BMC for transfers?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Bryn Mawr College
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<p>Hi everyone, I know you all LOVE these types of posts, but it’s coming down to crunch time in regards to making decisions and I really need some input. </p>

<p>Long story short, I got into Smith last week and had my heart set on going there, and honestly I did not even think I stood a chance at Bryn Mawr. This weekend I found out I got in and now I’m completely torn between the two. Smith needs a decision by Thursday, I visited Bryn Mawr today, and hopefully on Wednesday I will visit Smith as well. I’ve been researching both schools since I was a junior in high school through CC, student reviews, visits, and college guidebooks, so trust me when I say I’ve done some pretty thorough research already! I’ve read all the threads about the differences between all the seven sisters schools, but I would like to know some basic things about Bryn Mawr. </p>

<p>A little about me: I’m planning on doing a Psych/Gender Sexuality double major, but I’m also interested in the Neural and Behavioral sciences concentration and the Growth and Structure of Cities program. I really would love to do study abroad even though I’ll be a transfer, which according to the Smith CC boards seems to be something quite a few transfers there had to forgo. I’m currently at college in Philly so I know the basics of getting around the city, but have had no support in finding internships and such, which is something I hope that I can find at BMC. Any info on these academic aspects of the college would be great! </p>

<p>Obviously I know no one can tell me where to go, but I would like some input about how transfers tend to fit in socially and academically at BMC. I had a tour today with a girl who seemed to fit in exceptionally well and was very happy with her decision, and I just want to know if this seems to be a resounding feeling or not. Mostly, I’m worried about the social aspect. I know all colleges are fairly cliquey, but I really would prefer if people did not ONLY stick to their cliques, or at least had some involvement with people outside of one normal social circle. Another thing I’m concerned about is boys - but not in the way you may think. I’m actually concerned that the Bi-Co consortium may be TOO strong - I actually like the idea of the classes being predominantly at my “home school”, and predominantly women, so my main question is do you think there is TOO much pressure put on students to cross register at Haverford? I really really do not want to feel like social and academic life revolves around another school, and I look forward to a really small intimate all women’s environment after the year I’ve spent at a large co-ed “party school” - so what type of social life should I expect? </p>

<p>Any and all input would be greatly appreciated!</p>

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<p>Hello radiosonde, congratulations on your acceptance into Bryn Mawr! I’m a rising junior at Bryn Mawr and I’ll try to answer some of your questions as much as I can. </p>

<p>I don’t know anything about the Psychology, Gender & Sexuality, and the the Neural and Behavioral sciences department, but all of the Cities majors I know at Bryn Mawr LOVE their major and the department. Seriously if there’s anyone that’s gung-ho about her major I think it would be a cities major. </p>

<p>I’m assuming you’re going to be a sophomore, so I think if you have are able to transfer the credits that pertain to Bryn Mawr’s divisional requirements (such as quantitative and language requirements) from your old school and have completed most of what Bryn Mawr requires, then you may have a chance at being able to study abroad. Besides, I think if you study abroad in the Spring you don’t have to know where you’re going until the fall semester of the academic year you are studying abroad (someone can correct me if I’m wrong!). </p>

<p>As for finding internships, one way to do this is by visiting the Career Development Office (CDO) if you come to Bryn Mawr. </p>

<p>Transfers blend in VERY well at Bryn Mawr, from what I’ve observed. I have a friend who transferred here for her sophomore year and one day this year (her junior year) I asked her a question about her freshman year at Bryn Mawr. She then reminded me that she was a transfer. I had completely forgotten she had transferred here, despite the fact that we lived in the same dorm the year she transferred to BMC. I never really thought of her as a transfer student, just as another one of my peers at Bryn Mawr. I know of some other transfers who ended up blending in really well. I believe this is because transfers go through all of the traditions the freshmen do (customs week, lantern night, hell week, etc.) so they are fully welcomed into the Bryn Mawr community as much as the freshmen. </p>

<p>I definitely think there are social circles present at Bryn Mawr, but not everyone sticks to a certain social circle. I have my friends, but I typically do not hang out with the same group of people all the time like I did in high school. This isn’t to say that people don’t stick to their same group of friends at Bryn Mawr, but I want you to know that not everyone does that. </p>

<p>After my freshman year I felt like I had missed out on something because I did not take advantage of the consortium and take classes at Haverford. I took my first Haverford class this year and I definitely did not miss out on anything. It was a typical class, just on another campus. Even at Haverford my class was mostly women, but that could have just been the demographics of that class in particular and the fact that Haverford has more women in general. Next semester all of my classes will be at Bryn Mawr and I’m fine with that. It felt nice to get off of campus (if you consider Haverford off campus, that is) for class, but I also like staying home. Our relationship is close in terms of attending activities at both schools, having available classes at both schools, and being able to eat at a different school, but my social life does not depend on Haverford. </p>

<p>Good luck on your decision!</p>

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<p>You may not be able to study abroad for the following reason: Bryn Mawr has a “residency requirement” that mandates that students complete 24 of the 32 credits in residence at Bryn Mawr. If you transfer in with a year’s worth of classes under your belt, you would have to petition for an exception to that requirement to go abroad. I don’t know if these petitions are usually approved.</p>

<p>

The average Bi-Co student takes 1.5 (out of 8-10) courses per year at the other school. Many don’t go to the other campus at all. Haverford is an additional resource if you want it, but there’s no “pressure” to head over unless you are interested in a Bi-Co major (like theater or education, which are split among the two colleges). </p>

<p>Since HopefulRae mentioned divisional requirements, I wanted to mention that Bryn Mawr is changing the structure of the general education requirements next year. I don’t know which set of requirements would apply to you. If that’s something you feel strongly about, you could contact the Dean’s Office for details.</p>

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<p>My roommate (as a freshman) was a sophomore transfer and I felt like from what I saw BMC did a lot to make transfers feel welcome and meet their unique needs and expanded their transfer Customs program even as I was there. I was a psych minor and really felt the department was interesting and strong. I think the Bi-Co consortium is as strong and has as much influence as you want it to and your experience will reflect that.</p>