Mount Holyoke College

“SATs, well written essays, lots of fun extracurricularsDec 19 2009English
SATs, well written essays, lots of fun extracurriculars. It sounds cliched, but just being yourself (especially in the interview) helps a lot.
SAT: 2100 Female

“You definitely need good grades, but you also haveDec 14 2009Political Science
You definitely need good grades, but you also have to be a "well-rounded" student. Extracurriculars do count, as do your writing samples - take those seriously.
Female

“I happened to have a family friend who wentDec 11 2009Sociology
I happened to have a family friend who went here and lured me in. As far as getting in academically, it is hard-the students who apply here are overachievers and way over qualified. If you have a 3.7 or higher you are fine. Or even a 3.5 maybe. Students here are extremely intense academically.
ACT: 31 SAT: 2000 Female

“Be yourself! Mount Holyoke wants to see that somethingDec 11 2009History/Histories (art history/etc.)
Be yourself! Mount Holyoke wants to see that something special about you, that spark that distinguishes you. Be thorough in your academics, dedicated in your extracurriculars, and enthusiastic about yourself: your passions, your goals, your quirks.
Female

“A Mount Holyoke woman is someone who has aDec 11 2009Other
A Mount Holyoke woman is someone who has a great deal of intellectual curiosity and is committed to the idea of social justice. We're SAT optional and have been for a long time, because we don't think of a student as a number, but as an actual person who cannot be defined by how they do on a four-hour test some Saturday morning. They want to see that an applicant has challenged themselves and has had a positive progression (so if you got a B in an AP class, that's more important than an A in a standard class, and if you got all Bs your freshman year, as long as your grades improved over time, that's what matters). Leadership experience is also great, but if you have to work through high school that also shows strong commitment and responsibility, so don't feel like that's going to be a detriment.
Female