lion0709

One would naturally assume that a student would have a broader range of friends at a large, coed university but oddly I think that my D has found that broader range by attending a small, women's college. At school, D's friends are straight, gay, bi, US students, international students, wealthy students and those that struggle financially, athletes, artists, dancers, men & women (school is part of a consortium). I think if D had attended a large, co-ed university she would have gravitated to a group of students very similar to her - gay, female, athletes. She's having a wonderful experience and is already bemoaning the fact that she will have to graduate and leave in two more years.

Midwestmomofboys

I realize this thread is more than a month old, but as the product of single sex high school and women's college, I would like to add some thoughts. I was fortunate to attend an excellent girls' school where I was challenged and respected intellectually. I attended a women's college primarily because it was a financial safety. I had the advantage through a consortium to take classes at a nearby coed LAC, and did not feel particular loyalty to my college. However, the experience of a women's education prepared me for the male-dominated field of law. I had grown up to see that women were capable of anything they put their minds to -- the editor of the paper, the star athletes, the brilliant students, were all female. Once I got to law school, and into the workplace, I had greater faith in myself and my abilities. As a lawyer for 25 + years, I have seen that women are far too ready to doubt themselves in professional circumstances. Any cushion against that hesitancy is valuable, and I credit my women's education with supporting the conviction, in competitive fields, that I was as talented and capable as my peers.

brie99

Midwest, as a NortheastDadofaDaughter, I think you captured the distinction of a women's college quite well. My D is certainly not shy and can be very strong willed, but we are sure her choice of a Women's college will be a great place for her to shine brightly, and later take her place in the world.... And her lawyer Mom is certainly in agreement!

collegedream9

Spelman is my dream college and Morehouse is an all boys school located next to Spelman.

CPUscientist3000

Men's*** not boys.

alfatea

I have a friend who is going to a women s college.

I also asked her why!! Ive known her for years and I know she isnt a lesbian or nun or awkward around men.
The first reason she gave me and I think its a personal reason but very valid is that she gets very distracted when men are around, she was a sex victim some time ago so she feels like she has to please them, hence look good, be too easy, try to fit in etc OR she is just waiting for the attack so she is rude, and barely knows how to treat men as friends, she has guy friends but most of them are friends with benefits.
I think that is A HEAVY and GREAT reason to go to a womens college, we are both going to college this fall and she already has like 200 friends from her college, I barely have 50, she already has friends and know people, I dont, i only fb with them.

She has told me that going to a womens college will help her a lot, not having to worry about her looks and behaviour will let her concentrate and study, besides an all girl enviroment is more laid back, after all they are all women who support eachother, is more like all women against all coed, men and all the other colleges, not them against them kwim? and stuff like that, which I think is true and very important to her. I applied to women colleges too and got into 2 of them, but I prefered a Co ed one, since ive always wanted to have the tv college experience kind of thing lol, seriously and is an ivy, Besides I am not very clever around boys, I have friends and all but havent dated enough, so Ill give it a try. Oh yeah and women colleges are smaller which is a plus, to be honest I rather smaller colleges too, but oh well, my school has a better program than the women schools i got in to, but still.

Missy7

What do you think are the disadvantages of coeducation

I definitely would NOT want to go to a women-only school (on the grounds of sexual discrimination).

maurelius

Hi, I know this discussion is now fairly old, but I've only recently started considering women's colleges and wanted to add a few points.
In the beginning of my college search I had felt similarly to others who posted--maybe males dominate some of my classes in size or vocalitu, but I have no problem challenging them and putting myself out there. I never worry about seeming sexy to the boys in my high school classes because I just know I don't have time and energy for a relationship right now and I'd rather prioritize other things (academics, art, friends (male and female), family). But I started to realize that even thought I still talk in my male dominated classes, few other female students do. So, while I worried about missing the male perspective by going to an all-women college, I wonder if I'm often missing the female perspective at my co-ed high school. Also, during discussions, the boys in my classes often (probably unconsiously) don't listen to the girls' points (certainly not all boys but I would definitely say atleast 50% respond mostly just to other boys). So sometimes I feel they won't respond to my comments, which makes it harder for me to develop my ideas through debate.
I also, like a few people mentioned earlier, worry that women's colleges will be too supportive and coddling. I don't want that, I want independence and to feel that I am free to succeed and fail. My hope is that women's colleges, instead of responding to the idea of women as delicate, would free women from constantly having to prove that they are not delicate.

Eternal Icicle

There are quite a few colleges mentioned on this thread. Is there one post in particular you are referring to?

helenLin

Less distraction.

cheesecrackers

I've gone through coed my entire life and I am considering applying to some women's colleges next year. I have a strong interest in STEM and I think it would be a great experience studying male-dominated subjects amongst other females.

CPUscientist3000

Read your post wrong, can't delete this.

Anyway, you have good options *cough* Smith *cough*

photodad

I'll second the suggestion of Smith for STEM. They have a number of great programs, including engineering, which is hard to find at LACs, a biomathematics concentration, a student-run science journal, etc.