<p>So, I got into 3/10 schools that I applied to. UGGH. And right now I am leaning the most toward Bryn Mawr. However, my parents and I are sort of worried because of the lack of gender variety and the lack of heterosexual dating scene. I know these might be silly worries, but they are my main concern right now and I’d really like some help. Did any current student have these same worries, but ended up being okay? I never really saw myself going to an all-girls’ school until it because practically my only option, so any input is appreciated!</p>
<p>Don’t worry about the dating scene too much! It won’t be as easy to meet guys at Bryn Mawr as it would be at a larger co-ed university, but if meeting guys is something you really want to accomplish, there will definitely be opportunities here. There are lots of things to do at Haverford besides just classes (which shouldn’t be ruled out as a way to meet people). I’m in the orchestra, which meets at Haverford, and I know quite a few people who are over there often for parties or clubs. It isn’t as easy to get over to Swarthmore, but it’s by no means impossible. I have a friend who’s dating a guy from Swat right now, and they don’t get to see each other as often as they’d like, but from what I’ve heard their relationship is great. If you put effort into starting and maintaining a relationship with a guy on a different campus, you’ll have no problem pulling it off :)</p>
<p>I have friends with boyfriends at Swarthmore, Penn and Drexel. Bi-Co relationships don’t seem to work out quite as well. Dating is not a priority for most heterosexual students on campus, but you can make it work if it’s important for you.</p>
<p>It must be said that dating is no picnic for straight women at co-ed LACs, either. Yes, it’s easier, but there are no guarantees.</p>
<p>My D is at Bryn Mawr and went kinda crazy with the lack of men in the classroom during her first year there (altho there ARE a FEW guys in class); she always had many male friends in high school. By 2nd year, though, she had many male friends at Haverford (extremely easy to take classes there) and many of her friends date men from other nearby campuses (Haverford, Swat, Villa Nova). </p>
<p>I know that she doesn’t buy into the whole “going here will make you a stronger woman, and a real leader” thing… but I see it and I do believe it. She, also, thought she would NEVER go to an “all-girls school,” but fell in love with BMC-- the level of interesting and intelligent students and the small classes and close relationships with the professors are outstanding. (And, of course, the campus is to die for.) So like my D, you could end up really missing the guys and feel “too surrounded” by women at first… and I think a few students actually do transfer out every year (don’t know if it’s over men, tho), but Bryn Mawr actually is a great school and a great experience! I am grateful for the outstanding education and the fun and rewarding experience that she is having there.</p>
<p>She has LOTS of male interaction, both with her own male friends at Haverford and through her female friends at Haverford (who live near and know other men at Haverford), classes at Haverford, group projects, etc. In addition, with Facebook, these social relationships flourish. Nearly all the parties in the Bi-Co are held at Haverford (something going on there literally every weekend) and naturally there are lots of men there too. Choir and Orchestra are centered at Haverford and involve both schools, and there are many other clubs and activities that stretch across both schools. Other women at BMC get male interaction through having friends/classes/activities at Swarthmore and U-Penn too. So won’t lie, it’s a little more work, and it’s NOT the same as being at a co-ed school, but it really should not be too much of a problem meeting men and you are NOT going to be living in a nunnery for 4 years. And other advantages are plenty.</p>
<p>Remember also that until VERY recently, almost all colleges kept women in “all women” dorms (in fact, these are still available and sought-after at many campuses), and the living arrangements at an all-women school are not really very different from that.</p>
<p>Oh yeah, and female students at Yale have recently filed a federal complaint because of what they say is the pervasive sexual harassment of women at Yale and the hostile atmosphere on campus there. Pretty sure you will never have to worry about that at Bryn Mawr.</p>