<p>I am thinking of applying to a few women's colleges like Smith and Bryn Mawr, but I'm worried about a single-sex atmosphere. I've never really been a girly girl. While I have lots of friends that are girls, I usually don't get along with many girls. I'm not obsessed with boys, I don't like drama - I'm a pretty blunt person and don't beat around the bush with stuff. I don't want to generalize - not all girls are drama seeking and One Direction enthusiasts, but I was just wondering what your experience has been.</p>
<p>I don’t think you have a good picture of the type of girls who apply to women’s colleges. For one thing, few girls obsessed with boys are going to be applying to women’s colleges. Neither my daughter (who’s at Smith) or any of her close friends there are anything like what you’re imagining. They are all focused on their classes, research, sports, arts, and other activities, and relax primarily by hanging out together and enjoying each other’s company.</p>
<p>I agree with photodad. I had the same experience when I was at Wellesley.</p>
<p>Ditto what photodad says. Many very direct, mature and independent women can be found at women’s colleges. In my observation, drama seekers are the minority; additionally the sense of purpose and academic rigor requires focus. As women’s colleges tend not be huge, it is quickly obvious who is there for what reasons. </p>
<p>If possible visit the schools you are interested in and ask to talk to students engaged in classes or activities you are likely to pursue. You will get a lot of questions answered. If you cannot go in person, admissions rep may connect to such students in other ways. Good luck.</p>
<p>I suggest visiting a couple to form your own opinion.</p>
<p>My daughter was not interested in a LAC, a small school, or a women’s college … and ended up applying to Barnard ED. Even better halfway through the tour of Barnard I knew she would want to apply to Barnard. She just graduated and had a great experience … I can’t imagine her having a better experience or making better friends. (PS - and in Barnard’s case there are men literally across the street).</p>
<p>As a Wellesley alum, I can tell you that the LAST type of woman you are going to find at a good women’s college is a drama-addicted girly-girl whose main interest is boy-chasing. Girls like that are all off at coed schools working on their MRS degrees, and even there they are, one hopes, a definite minority. 
At the same time, women’s colleges are not convents. Most students enjoy the company of men and socialize with them regularly. (Some students are gay, of course. Do not mean to leave them out. They enjoy their social lives also.)</p>
<p>This is kind of a mixed message in OP’s post. I had to re-read it so I didn’t remain with the thought that OP thinks all other women like One Direction. </p>
<p>On the other hand if you are the kind of person who eschews stereotypes and is not afraid to be yourself…then you will get a lot out of a women’s college. </p>
<p>I never once regretted it. Not then, not now.</p>
<p>It gave me the chance to explore intellectualism, creativity, physical prowess and skill, leadership, friendship and community…without gender-based expectations imposed (either by others or myself). My only regret is that four years went too fast.</p>
<p>@momcinco - Yeah don’t worry, I don’t think all women like One Direction. And furthermore, just because a woman does like One Direction does not indicate that she is a drama seeking, attention seeking girl. I was just trying to make my point as quickly as possible.</p>
<p>Isn’t it kind of sexist to say you don’t like girls because they’re more drama? Girls who are boy crazy probably would avoid all girls schools anyway.</p>
<p>women at women’s college are the most wonderful, smart, driven women I have ever had the pleasure of working with. I assure you.</p>
<p>@Chlogan3921 - you’re very right - I acknowledged it was a huge generalization I was making. My question was merely to affirm whether or not girls who were boy crazy avoided women’s colleges. And from the responses I have gotten here, it seems to be the case.</p>
<p>I’ve taught for the past 14 years at Columbia College, a women’s college in Columbia, SC. Yes, some students complain about “girl drama” in the dorms, but I don’t think it’s any different than in any other female dorms. As for issues of being boy crazy, my perception is that we may get somewhat more lesbian students and students for whom traditional feminine gender roles are not an ideal fit. In these way, we probably have more diversity than coed colleges in the same vicinity.</p>
<p>Pros: you get to celebrate the joys of being a female among other females who won’t judge you! You don’t get distracted by guys.</p>
<p>Cons: no guys, you’re stuck in a very specialized bubble. Life after graduating from a WC is very different than life in undergrad. People in the real world just don’t understand your liberal point of view! </p>
<p>I’m talking about my own personal ups and downs of attending a WC :)</p>
<p>most girls at girl colleges are not girly girls and are pretty nice, well nicer than most girls at my high school. however there aren’t any guys, and i feel like after college you are going to be in situations where you wil have to work with guys and sometimes some girls from women colleges get awkward around guys because they barely interacted with guys and left campus.</p>