Bryn Mawr: The Big Picture
Bryn Mawr is a unique place, and being outside of Bryn Mawr and trying to explain why it is so great is hard. Then I come back to Bryn Mawr and feel a great sense of relief because people here understand. They get me. And so saying that, as much as I love Bryn Mawr, it's not for everyone.
Bryn Mawr Academic Life
Very challenging and a tough workload. That is what Bryn Mawr is known for. Academics are number one, and although it can be intense and intimidating sometimes, it is pretty amazing to be around such brilliant women and profs. One thing that I don't think anyone talks about much is that the majors and requirements are really loose and fluid compared to most other schools. No one could say that this makes Bryn Mawr easier, but it really gives you the freedom to study what you want to. I chose political science because you can almost do whatever you want within the major, which is pretty awesome.
Bryn Mawr's Student Body
It really is the people that make Bryn Mawr. For the most part, everyone is incredibly nice. People will literally go out of their way to help you, say, carry a box to your room or something. I also like that although we can pretty intense, everyone will totally wear sweatpants or pajamas to class. The social honor code means for the most part, people will respect each other's stuff and each other (although we are also known to be passive aggressive).
One of the best things about Bryn Mawr is the Customs Program. Although dorms are all mixed (with all classes living together, which I really like), the freshman on a hall are grouped together with two Customs people, generally sophomores, who sort of guide them not just through the first week but through the whole year. I think of my Customs group as a family of sorts- like family some people will be your best friends and some people you won't necessarily get along with- but you are all kind of going through the same thing together.
I love the community at Bryn Mawr, since everyone pretty much lives on campus all four years, I've made very close friends that I think my friends who attend other colleges or unis where the students live off campus missed out on.
Bryn Mawr Student Activities + Social Life
Okay so I know people bitch about the lack of social life at Bryn Mawr, I wish we had more parties, blah de dah. I actually like the lack of partying at Bryn Mawr, and I don't consider myself anti-social (maybe you will, haha). There are always parties at Haverford (I am fond of hipster concerts at tiny Lunt basement) or Swarthmore, or now that I'm a senior, going out to bars. So you can easily go out to these places, and then come home to a nice, quiet, clean dorm. You don't have to worry about drunken madness during weeknights (like you do at many schools), and you don't have to worry about your place being trashed. We are more likely to have smaller parties with friends.
If you really really think a crucial part of your college experience is going to large keggers, getting trashed, and getting groped by horny 19 year old frat boys every weekend then perhaps Bryn Mawr isn't for you.
Sure, I miss the co-ed experience at times. That's why doing a semester abroad was nice, and getting out of Bryn Mawr at times is totally necessary. But mostly, I feel totally comfortable and at home here, and I have a lot of fun with amazing people.
Bryn Mawr Naked Truth
I remember reading an alum review when I was trying to decide where to go to school, and it said that Bryn Mawr would push you to your limits, challenge and change you. I now understand what they meant, and I mean that I've been pushed to the edge academically, idealogically, socially- but I'm so happy that I came here because I've changed for the better.
