Hi! I’m Ilma, and this will be my first blog post! I just wanted to start off with a quick introduction: I am a first year here at Wellesley College (Class of 2023). I am coming from Queens, New York but am originally from Pakistan. My major is very much undeclared, since I’ve only been in college for about a month and am still exploring the realm of possibilities of what I could possibly study.
I figured a good place to begin my blog series would be to talk about what brought me to Wellesley. The question of “Why Wellesley?” is still rather fresh in my mind having completed my college application and interview not too long ago.
As a first generation college student, I cast my net during the college search/ application process very wide. I applied to a range of state universities, research univeristies, and liberal arts colleges. I went on as many college tours and campus visits as I could the summer before my senior year, and deduced that I very much preferred smaller sized schools. For me affordability was also a major factor in my college search process, and I aimed to focus on schools that are need blind and met 100% of the calculated need. With these two factors pretty high on my list, my college search lead me to Wellesley. After doing some research online, reading through admissions literature, and speaking with my guidance counselor, I began to seriously consider Wellesley. I attended Discover Wellesley Weekend and became so convinced that Wellesley was the perfect college for me that I almost considered applying early decision (I eventually decided not too, only because of logistical reasons with some other schools). Regardless, that weekend I spent on campus (it was actually a Sunday and Monday, not a weekend!) truly put Wellesley at the top of my college list. Here’s why:
- The people. As soon as I stepped foot on campus I was greeted with so many welcoming smiles. I cannot count the amount of times I got lost on campus that weekend, but I can surely say that every time I got lost, or even seemed lost there was always some eager student or staff willing to go out of their way to help me. There was an unmistakable sense of community on campus. It was around midterm season when Discover Wellesley Weekend took place last year, and at about 9 p.m. as I sat in the Hogwarts esque Great Hall in Tower Court I could see the stressed out students preparing for their exams. However amidst the stress, I observed some genuine acts of camaraderie and community. On one table a group of students had gathered to review for what seemed to be a Philosophy exam, they seemed to have almost created their own mini seminar to intellectually discuss what they had learned in class. The students built off each other, and helped each other when one did not understand something. On another table I saw a student furiously studying as a friend approached her. Her friend realized that she hadn’t eaten yet and immediately ran out to grab food for her. This sense of being there for each other and supporting each other was a common theme I found throughout my visit. I also heard of amazing stories of the alumni network and the life-long commitment Wellesley students have to help each other. I wanted to be a part of this community.
- The conversations. I heard and participated in so many interesting conversations. From discussing what diversity looks like at elite colleges, to talking about political ideologies, to arguing over whether pineapple belongs on pizza (it does!), I truly had many enlightening discussions that allowed me to hear from people coming from so many different walks of life.
- The campus. Discover Wellesley Weekend takes place during the Fall. Fall is my favorite season. Wellesley in the fall is breathtakingly beautiful, needless to say more. But seriously the campus felt more like a vacation resort than a school. I am very much a city girl, having grown up in New York City, however, much to my surprise I enjoyed the nature- focused aspect of Wellesley’s campus. I tell my friends that Wellesley is in the woods, literally seemingly integrated into the outdoors. I figured this environment would be a nice break for the next four years and would teach me to be more in tune with nature.
- The overwhelming sense of empowerment. I never intentionally sought out a historically women’s college. I just loved Wellesley, and it happened to be a historically women’s college. The more I think about that statement, the more I realize its falsehood. Much of my reasons for loving Wellesley were accredited or at the very least related to the fact that it is a historically women’s college. I can’t really explain the sense of empowerment that I am describing, nor will I. I think one should just come and experience it for themselves! It’s truly amazing.
As I said, I’ve only been a student at Wellesley for about a month, so I am very excited to continue to explore and chart my own journey here. This was just a bit of a summary of what brought me 195 miles from NYC to Wellesley, and I can’t wait to share more of my journey here with you all.
P.S. my blog titles are a reference to F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and if you get that, then you’re extra special <3
{here’s pic of me from this past summer,so you can put a face to this blog series!}
Signing Off,
Ilma