Hollins is a welcoming environment. The students are far from typical, and there is a niche for everyone here. Hollins has great resources for both academics and social life, as well as life after college.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Visit campus. A lot of people know whether or not Hollins is for them based on a campus visit. If you can, do it. And if you can't, use the other resources admissions gives you. Ask if a current student or faculty member can call or email you. We're often eager to bring in new women.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
While Hollins doesn't have the intense academics of an ivy league school, it also doesn't have the intense pressure. Classes are challenging, but professors are always open to helping students who might be struggling or are feeling overwhelmed. Students are encouraged to be curious and explore what the courses are about. Discussion is a huge part of nearly every class. Classes are small; I've had as few students as 5 and as many as 20, but usually between 10 and 15. The professors really know what they're talking about, and they are so eager to teach what they love.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The way I see it, there are two downsides to the dorms on campus: most of them aren't air-conditioned, and you aren't allowed to have microwaves in the rooms. Some people don't like the fact that you have to live on campus for all four years, but I think it really takes the pressure off of finding and paying for a place to stay. The older dorms are gorgeous: tall ceilings, big windows, wide hallways, etc. The newer ones are standard and functional and pretty much only used by first-year students. Rooms campus-wide are a good size. Visitors from other schools have told me that our doubles are bigger than their triples. Housing lottery (where upperclasswomen pick their rooms for the following year) can sometimes be cutthroat and emotional, but I'm guessing it is at most schools.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
Dining is hit or miss. I dislike the fact that students are required to be on the meal plan unless they have a valid religious or medical reason, but it does make sense; kitchens in some of the dorms are tiny (ok, I speaking of West in particular. Tinker's are good; East's is good; the apartments have good kitchens) and not always the cleanest. The food is sometimes really good and sometimes isn't. It depends. The school does make en effort to provide variety to suit different needs, and Hollins often pulls from the community to get fresh fruits and veggies (and recently, milk. Which is super good). One issue I have is inaccurate food labels. Labels are often wrong and don't disclose allergens or have 0's for all the nutrition facts. Not cool.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There's always lots to do on campus: Hollins has tons of clubs, and between regular meetings and special events, something's bound to be going on. The Hollins Activity Board (HAB) arranges movie screenings and concerts and other fun things like that. Around Roanoke, a lot of girls go hang out downtown or visit neighboring school.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Between the classes and study abroad and internships and our alum network, Hollins is well worth the cost.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Hollins has a ton of traditions: First Step, where the seniors take their first step onto front quad (the quad is reserved for seniors); Tinker Day, where everyone eats donuts and climbs a mountain in crazy costumes; ADA, a secret society that is all about school spirit; Freya, an anonymous secret society that walks a night for different causes; Ring Night, where the juniors do crazy things to earn their class rings from their secret senior sisters; Hundredth Night, the night marking 100 nights until graduation. And those are just the main traditions. There are also things like White Gift Service, Sophomore Senior Banquet, Holiday Tea, and loads more.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
All types. There is no type at Hollins. There's a place for everyone who wants one.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are a ton of clubs at Hollins, and they're all super active. Like politics? Join College Republicans or College Democrats. Like activism and social equality? Outloud and FMLA (Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance) might be for you. Enjoy sci-fi, fantasy, or anime? Try the Cyborg Griffin or WA2 (Women Who Appreciate Anime). Like literature? There's the Cyborg Griffin, Cargoes, the Album, and Grapheon. Tons of clubs. Tons of activities.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
No sororities at Hollins. We do have specialty dorms, which are dorms based on an interest, such as French, Spanish, anime, community service, outdoor activities, and more.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Campus safety is open 24 hours a day year-round. These people in the security office are really dedicated to what they do. There have been some security incidences since I've been at Hollins (mostly in the apartments), but the campus community is always alerted when they crop up.
Hollins is a welcoming environment. The students are far from typical, and there is a niche for everyone here. Hollins has great resources for both academics and social life, as well as life after college.
Visit campus. A lot of people know whether or not Hollins is for them based on a campus visit. If you can, do it. And if you can't, use the other resources admissions gives you. Ask if a current student or faculty member can call or email you. We're often eager to bring in new women.
While Hollins doesn't have the intense academics of an ivy league school, it also doesn't have the intense pressure. Classes are challenging, but professors are always open to helping students who might be struggling or are feeling overwhelmed. Students are encouraged to be curious and explore what the courses are about. Discussion is a huge part of nearly every class. Classes are small; I've had as few students as 5 and as many as 20, but usually between 10 and 15. The professors really know what they're talking about, and they are so eager to teach what they love.
The way I see it, there are two downsides to the dorms on campus: most of them aren't air-conditioned, and you aren't allowed to have microwaves in the rooms. Some people don't like the fact that you have to live on campus for all four years, but I think it really takes the pressure off of finding and paying for a place to stay. The older dorms are gorgeous: tall ceilings, big windows, wide hallways, etc. The newer ones are standard and functional and pretty much only used by first-year students. Rooms campus-wide are a good size. Visitors from other schools have told me that our doubles are bigger than their triples. Housing lottery (where upperclasswomen pick their rooms for the following year) can sometimes be cutthroat and emotional, but I'm guessing it is at most schools.
Dining is hit or miss. I dislike the fact that students are required to be on the meal plan unless they have a valid religious or medical reason, but it does make sense; kitchens in some of the dorms are tiny (ok, I speaking of West in particular. Tinker's are good; East's is good; the apartments have good kitchens) and not always the cleanest. The food is sometimes really good and sometimes isn't. It depends. The school does make en effort to provide variety to suit different needs, and Hollins often pulls from the community to get fresh fruits and veggies (and recently, milk. Which is super good). One issue I have is inaccurate food labels. Labels are often wrong and don't disclose allergens or have 0's for all the nutrition facts. Not cool.
There's always lots to do on campus: Hollins has tons of clubs, and between regular meetings and special events, something's bound to be going on. The Hollins Activity Board (HAB) arranges movie screenings and concerts and other fun things like that. Around Roanoke, a lot of girls go hang out downtown or visit neighboring school.
Between the classes and study abroad and internships and our alum network, Hollins is well worth the cost.
Hollins has a ton of traditions: First Step, where the seniors take their first step onto front quad (the quad is reserved for seniors); Tinker Day, where everyone eats donuts and climbs a mountain in crazy costumes; ADA, a secret society that is all about school spirit; Freya, an anonymous secret society that walks a night for different causes; Ring Night, where the juniors do crazy things to earn their class rings from their secret senior sisters; Hundredth Night, the night marking 100 nights until graduation. And those are just the main traditions. There are also things like White Gift Service, Sophomore Senior Banquet, Holiday Tea, and loads more.
All types. There is no type at Hollins. There's a place for everyone who wants one.
There are a ton of clubs at Hollins, and they're all super active. Like politics? Join College Republicans or College Democrats. Like activism and social equality? Outloud and FMLA (Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance) might be for you. Enjoy sci-fi, fantasy, or anime? Try the Cyborg Griffin or WA2 (Women Who Appreciate Anime). Like literature? There's the Cyborg Griffin, Cargoes, the Album, and Grapheon. Tons of clubs. Tons of activities.
No sororities at Hollins. We do have specialty dorms, which are dorms based on an interest, such as French, Spanish, anime, community service, outdoor activities, and more.
Campus safety is open 24 hours a day year-round. These people in the security office are really dedicated to what they do. There have been some security incidences since I've been at Hollins (mostly in the apartments), but the campus community is always alerted when they crop up.