The World Within Wellesley

Wellesley College is a private, nonprofit, women's liberal-arts university nestled in the quiet suburb of Wellesley, Massachusetts. The school is one of the Seven Sisters, which are historically women's liberal arts colleges located in the Northeast. It was founded in 1870 by Pauline and Henry Fowle Durant, who strongly believed in making higher education and social influence accessible to women. Since its birth, the institution has remained small and selective: today, only 29% of applicants are admitted, and the student body is composed of some 2,400 women. 

About 98% of students take up residence on the grounds of Wellesley. The campus in total is about 500 acres and includes woodlands, meadows, and the stunning Lake Waban. One of the most notable structures of Wellesley is the Green Hall. It was named in honor of miser Hetty Green and possesses a 32-bell carillon instrument that is played between classes by the Guild of Carillonneurs. 

A small sailboat is captured on the placid waters of Lake Waban. Behind it stand the trees and the Green Hall.

Aside from its impeccable look, Wellesley offers a fantastic range of educational experiences. It has a cross-registration program with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which provides a greater collection of courses. The Twelve College Exchange Program allows students to study for a semester in another college in the Northeast. These academic opportunities are made available to women older than 24 through the Davis Degree program (these individuals are allowed to live on-campus as well).

Wellesley only offers a Baccalaureate's degree, but over 70% of students hold internships as they study, so a variety of career opportunities are still readily available to them. Among the top five most popular majors for graduates is Political Science and Government, which is notably exemplified by its alumni presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. Although Wellesley does not have any sororities or fraternities, there are over 150 student organizations, a number of which have the same properties as a sorority. There are 14 varsity teams that include basketball, crew, cross country, soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, swimming and diving, and tennis. Interestingly enough, the college does not have a mascot and teams are referred to as the Blue (the school's colors are royal blue and white).One of the largest gender-oriented and social science research-and-action organizations in the country is located on and nearby Wellesley's campus. The Wellesley Centers for Women was created when the Center of Research for Women and the Stone Center for Developmental Services and Studies at Wellesley College merged in 1995. Prominent feminist scholars such as Jean Kilbourne and Peggy McIntosh are affiliated with this institution.I was never aware of the existence of Wellesley College until I read the name on the itinerary. My former debate captain is currently attending Bryn Mawr College, one of the other Seven Sister schools, which I hope to apply to in the Fall. From what I have gathered doing this research, Wellesley is definitely an option I am willing to consider.