<p>I am considering apply for the McBride Scholar Program for non-traditional age students at Bryn Mawr College. However, I am quite nervous about getting back into the ‘swing’ of things (i.e., studying, writing, etc.) having been out of the loop for some time. Can anyone provide me with information about how difficult it is to get accepted into the program, how the undergraduates view the McBrides, etc.? My interest lies in East Asian Studies (particularly, Chinese language and culture). Thank you.</p>
<p>Hi Daisy257! I'm glad you are considering the McBride Program at BMC. While I can't tell you much about the actual "getting into the program" part of the process, I can tell you a little bit about how us undergrads see the McBrides.</p>
<p>In all honesty, we LOVE them. I've had classes with McBrides in Math, French, and Archaeology, and have loved the interesting perspectives all of these women brought to the classroom. I think a lot of us look up to the McBrides (even though we don't say it enough) given what they are doing. It is a little jarring at first to see someone older than 22-25 in our classes; I know as a freshman last year it was surprising the first couple of times I saw McBrides in my class. But over the course of the semester, my classmates and I really came to find out how much of an advantage it is to have someone with a differing background than just being straight out of high school in our classes, most especially those classes with a strong discussion component, or free time just to get to know the fellow students. Hope this info helps, and if you have any more questions, feel free :)</p>
<p>It is nice to hear that the McBride's are accepted at Bryn Mawr. I remember reading somewhere about the similar non-traditional program at Smith and that they were not as accepted due to the fact that they are taking spots away from 'regular' students.</p>
<p>Hi there! I'm a current freshman (woman :)) and I absolutely want to offer reassurance. I can't say that I know many of the McBrides well, and I can appreciate that it must be strange to complete more schooling with students who are so understandably different, but we love their support and varying perspectives. BMC is a very inclusive community as a whole.</p>
<p>Well, that is nice to hear. From all I have been reading on this board, Bryn Mawr College seems like a wonderful place for women to study and has excellent professors and academics within a nuturing community. If it ever comes to be for me, I would be very nervous about being able to keep up with all the intelligent women having been out of school for some time.</p>
<p>Hey there :)</p>
<p>I graduated in 1997 and was friends with several McBrides.</p>
<p>When I was at BMC, they offered lots of extra help with McBrides to assist them with regaining study skills, math skills, etc. I know there was special help available while I was in school. I believe there was remedial math courses designed especially for McBrides.</p>
<p>I tutored a couple of McBrides in Computer Science, sponsored through the college. I imagine that if there was tutoring available in Computer Science, there was likely tutors available in the other subjects as well. The tutors were set up and paid by BMC, so I don't know if the McBrides paid for the service to the college, or if it was help given by the college free of charge.</p>
<p>Let me assure you that anyone who has "grown up" and returns to college would be scared that they are out of the swing of things! However, I didn't meet any McBrides while I was at BMC that weren't able to adjust well :)
They were a joy to be around, and I still have many fond memories of some of the cool things they brought to the college experience that wouldn't have been there if they hadn't been there.</p>
<p>Hope that Helps!</p>