Northwestern vs. Bryn Mawr

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I have been accepted to these two very different schools and I do not know which one to choose. On one hand, I am drawn to BM's nurturing environment and lack of overt competition; on the other, I am drawn to N's more typical college experience and overall academic reputation. I have visited both campuses and I think I feel more "at home" at BM, but I think going to N would be more useful and worthwhile for my future. I am looking to major in Anthropology, History, or something along those lines. </p>

<p>Has anyone had to make a decision like this, where different parts of you are drawn to different colleges (Sorry, that's quite corny)? How did you ultimately make your choice? Are any of you in a position like mine right now?</p>

2

<p>Maybe you should try something new and go for Northwestern...its a top rate school and it probably has so many different options and opportunities-- more so than Bryn Mawr</p>

3

<p>Any other throughts?</p>

4

<p>NU's history and anthro departments are very good, you might want to take that into consideration ... I don't know how Bryn Mawr ranks although I'm sure they're also quite good in the social sciences. </p>

<p>Both NU and BM are outside large, bustling cities. Have you visited both Chicago and Philadelphia? Factor in which city you like better.</p>

<p>If you're leaning toward Bryn Mawr simply because you're afraid to venture outside your shell, I would seriously consider NU as way to broaden your experiences. However, if the small, cozy atmosphere truly does appeal to you, then NU probably won't meet your expectations.</p>

<p>Lastly, how do you feel about attending an all-womens college? This is a huge factor to consider, don't underestimate it.</p>

5

<p>Bryn Mawr is strong in my interests, like history and languages and anthropology. </p>

<p>I have seen both cities and I do prefer Chicago and Evanston, for that matter.</p>

<p>As for being all-women, one is not completely closed off at Bryn Mawr. BM closely associates with Haverford, Penn, and Swarthmore, so there is often intermingling. Haverford is 1 mile from BM and the two share departments: for instance, fine arts is at H. </p>

<p>As for your "afraid to break out of my shell" point, I think that you are right on both points: I probably am to a degree afraid, but I think I do like that kind of atmosphere. However, I think I can be happy at either school environment-wise. N is not that large seeing as I will be in the Weinberg College.</p>

6

<p>Personally I think that NU's student body size is perfect. I run into tons of people I know every time I walk to class, but there are always new people to meet. I don't think I would really like a school where I would know the entire student body by the time I graduated, but some people love that feeling. </p>

<p>Also, NU's student body is certainly more diverse (aside from the obvious co-ed aspect) than Bryn Mawr's. There is no one type of student here and there's really a niche for everybody. </p>

<p>I think Bryn Mawr is a great school and the Main Line and Philly are both cool places, but since you say you prefer Chicago and Evanston, and you're looking to venture outside a cozier atmosphere, NU seems to fit the bill. </p>

<p>Good luck to you wherever you choose to go!</p>

7

<p>Thanks, any Bryn Mawr people out there?</p>

8

<p>My sister went to bryn mawr, and she HATED it.</p>

<p>She transferred out.</p>

<p>"too many lesbians and too many socialists, of which I am neither" were her words.</p>

9

<p>Johnny K - where did your sister transfer to? What did she originally choose Bryn Mawr over? what was she expecting from BM? My D is deciding between Middlebury, BM, Smith, Kenyon, Whitman, and Mt Holyoke.</p>

10

<p>I applied to both Bryn Mawr and Northwestern. And I'm a huge minority on this thread (and probably on the CC as a whole lol) in that now I really don't like Northwestern. I had some mixed feelings towards Northwestern when I applied (I had been so passionate about this school for two years so I felt like I had to apply even though I was starting to change my mind) but by the end of March, I couldn't wait to get my rejection letter. Because if I got accepted into Northwestern, that would mean I would have zero chance at going to Bryn Mawr (or Reed, which is now off my list as they're not offering me any aid :) and that would devastate me.</p>

<p>I was rejected. I'm not that surprised; my friend who has MUCH MUCH MUCH better stats than I do got rejected from Northwestern (but she's going to Chicago, so she's fine with it XD) and we both applied to Medill and yeah. Meh. I'm totally cool with it :)</p>

<p>Anyway, Bryn Mawr is my top choice. I've been eagerly awaiting my financial aid package all week because if they offer enough money, I'm definitely heading there this fall! I absolutely, positively am in LOVE with Bryn Mawr. I cannot say enough glowing things.</p>

<p>I guess Bryn Mawr is the type of school where you either LOVE it or you HATE it. It evokes very strong feelings, which is unsurprisingly as it's a school with a very distinct personality and student body. Obviously, the answer to your query would be Bryn Mawr for me :)</p>

<p>I'm actually trying to decide between Bryn Mawr and Hollins (another women's college, yay!) Hollins has more of what I want and it would be a lot easier on me but Bryn Mawr fits better. If tuition were equal, I'd go to Bryn Mawr. I was crying and screaming once I got my phone call ahaha.</p>

<p>I think the reason why I love Bryn Mawr is because it's not the run of the mill choice, you know? It's not necessarily a no brainer -- there are some hindrances, even I can admit that. But a lot of the time, if women choose Bryn Mawr, they decide to go overlook these obstacles and they're really loyal to Bryn Mawr. I don't know if this is necessarily true, but I'm sure all Mawrters are really proud to be part of Bryn Mawr and I think that's just so amazing.</p>

<p>I'm not saying that can't be found at Northwestern or anything. But yeah. Oh and hey, does Northwestern have its own patron god(dess)? Nope ;)</p>

<p>Come to Bryn Mawr! I hope to see you next year!!</p>

11

<p>She went to Bryn Mawr because it was that or Penn State for her (she deserved to go to top schools but didn't take the applications seriously and paid the price).</p>

<p>In an age when every school has a well-funded "women's center" and "progressive" administrators who bend over backwards to ensure that women feel equal, an all-girls school is a bit of an anachronism. They are from a time when the Ivies didn't even let women IN, let alone put them on a pedestal. There's a reason the "Seven Sisters" are down to five...</p>

<p>She said the actual education was great but everything else was unbearable. She transferred to SOAS in London after doing a year of study abroad there and deciding it fit her better.</p>