How do Bryn Mawr and Wellesley differ?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Bryn Mawr College
1

<p>I am wondering what are the defining characteristics of both these highly esteemed schools, in terms of academics, intellectual ‘dedication’ - for want of a better word - career aspirations, socio-economic background, diversity, personality (of the school).</p>

<p>Is one more competitive, one more collaborative? Does the workload differ?</p>

<p>I have toured both, but have not done an overnite, and had no contact with students other than the tour guide.</p>

<p>Any current or past students who applied to both and decided on either?</p>

<p>Thanks very much.</p>

2

<p>I've always gotten the impression that while both NE colleges, Wellesley is more stuffy and individual-oriented while Bryn Mawr is not so "New England-y" and more community-oriented. Btw, I applied to both.</p>

3

<p>I think Wellesly seems more competitive, in terms of atmosphere and admissions. Also, I think that Wellesly is more elitist and it is academically superior to Bryn Mawr.</p>

4

<p>I don't know that you could call one "academically superior" to the other, unless you have attended both. They are different schools...calling one "superior" is pretty vague as well.</p>

5

<p>Thanks, ladies. My impression after touring both was sort of in line with ainsley's. </p>

<p>Ahisma, what do you mean 'Wellesly seems more competitive in terms of atmosphere'? Do you mean more indiviualistic as opposed to collaborative, as Ainsley commented? Or something different?</p>

6

<p>Doesn't Bryn Mawr take positive steps to discourage competition? Isn't talking about grades a violation of the honor code? (Sorry. I missed out on D's campus visit to Bryn Mawr on account of snow.) I don't think Wellesley encourages competition, but I don't think they discourage it either. On the other hand we didn't bring it up when we visited Wellesley.</p>

7

<p>That's good to hear, florus. I haven't toured either, but it's good to know that I was pretty accurate. ;)</p>

8

<p>The advantages that Bryn Mawr offers include more academic opportunities due to cross-registration at Swarthmore, Haverford, (and U. Penn, which is more difficult but students still take advantage of it quite often). Bryn Mawr is also one of the best places in the country to study Classics, Archaeology, or French, which are some of our most distinguished departments, and Bryn Mawr has graduate programs in Math, French, Classics, Art History, and several other departments that undergrads can take advantage of. (For instance I'll be working toward a combined BA/MA in four years.)</p>

<p>Bryn Mawr also discourages competition in any and all forms. You cannot talk about content or form of an exam with any other Mawrtyr. You cannot compare your GPAs, and nobody knows who the top students in the class are until Graduation Day when they announce who graduates with honors and summa and magna cum laude. I cannot BEGIN to explain how amazing this system is and how much stress it saves so many of us. But this reluctance to emphasize success is why BMC may be regarded by prospective students as less "prestigious" than other women's colleges, when in fact it has always been regarded as the most academic of the Seven Sisters. Admissions will not play up the academic reputation nearly as much as it should when you visit. Keep in mind that Bryn Mawr ranks #1 in the country for students who attain the PhD.</p>

<p>Do not underestimate the opportunities to interact with two other top liberal arts colleges (Haverford and Swarthmore) academically and socially. It is an amazing privilege. Bryn Mawr really emphasizes community, that's a big part of life at BMC as well.</p>

<p>That's the tip of the iceberg for Bryn Mawr, I won't go on and bore you all. :) </p>

<p>As for Wellesley, it is also an academic powerhouse. It is very well-respected and has a much larger endowment than Bryn Mawr. It is more competitive, or at least that's what I've heard from the few people that go there. It's also much bigger. </p>

<p>Either way you go, you'll be reaping the invaluable advantages of studying in a women's college environment. Bryn Mawr's a little less of a traditional women's college since there are guys all over the place, a significant bunch of us have boyfriends from the other schools and neighboring colleges. Wellesley is a little more "all women, all the time" -- this is what I gather from the Wellesley students I know, which is subjective, so I could be wrong.</p>

<p>Either way you go, you can't go wrong! Both are fabulous schools that offer amazing opportunity for personal growth.</p>

9

<p>Thank you so much for your enormously thoughtful and thought-provoking response, wondering. You have given me a lot to think about. Bryn Mawr truly sounds like an awesome school. I love the fact that Bryn Mawr actually discourages competition. It can become so unhealthy. Thanks again.</p>

10

<p>Thank you, I am happy to help. If you have any other questions feel free to ask. </p>

<p>And the great thing about the discouragement of competition is that it just IS that way. There's no one breathing down our necks, telling us to follow the rules -- it's just an inherent part of the community that the freshwomen learn from the upperclasswomen year after year. There's this very beautiful phenomenon at Bryn Mawr that each class strives to give the freshmen class as wonderful and beautiful an experience as they had. </p>

<p>It's just a fantastic place, and if you feel it's right for you, you're probably absolutely right. You won't realize it right away, and it might take a few semesters for you to fully understand the beauty of the community. It's not something that everyone can understand, or even the best place for everyone to learn. But if it's right for you, it will change your life.</p>

<p>That's what college should be for everyone -- something that is just right, a place that combines all of the key components an individual needs in order to grow and be nurtured and become themselves.</p>

11

<p>My D is a frosh at Bryn Mawr this year, and says that she can't imagine being at any other school. She tells me that Bryn Mawr's upper classwomenactually make the frosh feel cherished. Imagine that! She also loves the non-competitive nature of academic life at Bryn Mawr. The academics are very rigorous at Bryn Mawr, so the last thing anyone needs is added pressure from a competitive or cut-throat environment. Students are usually more than happy to help and support each other, however, this DOES NOT extend to cheating of any sort! The honor code is taken VERY seriously. So, if you do not value personal integrity, and Bryn Mawr's emphasis on its honor code, my advice is do not apply. </p>

<p>Both Bryn Mawr and Wellesley will offer a girl a first class education, however, I've heard from a number of different sources that Wellesley is uber competitive. I do not know this from personal experience and neither does my D. But she's chatted with a few Bryn Mawr athletes who have had the chance to compare notes with Wellesley athletes. The report is that the Wellesley girls do admit that they experience a certain amount of competitiveness at at their school.</p>

12

<p>My personal impression is that the admissions people are friendlier and more approachable at Bryn Mawr than at Wellelsley. I suspect this carries on throughout the institutions.</p>

13

<p>Bryn Mawr admissions really does show personal interest. That's definitely a winner with a lot of anxious college applicants and their parents.</p>

14

<p>My D applied to both schools
and is beaming with pride that
she got accepted into Bryn Mawr.</p>

<p>She visited the campus 4 times
and always comes away with
positive vibes. She is planning
on being @ New entering freshmen
days in April.</p>

<p>OTOH, she received a thin envelope
from Wellesley in the mail this morning.</p>

<p>GO BRYN Mawr!</p>

15

<p>proud2bherdad - congratulations - still waiting on the west coast but life has gotten easier after the UC decisions came last week.</p>