火爆社区

College of the Holy Cross provides 鈥渁n incredible learning environment for students鈥� through a holistic and self-explorational combination of academics, 鈥渟trong student life,鈥� and 鈥渟mall classes.鈥� As a Jesuit liberal arts school with the mission of 鈥渕en and women for and with others,鈥� it sends students into the world with 鈥渁 broad-based foundation to be successful in a variety of careers.鈥� The school encourages students 鈥渢o reflect on their experiences and continue to better himself/herself as a whole person鈥� and to this end is 鈥渄edicated to creating an exciting learning environment鈥� and offering 鈥渆ndless opportunities.鈥� One such means to this end is the Montserrat program, which places first-years in one of six interdisciplinary 鈥渃luster,鈥� with whom they鈥檒l live and study, creating a personalized experience that blends classroom and life: where 鈥測ou鈥檙e more than just a number in the classroom and on the field.鈥� One student attests, 鈥淔rom the acceptance letter alone, I knew that my entire application was read thoroughly and that my character was closely examined.鈥� Each incoming class has a dedicated Class Dean that remains with them throughout graduation to provide mentorship and guidance, and additional support can be found in the 鈥渇antastic alumni network.鈥� Those undergoing the 鈥渞igorous鈥� academics say the school equips them 鈥渨ith an intangible set of skills that not only prepares them for a job, but for life.鈥� Professors 鈥済et to know you on an individual and personal level鈥� and are 鈥渁lways accessible and more than happy to help.鈥� As one student puts it, 鈥淚t is a place where like in the parable of the mustard seed one can grow.鈥� One student, recognizing that their work will not go unrewarded, says that Holy Cross 鈥渄emands enormous amounts of work from its students, but puts them in a great position to succeed.鈥�

At College of the Holy Cross, 鈥減eople take their work very seriously鈥� and tend to be 鈥渟tudious with an activity or two that defines their interests and what they do during the weekend.鈥� They are also 鈥渧ery put together鈥� and 鈥済enerally articulate,鈥� with 鈥渁 diverse set of interests鈥� that range from ballroom dance to space exploration. It is rare 鈥渢o find someone with no extracurricular responsibilities,鈥� according to one student. While most are from New England, the main commonality is that 鈥渁ll love being here鈥� and 鈥渢here is a tremendous sense of community.鈥� School pride is rampant among this 鈥渦ncommonly friendly鈥� group and everyone loves 鈥済oing to sporting events, especially football and basketball.鈥� A student sums up, 鈥淚f you want to do well academically, have fun on the weekend...study hard and play hard, then you will fit in at Holy Cross.鈥�

Because each study cluster lives together, 鈥渕any of the friends you make your first year will stay with you for years to come,鈥� and 88 percent of students remain on the 鈥渆xceptionally beautiful鈥� campus after their mandatory first year. All types of dietary needs are catered to (the college has previously been selected for a 鈥渉ealthiest dining halls鈥� list), but students also point to 鈥渁mazing鈥� options in nearby Worcester or Boston, which is just a free 45-mile shuttle away. For those interested, there are 鈥渃ountless opportunities to learn through internships [and] speaker series.鈥� Additionally, there are 鈥渁 multitude鈥� of more than 100 student organizations ranging from academic to the arts, the largest being the Student Programs for Urban Development (SPUD), which organizes community service programs in the surrounding area and nationwide. While the library dominates the week, weekends are for letting loose, whether that鈥檚 鈥渞iding the mechanical bull at a local bar鈥� or events sponsored by the Student Government Association 鈥渟uch as karaoke or dances [that] are a blast.鈥�

鈥淗oly Cross equips their students with an intangible set of skills that not only prepares them for a job, but for life,鈥� says a student. There are a ton of good connections to jobs after college, and students 鈥渉ave a lot of good programs to prepare us for those opportunities.鈥� Alumni networking, research and internship opportunities and career planning services all make going to Holy Cross 鈥渁 fulfilling and active experience.鈥� The Career Planning Office's annual fall career fair and the 鈥淐rusader Connections鈥� portal help students link up with employers, and the Career Advisor Network helps them to network with alumni. Of those Holy Cross graduates who visited PayScale.com, 45 percent said they felt their job had a meaningful impact on the world. The average starting salary for these same graduates is $56,000.