<p>Hello! </p>
<p>I’m considering BMC and have looked into the major/minor situation to see if the academic resources I’m looking for are available… and they are! But with some hitches, maybe? For example, the viewbook says that Linguistics is offered as a major through Swarthmore–does that mean that the entire major is at Swarthmore? If that’s the case, does my BS or whatever degree I get come from Swarthmore? Do I have to pay Swarthmore? I don’t understand!</p>
<p>Also, I see that both Linguistics and Creative Writing (which is a BMC major) are said to be “independent majors.” What does this mean? </p>
<p>I’m also a bit confused because I’ve read in a few places that people can choose to live in singles. As a freshman, could I really elect to live in a single and honestly get my preference?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I asked almost the same question while I was there, and I got this answer from a current student (so nothing terribly official). They said that it is noted somewhere (on diploma?) that you majored at Swarthmore, but you pay Bryn Mawr like usual.</p>
<p>Most freshman don't get singles unless there is some sort of health issue... However, it does seem possible for sophomores to get singles... If it makes you feel better, BMC is supposedly very good with assigning roommates and dorms. Or at least I hope so, I've just sent in my housing request form. :D</p>
<p>And to note, many of the doubles are two room doubles, so you'd still get your own space. Same thing with triples- it can be arranged that everyone gets their own room.</p>
<p>Cool! The rooming thing is really not a big concern for me--seemed to good to be true but I know that at Smith you can request to have a single (and will probably but not definitely get it).</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Know anything about "independent major"?</p>
<p>An independent major is a major that is not regularly offered through the college. You have to design it yourself (work out which courses you are going to take, what your senior capstone experience will be etc) and get it approved by the administration. Frequent independent majors are linguistics, creative writing and film studies; all of these are offered as a minor but not as a major in the Bi-Co.</p>
<p>If you were to do an independent major in linguistics, you would be taking most of your linguistics classes at Haverford or Swarthmore. Haverford offers a minor but no major in linguistics, so you can take the introductory classes there but you would probably have to take a few higher-level electives at Swarthmore. (Haverford classes are often easier to fit into your schedule transportation-wise. The blue bus to Haverford runs several times an hour and the ride is only 5 minutes. The Swat van runs only once every 60-90 minutes and the ride is half an hour.)</p>
<p>You would be regular Bryn Mawr student paying Bryn Mawr tuition and graduating with a diploma from Bryn Mawr.</p>
<p>Without any significant health issues, there are two ways to get a single as a freshman: you can apply for language-themed housing in Haffner, or you could request to live in Erdman. Both dorms have singles exclusively and both house a number of freshmen. The rooms in Haffner are cozy, but some of the freshman singles in Erdman are located in the basement directly below the dining hall - not a very pleasant experience.</p>