<p>Hello to everybody! I currently have a hard time choosing a college. I have narrowed down my schools to Bryn Mawr and Middlebury (yeah, I know they are quite different!). I would like to major in Computer Science (first choice) or Pre-architecture (second choice). Which school is better for these majors? Where do these majors usually go for grad school? Which college is better overall and is it much better than the other one?</p>
<p>In addition there is a considerable difference in cost. I have to pay only $1,060 for Bryn Mawr without loans and $5,000 for Middlebury with $4,000 in loans. Having in mind that money is of major concern for me, will it be unwise if I go to Middlebury?</p>
<p>Oh, which are the strongest majors in Bryn Mawr? Is it usual to get a loan-free financial aid?</p>
<p>wow they were really generous with financial aid, i never thought bryn mawr was that good with it minus loans. im a math major a bryn mawr, so im in the science and math building a lot. i dont know how large the computer science department is, but it seems like they do really interesting things and the faculty is very accessible. recently they were doing a project called beowolf or something...haha honestly i didnt pay much attention cause im not a computer person, but it was a huge event where they ordered pizza for everyone and worked together on some "super computer" or something like that...maybe you can find information about it on the bryn mawr site. </p>
<p>on the other hand, ive never heard of a pre-architecture major here at bryn mawr. im not even sure if we offer any classes in it, though im sure uve reseached that all already. </p>
<p>im not that familiar with middlebury, so i cant say much on the comparison. bryn mawr is a really good school, but ranking-wise it is below middlebury, so if ure into that that answers ur question about "whats better". however, i think bryn mawr is underrated (of course, i am a student :) ) the work here is very difficult, the knowledge u gain is tremendous, and it has very unique qualities that you wont find at almost any other colleges, such as the tradtions and closeness of the whole community. i dont think it would be unwise to go to middlebury cause its an excellent school...i guess it depends on your financial situation. congrats on getting into bryn mawr though!</p>
<p>Bryn Mawr has its own quirky culture that suits some very well but not others. Think carefully about how you feel about co-ed vs women's college--it does make a day-to-day difference which can be both positive and negative (close female friendships, less social competition, clean bathrooms vs. easy casual contact with men, inclusive of male viewpoints in classes). Visit both campuses before choosing if at all possible. One or the other may be better in terms of outstanding professors in your academic field, but either school is an excellent stepping stone to first class graduate schools and both have excellent records on grad school admits.</p>
<p>i'm a freshman at bryn mawr, and i took a computer science course this semester... it's been really good so far- really challenging, but really good. i dunno what kind of computer sci you're looking for (or even if there are different kinds? i took an intro course), but we're learning java, and the TAs for the class and kids who are majoring in it seem to really love it. for architecture.. i think someone said the cities dept, and my dean told me that too when i was thinking about it (as i've "thought" about just about everything, including a glorious premed phase:-p), and i know there's an architecture studio in the dorm Rock, so there must be something going on with that.. good luck!</p>
<p>If you really love Bryn Mawr but there's no formal "pre-architecture" program the way there is at Middlebury, just check to see whether Bryn Mawr offers similar courses. A lot of incoming students don't realize that it's not really the major the grad/professional schools look for--it's the prerequisite courses on the transcript. When I was an undergrad, a friend of mine who was a drama major was accepted into several law schools.</p>
<p>I'm assuming that architecture requires some engineering and design courses. Can you take that at Bryn Mawr?</p>
<p>Computer science is different, of course, since you aren't talking about a pre-professional program. Neither school is known in particular for its computer science, but then, you probably knew that. Check out the courses available at each college, and see whether they might possibly challenge you. At this late stage, with only a week or so left before you have to make a decision, it's almost too late to do a real comparison. You could call the department chairman at each school to discuss the opportunities available to undergraduates, but beyond that, you'll have to guess.</p>
<p>UPenn, one of Bryn Mawr's consortium schools, IS known for computer science, but I hear that it's not a convenient option. You'll have to work to make that happen.</p>
<p>I agree with the poster who said you need to consider the single-gender issue. You also have a geographic issue to consider. Is it important to be near a city, or do you love the idyllic but remote setting of New England? Prestige-wise, Middlebury has the edge, but not enough of one to warrant an outright rejection of Bryn Mawr.</p>