Hi, I've been looking into College of the Holy Cross recently, but I want to know more about it. Anyone have personal experiences or opinions about it? I'd appreciate it!
College of the Holy Cross, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, is a highly-regarded liberal arts college with a strong reputation for its rigorous academics and tight-knit community. It's a Jesuit institution, which means that the college places emphasis on educating the whole person and promoting social justice. However, you don't have to be Catholic to attend Holy Cross; the college welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.
The student-faculty ratio at Holy Cross is around 10:1, which allows for small class sizes, personalized attention from professors, and opportunities for meaningful engagement. The college offers a variety of majors and minors across the arts, humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields.
Keep in mind that Holy Cross doesn't have an engineering program, but they do offer a 3+2 program with Columbia University in New York City, where you'll study at Holy Cross for 3 years, earn your degree, and then receive a B.S. in a specific engineering subfield following two years at Columbia.
Holy Cross also has an excellent track record when it comes to sending students to graduate schools and professional programs, such as law, business, and medicine. They have strong pre-professional advising and support systems in place to guide students through the entire process.
In terms of more intangible features of the school, the campus is beautiful and provides a traditional college experience with a mix of historic and modern buildings. Worcester, the second-largest city in Massachusetts, offers a variety of cultural and entertainment options, such as museums, restaurants, and theaters.
One of the distinctive aspects of Holy Cross is its emphasis on study abroad opportunities. A significant portion of students choose to study in another country during their time at Holy Cross, with popular destinations including Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
In terms of student life, there are over 100 clubs and organizations that cater to a wide range of interests, such as community service, arts, and sports. Speaking of sports, Holy Cross is a Division I school and has competitive sports teams in the Patriot League.
Overall, as a top liberal arts college, Holy Cross provides a well-rounded education and helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are valuable in any career or life path. Keep in mind that Holy Cross does place a heavier emphasis on the liberal arts, so if you're interested in a specialized or technical program, it might not be the best fit for you. But for students looking for a comprehensive education in a range of fields, it's a strong choice with a supportive community and excellent academic and extracurricular opportunities.
Good luck with your college search - I hope you find this information helpful!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.