Bryn Mawr College
Reviews

Common Sense

I was surprised reading some of what has been written about Bryn Mawr. The transportation is great, and easy to use. All that is required is the ability to read a schedule! There are shuttles to and from Swarthmore and Haverford, and the train to the city is right up the street. I use all frequently and with ease. Shuttles are free, and I am reimbursed from the school for the cost of getting into city for my class at Penn.

Small Campus, Small (But Good) Facilities

For such a small campus, we have great facilities. The libraries are great, we have tons of books and the hours are decent. Bryn Mawr also has an amazing new gym. It is BEAUTIFUL and has tons of great equipment, as well as a lot of fun classes to sign up for. However, since it's a small campus, it is just going to lack what a big university can offer. For instance, I've found there isn't many places to study on campus beside the library and your own room. Sometimes I wish there was a cozy place I could go besides the noisy campus center and the library just to hang out and do some reading.

Lenient

Pretty much if you don't get to the point of having to go to the hospital you won't get in trouble.

Beautiful, Passionate, Quirky

Bryn Mawr women come from all around the world and it is difficult to categorize them beyond their intelligence and slight awkwardness. Bryn Mawr girls laugh loudly, study hard and are often excited, politically subversive, and eager to experiment and explore. Best women in the world if you're serious.

Perfect for Science Majors

I have to strongly disagree with another reviewer, Anonymous001, for saying that Bryn Mawr offers "watered down science that even women can do". Besides from insulting everything Bryn Mawr stands for in a single statement, I've found the opposite of that. As a Chemistry major with a minor in Biology also taking Physics classes, I've found Bryn Mawr classes are substancially harder and require more work than both Haverford and Penn classes. Bryn Mawr science classes are so great, not because they "water down the science" (something which the high scores we achieve on GRES, getting into top Grad Schools, and getting hired by the best companies would contradict) but because the professors offer so much support that it makes learning and retaining the concepts so much easier. Being in an advanced PChem class with 5 other students and having the professor at your disposal for problem sets and questions is something Haverford and Penn don't offer.

Of course, I can't speak for all science classes. Some of the Intro level courses are easy, and I've never taken a computer science class. However, if you're that good at science, simply place out of the Intro classes, expand your options by taking Penn/Haverford/Swat classes, and enjoy actually learning difficult science that you retain.

In addition, the research oppertunites are amazing and give you a leg up when you want to enter grad school/start working.

Drugs?

I never know if a good score on here means yay a lot of drugs or yay no drugs. Either way, I'd assume Bryn Mawr is in the middle of the pack. Drugs don't dominate the scene, but I'm sure you could find what you were looking for.

Gotta Love Ardmore!

Bryn Mawr and the surrounding area is awesome to live. Having spent my senior year in an apartment in Ardmore I can say that it's a really nice area to live, within walking distance of great stores, such as Trader Joe's, Apple, Urban Outfitters and get restaurants and bars.

North East Weather

Your typical north east weather, cold winters warm summers. Not great but not at all terrible.

Parking? Never Worry

First of all, Bryn Mawr's campus is so small, you don't need a car. That being said, I had one and drove from Erdman to Park every day, limiting my walking time to about 2 minutes. Tickets are annoying if you park illegally, but the lots are so close to buildings, there's really no need.

Bryn Mawr or Bryn Fun?

Bryn Mawr itself isn't much of a party school, but if you're one who enjoys going out there are plenty of oppertunities. Under 21, Haverford is close, as are Penn, Drexel, and Swat. Over 21, there isn't a better area to be. Bryn Mawr has plenty of fun college bars, and Philly is a close 20 min train ride away.

BMC Computers

There are many computers on campus. We have PCs all carrying Windows 7 software and there are also an abundance of Macs. There is always one open wherever you go.

