<p>I wasn't considering a women's college at first but now I have decided that it could be a great education. I don't want to apply to more than 1 (2 if really necessary) but basically what I was looking for is a college that is not majority feminist, with a majority of the the student body not lesbians (or if they are then at least friendly to straight girls), and a good political science program, a good chance of getting into grad (law) school, with some sports, and as close to boys as possible. I liked Wellesley but it is too selective and I think my chances are too low. Which of these colleges is most similar to Wellesley? Which one of the seven sisters is best for me? I think it is between Bryn Mawr and Mount Holyoke. Thank you!!</p>
<p>You are in quite a position based on your statements. Bryn Mawr, MHC, Smith, Barnard, Wellesley, Spellman, Agnes Scott, Wesleyan College (in Georgia), Scripps, Salem College (in South Carolina), and Bennett College (in North Carolina) are some of the best women’s colleges. Check out this website for a list of some women’s colleges. <a href=“http://womenscolleges.org/”>http://womenscolleges.org/</a></p>
<p>But the problem you seemed to envision relates to the sexual orientation of the students. If you are not seeking a college which puts the needs of women first, then you certainly should not apply to any women’s college. So, I am not certain that the term feminist is being used in a helpful manner in your description. It appears to connote something negative.</p>
<p>It seems you will greatly benefit from visiting some of the women’s colleges which you fear may be too feminist or have too many lesbians. I am not sure what schools are in that elite group. But the women’s colleges have historically produced the largest percentage of students who obtain graduate degrees. Many of the women’s colleges have phenomenal social and political programs. But the focus is generally geared toward activism on behalf of women. Men dominate almost everything except the teaching and nursing professions so they really don’t need extra help with political activism. So it seems odd that you don’t want too much feminism but want to study political science at a women’s college, almost oxymoronic. So you may want to be a lot clearer in your mind as to what you are seeking.</p>
<p>That being said, it seems your interests in women’s colleges is genuine but you have heard too much about some things you are not seeking. Their are homosexuals, heterosexuals, and bisexuals at almost every college institution, including religious institutions. Some people want to openly express their sexual preferences and others do not. But be assured that what you learn in the classroom at each of those women’s colleges will be stellar. You will have the opportunity to meet men while are attend classes and programs at each of the women’s colleges. Bryn Mawr is outside of Philadelphia. Mount Holyoke is part of the five college consortium, including the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Barnard is in NYC. Wellesley is outside of Boston. Spelman is in Atlanta. And the list goes on. </p>
<p>But you do want to determine whether you will be distracted by things outside of the classroom (i.e., sexual orientation) or whether you can thrive in the nurturing, empowering educational environment opportunities presented at women’s colleges. Bryn Mawr’s application is free as is Wellesley’s. Thus, all you lose out on may be some time in terms of your submission of applications. But the work habits of students at the different institutions are vastly different. My daughter attended the college fly-ins for both Bryn Mawr and Wellesley. Beware that you focus on your overall learning style - not possible outside considerations. My daughter’s interview for Barnard was yesterday. So go ahead and apply to the schools where you believe you can grow and develop the critical thinking skills which will help you to change the world. </p>
<p>Remember, there was a time when homosexuals were not allowed to openly serve in the military. The question was, when you are in enemy territory and someone comes to rescue you, do you care if that person is a homosexual? Does it really matter what the sexual preference is when you need help with a chemistry problem? Can a lesbian help you learn literature? How does someone else’s sexual preference impair your learning environment. </p>
<p>There was also a time when students did not want to attend classes with “Negroes.” Did sitting next to people with other skins colors impair the learning environment? There are many students from foreign countries who will be attending women’s colleges in the US. They will probably have cultural norms which are not welcome to everyone. But the big decision you should make is whether having “lesbians” in large numbers in your midst on a regular basis will truly impair your ability to gain an education. From the fact that you are considering an all women’s college, it seems you are open-minded. Search within yourself to see how averse you are to attending classes with lesbians. I bet you will find that it is not such an issue, particularly if you attend a large public high school where homosexuals (girls and guys) are already nearby. </p>
<p>Good luck in your quest for a college that suits your needs.</p>
<p>@ConfusedHSSenior None of the women’s colleges are predominantly lesbian. Even Smith, which may be the most vocal about LGBTQ issues, has tons and tons of straight women. My D attends MHC and has a very wide range of friends. Most are straight, and meet boys at neighboring Amherst College or U. Mass. </p>
<p>There have been a lot of comparisons on CC between the three, and especially between MHC and BMC, so you should take some time and either browse the various threads (including the ones specific to each college) or do a “search” for those colleges here.</p>
<p>If at all possible, visit them. My D liked them all equally “on paper” but after visiting she had a clear preference. She just felt really “at home” at MHC. She’s very much a “nature-girl” and one of the reasons she vastly preferred MHC to BMC was the location: it is in the beautiful Pioneer Valley with very easy access to great hiking, etc. In fact she has a beautiful one-mile trail around a lake just outside her dorm that she walks every day…</p>
<p>I can’t speak for BMC, but I know that MHC has an excellent polysci program. It also has a very global flavor, both in the academics and discussions on campus and because there is a large percentage of international students. My D’s roommate is from Uzbekistan and it’s been a wonderful and amazing thing for her to find someone she connects with so well (they are perfect roommates) from the other side of the world and a very different culture. </p>
<p>Good luck with your decision. My D is so happy with her choice. She’s at an incredible school filled with really dedicated, passionate, intellectual peers. She loves it!</p>
<p>Smith does have a reputation of being more “activist Gay”. We visited many colleges in New England and openly Gay people were giving tours, involved in the information sessions and were in general, very visible.</p>
<p>My daughter did not visit Smith and Wellesley for differing reasons. When it comes to Smith, the “too Gay” rep was a turn off. Her cousin who is wildly competitive, attends Wellesley.</p>
<p>I was initially not in favor of all women’s colleges. My wife and some posters on CC changed my mind enough to at least visit. Even at breakfast the morning before we visited Mount Holyoke, my daughter was toying with her food and complaining that this is “a waste of time”. </p>
<p>After the info session, tour and interview, she loved Mount Holyoke College. She did a complete about face.</p>
<p>Honestly, you really have to visit. </p>
<p>More boys near Bryn Mawr, a bit “straighter” environment at MHC, IMHO. What about Sweet Briar? And ^ wow… we took a lot of abuse from the above poster for suggesting that MHC is worth visiting… </p>
<p>Tampa, I doubt “sitting in class next to a lesbian” is what the poster had in mind when she asked about a college “with a majority of the the student body not lesbians (or if they are then at least friendly to straight girls)”… Of course your education won’t be effected by “sitting next to” or “drinking from the same water fountain as” Lesbians. </p>
<p>What impacts a straight women’s experience is the number of student run “LGBT centric” organizations and social events centered around LGBT relations to the exclusion of strait women. </p>
<p>Maybe the better question is does the school provided enough extra circs for straight girls? </p>
<p>In the case of MHC, yes. While the LGBT community strives to grab attention, there are an equal amount of women drawn to MHC because of the quality world class education–women who focus on the broad spectrum of opportunites MHC provides, rather than LGBT centric empowerment. </p>
<p>Barnard and Bryn Mawr are the most “straight”, with coed colleges that cross register right across the street. The Mass three are the most gay friendly and gay populated.</p>