UKdude84

It was a joke, yeah?

I love intelligent women.

Putturani

What do you mean? Do you mean that HK is more progressive than the US? I study in an international school in HK.

If the professors in US colleges are sexist, and only cater to male students, then I can understand that argument for going to a women's college. But if it's just that girls will speak up more when boys are not around then I don't think this argument is valid for girls who speak up around boys anyway.

@Classof2015 - not all girls are trying to catch the eyes of guys in class

This is not to say that I won't consider women's colleges for other reasons. I like Wellesley a lot and I am seriously thinking of applying but for other reasons: great academic reputation, beautiful campus, great location etc. not because I feel like I will finally be able to speak up in class.

QwertyKey

" Unfortunately for males the most important years for single gender education are the first five, while for women the later years of high school are more important. In single gender education both males and females feel free to violate gender stereotypes."

Where did you get this from? I'm not trying to dispute you, I'm genuinely interested.

shoshi

My daughters both attend different women's colleges and neither one set out to do so. What was most interesting was the recurring theme I heard while visiting the schools with them: the great majority of the women enrolled at both places stated emphatically that they'd never considered a women's school before visiting.

My sense is that there is a strong sense of community, enthusiasm, investment, pride, and history that draws visitors in and continues to bond these women as they go through their college years. There are also loyal and active alumni networks that seem pretty unique. The women who have come before are very invested in helping the next generation achieve their goals and are eager to serve as mentors.

No, it's not for everyone but those who say it's not for them without having visited might be surprised.

Putturani

^ agree with you. Those are the reasons I am considered a women's college, not because I'm afraid to sit in physics 101 with boys.

annagrace

I'm really considering women's colleges, but am worried about the social experience. I think I'll be applying to Wellesley and Smith. I've heard that Wellesley empties on the weekend and you need connections to MIT or other Boston schools to attend parties, because there are none on campus. I've also heard that Smith women are looked down upon by or intimidate (I don't see why, but this is what I have heard) the men in the 5 College Area, and therefore there is less of a social life.

I'm definitely not a partier in any sense, but I'm not sure if I'm ready to forgo that part of the college experience completely. Could someone offer insight on the social life at women's colleges?

kenzie1992

I haven't yet visited the colleges on my list, that comes next month (procrastinating FTW, I'm a senior) but I do have three of the Sisters (plus Vassar) on my list: Barnard, Smith, and Wellesley. I am looking to narrow my ultimate list down, so I'm not for sure applying to all three.

The appeal of an all-girls school is partly the admissions bargain, I'll admit. I'm applying to several other very selective co-ed LACs that I might not have as much of a shot at. The other reason, which might change when I visit, is that I do like the sound of an all-girls environment. I tell my friends I'm applying to all-girls schools and they look at me like I'm crazy but it seems like most of the drama that girls hate each other for has to do...with boys. and it also seems like the kind of girls who would go to an all-girls school, especially schools like the Sisters, are not typically the kind of shallow, catty girls that nerds like myself hate in high school.

Also, I have been in relationships for almost all of high school, plus most of my closest friends are male. I kind of want...freedom from that.I fall for guys very easily, and I think I could benefit from independence. I have only two very close female friends, I want more relationships like those.

Plus, I'm going to do theatre (as an EC, not a major) no matter which school I go to, and I know at least at Barnard and Smith have joint programs with co-ed schools, so I'll meet guys through that.

This thread has been very intriguing, as an applicant to several women's colleges I appreciate the different perspectives and would love to hear more. If anyone would like to promote their school or their kid's school, shoot a PM my way, I'd love to get more insider knowledge. Especially if anyone has any insight to the theatre program at Wellesley. Thanks!

SmithieandProud

^ I think that's a very observant and thought provoking post, kenzie. I agree that you are right on the nose about the source of most of the "cattiness" or "drama" that people assume is inherent when girls get together in groups. And I think it's interesting that you want to develop closer female friendships, because that's something I often talk to people about who are interested in women's colleges but afraid of not having as many relationships with guys. Yes, of course, you will have fewer close relationships with guys at a single-sex insitution, but on the flip-side it's a unique opportunity to build close, female friendships that usually last a lifetime. A lot of girls don't do that in high school because of the pressure of competition, which is usually overtly or quietly competition for male attention, that encourages girls to see each other as rivals, rather than allies. Whereas in a women's college environment, when you take away that golden idol that girls are socially conditioned to attain, you start to realize that there's no reason to fight each other, and in fact it's really rewarding to be a part of a sisterhood where you're accepted for who you are and supported in your pursuits. Women's College environments are a trade off, they're not neccessarily a sacrifice.

