<p>Hi everyone,</p>
<p>I was accepted to both Bryn Mawr and Smith as a transfer student for Fall 2011. I have posted on both college's respective sub-forums, but now I'm just trying to get more comparative input.</p>
<p>I visited both schools (once in high school, once about two weeks ago) and had completely different experiences - honestly, I preferred Bryn Mawr's atmosphere both times, but it has been a pipe dream of mine to attend Smith since about 8th grade, so actually liking BMC more was almost kind of a shock. </p>
<p>I haven't gotten the financial aid offer from Bryn Mawr yet, but unless it's really, really bad my mother will be willing to help me finance it, so finances are not an issue at this stage. Smith's aid was very, very generous (our EFC is very low) and I will have to pay a comparable amount to what I pay now at a large public school. </p>
<p>I'm just looking for opinions on the transfer experience, academic life, and social experience. I'm not concerned about finding guys (actually I'm still a little concerned that the Bi-Co consortium with Haverford is TOO strong and that BMC doesn't really "stand on it's own"), I live in Philly now so I will know how to break out of the "college bubble" that starts to form at either school. I'm actually not sure what I plan on majoring in yet, but I feel it will be something in the humanities or social sciences (Gender and Sexuality concentration at BMC or SWAG at Smith, Psych, Cities at Bryn Mawr, Sociology, Education Studies at Smith or Education through the Bi-Co at BMC, etc.)</p>
<p>And I know this is just me being a perfectionist, but the fact that Bryn Mawr is ranked 30 by the US News rankings and Smith as 14 and the fact that Smith is about 2% more selective sort of nags at the annoying voice inside of me that says I must go to the "better" school - does anyone actually care about these sort of rankings in the "real world"?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance! I'm really just incredibly stuck and any help and input would be appreciated.</p>
<p>try making a pro-con list for each school and the weigh the different factors by how much you care about them (academics may be ranked higher than housing for example). If you still dont get a clear answer, I would say just go with your gut. They are both wonderful schools and you can’t make a “wrong” decision.</p>
<p>For transfers, Bryn Mawr is actually more selective, if that somehow makes you feel better. Anyway, how do you feel about distance? Bryn Mawr being a lot closer might help you feel more at home, especially as a transfer, which might be a bit harder to do. Then again, Smithies praise the housing system, so I’m sure it’ll feel welcoming, too.</p>
<p>You should go to the school that you find to be a better fit for you, never mind those rankings that are biased and not at all grounded in any logical means of ranking. (Most of the score is “reputation.” Look up studies on USNWR…there is no true science to it at all.) </p>
<p>Though Smith is ranked higher (i.e. considered more “prestigious” you will perform better at a college that fits you better. Assuming you intend to pursue graduate studies, both schools are held in high regard by graduate schools. If you do well at BMC, you’ll have your pick of grad schools just as any Smith graduate would.</p>
<p>The Bi-College consortium is strong. Students are able to major at either school, attend concerts, lectures, plays etc!
However, this definitely does not mean Bryn Mawr “cannot stand on its own”!
Bryn Mawr has its own identity as a proud Seven Sister, selective liberal arts college and provider of a stellar academic experience (in addition to so many more things as you must have heard on your tour!) </p>
<p>Haverford is an additional resource for Bryn Mawr students.
(And Bryn Mawr is an additional resource for Haverford students!)
Your experiences at Haverford, Swarthmore and the University of Pennsylvania are what you make of it! I am grateful of the collaboration amongst the surrounding schools, but I am definitely a proud Mawrter.</p>