<p>I am thinking about applying to Bryn Mawr but want to make sure it will be possible to meet guys I find attractive. The Insider’s Guide to Colleges (put out by Yale students) says that “Bryn Mawr students are fond of saying that the stereotypical Haverfordian is “short, hairy, Jewish and named Dan” and while that characterization is far from universally true, 'Fordians cheerfully acknowledge that “the typical Haverford student is nerdier than average and fairly awkward.”” I don’t know how correct this view is, and I wanted to check with you because my preference is more for tall, unhairy and athletic. </p>
<p>Also, with the interactions between the bi colleges, do you get to meet many Haverford guys at parties, dances,lectures, etc.? </p>
<p>Seeing as the OP didn't actually say any of what people would consider as offensive, I'm going to answer this one. Since finding guys is something straight girls are really really really interested in about Bryn Mawr.</p>
<p>So far I haven't met any guy that sounds like 'Dan.' I have met some incredibly awkward guys, but I've also met some lacrosse players that are on the other end of the spectrum. There are guys, I promise. And if you're outgoing enough, you'll have no problem meeting them. And Haverford may be the most convienient place to meet guys, but it's not the only. </p>
<p>And, yes, we have all met guys at parties and dances, but I still personally recommend going over and hanging out in the beginning of the year and just talking with people, when everyone is still trying to meet friends. Really getting to know people at parties is sort of difficult, so if you want any sort of stronger relationship, it's better to be inventive and meet guys through friends or in/after class.</p>
<p>Maybe the post isn't offensive to me because I take it as a "Will there be guys available?" question rather than "Are they hot?" type of question. And it was my biggest worry before going to BMC.</p>
<p>If you have any other questions, PM me. </p>
<p>(I'm super happy to see the specs showing up on the board!)</p>
<p>Brillar, thanks for your kind reply, especially after the officious post from mythmom (who perhaps should write the Yale publication rather than attack me for quoting it). </p>
<p>Anyway, at the risk of objectifying the less fair sex, actually I am sort of interested not just in availability but in the type of guys you meet from Haverford. Perhaps it's too much to hope that they are hot ("not that there's anything wrong with that"), but are they pretty normal? Are they basically your typical cross section of America just somewhat smarter? Or are they really sort of nerdy and unattractive like the Yale publication suggests? I am hoping the Insider's Guide is wrong, and I'll find normal, reasonably attractive, nice guys at Haverford? (Plus, I'm very middle of the road politically, so I tend to value people with reasonable, not extreme, views -- hope there are plenty of those at Haverford and Bryn Mawr?)</p>
<p>I feel a little weird answering this, haha. Sorry Haverford guys! I promise I won't yell at you for speculating about BMC girls, unless you say something really innappropriate.</p>
<p>Haverford guys are MOSTLY a typical cross section, although it is probably more weighted towards awkwardness and intelligence as you said (which I'd say would be present at many top schools). There are still definitely good-looking guys, as there will be in any population, especially at parties (although like I said before, not all hot guys at parties will be interested in a girlfriend, although that's typical everywhere).</p>
<p>There are definitely a lot of people in the middle of the road politically. Basically there are not a lot of convervatives- I'd say most fall around the middle/leaning liberal area. We're not all radical, and I haven't had a conflict over politics yet (even with the election coming up).</p>
<p>Basically, you can find normal attractive guys anywhere you go, including Bryn Mawr, but at Bryn Mawr you have to be comfortable with putting a little effort into it. It will be much more easy to meet guys if you're not shy around them. :D</p>
<p>I would think that most prospective students at BMC (or at an other women's college) would wonder about the "meeting guys" situation. Its part of what rounds out the entire college experience and it would be remiss not to ask current students about this.</p>
<p>One point to keep in mind is that even with Haverford, male students are still very much in the minority in the Bi-College community.</p>
<p>According to the BMC website, there are about 1,300 female students there. According to the Haverford website, there are about 1,169 students there, of which 54% are female and 46% male. This means about 631 women and 538 men. </p>
<p>So collectively, the Bi-College community has about 1,931 female students to 538 male. This represents a ratio of nearly 3.6 women for every guy. So the Bi-College dating options for straight women are likely to be limited by the quantity of Haverford men (regardless of what one might conclude about the quality).</p>
<p>There are, of course, other social options in the area (Swarthmore, Penn, etc), but they are further afield.</p>
<p>And of course, there a ton of factors at play... Some BMC girls not being interested in guys, some BMC girls not being confident enough to go out of their way to meet guys, etc. </p>
<p>Personally, I like Swat better. But then I know a few people there and can just go hang out and meet guys in a non-party atmosphere. Plus not as many BMC women to go Swat, so there isn't a weird tension between the female Swatties and BMC women. There can be some awkwardness between BMC students and havergirls because of "competition," but that isn't too common.</p>
<p>I haven't found too much weird competition b/t Havergirls and BMC women. My mom went to Amherst in its early days of coeducation and apparently this situation was very apparent entre Smith and AC women. If having a bf is of primary importance, BMC is not the right place. I definitely miss guys at times, but the bf factor has become of little importance as of right now. If you want one at BMC, you'll have to look but they are there (...or so I am told).</p>
<p>Your ability to meet and interact with guys is directly proportional to how much effort you put into doing so. If you participate in Bi-Co activities, take classes at Haverford/Swat/Penn, etc. then you can meet all kinds of people. Parties can be another way to meet guys, but eh... depends on if that's your kind of scene. There are all kinds of guys at Haverford, just as there are all kinds of women at Bryn Mawr. There are plenty of awkward, nerdy people, plenty of "normal" people, and everyone in between.</p>
<p>I'm not very into meeting guys, personally; that's not what I came here for. I came here for the community and the academics, and that's been more than enough for me so far (I am a sophomore). I can understand if you really want to be able to find the kind of men you like... so I guess the best answer I can give you is that you probably can if you try. </p>
<p>In general, Bryn Mawr (and I think Haverford) is very much liberal-leaning. There are plenty of people in the middle, and some people on the right... but I don't think conservative or Republican students feel as able to speak up as those in the more vocal liberal, Democratic majority. Not too many people are like, radically extreme or anything, though. People will defend their views, but they are almost always respectful of people who feel differently than they do.</p>