Hi, I’m trying to make a decision between applying to Smith or Bryn Mawr for early decision. I want to major in political science, I have a 3.7 gpa, and a 1140 SAT, I’ve also taken a few APs.
I was wondering which college is easier to get into, I would love to get into Smith, but I see that their acceptance rate has decreased to 36%. I’m also really interested in Bryn Mawr, whose acceptance rate is 40%.
Does anyone know which college I will have a greater chance of getting in to?
Smith is SAT-optional, fwiw. Both are great schools.
Didn’t BMC go test optional as well?
Smith and Bryn Mawr are both test optional for US citizens.
If Smith is your clear first choice, then apply there ED. Smith is larger than BMC, so that 36% admission rate is probably at least as generous as BMC’s, if not more generous.
36% and 40% are so close together that there’s not really a meaningful difference - that might even be within the margin of error (meaning that acceptance rates fluctuate from year to year and BMC and Smith might switch places as to who is the most selective from one year to the next, but on average they are about the same.
If you are really on the fence, that sounds like a great argument for not applying ED to either, and sort of comparing their financial aid packages at the end of the year.
Your SAT is low for both Smith and Bryn Mawr–check the websites for data on admitted students at both; middle 50% at both schools ranges from low 1200 to high 1400s. Retake the SAT if you can.