<p>I've visited both now, and am looking for some insight. Here's what I've noticed among the many differences/similarities between Smith and Bryn Mawr:</p>
<p>-Open curriculum vs. core curriculum. Smith is one of the few colleges that does not have a core curriculum. Bryn Mawr does. Can anyone from Bryn Mawr tell me what the requirements are?
-Towns - Northampton is a small but bustling town. I didn't get a good look/feel of Bryn Mawr. Anyone with any experience in Bryn Mawr: what's there?
-College consortiums - both are part of one. Bryn Mawr has Haverford, Swarthmore, and UPenn. Bryn Mawr has Hampshire, UMass, Mount Holyoke, and Amherst. Can anyone from Smith or Bryn Mawr (or any of these other schools) tell me how easy it is to get from school to school? I have heard that the Bryn Mawr consortium is more accessible, transportationwise.
-Housing - both are pretty great, but Smith has the edge. Either way, both have great living situations compared to most colleges.
-Women's colleges...both are women's colleges. Obviously.
-Campuses - both are gorgeous in different ways. Smith has more buildings close together, and houses rather than castles. Bryn Mawr is more vast. Students at both: how busy would you say the campus is, and are there places to just go off and think/read, etc.? Sometimes I just need some space.
-Student bodies. I know that all students - especially at Bryn Mawr and Smith - are very individual and unique. However, I got the feel that Smith students (and this is a huge generalization) tend to be more outgoing/extroverted then Bryn Mawr students. This is from the students at admissions and others I've met...I know I'll be crushed for saying this - please don't think I mean to say that both schools go for a "type". Just in general, are the student bodies different, and how?</p>
<p>Smithie here: let me try to answer your Smith questions and feel free to PM me with questions
-Curriculum (I know you didnât ask about this) but the Open Curriculum is more wonderful than I think you can imagine. It gives you so much freedom. It was a deciding factor for me and I think itâs not valued highly enough by potential Smithies
-Consortium: How âeasyâ it depends on a couple factors. If you have a car, everything is really easy, but most of us donât. The next deciding factor is which college you want to get to. Hampshire is an easy 20 minutes, UMass can be done in 20-30, but Amherst and Mount Holyoke youâre looking at a time sink of 40 minutes or so each way. You basically have to carve out a morning or afternoon. Iâve done classes at Amherst and UMass and tons of Smithies use the Five Colleges, but itâs going to require planning and compromise on your part. I actually like my commute as it gives me time to do some pleasure reading
-Campus: our campus has tons of spaces to fit your needs. In our library alone, you have group study for chatting and doing work, the periodicals room for silent, hard study, and the reading room to just sit and work or read. When the weatherâs warm, youâll see people sitting outside, whether alone or in small groups, at the pond or on the lawn. In winter, the campus center has loud/quiet spaces. Your house normally has a âstudyâ thatâs quiet and a louder living room. In short, itâs a great mix of all kinds of spaces.
-Iâve never been to Bryn Mawr, but I do think there are all types at Smith. The campus at Smith has a rather driven vibe. Students run the gamut. If you have more specific questions, just ask? Itâs easier than trying to describe the student body</p>
<p>Thank you both for your thorough posts. Could anyone offer the Bryn Mawr perspective? My D was accepted at both schools and is struggling to find the scale-tipping factor. It is a nice problem to have :)</p>
<p>My daughter narrowed it down to the same two schools several years ago and is now at Smith. </p>
<p>She really liked both schools, but there were a number of things she preferred at Smith: the location (western Mass and proximity to Northampton), the campus, the housing system, the school calendar (she liked the flexibility of the J-term), and the general school vibe (she felt Smith was a little more lively and spirited). Other students, of course, may have have the opposite preferences or feelings. </p>
<p>Sheâs inverted and pretty quiet, and felt that she would enjoy the intimate communities in the Smith houses, combined with the general social aspects of the school (and that turned out to be the case; she has a core group of very close friends from her house, a number of close friends from various activities, and study friends in just about every class).</p>
<p>She was strongly considering study abroad and thought the program was stronger at Smith (they have their own program in 4 locations, a larger percent of the school goes abroad, etc.). She was very interested in science research; she had merit offers from both schools, but her offer from Smith included a guaranteed and paid research position the first two years. Another attraction to her was that Smith funds about twice as many students for summer science research on campus (proportional to its size), plus has other interesting science-related jobs/internships in January and the summer. In addition, Smith will pay you a stipend one summer if you find an unpaid internship (Praxis); I think BMC has something similar but itâs not guaranteed.</p>
<p>@Requinâ - the simple answer is that it fit her better. Both colleges are places where she could see herself happy and succeeding. When we listed and gave values to the attributes she valued, Bryn Mawr not only scored a little higher, but it also had that ever important âgut feelâ. </p>
<p>Both schools offer a stellar educational opportunity with girls who â let me be myselfâ. So the tipping point for D was nothing so heavy as curriculum or people.<br>
Specifically:
She liked the self-contained nature of the campus rather than being woven into a town - even a cute one like Northampton
She liked the proximity to Phillyâs culture and activity without it being right next door.
She liked the many school-wide traditions at Bryn Mawr: Her classâs color will be dark blue.
She felt that with 2 co-ed consortium schools, close by (Amherst is a 40 min bus ride on the shuttle) she would be more able to weave boys into her busy life at her choosing.
She believes the internship options will be more and easier to accommodate by being 10 miles from a major city.</p>
<p>@mom4art - Anassa Kata on your daughterâs decision! (Thatâs Bryn Mawr code for congratulations - your daughter will soon be well-versed in the chant). My color is also dark blue and I hope she wears it with pride!</p>
Hi, I am an international student from China. I am just wondering whether I should apply BMC or Smith college for my Early decision. I gonna apply ED with FA, so which college offer more FA for international student in Early decision?