I see the pros and cons of both academic programs. Given that I want to study Psychology, and I have an interest in also exploring Education, I have compiled this list.
On one hand, Bryn Mawr has:
Professors whose primary fields of research match my interests in cognitive and social-emotional development in children/youth
A Minor in Child and Family Studies that overlaps with many of the psychology department’s requirements
A separate Bryn Mawr/Haverford Bi-Co Education major or minor
Praxis classes, in which students can earn academic credit for community-based learning
More difficult classes (according to Rate My Professor), which enable me to significantly grow, as well as prepare me for the rigor of graduate school
Access to UPenn classes, particularly education classes, which is significant given that UPenn has one of the top graduate schools of education
Ability to gain a Masters in Teaching from UPenn through a joint BA/MA five-year program
Access to internships and volunteer opportunities in Philadelphia, which is only about 20-30 minutes away from campus
On the other hand, Smith has:
A higher percentage of students attending PhD programs (according to collegetransitions . com)
A specific psychology track called “Person and Society”
A specific education track called “Youth, Community and Policy”
more professors, so greater variety in research opportunities and more choices for potential advisors
Slight grade inflation, or at least a clear lack of grade deflation that leads to a higher average GPA than BMC
Easier classes, which could lead to a higher GPA (according to Rate My Professors)
The opportunity to obtain a teaching license for various grade levels for the state of MA
Both a Psychology major and an Education & Child Study Major
Both colleges offer the opportunity to pursue research, as well as take part in internships and gain hands-on experience.
You sound like an outstanding person who will do great things and be successful wherever you ultimately end up. There is a lot to love about BMC and I think you have a strong chance there, whether you apply ED2 or RD. But I think you have a well thought out list with lots of incredible choices! I think you may be happier if you apply to all of your options RD and give yourself multiple good choices in the spring. I think there is a good chance BMC would be among your choices and you would have the added benefit of comparing FA packages.
I also have toured MHC and understand why it isn’t your front runner, but I do think the consortium makes it far less rural and isolated feeling than it would be otherwise. You could still attend events, lectures, parties, etc at the other schools. This may be one you ultimately would like to have as one of your choices in the spring.
Are any of the southeast women’s colleges, like Hollins, appealing to you as more of a safety?
Do you have any EA or rolling acceptances? If you are able to get an acceptance somewhere, even if not a top choice, that may help you to know that you have a “yes” already.
You clearly are a bright, accomplished student who will do well. I wish you all the best!
I’m reasonably certain I was the one who originally brought up Vassar, Barnard, and Mount Holyoke, so just to close my personal loop on that . . . .
First, I personally think your explanations as to why they are not included are perfectly reasonable. Generally, I do not think everyone has to apply everywhere that might be great, as long as you have a robust enough list of places you do like. Which you do, so question answered as far as I am concerned.
Second, as I see it the only likely consequence of not including a college like Mount Holyoke is you are then slightly more likely to end up at a co-ed college, if you do not get into Smith or Bryn Mawr.
But really only slightly. First, you would have to not get into either Smith or Bryn Mawr, and I am not sure any of us are actually betting against Bryn Mawr. You also have Scripps on your list–another fine choice, and also a tough admit, but it could happen. And then you have Agnes Scott, which is a much more likely choice, and as I am sure you know, yet another good choice given your interests.
OK, but is it possible you will get into a co-ed college you prefer to any of the women’s colleges that admit you? Sure! But if you are OK with that thought, then that is fine.
Just to clarify - not in the sense of commuter schools, where many people leave the campus to “go home for the weekend” (if I recall correctly, NYC students are single-digit percentage).
But, certainly, like most big-city urban schools (whether Boston, Manhattan, D.C.,…), many students choose these colleges precisely because of what these cities have to offer. Accordingly, many friend groups will seek to enjoy nights or weekends exploring the city, its sights, shops, music venues, bars, museums – especially when its still “all new” to them.
Thank you so much! I appreciate your encouragement!
I agree that all the colleges on my list are great schools with a plethora of benefits and opportunities to offer me. I took a closer look at all the college programs, particularly in education, and found that Smith and Bryn Mawr appear to be the only colleges on my list that have a child development/family studies program instead of just a psychology or education program. After learning this information, I am leaning towards ED2 for Bryn Mawr.
