<p>Why would you recommend a young woman apply to a women’s college and why Bryn Mawr? What did you come away with that you do not think you would have gained at a coed college? How did Bryn Mawr differ from your first impressions?</p>
<p>I'd be interested in hearing the answers as well, I've just started researching Bryn Mawr and would love to hear the opinions of students/alums.</p>
<p>unfortunately this Q has not been popular with any of the Ws colleges ... good luck whe ...</p>
<p>I really love the questions, and I obviously can answer "why Bryn Mawr" to an extent (I'm going there next year!) but I feel like if I just wait one more month, I'll be able to make a much better post. Right now, all I have are first impressions.</p>
<p>I'll post some of my thoughts so far, but I'll be back later as well.</p>
<p>Why a women's college: When applying, I was not looking for a single sex college AT ALL. Bryn Mawr almost fell off my list because of it- I don't know, I just thought something would be missing. So far, I have not noticed anything completely amiss- when I talk to a group online, it is not immediately obvious that I'm talking to a group of all girls (all perspectives are present, etc.). I'm a little worried about this aspect of BMC and I'll be able to speak about it a bit more after actually attending.</p>
<p>Why Bryn Mawr:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>I felt that BMC wanted me. They emailed the most, my regional admissions person sent me a note, and the signature in blue pen and the "Congratulations, <em>my nickname</em>!" on my acceptance letter gave me warm fuzzies (so did the black and white acceptance video!). Sure, I guess this is just good marketing, but some schools don't bother with making their prospies feel connected with school, and Bryn Mawr put in the extra effort.</p></li>
<li><p>Love of learning. I love people who are passionate about what they do and are happy to be where they are, learning.</p></li>
<li><p>The people- I just really clicked with the majority of Mawrtyrs. I went to the accepted students weekend and felt really comfortable just sitting down and talking to the people I met there. Everyone was friendly and really intelligent.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>And there are more, but I'll save those for later. I'll be able to think of ten thousand reasons a day once I get there. :D</p>
<p>Thanks brillar! I look forward to hearing your opinions on BMC once you settle in there.</p>
<p>Wow! Getting right down to it! With BMC I had one of those moments. One of the moments that they talk about in college guide books or maybe it was more like in a romance novel. Love at first sight. I came on-campus and I was like "I NEED to be here!!!" It was especially overpowering since my mom had to pretty much drag me on-campus. I love the people. I love the traditions. I love the academic power (can't think of a better word) that just flows through the campus. The campus is absolutely stunning- I just found out that I have a dorm in Rockefeller (the princess dorm) - a double with a window seat and fireplace. The food is delicious (I have no idea how I'll avoid the freshman-15!). The dept for my proposed major is great (anthro). And lastly, I felt wanted. It's small and when you go on tours or meet with professors and admissions you feel like your important. Forget boys! Who need 'em when you can live in a wonderland of academia and tradition!!!??? Keep in mind, I may be an idiot. I am seriously screwing myself financially to attend BMC.</p>
<p>P.s. Whedongirl, please please tell me your a fan of Joss- hence the name. I can't help myself, I'm a buffy, angel, firefly fanatic!</p>
<p>emma problema - i am a buffy ADDICT. and i own the box sets of angel and firefly as well... i love joss!</p>
<p>have you heard of his new show Dollhouse with eliza dushku? i can't wait!</p>
<p>Thank you ... this is the meaty stuff I was looking for..! My DD wants anthro as well.</p>
<p>Great, glad I could help!</p>
<p>I am so excited fo Dollhouse! I have the premier marked as an event on facebook so I don't forget! I am a big Buffy fan too- of all of them I love Buffy the best- I have watched all 7 seasons 5 times and own them all. I have also converted some people to Buffy, so I consider myself a pretty steady fan. Also, if your into Buffy I would recommend Veronica Mars as well as shows from Brian Fuller- V Mars more than anything else is like buffy, but Fuller's stuff has a whole lot of the same witty lingo.</p>
<p>Ooh I love Veronica Mars! My friend has all the seasons so we have V Mars fests very often (she is also a fan of Buffy/Angel).
Brian Fuller of Pushing Daisies and Wonderfalls? I love those shows.
I recommend Weeds, it has a similar kind of dark humor.</p>
<p>AHHH! Crazy! You actually KNOW the shows I'm talking about!? I can't believe you know Wonderfalls- hands down one of my favorite shows! Jaye is so witty and sarcastic that she makes my life. Oh and also check out "Dead like Me" also by Fuller- very funny, a lot of similarities to Wonderfalls. I have also seen all of Weeds- I agree the dark humor is very appealing and boy is she hot for a 44 year old (if you saw last monday's episode you'll know what I'm talking about).
