Bryn Mawr College (BMC)

Bryn Mawr College, one of the Seven Sisters, is "a prestigious" institution "where you will work harder than you thought was possible, you'll learn more than you've ever learned before, and you'll feel...welcomed every step of the way." Mawrters are part of a "very inclusive and...empowering" sisterhood, one that's "collaborative rather than competitive." Although the college is "academically rigorous," it provides "the support [students] need to meet these high standards." This includes access to the T ri-Co and Quaker Consortium, through which students can take classes at schools like Haverford and UPenn. It also means that Bryn Mawr itself is able to keep its class sizes small, and when "a majority of [your] classes are 20 people or less...you really get to know your peers and your professors/advisors." That's even more of a positive, given that most teachers are described as "enthusiastic, knowledgeable...and very invested in their students' learning." Another student agrees, noting, "Every professor I've had has been more than willing to help me when I need help understanding something or need an accommodation on an assignment." They also "encourage you to share your opinion in class and contribute to the content of the discussion." That's a rewarding experience that helps students graduate ahead of the game: "I have very much benefited from this level of rigor."

Bryn Mawr attracts "brilliantly smart...and intensely academic" students who are deeply curious about the world around them. Indeed, "not a day goes by that I don't overhear a conversation about current events, politics, or other scholarly topics in the dining hall." Fortunately, there are "not many people here who have an 'I am smarter than you' attitude." In fact, students report that their classmates are "extraordinarily friendly and welcoming, especially to first-years." One undergrad says, "Whether you're dressed from an L.L. Bean catalog or you prefer cosplay in daily life, everyone is welcome and celebrated and part of this place." Many Mawrters also appreciate the diversity among their peers, particularly regarding gender identity, noting that you'll find "many queer and gender non-conforming students." Additionally, a number of students identify as "staunch feminists" and "are very into social justice." As this undergrad explains, "People care deeply about issues and strive toward making the world a better place." Ultimately, Mawrters are a close-knit community where "each student strives to be their very best while making sure every person around them also succeeds."

Bryn Mawr students are a diligent lot. Therefore, it's common for undergrads here to "spend a lot of time studying and working either at on-campus or off-campus jobs." Despite their busy schedules, they still manage to find time for extracurriculars, and the wide range of them, "from equestrian to knitting to anime," means there's truly something for everyone. For instance, "a cappella groups are very big on campus [and] a lot of students are involved with student government." Additionally, "the student activities office plans a lot of events," such as movie screenings, tie-dye parties, concerts, pumpkin decorating, and more. Even the school president gets in on the action by hosting "'Presidential PopUps' Where they will bring in, say, an ice cream truck, and everyone gets free ice cream." Students say that "partying does happen, but you have to seek it out," as it's generally not on campus. As a result, when the weekend rolls around, students often head to "Philadelphia for dinner and nightlife since it is so close" and note that "the surrounding towns have fabulous restaurants as well, so good dining options are never in short supply." In short, the vibe is that "everyone ends up involving themselves in multiple clubs or projects. It's hectic sometimes but fun."

Bryn Mawr’s Career and Civic Engagement Center (CCEC) prepares liberal arts and sciences students to become effective leaders by emphasizing experiential education and alumnae involvement. Fieldwork experience (for academic credit) can be arranged through the center’s Praxis learning programs, which integrate academic theory with relevant, active placements. Undergrads can also work with the center to schedule one-on-one appointments at any time and receive assistance in crafting their personal job strategy, creating and tweaking their résumés, and learning the secrets to successful networking. CCEC is also responsible for recruiting and orchestrating interviews and events where undergrads can meet with prospective employers interested in hiring Bryn Mawr students for internships, entry-level positions, and gap-year fellowships. Funding is available for summer internships, research opportunities, and study abroad, while Mini-Grants are available throughout the school year to support student or organization interests, such as conferences, guest speakers, or test prep. According to PayScale.com, the median starting salary for students after graduation is $67,400.