Graphic by Jieyu Feng ’22
BY SAVANNAH HARRIMAN-POTE ’20
This past weekend, Mount Holyoke College welcomed prospective students from the class of 2023 for its annual Preview Weekend.
The two-day event took place on Sunday, April 14 and Monday, April 15. After checking in, students and their parents went on campus tours, had lunch at the Dining Commons and attended a series of panels on campus life at Mount Holyoke. In the evening, parents were invited to a reception while prospective students met their hosts and prepared to spend what may be the first of many nights at the College.
Madison Walters ’19 is a Harriet Newhall Fellow in the Office of Admissions. They are responsible for conducting interviews with prospective students, as well as planning and working admissions events throughout the year. “I feel like MHC Preview Weekend always has a really fantastic energy,” said Walters. “I got to have some really great conversations with some really brilliant students that I hope join our community soon.”
The incoming class of 2023 stands apart as “one of the most competitive classes in [the College’s] history,” according to the Mount Holyoke website. Only 525 students of the 3,956 who applied will receive spots in the fall, indicating an acceptance rate of 36 percent — significantly lower than the College’s previous acceptance rate of 51 percent.
Gauri Kaushik flew with her family from Cupertino, CA to visit Mount Holyoke for the first time. In addition to the scheduled events, Kaushik shadowed an Intro to Psychology class. Though she wasn’t familiar with many women’s colleges before she applied to Mount Holyoke, she now looks forward to the atmosphere and community. “I often have trouble speaking up in class,” said Kaushik. “I think that as a women’s college, Mount Holyoke could help with that. Everyone seems so nice and encouraging.”
Kaushik was the managing editor of content of her high school newspaper and is interested in studying international relations and journalism.
After the preview weekend, Kaushik felt ready to commit to Mount Holyoke. But there was one thing she was still worried about. “I’m not looking forward to winter,” Kaushik said.
Fellow prospective student Ansley Keane drove up from Avon, CT for the preview. “This is my fourth visit to Mount Holyoke,” said Keane. When asked what appealed to her about the community, Keane said, “The students seem really passionate about what they’re learning, but not competitive with each other. Everyone seems to care a lot for each other.”
Keane has yet to decide where she’ll attend in the fall, but she’s ready for the college application process to be over. “It’s been absolutely brutal. It feels like such a game sometimes,” Keane said. Overall, however, Keane is proud of what she’s accomplished. “[Applying to college] is the first really big thing I’ve done in my life,” she said.
The College will host an additional Preview Day on Saturday, April 20.