Students Speak Out On Overall Experience

“When I was a freshman, I wanted to transfer. I felt like Bryn Mawr deceived me. It seemed to be full of really sheltered women who wanted to come to a women's college to find empowerment because they really needed it or were afraid to be in a college setting with men. I am very assertive, energetic, extroverted, and comfortable around guys, so I felt totally out of place. I also hated how people did work all the time and never made any time to party. I envied my friends at schools such as Cornell, Dartmouth, and Penn, who told me how much fun they had been having all year. However, I soon realized that Bryn Mawr is a very diverse place. yes, there are some women like the ones I noticed, but also a lot of women like myself. you just have to go out and find your niche. The thing to do freshman year is not just stick with your roommates and customs group. True, you should value these friendships, but don't forget to go out and join groups that interest you. Look into things that you were passionate about in high school (i.e., debate team, writing for the newspaper, dance, and so forth) and continue them at Bryn Mawr. Or try new pursuits that you find exciting. By doing this, you will meet people you have more in common with.”

“In the long run, BMC has been amazing. The small school has allowed for a lot of personal attention and interaction with professors. I found the political science department had a great range of engaging and relevant classes. The alumni and industry connections allowed me to work in my field, both in the U.S. and abroad. The girls here are genuinely nice and interesting people. In your fourth year here, though, you tend to find the small size a bit too small, and you long for a bigger group of people. I wished the school was coed at times, but nearby schools have provided mixed company. Finding someone to date has not been a problem for anyone I know, though many tend to find the Haverford and Swarthmore men very sophomoric, as they get older. I have found keeping my outside friends from home to be a key factor in maintaining a healthy social life. Going to other schools to visit them provides welcome breaks and changes of scenery. The social life here is entirely what you make of it. Bryn Mawr's social scene allows you to grow as a person, from freshman ‘frat' parties at Haverford, Swarthmore, and Nova to taking advantage of the culture and social life of the city when you are older.”