Wellesley Facts

Wellesley College provides an excellent liberal arts education for women who will make a difference in the world.

Overview

Mission: The mission of Wellesley College is to provide an excellent liberal arts education for women who will make a difference in the world.
Motto: Non Ministrari sed Ministrare – “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.”
Founding: Founded in 1870 by Henry and Pauline Durant. The first students arrived in September, 1875.
Type of School: A liberal arts college for women.
Degrees: Baccalaureate.
Location: Wellesley, Massachusetts (12 miles west of Boston).
President: H. Kim Bottomly is Wellesley's 13th president. Learn about past presidents of Wellesley College.

Academics

Enrollment: 2,300 students
Majors: 56 departmental and interdepartmental majors.
Average Class Size: 17 to 20 students
International Study: Each year several hundred students spend a semester or year studying in another country, coordinated by the Office of International Studies.
Cross-Registration & Exchange: The Three-College Alliance between Babson, Olin, and Wellesley promotes interdisciplinary collaboration; cross-registration with MIT and Brandeis is also an option. Exchange programs exist with the Twelve Colleges, Spelman, Mills, and others.
Internships: Around 75 percent of students participate in an internship while at Wellesley. The Center for Work and Service provides internship stipends of $3,000 for about 300 students each year.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition: $41,824
Fees: $258
Room: $6,614
Board: $6,418
Total Comprehensive Fees: $55,114
Average Financial Aid Package: Over $30,000 in scholarships (grants), loans, and work study.

Student Life

Organizations/Clubs: More than 150 student organizations, with cultural centers and religious life on-campus.
Athletics: 14 varsity teams, plus club teams and recreational activities. (Colors: blue and white.)
Residence Halls: 21 residence halls vary in size from 140 to 285 students. Students from all four classes live in most residence halls. Professional resident directors and student residential staff.
Facilities: Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, Science Center, Knapp Media & Technology Center, Library, Davis Museum & Collins Cinema, Keohane Sports Center, Hunnewell Arboretum & Alexandra Botanic Garden, Ferguson Greenhouses, Jewett Arts Center, Nehoiden Golf Course, Newhouse Center for the Humanities, Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center, Slater International Center, Wellesley Centers for Women, Whitin Observatory, Wellesley College Theater.

Alumnae

Living Alumnae: Approximately 36,970.
Notable Alumnae: Madeleine Albright ‘59, Madame Chiang Kai-Shek ‘17, Hillary Rodham Clinton ‘69, Diane Sawyer ‘67, and more.
Alumnae Association: Strengthens alumnae connections to the college and one another through programs, clubs, technology, mentoring, and volunteer leadership.
 

Leadership

Student Leadership Positions: 100 percent women.
College Decision Making Opportunities: College Government, Board of Admission, Board of Trustees, Committee on Curriculum and Instruction, Student-Athlete Advisory Council, Academic Departments
Sample Leaders from Wellesley: Besides the notables  above,  Ophelia Dahl '94, executive director of Partners in Health; Michele J. Sison '81, U.S. ambassador to Lebanon; Robin Chase '80, founder of Zipcar; Persis Drell '77, director of Stanford Linear Accelerator.