I also think that if that's what you're looking for in a college, you'll fit in really well at either Barnard, Smith, or Wellesley. I went to Smith (obviously) but I was seriously considering Barnard. I decided in the end that I didn't want to go to school in a huge city like New York, which looking back now was absolutely the right decision for me. I grew up in a city, I love New York, but I don't think it would have been a good academic environment for me. But Barnard is like the ultimate admissions bargain.

hellohurricane

I'm considering Women's Colleges (I've always had a great impression of Wellesley, Smith and Bryn Mawr), but I am concerned about the social life there. The colleges are really appealing because of my interest in Female Studies (as a minor) and my need for aid, but I'm worried that the social life there will be a huge drawback. Currently, most of my friends are female, and I've never really bothered socializing very much with the opposite sex, or even considered dating. Will there be parties and other chances to interact with the opposite sex? Would my circle of friends be predominantly female again?

Also, I'm a nerd in a pretty cut-throat, high-pressure large Chinese high school. While I don't relish parts of the culture of my high school, overall I like the competition and the pressure. I really feel that this high-pressure environment pushes me beyond my limits to do better. I'm worried that the "nurturing environment" of the Seven Sisters would adversely affect my performance in college. I am very self-motivated, but the competitive environment does give me an extra push that I fear may be lacking in these schools. Could somebody explain there experiences there regarding competition, etc?

I'm very interested in these colleges and it's been such a pleasure reading all of your comments! Thanks in advance!

Quotia

I chose a women's college (Mount Holyoke) because it had the environment and academics that I wanted. The fact the it was single sex didn't really play into my decision.

After made the choice, I did have a momentary panic, worried about my social life. Once I got there, however, I realized that it was a great place for me to be. I grew up in an area with a strong anti-intellectual streak, especially when women were the ones being intellectuals. At Mount Holyoke, I was surrounded by 2000 intelligent, articulate, ambitious women, and it was an amazing experience.

I don't believe I would have had any problems at a coed institution (after all, graduate school was coed, and that experience went very well), but I would not trade my years at a women's college for anything.

(oh, and the fears about my social life turned out to be unfounded - I actually met my husband at MHC)

SmithieandProud

@hellohurricane - women's colleges are not convents, so yes there are opportunities to interact with guys. Most women's colleges are part of a college exchange where you can take classes at nearby colleges. So for example Smith students can take classes at Amherst, UMASS, Hampshire College, and Mt Holyoke for free, and the credits are just like Smith crets. And 3 out of 4 of those are co-ed schools. I know at Welleseley you can take courses at MIT. And then there are of course parties, extra-curricular activities involving people from other campuses, visiting singing groups, athletic competitions, etc.

That being said, while there is opportunity, you definitely have to work at it more at a women's college than at a co-ed school. You really have to prioritize making male friendships. If that's something that's a real concern to you for college, and it's perfectly normal and fine for it to be, definitley make sure you're looking at co-ed schools too. You have to know your own priorities going in.

SynapseLapse

A Young Champion of Women's Colleges - NYTimes.com

Hannah Returns: Responding to Comments on Women's Colleges - NYTimes.com

sweetflora20

woman didn't saves in co education because as we all know that all the fingers are not equal and if there is a men right so definitely women was wrong and the same case with men to so the better is to study separately and concentrate with studies.

QwertyKey

^If you thought that made any sense, you were wrong.

mythmom

D had Barnard, Smith, Mt. Holyoke and Sarah Lawrence on her horizon. Now I think she would have added Wellesley and Bryn Mawr as well.

She chose Barnard ED.

Why?

Leadership opportunities. Every club head, every job is filled by a woman so she figured she would have a greater chance to fill such a position.

There were other draws specific to Barnard.

She adored her time there and was very well prepared for the law school she is attending. Some kids are struggling, but I don't anyone struggling is a graduate of any of the above schools.

She has three Barnard sisters in a very small law school class, none of whom she really knew before, and so far two Columbia sisters (yes, not to start a fight, it is one University system.)

There's a sense of camaraderie there as well.

It was the right choice for her.

However, she did enjoy going to London junior year to relax and pub crawl. Probably shouldn't say that, but it's true, and she gave herself a very balanced experience.