Overview
The Town of South Hadley is a Five-College Community in Hilly, Western Massachusetts
In the hills of western Massachusetts, near the Connecticut River, stands Mount Holyoke College. The institution is located in the Pioneer Valley region. The counties that comprise the Pioneer Valley surround students with cultural character, breathtaking landscapes, diverse businesses, and academic traditions. Mount Holyoke's hometown of South Hadley is in a historic Massachusetts area with charm and convenience. Students have easy access to South Hadley's boutiques, restaurants, and bookshop, and J. A. Skinner State Park in features more than 400 acres of forest. Here, students will appreciate the views of the Connecticut River Valley from their school's namesake, the Holyoke Mountain Range.
South Hadley is also a key part of a "five-college community." Mount Holyoke students conveniently visit the campuses of four other colleges by bus. In Northampton, they find Smith College. In the town of Amherst, they can campus-hop to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Both of these Pioneer Valley college towns make available additional shopping and dining, as well as popular music scenes. In the same region, students explore the city of Springfield, which offers activities ranging from symphonic culture to hockey action on the ice. When studying ends, recreation begins with regional skiing and whitewater rafting. Another college center, Boston, is located just 90 minutes away with history, culture and activities all waiting for students.
Interdisciplinary and Special Majors Provide Specialized Programs Centered on Students' Interests
Since its founding within an esteemed group of women's, liberal arts institutions, Mount Holyoke College has served as a model for exceptional instruction. Today, Mount Holyoke students select from more than 5,000 courses, including courses offered within Mount Holyoke's liberal arts programs as well as the programs of four other colleges within a twelve-mile radius. This "five-college consortium" expands students' educational opportunities through an array of interdisciplinary majors and course options designed for success in a competitive business environment.
Mount Holyoke majors represent diverse areas of study in liberal arts, including mathematics, social sciences, and natural sciences. Courses take students from chemistry to romance languages and literatures and from international relations to environmental studies. The school offers approximately fifty departmental majors. Mount Holyoke students who wish to follow a more individualized path can consider interdisciplinary majors declared in almost twenty areas of study. Though these majors are still organized around one topic, they allow for varied interests within an area. When a student's interests cannot be addressed with an interdisciplinary major, a special major, incorporating work in two or more departments, can be designed.
Whether in a traditional or interdisciplinary program of study, the college supports students with personalized class settings, laboratories, studios, and libraries. Undergraduate students in the college's liberal arts programs gain advanced skills in speaking, writing, and critical thinking as a foundation for success in their fields of choice. Faculty members are scholars, researchers, and artists who share their enthusiasm for their disciplines with students.
Traditions and Friendships Are Celebrated in Student Life Activities at Mount Holyoke College
With a student life full of campus activities, lifelong friendships can be made at Mount Holyoke. Students will enjoy the scenic beauty of the campus as well as the support of a close-knit community. More than 150 student organizations offer a myriad of options for campus participation. Clubs and organizations cover the areas of politics, communications, community service, and much more. The college and its student organizations sponsor concerts, art exhibits, lectures, and get-togethers. Cultural centers provide yet another way for students to share in similar interests or ethnic heritages.
As a historic campus, traditions play a rewarding role in student life. From the Family and Friends Weekend to a Mountain Day of outdoor activity, traditions keep campus spirit strong. Student life continues off campus; between the five colleges in the area, there is always a dance, outing, or cultural event to attend. Since more than 90 percent of students live on campus, residence halls also sponsor activities to enhance student life.
As a member of the NCAA Division III, the college cheers on its fourteen varsity athletic teams. Club sports teams also give students chances to compete. Specialized facilities for athletic and recreational activities, such as a golf course, equestrian center, sports and dance complex, outdoor turf field, and track facility encourage students to get in the game.
