code pretty seriously. If you do plan on doing something illegal or against the Honor Code, be careful!
The computer labs are rarely crowded, as most students bring their own laptops. The campus has decent WiFi coverage, although some random academic buildings do not or have patchy coverage. But, there are plenty of dorm computer labs around campus for those without computers to use.
MHC is fairly diverse racially, religiously, ethnically, and in terms of sexuality. However, we are not very politically diverse—most of the campus is fairly liberal. Also, the College is not very diverse socioeconomically and has become less so throughout my time here. It seems as though the majority of the student population is upper-middle to upper class.
The Pioneer Valley has a very big drug culture (mostly weed), but MHC itself is a largely untouched. Extremely heavy drinking or drug use usually occurs off campus. There is a very forgiving drug/alcohol policy that focuses on addressing addiction issues, not arresting offenders.
The student center has lots of venues for all sorts of student use. The library is flat out amazing. Hogwarts must have been based on the Mount Holyoke library.
There is no official Greek life on campus. There are, however, more underground, secret groups that are formed but dissipate somewhat easily because they are not official. Also, if you are on an athletic team, that is a sort of pseudo-sorority. The field hockey team, for example, will often have formals with the football team at Amherst.
We have plenty of hot women here! The women of MHC are, for the most part: very liberal, good students, not big on parties, independent, and high achievers. Most women at MHC will fit into most, if not all, of those categories. MHC women are also unusually friendly. The Five College men vary from the most drunken UMass frat boys to the yuppiest Amherst rich boys, but there really is a lot of variety. If you want to date a Five College man, the best way is to join a club or take a class at one of the other colleges.
South Hadley is a small town, but it offers a lot for busy students, like good restaurants and nice movie theater. Also in the area are Smith, Amherst, Hampshire and UMass-Amherst. There are lots of students, so lots to do. I have made connections with other schools but had to work for it. There's lots of good art in the area and the Berkshires offer a lot to do, as well—it's only a half-hour away and has great museums and spas.
Parties are a little hard to find at times. There are campus-wide parties throughout the year, but they can be a little sketchy and under-attended. If you want an active party life, your best bet is to visit UMass or Amherst or host one of your own.
There are a couple of restaurants across the street from the College, but most of them are outside of a student's budget. The free PVTA bus goes to both Amherst and Northampton, however, for better food choices.
Off-campus housing is often difficult because the school prefers most people to live on campus. Mount Holyoke prides itself on the community feeling on campus. Seniors and freshmen all live in the same dorms.
Mount Holyoke is the best college in the world. It has its ups and downs like any place, but I would never, ever want to go anywhere else. Being at a women’s college rocks my tomorrow socks—I like having a boyfriend, but it’s so nice not to have to deal with guys. The women at Mount Holyoke are intelligent, creative, and able to do anything. There are no comparisons.
Parking on campus is inconvenient but not horrible. Any student may bring a car, but the parking lots are not always conveniently located. Guest parking is terrible.
I've never felt unsafe walking across campus at all, and I've never locked my door in my four years here. That said, there have been thefts or people who feel unsafe, but, in general, Mount Holyoke is a pretty safe place.
Public transportation is fantastic. There is a bus that runs once a week for super cheap to the grocery store, if you need groceries. The PVTA also runs to the other nearby college campuses, and also has multiple stops along the way, so you can essentially get anything you want from using the bus. The PVTA runs about every half-hour, and it's also a good way to meet other 5 College students!
The weather is quite chilly and fickle. Then again, this is coming from a Californian, but it stays cold until about mid-April and, even then, you’re usually in for a surprise or two.
