Smith College vs. Bryn Mawr College

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I like both Smith College and Bryn Mawr College, and I was wondering if you could help me compare them - whether you have information about one or both, anything is appreciated. </p>

<p>Also, if you have the time, do you think I might have a chance of getting in either and if so, which one do I have a better chance at?</p>

<p>I've got probably like a 3.8-9 GPA unweighted, and higher than 4 weighted. Testwise, I got a 2040 superscored on the SAT - a 2020 highest sitting.</p>

<p>I have really strong ECs - I am interning at HuffPost Live, and am published on HuffPost, I'm going to be leading a Feminist Majority Foundation club in my school, I've taken piano for 7 years, etc. </p>

<p>However, I do have a...thing. I was out of school during sophomore year - not my fault - due to really intense family issues. I was NOT ALLOWED to do school, read, write, etc. I know it's weird...strange situation. However, I did online school (ugh it was awful) and got As, and picked myself up very strongly in 11th grade after returning to school midyear. Even when I was not allowed to read or write, I hid notebooks and pens and made up my own language so I could. It's a really strange situation and was not my fault, and I'm worried about what colleges will think...</p>

<p>I have been to Bryn Mawr College - I interviewed and explained my situation. The woman seemed very sympathetic and even impressed that I turned myself around after not being in an academic environment. But since then I have read all sorts of articles that say interviews do not matter.</p>

<p>I will visit Smith in a few weeks, and interview.</p>

<p>What do you think?</p>

2

<p>Also, can anyone from Smith tell me how often they go to Boston/NYC?</p>

3

<p>Which is harder to get into?</p>

4

<p>I’d say both are about the same. Bryn Mawr had a lower acceptance rate this year (39%), but not by a significant amout (Smith’s was 41 or 42%).</p>

<p>Hahaha, I’m not at Smith yet, but from what most students have told me, it’s an accomplishment to go to Boston once per semester. It’s easier for Bryn Mawr students to go to Philadelphia, so Smith’s a bit more isolated. If you want a nice college town, Northampton wins, but it’s definitely not urban.</p>

<p>For some other differences, Smith’s a lot larger than Bryn Mawr (2700 students vs 1400) and Bryn Mawr feels more co-ed because of the consortium with Haverford. A couple of students have said Bryn Mawr has more traditions, but I’d have to look it up, I’m not sure.</p>

5

<p>Thanks so much for your response. </p>

<p>Does anyone know how they are as far as academics?</p>

6

<p>My daughter didn’t go to either Boston or New York in her first year at Smith, but I don’t think she really had any interest in doing so. Even if she did have the interest, she had so many things going on I don’t think she would have had the time. However, Northampton satisfies all her urban needs (frozen yogurt, ice cream, restaurants, cool shops, people performing music on the sidewalk).</p>

<p>They’re academically similar, but since Smith is larger it’s able to offer more majors (for example, biochemistry, engineering, film, theatre). You can minor in some of these at Bryn Mawr (film, theatre) or concentrate in at Haverford (biochemistry).</p>

<p>I would say the importance of the interview can vary. It’s probably more important the more unusual your situation is.</p>

<p>Smith has a lot of traditions, but they’re mostly house-based, so different students will encounter a different mix of traditions.</p>

<p>Although my daughter wasn’t specifically looking to go to a women’s college, her final two choices were Smith and Bryn Mawr. They’re both great schools. If you end up choosing between them, a lot of the decision is going to come down to vibe and personal preferences.</p>

7

<p>Both schools are fantastic schools, I’ll be going to bryn mawr next year, and after doing an overnight there I can say how nice and friendly everyone there is. It’s a great community full of caring people :)</p>