<p>Hi, I am curious in these two colleges but would like to know more about the campus vibe. Which one is friendlier, which is more cutthroat, which has a better travel abroad program, where is the food better, and whatever else you could add. Also I know that at Bryn Mawr you have Haverford College just a mile away, so it'd be easy to talk to boys. How large is the absence of boys at both schools? (Would I be less likely to meet boys at MoHo?). Also which school has a larger lesbian/ feminist presence? I am straight so I would rather not feel isolated/ left out due to my orientation. Thank you.</p>
<p>I suggest you try to visit these schools and stay overnight. Many students who do so at women’s colleges find that they’re a lot different than they expected. All of the 7 sisters have a feminist and lesbian presence. There isn’t some kind of separate lesbian community at these schools that excludes and isolates straight students. My daughter is a straight student at Smith, reputedly the most LGBT of the 7 sisters; it’s a very welcoming and inclusive enviroment for everyone, and I doubt that these two schools are much different. Even at Smith, straight students are in the majority.</p>
<p>There is extensive information about study abroad on the schools’ web sites. It’s worth looking at closely since policies and programs can vary dramatically in costs, whether scholarships and financial aid transfer, eligibility, etc. MHC seems to have a stronger program since it runs some of its own programs, whereas BMC has more restrictions on when students can go abroad and on whether non-foreign-language-majors can go abroad for a full year, etc.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Hello, </p>
<p>I visited both schools within this year. Here is my feedback of the two.</p>
<p>MHC:
The food is amazing! My Dad and I ate there and it seriously was like eating in a gourmet restaurant. It has a wonderful study abroad program and very nice dorms. The cons though is unlike BMC, it feels in the middle of nowhere. Also, when I was there the campus was pitch quiet and most of all the student were on there cell phones. That contributed to my feeling of isolation. I am not saying that it is always like that but that was my experience.</p>
<p>BMC:
I have also heard the food is amazing! I cannot verify that for you but based on what I have heard this is true. It is also a lot more academically focused (ex. when I was touring the BMC student said a five page paper is an average homework assignment). The study abroad program is also great so I think I would say the two are equal. I know a girl from my school who is at BMC this year and she is very openly lesbian and also very ‘direct’. There is a tradition at BMC where everyone strips naked in the courtyard they have every so often. That was a turn off for me when touring the school but I could see why people would like it for unity sake.</p>
<p>Please let me know if you have any more questions and again these are my own views so beware of my own biases
Good luck with your search! :)</p>
<p>I don’t agree that BMC is more academically focused. My kids attended classes on campus at MHC, and were very favorably impressed (one was a NMF, and the other graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the college she ended up attending, so neither is an academic slacker – just pointing out so you have some idea that academic rigor was important to them). You probably would meet more boys on a regular basis at BMC, but I also think BMC falls on the edgier side in terms of the lesbian scale – but I don’t think you would feel isolated because you are straight. You should visit both yourself and see what you think.</p>
<p>I agree- you should definitely visit both. My D liked them both equally “on paper” but she had a definite preference after visiting.</p>
<p>I also agree with intparent that BMC is probably not any more academically focused. My D (at MHC) says she and her friends have at least 6 hours of homework daily, and most of that is papers. When we visited for parents’ weekend last week, my husband and I were in the library at about 9:30 am on a Sunday, and it quickly filled with students coming in to do work. </p>
<p>I have spent a lot more time at MHC so I can’t comment specifically on the differences between it and BMC, but I will say that one of the things we noticed right away -and that we heard lots of other families commenting on- is the strong sense of community, of a very open, friendly and welcoming and collaborative community, at MHC. My D was comparing it to Wellesley and she felt that the atmosphere at Wellesley was much more cutthroat and competitive, while at MHC it was collaborative.</p>
<p>I believe there will be a strong LGBTQ community at all these schools… however my D was commenting that at MHC it is generally not as strident as at some other schools. In other words they take LGBTQ rights and issues seriously but they are also able to laugh at themselves for it. It’s not like everyone is constantly scared they are going to say the wrong thing and be looked down upon.</p>
