Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or experiences to share. My D -a rising senior may be interested.
D just completed her freshman year and loved it! She has no regrets. She is at a sister school to a co-ed university, where they can take classes, participate in clubs, ec. She feels she has the best of both worlds.
My D and I visited many and she applied to several but in the end chose a co-ed school. We found that each one had a vibe of its own and I would highly recommend that you visit any you are interested in.
Thanks everyone
My D graduated from a women’s college and really loved it. It wasn’t originally on her radar but that’s where she ended up. Was an incredibly empowering experience for her.
FYI there is a section in College Search and Selection discussing Women’s Colleges:
Thanks!
Aside from the obvious -I would love to hear about what has made their experience different or special
As you investigate, you’ll hear the usual (women not marginalized on campus, etc.). Those reasons are still powerful to the students who fit. Shop for women’s college just as you would for co-ed schools. But, note that applicants tend to be a very interested group, so the “selectivity” stats might seem lower compared to an similar co-ed school.
D1 looked at women’s colleges initially because she figured she could get “more bang for her admission buck” – i.e., it would be possible for her to attend a superb women’s school even if she failed to cure cancer in high school. When we visited women’s colleges, we generally found this to be the case, and we were extremely impressed with the poise and maturity of the student tour guides we met at those schools. D1 fell in love with Smith, and would have gone, but she was accepted to a reach school and decided to attend. However, we were very impressed with the resources available to students there and the supportive environment. She really felt that students at women’s schools are empowered.
Another tidbit – I mentioned Smith while chatting with a member of the admissions committee at Yale medical school, and he immediately replied, “I love Smithies!” Seems he thinks a lot of them have something special to offer.
My Ds both loved Mount Holyoke and were accepted, although for various reasons went elsewhere. D1 is still kind of wistful about it. Scripps has the benefit of the Claremont consortium, too. And Mount Holyoke, Smith, and Scripps all give merit aid for high stats.
This isn’t current, but a good friend went to Smith, though she was accepted to other top schools. She wanted a top notch education without the distractions of co-Ed colleges, namely men and the rowdiness, drunkeness, and drama that goes with having mixed sexes on a campus. She is a very confident person and had a fantastic experience. She loved the easy access to the other colleges and never lacked a social life. I am sure she would say that if a student is looking for that kind of educational experience, women’s colleges are still the way to go.
My D just finished her first year at a women’s college. She absolutely loved it. She loves that women are never talked over in class, loves that women are expected to take on leadership roles, loves the sense of sisterhood with both current students and alumnae. She also loves living in an environment that is free from unwanted/unsolicited sexual attention and harassment.
I 3ouldnt say there was no unwanted seal harassment at women’s colleges. My daughter felt very uncomfortable when she did an overnight at Smith and attended a party where she was pressured to declare her sexual preferences. It was quite scary for a 16 year old. She really wanted to like Smith, but didn’t and this was a big reason.
Yes. Sometimes it gets a bit much. There are always a few humorless loudmouths with precious rants about heteronormativity and the patriarchy and intersectionality and privilege who ruin it for the rest of them.
(My D graduated from Wellesley last year. And we’re socially liberal. But sometimes, enough already.)
My D graduated from Bryn Mawr 5 years ago, which has its share of gender binary types. If that’s not you, it pretty easy to find your niche/your people. My D had a good experience at BMC. She got a great education, gained a wonderful group of friends, loved the proximity to Philly, and is now off to grad school and a little sad to be leaving Philly.
Thanks everyone this is very helpful.
Gender binary really isn’t problematic; hey, whatever, you do you. It’s more the faux-activism over trivial microaggressions.
I feel old and out of touch @Pizzagirl
I am not sure what you just said 
And to be clear, it’s not confined to women’s colleges. My Yale-educated daughter has taught me all sorts of terms I never knew before!
This is an example of what I mean. Wellesley has an Institute named after Madeleine Albright, W alum and confirmed bad— (meant in a completely complimentary way - incredibly accomplished woman). Great opp for W students interested in foreign affairs to obtain leadership experience, right? You go, girl? Change the world? You’d think. But let’s not miss an opportunity to whine about how awful it is that there is a dress code for some of their events. I could not roll my eyes harder at this if I tried. http://wellesleyunderground.com/post/26971604058/the-problem-with-the-albright-institute