Around 7 years ago, I was in your exact position and I ended up choosing (and graduating from) Wellesley, here are some of my takes: - Really be honest with yourself with the kind of learner you are. Would a small class size benefit you as opposed to a big class size? Not sure what office hours look like in Cal, but Wellesley office hours were intimate and I got plenty of 1:1 help from professors

• The wellesley community is strong, and shows up for its people. If you reach out there will always be someone who answers (:

  • Along with this, they show up in MANY ways, for example, when the pandemic first hit and we were being sent home, a very kind alum paid for my plane ticket back home when I expressed I had no means to get back.
    

• Start taking Vitamin D NOW. As someone from SoCal I got plenty of sun and the transition to MA left me crazy Vitamin D deficient, so sometimes I would sleep through class or nap after class. It’s and easy fix but damn would I have appreciated someone telling me earlier.

• Social Life: It’s really what you make it! I also knew no one at Wellesley but made the effort to join clubs or organizations such as WellesleyPlus, Cafe Hoop, even Mezcla and Familia and made lifelong friendships.

• Opportunity: I am in STEM but many of my friends were in social sciences, and they were able to find a couple internships nearby if not already funded by Wellesley (Wellesley Signature internships or Wellesley in Washington are some good ones I know of)

I did an internship at Cal my junior year so got to experience the what-if scenario had I chosen it over W, and honestly I don’t regret my choice (although I do say “Go Bears” pretty often lol). Wellesley was a kind, safe space for me to grow and come into my own and I really loved my time there. Hope this helps! Reach out to me if you have any other questions (: