Our Bryn Mawr visit and some questions

rubaiyat
Mon, 08 Dec 2014 13:47:04 +0000

@shoboemom‌ It took longer than I expected to get back in here to let you know what my D thought of BMC after her overnight. My apologies

Well, to put it bluntly my D absolutely loved her visit! She had been in contact with the coach for her sport prior to coming down for the visit and this may have made a difference. He was at Admissions when she arrived and had a nice chat with us. He had arranged for her tour to be conducted by one of the athletes and had set up her overnight to be hosted by another frosh athlete. He also made time for her to shadow practice and meet the rest of the team so she could attend dinner with them. All of these things made D very comfortable and she found she really enjoyed the company of young women that enjoy the college as well as the sport that she loves.

The info session was fantastic. We were the only family in attendance so D got to “choose her own adventure” in our discussion with the admissions representative. The individualized attention really stood out to us. All the other college visits we did were during large group events so this one on one experience was wonderful and very appreciated. The tour was also spectacular. Our guide was very enthusiastic and her personality meshed well with our D. As parents we hung back and let the girls bond a little over the college and their sport. D had her interview after the tour and she says it went well. Interview lasted about 20-25 mins, as the tour had run slightly longer due to the extra time the girls spent at the athletic facility where they had run into several of the girls on the sports team. After the interview her tour guide walked her back to the athletic facility where D shadowed practice. She says it was very informative and she got a chance to talk to several of the athletes and the coach about the sport, typical practices and meets.

The next day D filled me in on the overnight. Her hostess and roommate were extremely nice and inclusive. They hung out and talked a lot and there was a hall or dorm event that evening so she got to mingle with more of the students in the dorm. She said many of the students told her they had busy social lives outside of studying. Parties at nearby haverford were mentioned as well as events/clubs on campus and concerts that were attended off campus. She noted that many of the students in the dorm were studying a lot that night and her hostess and roommate both did a lot of homework after the hall event. D said this was due to finals and end of semester assignments that needed to be finished up and she wasn’t at all bothered by their attention to studies.

The next day she sat in on a class with her hostess. It was a language class which was great even though it was not a language that D has studied. She still found it enjoyable and noted that the class was very small, and discussion was encouraged (all done in the language she didn’t speak lol).

By the time we picked her up D’s intention to apply to BMC was concrete. She absolutely loved her time there. So much so, that she finished the supplemental essay she had been slacking off on when she got home. Before her visit, Bryn Mawr was her first choice and she had already decided to apply ED2. We made her hold off on submitting until after the visit because we really wanted her to be sure. Last night she submitted her application for ED2 and now we cross fingers and wait.

@shoboemom, perhaps your D can attend another overnight? In the spring, maybe? BMC really has so much to offer and it would be worth a second look if you can fit it in. I’m thinking her experience in the overnight may have been skewed a bit due to timing so near the end of the semester. In any case, I wish you and your D luck on her college search and perhaps if the stars align they will both begin their frosh year at BMC together