<p>My sense is that all of the women’s colleges are well-respected for the academics. If you had to rank order them–Wellesley, Smith, Bryn Mawr, Mt Holyoke, and Barnard. That being said–lots of factors other than academics will enter into the equation for any one young woman. My D (a recent BMC grad) didn’t even consider Wellesley–woudn’t visit because it was too close to home. She didn’t apply to Smith or Mt. Holyoke either (both were in the small towns in MA not that different from her small town in MA). Given that she wanted to be near a big city, that left Barnard and BMC. She applied to both–got into BMC and was wait listed at Barnard. Decided on BMC and was very happy there. In fact, she’s living in Philadelphia and working.</p>
<p>Certainly not as prestigious, rigorous, and well-known as the others that were mentioned, but influential nontheless: Trinity College (now Trinity Washington University).
[The</a> Washington Monthly - The Magazine - The Trinity Sisters](<a href=“http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/julyaugust_2011/features/the_trinity_sisters030380.php]The”>http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/julyaugust_2011/features/the_trinity_sisters030380.php)</p>
<p>I have to mention St. Mary’s College (in Indiana). It is an excellent school that is accross the road from Notre Dame. Students at St. Mary’s are welcome to register for classes, participate in research, and attend sporting events at Notre Dame. However, theyalso have the benefit of attending a smaller institution devoted to liberal arts. After graduation, they have access to the Notre Dame alumni network. I think it is a great option for a student considering a Woman’s College.</p>
<p>I think most of the original seven sisters are comparable in terms of academic rigor - Smith, Wellesley, Barnard, Bryn Mawr, etc. But I think Wellesley has the most widely recognized alums over the years - Madeleine Albright, Hillary Clinton, Cokie Roberts, Diane Sawyer, Nora Ephron, Linda Wertheimer, Madame Chiang Kai Shek. Each school also has its own stand-out departments. If you’re trying to decide which apply to, it’d be important to decide on the mix that works best for you - the rigor/reputation of the depts you’re interested in and the type of location you want - urban, surburban etc.</p>
<p>Wellesley’s ranking is much higher than Barnard’s (#5 vs. #34 in US News), so what criteria are you using when you claim that Barnard is more selective?<br>
p.s. I’m Wellesley alum and worked at Barnard for 7 years and love both</p>
<p>I would say Wellesley, especially with the success of Hillary Clinton</p>
<p>Old thread…</p>