Further, I talked to my parents, and they said that I should be realistic and not hold out hope for the slim chance that Smith would change their mind. Given that Smith does not release deferral information and forms almost half their class ED, I’m inclined to agree that it may not be a wise choice to hold out hope for such a small possibility.
I may apply to MHC if I have time to do so, however I want to finish my current supplements before I make any new decisions. It is an amazing school, though, and I love the warm and welcoming social culture. I applied to Agnes Scott EA, but I have not heard anything back from them. I checked my application portal and there were no updates. I’m not sure what that means. I’m sure Hollins is a great school, however, I’m not particularly interested in schools outside New England, the Midwest, or the West.
I would prefer to attend a historically women’s college, however I have no qualms against attending a co-ed school. I am reconsidering Mt Holyoke, though if I do apply, I would have to do so after completing supplements for the rest of the colleges on my list. Thank you for your two cents, you’re a ton of help!
I am very impressed with the research and thought you have put into your list. That augers very well for you ending up somewhere that will be an excellent fit and where you will thrive!
While I have no knowledge of financial/merit aid at Bryn Mawr my D23 attends Mt. Holyoke and she received an excellent package there. Worth noting that the NPC at Smith was the lowest of all the schools she applied to. She was waitlisted in RD at Smith but Mt. Holyoke was her first choice of the 2 women’s colleges she applied to so she didn’t sign up for the waitlist. From what I remember there was an additional essay or LOCI to be placed on the waitlist. Based on your post I would look into Clark University in Worcester, MA. D23 also received an excellent package there. Free Masters tuition and their aid can be used for study abroad which isn’t an option at all schools. Good luck with whatever you decide!
My wife applied ED to mount holyoke, loved every day there. Said it helped her grow
Immensely, and she did very well in following education and career.
Thank you for the suggestion! I will take a look at Clark University, it sounds like it has numerous benefits. I hope your daughter is enjoying her time at Mt Holyoke!
Update: I applied to Bryn Mawr College ED2. Well I have good news and bad news.
Good news: I got in! Hooray!
Bad news: They’re not offering enough financial aid, they didn’t want me enough to offer merit aid, and they don’t really seem open to negotiating. If they refuse to make it more attainable, I won’t be able to attend.
Thank you everyone who helped me with my original thread. Do you have any insight, or do I just have to accept that BMC isn’t an option?
Bryn Mawr meets full need for all accepted students. If you didn’t receive sufficient need based aid, it’s because Bryn Mawr reviewed your financial data on the CSS Profile, and determined that you didn’t have more need than what they funded.
Merit aid there is highly competitive with most students receiving need based aid if eligible.
Had you accurately run the net price calculator for Bryn Mawr? How far off is it from your actual financial aid offer?
You can reach out to the financial aid office to inquire about need based aid if you are actually eligible for this.
I apologize, I recognize that my message could have been read in a negative light. I am immensely grateful for Bryn Mawr’s acceptance, I am just disappointed with the financial circumstances and the difficulty of this college application process.
Please…reach out to the financial aid office regarding need based aid. If they say they can not change their offer, then you can withdraw from the ED2 acceptance.
Bryn Mawr does often give a lot of merit to a lot of students, so I can imagine someone thinking they maybe eligible.
Are you still eligible and will they let you know in March? Or did they tell you already?
But ( as other mentioned) you and your parents hopefully had NPC. Other schools you mentioned like MHC, Scripps… seem like they may out you in a similar situation financially.
I don’t recall if there were any inexpensive schools on your list, or schools that were really generous with merit. So before you say no to Bryn Mar…
Bryn Mawr doesn’t really offer that much merit aid. From the 2022-23 CDS (so for Fall 2022 enrollment):
50 students with financial need received non-need based aid (H2G), we don’t know how much, but for these students they won’t give merit (combined w/need based aid) that would result in a student paying less than what the school calculated that their family can pay.
50 students with no financial need received merit aid (H2A-N) at an average of $8,895 (H2A-O)
Does Bryn Mawr’s FA package match what the NPC result showed?
Congratulations on your acceptance! I’m sorry to hear the financial aid offer was less than anticipated. I see that, upthread, you indicated that you ran the NPC and it met your budget. That should mean you can appeal the aid offer and hopefully you will be successful. If unsuccessful, the ED contract should allow you to withdraw if the school doesn’t meet your need. I have not been through the process so, unfortunately, I can’t offer any advice on how it works, but I very much hope you have a happy outcome. Hopefully you also will have lots of affordable acceptances in RD.