<p>D can not decide. Which is better? Academics? Anecdotes?</p>
<p>What major(s) is she interested in? What is she looking for in a college?</p>
<p>They are both excellent schools! Which one is a better fit for her will largely depend on her personal preferences.</p>
<p>My D had this exact dilemma last year and chose Bryn Mawr. The schools feel very different when you visit. Just have her visit, attend classes and sit on a bench soaking up the vibe. The choice should become very clear.</p>
<p>citrusbelt,</p>
<p>I have the same dilemma, but unfortunately I don’t have an opportunity to visit. I know this is hard, but could you please try too describe this feeling?</p>
<p>Thanks:)</p>
<p>I’m debating about the same thing. Except it’s Smith vs. Bryn Mawr vs. Mt. Holyoke.</p>
<p>I’m leaning towards Bryn Mawr though. I’ve visited all three and I liked Bryn Mawr the most.</p>
<p>My D’s debating the same thing, too. Smith vs. Bryn Mawr. Smith has a better “vibe.” But Bryn Mawr has everything else, including money. Small tho…</p>
<p>I think Bryn Mawr might be the way to go for me because of it’s proximity to Philadelphia and New York.</p>
<p>bubblesyablonsky, Bryn Mawr’s size never bothered me socially. After all, there’s Haverford and Swarthmore and Philly and… Academically speaking, its size has limitations. I am glad I major in one of the most popular departments. I have friends who major in departments with only 2 or 3 professors, and they are very frustrated every time pre-registration period starts again. Unfortunately not all departments coordinate their offerings with Haverford. It might happen that the only two upper-level classes in a major conflict with the only two upper-level classes at Haverford.</p>
<p>Claire- I feel the same way! yes, it’s like the best of both worlds :)</p>
<p>jesus is lord- I love your CC name by the way. But if your daughter visited both schools, she should consider shadowing a class, that is, if you guys live in the New England area b/c of the cost of traveling these days…but that’s the best way to choose between, also get feedback from both schools ESPECIALLY the students, sometimes they can let you in on things admissions counselors, and even view books wouldn’t tell you so just make sure she really delves into both schools to see if she wants to spend her next four years at Smith or at Bryn Mawr. Good luck! </p>
<p>p.s. those are wonderful choices! :)</p>
<p>b@r!um…She’s interested in Classics (Greek/Latin/Ancient History) which is one reason why she’s looking at Bryn Mawr, home of Edith Hamilton, et al…And while Smith has a Classics dept. that I’m sure is excellent, it doesn’t seem to me from reading ***** that there are many Classics majors.</p>
<p>That said - here’s an awful question. Do Mawrters have any fun? Boys?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help…</p>
<p>that’s really weird…why did CC block out u-n-i-g-o?</p>
<p>What a lot of great input. Thanks</p>
<p>No problem, be sure to let us know when ur daughter makes a decision! :)</p>
<p>so have any of you made a decision yet? I’m really eager to hear everyone’s thoughts. My daughter is still stuck between Smith and Bryn Mawr. She’s concerned about the Bryn Mawr’s place on the Princeton Review “students never stop studying” list. Did anyone attend the admitted students program and what did you think of it?</p>
<p>
If that’s the only thing holding her back, she would be happy at Bryn Mawr! Bryn Mawr students like to pretend that they have a lot more work than they do… As I said on another thread, Haverford classes typically entail more work than Bryn Mawr classes and Haverford students are doing fine.</p>
<p>There is a lot of writing and reading for my daughter, but she has chosen that type of curriculum (the social sciences). Some of her friends have chosen different things. She told me she has felt stressed when a paper is due, but never overwhelmed and has been learning a load of stuff. She has had plenty of time for fun and friends. The professors are helpful and there are a lot of resources available for the students. The Freshman generally feel like Freshman there in that the upper classwoman are impressive and well spoken. Also, her classes have been so interesting that she said it doesn’t feel like ‘work’.</p>
<p>im going!! i payed my deposit today during open campus. im excited for August & the next 4 yrs. I picked it over BU!</p>
<p>Perhaps a late response to this post…my D selected Smith. Both schools have great academics, traditions, history and support. The main reason she selected Smith over BM however was the location (she liked Northampton better than Philadelphia) and she felt the five colleges had more to offer her, in what she wanted to study, than the Haverford/Swarthmore/etc. option. With all of that said - she felt the BM campus location was more isolated (ironic given the proximity to Philadelphia of BM - and the rural setting of Smith) - but regardless that was her impression. As others have said - you do need a “sense” of the place to see if you fit. I will say this though - you cannot go wrong with either school - they both value academic success and engagement. They will know who you are - and make sure that you have every effort and resource to succeed. They are both excellent.</p>
<p>My D made a very last minute choice of Bryn Mawr. She really liked Smith and Northampton too and had a hard time deciding between the schools. </p>
<p>There is no bad choice here!</p>
<p>My grandmother was a Bryn Mawr non-grad. Married her roommate’s brother, a Haverfordian, and forwent graduation to tie the knot with her beau. (They had wonderful love letters which my grandpa hid from his folks in the attic!)<br>
Bryn Mawr is right on the train line into Philly and I believe you can take courses at Penn as well as Haverford if you like. No need to live in a cloister – even though the “cloister” on campus at the old library is beautiful!</p>