<p>Hello. I'm entering Bryn Mawr this fall as freshman so I hope I can help you with your article. I always love hearing about a budding new journalist. Btw, I LOOVE Northwestern. The journalism program there is great! I'm a little iffy with writting my contact info on the web so can you private message me instead?</p>
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<li>what made you want to apply to a women's college rather than a coed college? (for both prospective and current students)</li>
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<p>I too, like CA_girl, applied to both all women's and co-ed colleges but maybe my answer as to why I applied might help. For me, there's something about an all-women's campus that feels empowering. I'm not too sure if only at women's colleges would one get more attention and an ivy league eduation because there are plenty of other schools who also give the same treatment. (Plus, there's that argument that undergrad eduation at the ivies is NOT the most intensive since the main focus is towards the grad students.)</p>
<p>But moving on, an all women's campus does seem special. It's like an community of strong, determined females all set towards becoming the best. There are co-ed schools out there who produce female leaders, but I read somewhere that at a women's college, the students compete against each other with any gender inequality or discrimination, thereby producing stronger and more determined women. This is especially true in the science fields where it's generally male-dominated. I'm not saying that if you go to a all women's college, you're a feminist or a misandrist (or become one). Not only that, but there's also that aspect of removing "distractions." When you go on an all women's campus, you'll see women wearing sweatpants and holding mugs of coffee because they've been working all night. Haha. Sad but true. But don't assume that every women's colleges are like this. Right now, I am taking classes at Ewha Woman's University in South Korea and immediately, you can tell that there is a difference. Historically, many women came to this university to grab herself a good man for marriage. These days, thats not true since women in Korea are becoming more independent and career-oriented than housework. </p>
<p>Hrm did I even answer your question? </p>
<p>Simply put, I decided to attend Bryn Mawr not just because it's all female. I wanted to surround myself with people who want to become leaders in the world. See for me, I believe there aren't enough females in positions of power. I'm not saying that the world needs to be dominated by women, but women should be able to take higher positions of power, not be discriminated into entry level positions. (And I speak of this by looking at the world, not at just the US). </p>
<p>Not only that, but there is a difference in competition. I agree with CA_girl, the community is very giving. After all, women are by nature, very giving. At a co-ed school, you're always competing against each other to reach your goal. At a women's school, you reach your goal together because everyone sacrifices and works as a group. Why do you think that women are the first to organize? But have you also noticed that in schools, girls are doing better than boys? Hee hee.</p>
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<li>what do you see as the benefits of attending a women's college? what do you see as the disadvantages of attending a women's college?</li>
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<p>Some benefits of attending? Empowering community, elimination of distractions, smaller student body = stronger friendships, amazing faculty, etc. Some disadvantages? Not much that I can see other than what you have for a small LAC. No big games! Boo. Expensive as heck. Sometimes too much attention from faculty. Hrm. Maybe another student can answer this question. I have some friends who go to Smith and they say that sometimes the abundance of females sometime is trouble. Girls can be catty and be big drama queens, but I have my own methods of dealing with that. Completely non-violent of course. ;-D</p>
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<li>What, if anything, do you think women who attend coed universities are missing out on?</li>
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<p>Well... no. I think students who attend small colleges are missing out on things at BIG universities. But then again, you can argue that students who attend large universities are missing out on things at small LACs. This goes either way for co-ed or all women's. </p>
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<li>do you feel that attending a women's college will help you in the future (job, leadership skills, etc). how so?</li>
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<p>Lets talk about the small, all women's community. There's no denying about it. You will develop steel-harder-than-superman's-butt bonds with the people around you. And there's also that aspect of networking. As CA_girl said, the alumns are ALWAYS winning to help out. It's a small community where everyone wants to help each other. Which is more useful?</p>
<p>Also, many women who attend women's colleges plan on continuing on the grad school. The small atmosphere and intensity of learning is great preparation for grad school. You want to prepare yourself by becoming the best academically and building solid networks. You'll get the help you need at a small school. The part that it's all women's is just another plus.</p>
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<li>Do you feel that women's colleges are more popular now than they were 5 or 10 years ago, or do you think that their popularity has pretty much remained the same? If you feel they are gaining popularity, what would you attribute their increasing appeal to?</li>
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<p>Hrm I don't know if I can answer this question since I haven't graduated from college yet. I know some people I can ask. Have you considered contacting colleges directly? The 7 sisters are a great source and omg. The people who work there are so nice. They will refer you to students and alumns who will be happy to answer any of your questions.</p>
<p>But I'll respond to CA_girl. She's right, many of the women colleges have connections with other colleges so it's not as if you're ONLY surrounded by women. Bryn Mawr has close bond with Haverford, a historically all male school. Barnard has Columbia. Radcliff is part of Harvard now. And the classes can be co-ed.</p>
<p>I think another aspect that may contribute to an increase of popularity is seeing more female leaders who come out of these colleges. For example in Korea, the first woman prime minister who was recently appointed attended Ewha Woman's University. </p>
<p>You may want to look into women colleges from other countries. Ewha Woman's University is the largest women's college in the world (more than 20,000 students) and it is quite influential in Korea. I don't know if it'll help with "the increasing appeal of women's colleges among high school students" but it will help you learn about the kind of environment a women's college is.</p>
<p>Good luck with your article!</p>