Major: Psychology 

Minor: Linguistic 

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Questions about Academics and COVID-19

 

What were your classes like in your first year or in your major/concentration, especially transitioning from Shen? 

Since Wellesley is a liberal arts school, I didn't have to begin focusing on my major right away; in my first year I took many classes with heavy reading assignments (scholarly articles, books, literature reviews, etc.) and had to adjust to completing all the readings on time. Additionally, something I think is universal to all college students is that you can't go into every class assuming you will be good at it; "skating by" in HS compared to college was a very different thing for me.

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What academic experiences have stood out to you at your college in either positive or negative ways?

I have had great experiences with all my professors; they are interesting, passionate, and understanding people. I also love the small class sizes (around 20 people per class). Wellesley has a wealth of resources for students such as specific subject tutors, academic success coaches that live in your res hall, and professors are always accessible through office hours. The counselors in the Career Education department are also great; they give you advice on resumes, interviews, job/internship opportunities, etc. In my experience, I've always felt like every academic figure wants to see me succeed, which is a good feeling.

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How was your online learning experience at your college? What resources did your college provide you during this time?

The online experience did not hold up to the in-person experience whatsoever, but my professors did the best they could. Some of my finals were cancelled, and assignments were shortened. The college set up a Pass/Fail grading system as well to make sure all students were on an equal ground, since all students were returning home to varying degrees of Internet accessibility, parental support, safety, emotional well-being, etc.

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What did your college do well or poorly to support students and communities when COVID-19 first hit?

Wellesley seemed to lag behind in terms of announcing COVID-19 plans; students heard of MIT, Harvard, Olin, and Babson (all nearby colleges) closing well before Wellesley made any official statements. Many students had to scramble to book flights and pack as we were given 5 days to leave campus; there was a lot of mutual aid among the Wellesley community (donating money for plane tickets, Ubers, etc.), which was uplifting but also disappointing, as it showed how admin did not financially support students fully.

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Questions about Student Life

 

If students are interested in your major/concentration, what extracurricular activities do you recommend they do at your college?

To me it seems too extreme to base extracurricular activities off of your major, as extracurricular activities are for a break from academics...but Wellesley has many psych-related volunteer opportunities; my first semester, I volunteered at a observational preschool for child psychology. There are also opportunities to do research through fellowships at Wellesley and MIT. I also did an ESL volunteer program through an organization in Cambridge where I taught English to immigrants in Boston. Apart from those, I am a radio DJ through the college's radio club (WZLY), a photoshoot team member with the college's fashion magazine, and a Sexual Health Educator.

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What are common things to do on weekends? Do students commute back home for the weekend or are there events on campus?

Wellesley students typically stay on campus all four years, so if you really wanted to live off-campus during your college experience, Wellesley may not be for you. There are events such as cultural org performances and school-sponsored parties, but Wellesley overall lacks in its party culture. The college has a few parties that are very popular (Remix and White Party were two of my favorites), but non-academic life can really be worked on here. Some students leave campus on weekends to attend parties at schools in the city, such as Harvard or MIT.

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Are you involved in athletics at your college? How do you balance sports, academics, and extracurricular activities?

I don't do any sports, but Wellesley is a Division 3 school, which essentially means academics comes before sports. My friends who are athletes are able to manage their time well.

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Do you have a job during the school year, or is it common for students to have on-campus jobs? What is that experience like?

Many students are on work study, but that doesn't mean you are guaranteed to get a job; I know many students who work at the library, dining halls, tutoring center, etc. but I can't speak on their experience.

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Extra Questions

 

What advice would you give to current Shen students when applying to your college?

The most important thing is that you have something you seem to care about that is at Wellesley; do your research on the college and its history (look up the Wellesley 100, notable alumna, etc.) and connect something from the college to something that is special and important to you. It can be basically anything as long as you spin it well enough.

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What makes your college special to you?

The Wellesley student community is extremely unique, being that Wellesley is a historically women's college. The student body and friends I have made have challenged and inspired me to become a better person.

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What do you wish you knew about your college when you were a senior at Shen?

Two things. One, that the school has a stereotype of a snobby, Type A student (on campus they are called "Wendy"s). That honestly just seems like the symptom of a lot of internalized misogyny. But due to it being a "prestigious," academically rigorous college, Wellesley can feel competitive and isolating; but I believe a lot of that is dependent on the people you surround yourself with. Two, don't assume the friends you meet at orientation will be your BFFs forever; allow yourself to grow and change during college, and surround yourself with people who make you actually happy.

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Before COVID-19, what was the housing like at your college? What would you recommend to Shen seniors to find their roommates?

I lived in a double with a roommate that I chose over the summer. I recommend HS seniors to really think about what they want out of a roommate: a very close friend, a casual acquaintance, or something in between? I wanted someone I could be friends with, but wasn't going to be in my immediate friend circle. Find someone who fits what you want and make sure you are always on the same page about cleanliness, having people over, drinking/smoking, sleeping/waking up, etc. Communication is so important whether you choose to go random or not!!

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How is the financial aid situation at your college?

Wellesley was the best financial option for me out of all the schools I got into. As a middle class student, I am satisfied with my aid, but the cost of college in general is a bit ridiculous so I can't say too many good things. Wellesley only offers aid based on need, and has no academic or athletic scholarships.

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Is there anything else you'd like to share about your college experience that hasn't been addressed yet in this questionnaire?

If you're thinking of applying to a HWC (historically women's college), you probably won't be experiencing a "normal" college experience compared to co-ed schools. I think it's important to keep that in mind, and be sure that you want to attend a HWC before you commit to it.

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