Mount Holyoke College

“I was at the top (3rd out of 457) of my HS classOct 26 2008Psychology
I was at the top (3rd out of 457) of my HS class. I also was active in a lot of extra curricular activities in HS including student government and Science Fair.

Basically, good grades, high test scores and something that makes you stand out from the pack.
Female

“Having worked in the Admission Office for many years,Jul 07 2008Geography and Geosciences
Having worked in the Admission Office for many years, I am very familiar with the application process and what our directors look for. A luxary of being a small college is that our directors can really dive into each application, and their approach is very wholistic (i.e. we have no statistics you must fill in terms of class rank, g.p.a., etc.). There is nothing you can do that will guarantee you are 'in' with our class, and there is nothing you can do that will guarantee you're 'out' of the class. Well, no ONE thing, but a consistently poor transcript likely will not result in your acceptance.

Firstly, we need to see that you're challenging yourself academically with A.P.'s and Honors courses. We also need to see that you're interested in something outside the classroom, and it's not a generic involvement. Leadership roles, taking the guitar for 10 years, something that makes your application unique.

Second, we're looking at your short answers, so take your time with them, and start as early as you can! Also, find something UNIQUE about MHC to write about, not something generic like 'beautiful campus', 'great professors' because it seems that you're only looking at MHC superficially.

Ultimately, if you really want to come to MHC it will show in your application, and if you don't want to go here, directors will know right away. The application process is very competative, especially because so many applicants are admissable (a.k.a. they can handle the work here), so don't just assume you will get in.
Female

“Essay is extremely important, they don't really care aboutNov 27 2006Political Science
Essay is extremely important, they don't really care about much else. You must emphasis a certain unique aspect of you and incorporate that into your essays. Mount Holyoke looks for distinguished individuals in odd fields, not solely on academics and they don't even look at the SAT. Good luck.
SAT: 2130 Female

“Just join a bunch of organizations do then smaeSep 14 2006Unknown
Just join a bunch of organizations do then smae trite stuff everyone does for admissions sake like volunteer work, clubs, decent grades, have a pulse. It isn't really difficult to get in, it is usually a safety school.
Female