Essay Writing
Real of My scores and grades aren't everything
Real!! Mount Holyoke uses a holistic admissions process that evaluates your entire portfolio, looking well beyond numbers and test scores to understand who you are and your potential as a student!!
Real or Myth? I am behind. Everyone has it all figured out except for me.
MYTH and LIES!
The feeling that you are falling behind while everyone else has it all figured out is an illusion! Life does not follow a straight line. Growth, capability, and happiness happen at different paces for everyone. Most people are "winging it" or quietly figuring things out as they go.
Real or Myth? I don't have to declare my major right away.
Real!
You don't have to declare your major until the second semester of sophomore year.
Real or Myth? There are no men at Mount Holyoke.
MYTH!
Men and gender-diverse students are present at Mount Holyoke College. We have male professors, staff, and students! Undergraduate admissions are open to female, transgender, and nonbinary applicants.
Real or Myth? You need to trauma-dump in your college essay to stand out.
MYTH!
Your essay should capture your story, your growth, and who you are as a person. You don't have to share a story if you don't want to; just be you!
Real or Myth? You will be paying the cost of tuition, Google says.
MYTH!
Mount Holyoke College meets 100% of demonstrated financial need for all admitted undergraduate students, including international students. For U.S. students with total family incomes up to $150,000 (with typical assets), tuition is completely covered ($0 tuition)
Real!
You don't have to be besties, but you should communicate boundaries to be able to coexist in the space. You will fill out a contract at the start of the semester to set boundaries.
Real or Myth? Once you declare a major, you are able to change it.
Real!
Changing your major at Mount Holyoke College is not difficult, and you can file a change-of-major request with the Registrar at any time, as long as you have enough time left to finish the new degree requirements before graduation.
Real or Myth: I can't have a car my first year
MYTH!
You can have your car all four years at MHC
MYTH!
The supplemental essays are just as important, if not more decisive, than the main Common App personal statement. Each college has its own unique supplemental essay prompt to get to know you!
Real or Myth? I don't need to have the exact GPA Google tells me will get me into college.
Real!
Mount Holyoke College uses holistic admissions and is test-optional, meaning there is no single mandatory GPA cutoff required for acceptance
Real or Myth: I have to go to every party to socialise...
MYTH
I do not have to go to every party to socialise, I can forge my own path!
MYTH!
Talk to your professors; go to office hours, ask them questions either pertaining to class or not. They want you to succeed, and it's important to build that personal relationship with them!
Real or Myth: Not interviewing with Mount Holyoke will hurt my chances of getting in
Myth:
While we love to see demonstrated interest, it is not something that we hold against students for not doing.
Real or Myth: Your personal statement and supplemental essays should be your own voice
REAL!
We want to learn about who you are, we want to hear your authentic voice and get to know you through your writing.
Real or Myth? I will meet my best friends at orientation.
MYTH!
Meeting your lifelong best friends strictly at college orientation is mostly a myth, though it is a great place to make your first college friends.
Real or Myth? My career is not set in stone by the major I choose.
Real!!
Your major does not lock you into one specific career path. Mount Holyoke's curriculum encourages interdisciplinary learning. A biology major might end up in healthcare consulting, while an art history major might run a tech startup.
Real or Myth: There are many different ways to find community on campus and your path may look different than others/what you expect
REAL!
There are many different ways to find community on campus and your path may look different than others/what you expect
Real or Myth? You have to go through the application process alone.
MYTH!
You are not alone!
The Office of Admission at Mount Holyoke College provides a full team of resources and personnel to help you through every step of the process. Staff members are assigned to specific territories to guide applicants and high school counselors through questions, requirements, and deadlines. Current students conduct interviews, lead campus tours, and answer questions online to give you direct peer insight. You can contact the admissions team directly by phone at 413-538-2023 or by email at admission@mtholyoke.edu if you run into any roadblocks with recommendations, transcripts, or portals
Real or Myth? I can talk to my application reader.
You can get in contact with your Territory Manager (TM for short) and ask them questions!