I’m looking to apply to either Lafayette or Bryn Mawr for ED. I’m a possible physics/engineering major with a minor in environmental studies. I’ve only visited Bryn Mawr, but Lafayette was also recommended to be and I’ve heard great things about it. Some questions I that I have are as follows. Does going to an all women’s college take away from the college experience? Which school is more academically rigorous? I’ve heard that Lafayette is more mainstream with frats and football games, whereas bryn Mawr seems to be more quirky with their Harry Potter esque traditions. I’m kind of in the middle of quirky and mainstream so I’m having a hard time deciding which college to go to. Whereas Lafayette offers a bachelor’s degree in engineering Bryn Mawr has an accelerated master’s program with UPenn.
Both very beautiful campuses, however Bryn Mawr is closer to the city.
Bryn Mawr has an accelerated masters degree program in engineering with Upenn.
Such different vibes at both. Could you see yourself more at one than the other? It’s a gross generalization, but I’d say BMC is more intellectual and quirky whereas Lafayette is more mainstream and Greek. Does one kind of environment appeal more to you? If you picture yourself at football games on a Saturday, for example, BMC isn’t going to be that.
Everyone I know who has gone to either has loved whichever they chose.
They are somewhat close by so you should be able to visit both in consecutive days, which is probably the best thing to do. Get a feel for the student body and campus life. My daughter is a freshman at Lafayette and so far loving it. She isn’t quirky, per se, but totally diverse in her interests and not a frat/football/partier either. Lafayette definitely has something for everyone. Can’t talk about Bryn Mawr other than it has a great reputation and from what I’ve read here, its a great school. So it’s probably going to come down to your personal preference.
I only would recommend applying ED if 1) you have an absolute top choice and 2) you have no need to compare financial offers. Two great schools. Visit Lafayette so you can make your own decision (plus demonstrated interest is important at Laf so a visit would help your application as well).
I’m a current BMC student and I’ve heard good things about the physics department, but if you have any interest at all in engineering I don’t know if it would be a great choice for you. However, you might consider Haverford (I know it’s a selective school, so maybe think of it as a reach) as well. As far as I know, both Bryn Mawr and Haverford have a 4+1 program with the University of Pennsylvania.