<p>MHC has amazing food - I think I commented on this just a couple of days ago in another thread- and my daughter’s dorm is palatial with a window seat and water view. I also recounted some academic stuff in another thread recently… I don’t want to keep repeating myself over and over, though, so I’ll just find the link and post it for you.</p>
<p>You definitely will not feel left out or isolated due to your sexual orientation. The majority of my D’s friends are straight and they have been dating Amherst / UMass boys. I’ll go find the links to those other threads now for you if you want to read more…</p>
<p>Okay, here are some links to remarks I posted about our experience with MHC, perhaps these will be helpful:</p>
<p>Food: <a href=“Best Food? - #5 by staceyneil - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>Best Food? - #5 by staceyneil - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums;
<p>Professors: <a href=“Liberal, medium sized, selective, strong biology. Suggest colleges for me to look at! - #9 by staceyneil - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>Liberal, medium sized, selective, strong biology. Suggest colleges for me to look at! - #9 by staceyneil - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums;
<p>More: <a href=“Help us find a college for our daughter. - #35 by staceyneil - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums”>Help us find a college for our daughter. - #35 by staceyneil - College Search & Selection - College Confidential Forums;
<p>I have a D who is a first year at MHC and she loves it. The course work is challenging. The students and faculty are very supportive, and in a short period time she has made six or seven really good friends. The MHC students have access to the Pioneer Valley bus system for free and it takes them between all five colleges. She has already met plenty of boys from Amherst College, so meeting the opposite sex is not a problem. I do recommend that you visit during the school year, because as others have said. each school has a different feel to it. Good luck in with your search.</p>
<p>Hi ConfusedHSSenior. I know nada RE: BMC. Like the other posters, I am a parent of a MHC student. So let me address your questions from a MHC prospective, as I understand second hand thru my daughters experience. Go for an over night visit, as your milage may vary…</p>
<p>My daughter found some of her first year classes a bit over the top competitive (for her taste). This year (her second) she seems to have found a nicer group of girls and has easier time time finding study partners. As top tier school, MHC does attract girls who like to “be the best”. Those girls dominate the discussions and takeover group projects. If you’re not driven like that, then you need search out girls who are better (more supportive study partners). I assume this true of all “good” colleges. </p>
<p>Every school has it’s own unique policies for studying abroad. If you pay full and your parents can afford to send you abroad with no assistance then you’ll have more options at all schools. But if you need F/A you need to look closely at the individuals schools policies–not just what admin tells you or what on the web site. I’d actually call the schools study abroad office and ask very direct questions. MHC has program called Laurel which helps study abroad for selected programs for selected students. They also offer internships abroad, again selected locations and selected students. I believe a list is available on the website–look for Laurel Approved Programs. </p>
<p>MHC has many dining options. While MHC food is much tastier than many other colleges my D visited, she isn’t overjoyed about the food. We’re from SoCal and she’s accustomed to an abundance of fresh fruits/veggies, ethic (mexican/asian/greek), organic, not to mention her mom’s healthy kitchen. No matter where you go to school, Institutional food and making the correct choices takes some adjustment. MCH offers “milk and cookies” each night in dorm living rooms at 9:00ish. It’s a cute tradition for the girls to gather at the end of the day for a bedtime (or pre-party) snack. YOu won’t find a scale on the MHC campus (except in the health office).The girls are encouraged to develop healthy body image not be “slaves to ideal weight”. Basically, institutional-food + milk-and-cookies + no-scales + sports-injury = an extra 30lbs for my first year daughter. My advise, is to bring your own scale, go to the gym, skip M&Cs. </p>
<p>Boys!!! If your goal is to meet boys, don’t apply to women’s colleges. There’s a big difference between meeting boys at breakfast or as a lab partner or walking into the library, than meeting boys at drunken Umass frat part. You can meet boys by taking classes at the other colleges, but remember the dating odds are stacked against you. My D has taken classes at Amherst and Hampshire, because she was interested in the material. The added benefit was a change of scenery and a break to the MHC routine and two easy As. She did meet boys, by-the-way. I think she’d like to have more dating opportunities. (I’m surprised she doesn’t considering she’s a pretty, tall, and very funny.) But the lack of boys just gives her more time to focus on school work, athletics and other interests. </p>