I would recommend watching things via surfthechannel.com. It has saved me tons of money and I watched all of VM on it and it helps me keep up w/ Weeds since I don't have HBO. I need to watch things in order and it's rediculous how much money I've spent on DVD sets!</p>
<p>Haha, I've watched both Wonderfalls and Dead Like Me. I am SO angry that they stopped Wonderfalls. Or I think they did... Am I right? Still, GREAT show. I miss it. </p>
<p>Also really really thinking about taking Intro to Anthro this semester... GAH. I know everyone talks about how small schools have such limited courses, but apparently I wouldn't be able to handle a bigger school because I'm having serious issues picking classes with this "small selection."</p>
<p>And I have one more reason, which was sparked by Emma's post...</p>
<p>Reason number 4: BMC had the best fin aid. My parents are divorced and my dad makes a lot more than my mom (and has a lot saved) but REFUSES to pay for my college. We talked with the fn aid office before getting my fin aid package and they were really really really really understanding. This also falls into the category of making me feel wanted. My mom almost cried when she saw the tuition when I was accepted, but then she really did cry when we got fin aid. We were THAT relieved.</p>
<p>And number 5: We all like the same obscure TV shows.</p>
<p>^ "And number 5: We all like the same obscure TV shows."</p>
<p>Oh I know, this is actually getting pretty funny :)</p>
<p>I've been meaning to watch Dead Like Me, but they're showing the second season here and I can't bear to start when I haven't seen the first (I'm picky about order too). I love Weeds... and yeah Mary Louise Parker puts most of the 20 year olds in Hollywood to shame.</p>
<p>Yep Wonderfalls was cancelled after only 9 episodes or so, which sucks. </p>
<p>Thanks for the link! I usually end up on some obscure japanese site and then can't find the next episode because I don't read japanese :P</p>
<p>This makes me so incredibly happy! I'm so excited that Bryn Mawr attracts girls with good taste!</p>
<p>Brillar, you NEED to take anth 101 (I'll mos def be in it since I'm planning to major)! It should be fascinating and I heard the teacher is fab.</p>
<p>P.s. Did you guys know that they are making a Dead Like Me movie and if it succeeds they're planning to continue the show?</p>
<p>Wellll I am a rising sophomore now, and for the most part, BMC has lived up to my expectations.</p>
<p>1.) Someone here mentioned financial aid. If you are middle class, you'll be screwed. The fin aid office is not understanding if you are trying to negotiate a better aid package. I mean, they're nice and all, but they can't do much for you.</p>
<p>2.) I chose Bryn Mawr because of the spirit of the other students; I went to an a cappella concert on students weekend, and I was like WHOA these women performing are way cool and seem very confident and smart and I want to be just like them. At the end of their performance, some seniors started the Anass (the college chant; it's Greek, btw, and only seniors can start it, for whatever reason), and I was like "OHHH now I REALLY need to come here!" BMC seemed so community based and together, and the Anass really represented that on a deep level...two students start the Anass and before you know it the whole campus center is chanting about victory.</p>
<p>That and the committment to academics...I just felt that Bryn Mawr would make me a better person, and I feel that it has.</p>
<p>I'm really sorry, I'm in a sappy, admissions material kind of mood. (I'm really pining for BMC again, it's sooo close.)</p>
<p>I 100% agree! Although, I have heard some good financial aid stories, I feel that BMC's financial aid office toots it's own horn way to much. I got totally screwed (I got absolutely nothing) and it's pure luck that my economist mom gave in and let me go. It is unreasonable to think that anyone can pay 50 grand a year. If my love for BMC wasn't so great, I probably would have made the smart choice and taken the $80,000 scholarship I recieved elsewhere. Nonetheless, Bryn Mawr is fabulous and welcoming and just my dream school. So, I am happy with my choice and will gladly slave away at summer and on-campus jobs to make up part of my tuition to my parents.</p>
<p>E.B. White, he of Charlotte's Web and The Elements of Style Fame, wrote an essay entitled Call Me Ishmael, Or How I Feel About Being Married to a Bryn Mawr Graduate. As a parent of a rising senior and one who has been fortunate to meet a number of today's Mawrters, I think the description is somewhat timeless (my thanks to the most recent co-chair of the Parents Council who included a quote from the essay in her remarks at last year's Parents Weekend):</p>
<p>I have known many graduates of Bryn Mawr. They are all of the same mold.
They have all accepted the same bright challenge: something is lost that has not been found, somethings at stake that has not been won, something is started that has not been finished, something is dimly felt that has not been fully realized.
They carry the distinguishing mark the mark that separates them from other educated and superior women;
the incredible vigor, the subtlety of mind, the warmth of the spirit, the aspiration, the fidelity to past and to present.
As they grow in years, they grow in light. As their minds and hearts expand, their deeds become more formidable, their connections more significant
I once held a live hummingbird in my hand. I once married a Bryn Mawr girl. To a large extent they are twin experiences.</p>
<p>Haha. I have this quote up on my facebook. It makes me smile every time I see it.</p>
<p>You don't know by any chance where you can find the original essay? I've been searching, fruitlessly ;p</p>
<p>I believe it was published in the Bryn Mawr Alumnae Bulletin, Summer 1956.</p>