Weather

While Bryn Mawr gets the occasional rainy day the weather's hardly noticeable. The dorms are kept warm and the classes are less than a two minute walk from the dorms. The winters get some snow, but the campus pathways are kept clear and the Blue Bus never stops running. That being said if you want to take advantage of the weather you can! Every winter you can see at least one snow man standing guard over the spacious lawns. Plus the beautiful campus makes the weather that much more enjoyable. Bryn Mawr is stunning all year round, and every girl has her own favorite season, though I'm quite partial to Spring and Fall. If you get the chance to visit, which you should, I suggest you do so during those times.

May Day

This campus-wide holiday is a fun break before the craziness of finals. Its characterized by laying in fields among Cherry Blossom petals, wearing white dresses, hanging with friends, and breaking the bonds of the patriarchy.

General Campus Aesthetics

Bryn Mawr's campus is known for its beauty in all seasons. Its overall sense of serenity keeps students calm even during the most stressful times of the semester. There are not many paths, which can make the daily trek to class a little muddy sometimes, but Bryn Mawr's lack of concrete makes its sprawling fields that much more spectacular.

Honor Codes and Campus Enforcement

One of the most defining things about Bryn Mawr's campus "strictness" is the honor code. This is most evident in the way that people feel comfortable leaving laptops in the library or keeping their doors unlocked. There isn't an extensive list of school policies or a hyped-up security force patrolling parties. It all comes down to mutual respect, among students and with the staff and public safety officials. They're there to protect you, to help you - not to turn you in for underage drinking.

Small Town Suburb Close to Major City

There are numerous restaurants near the school - from tasty burgers, to Greek-style cooking, to exotic Asian cuisines. Even more great eateries in Philly are just a train-ride away.

Public Safety at Brynmawr College

I have never felt unsafe at Bryn Mawr, public safety takes their job seriously. Because it is a small all woman's college it is easy to recognize people and easy notice people who are out of place. Also public safety is here to help no matter what even if your drunk.

I wouldn't know much about...

I wouldn't know much about parking. I, like the majority of the student body, do not have a car. I would imagine that parking is not great since the parking spaces always seem to be full. Freshmen can't *technically* have cars, but it isn't actually unheard of. You don't really need a car at Bryn Mawr. The R5 is only a short walk away and there is the blue bus system to take you to Haverford and Swarthmore.

I wish I had a car because SEPTA...

I wish I had a car because SEPTA is so annoying. Parking is a little tricky. Don't put BMC stickers on your car, or Public Safety will know you're a student (if you choose to park at Admissions or in front of Wyndam). Having a car isn't necessary at all, and most people don't have cars, but those who do have more options.

Well, besides being an all-women's...

Well, besides being an all-women's college, we are remarkably diverse economically, ethnically, and definitely sexually. However, you won't find a lot of people who are conservative politically, and we tend to share similar ideals in terms of women's and gay rights.

Most students at Bryn Mawr bring...

Most students at Bryn Mawr bring their own computers to campus, although it's not at all a requirement. We have a 24-hour computer lab that students have access to. The campus is both Mac- and PC-friendly, and the Help Desk can help with computer problems on any computer, including ones that students bring to campus. The dorms all have Ethernet connections, and the dorm common rooms, libraries, campus center, and some outdoor spaces have wireless.

It's possible and fairly...

It's possible and fairly convenient to live off-campus, but most people choose not to do so because of our gorgeous dorms and the sense of community on campus.

Most people have their own...

Most people have their own computers. There are connections in every room and wireless in common areas and libraries. The computers can sometimes be crowded at midterms and finals, but you can usually find one free.

Adjusting to Bryn Mawr was rough...

Adjusting to Bryn Mawr was rough for me. You have to actively seek a social life if you want one, and it is easy to isolate yourself here. However, the classes are amazing, the professors top quality, and the mix of students always keeps things interesting.

Bryn Mawr is a good school in just...

Bryn Mawr is a good school in just about every way. It’s small and sometimes full of itself, but the environment is friendly and welcoming. There’s always someone around to be your friend and help you out if you need it, whether it’s a professor, a supervisor, or a fellow student. I don’t really wish I had gone somewhere else, but I think I could have made more of my time there than I did.