<p>How to say this in a PC way… Before attending MHC, my D was no stranger to Gay culture. We live in a progressive city. She had classmates, neighbors teachers,coaches who were openly gay. No big deal. By attending a women’s college she expected less typical girls drama–like the cliquy kind that drover her nuts in middle and some of high school. Shocking she discovered that Gay drama is way worse and exclusionary than “typical” girl drama. Many of young LGBT ladies did not come from a place where they could fully live in their true indetity. So they arrive at MHC and put petal to the metal and make up for lost time. For them it’s the first time in their lives that they embrace the Gay Culture. While MHC does draw a significant number of LGBT students, there is also a large international community and, equally significant number of students receiving generous merit F/A packages, not to mention girls who wanted the benefits of supportive inclusive top tier eduction. In summary, the LBGT community may make the most noise a (and draw the most attention) they do not represent the majority of students at MHC. </p>
<p>Despite it’s ups and downs, my D has comfortably settled into life at MHC. She told me yesterday that never imagined she could learn and change so much in such in such a short time. Her future is bright. I recommend MHC for girls who are serious about their education and want to live in community of like minded individuals–a community which values inclusion and provides a broad spectrum of opportunities for engagement and enrichment.</p>
<p>Thanks for that detailed information about MHC. It is a top contender on my daughter’s list. D would prefer a co-ed school but her list has several all girls colleges on it because they fit her needs/choices. In the end, all things being equal (especially $$) she’ll go co-ed but I love the five school consortium that Smith and MHC belong to.</p>
<p>NEPats, Sine you live in Mass, you D will probably have pals at UMass. Which opens the door to more “boy related social engagement” at UMass. According to my D the girls who live locally (mass ct) have friends who come visit for the weekend. Since you’re local, she can make some more visits to the 5-college area --even informally, maybe with another friend from high school. have lunch in North hampton, ride the bus. wander around the MHC campus, see a horse show. Maybe check out some other sporting or cultural events at MHC or Smith. Get a better feel for the vibe. Try chatting with differnt girls she meets. If accepted, definitely overnight. Women’s colleges are very different and do take some adjustment. IMO, the education and preparation is stellar. Good luck. </p>
<p>OP if you want a BMC perspective, you may want to further this discussion on their CC page.</p>
<p>Bryn Mawr has Haverford across the street that has joint registration. It also cross registers with Swathmore and Penn. You will find significantly less males at MHC and Smith then Bryn Mawr whre the consortium schools are very far away.</p>
so the five page paper comment led you to believe that BMC is “more academically focused” than MHC? and what does “more academically focused” mean? focused on what? do you mean more rigorous?
So, i think this con is dead, but I wanted to address the 5 page paper/academically focused question as a BMC alum.
One strength/weakness of BMC now (not sure about in earlier years) is that a lot of the departments seem to ultimately try and prepare students for PhD programs and not for entering the work force. I always felt that the “academically” of academically focused was specifically referring to academia instead of just academics. This is slowly changing, especially in STEM departments.
There is also a significant absence of competition in the BMC academic culture, which can be good for people who are very self-motivated or who want to study for the sake of studying, but it is not for everyone.
As for guys, there are plenty of guys around at BMC (funny/hot older grad students, or you can decide to major at haverford AND live in their dorms) but it is definitely still a girls college. My friends jokingly referred to it as one massive sorority/cult.
This thread is old but in case it’s still relevant to anyone … I can’t comment on which one is more rigorous. Probably a hair splitting distinction even if we could study and determine it.
Boys … No question BMC. Visit and you’ll understand why. MHC is rural and relatively isolated and BMC is in a busy Philly burb right on the Maine Line and within a short jog of Haveford and Division 1 Villanova. Seat is a little further away but a shirt shuttle ride away.
There are men in the BMC campus because the consortium is real on the order of the Claremont schools. People really use it and there are Hav and Swat kids on the BMC campus all day.
Half the current girls soccer roster has a boyfriend at Haverford.
On that one point at least it is a different thing at MHC.