Colleges Bryn Mawr College

Bryn Mawr College www.brynmawr.edu

Bryn Mawr College is a private institution that was founded in 1885. It sits on a verdant 135-acre campus in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. Though it is a women’s school, Bryn Mawr students have many options to balance a single-sex education with coed opportunities at neighboring schools. At Haverford College, which is a mile away, Bryn Mawr women can take courses, join organizations, and live in residence halls. Bryn Mawr students can also take courses and attend social events at nearby Swarthmore College, and can enroll in classes at the University of Pennsylvania. A shuttle van transports students among Bryn Mawr, Haverford, and Swarthmore; UPenn is a half-hour drive away. On campus, there are more than 100 student clubs and organizations, some of which are housed in the renovated Victorian homes on Cambrian Row. All students are expected to live on campus throughout the academic year but can request approval to move off campus.

Academics

Bryn Mawr is one of the Seven Sister colleges, a group of historically women’s colleges in the United States. It was the first women’s college to offer graduate education through a PhD. Its graduate school is co-educational. Opportunities for independent and faculty-sponsored research, core seminars, connected, interdisciplinary courses, and access to nearly 40 majors and more than 50 minors and concentrations enable each undergraduate student to create her own academic program. Longstanding partnerships with Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges and the University of Pennsylvania give Bryn Mawr students a broad variety of curricular opportunities. The student-faculty ratio at Bryn Mawr is 8:1, and the school has 74% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. Popular majors include English Language & Literature, Biology, and Psychology.

Special Highlights

Campus Libraries. Old Library symbolizes the many historic buildings and landmarks found throughout Bryn Mawr’s campus. Today, it is a space for performances, readings, lectures, and public gatherings. Old Library encloses a large open courtyard called “The Cloisters,” and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The Rhys Carpenter Art & Archaeology Library is connected to the rear of Old Library. The entrance is a four-story atrium and the roof comprises a wide grassy area for outdoor concerts and picnics. The award-winning library also houses the college’s renowned collections in Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology, History of Art, and Classics.

The Impact Center. The Impact Center for Community, Equity, and Understanding is located in the Student Life and Wellness Building on campus. The Center implements programs and activities that address issues of diversity, power, and privilege with a goal of improving the campus climate and enhancing community life at Bryn Mawr. This is done with an aim toward advancing anti-racism, wellness, welcome, and belonging for all students, especially those who have experienced marginalization first-hand.​ Opportunities for intercultural engagement include events and workshops, affinity living spaces, educational programs, heritage celebrations, and more.

School Mission & Unique Qualities

On our historic suburban campus 11 miles from Philadelphia, a world-class faculty guides and challenges undergraduate and graduate students from throughout the world. Bryn Mawr’s reach extends far beyond our classrooms and our campus. Our location offers students access to the cultural resources of a major metropolitan area and the broad diversity of Bryn Mawr students, faculty, and alumni creates a global community that fosters international experiences, friendships, and networks. The small school hosts unique and engaging educational events throughout the year. The Creative Writing Program Reading Series is an opportunity for students to hear notable authors read excerpts of their famous works. First-year students attend Balch Seminars, which are intense writing, reading, and discussion sessions meant to make Bryn Mawr women more critical thinkers and instill a bond among the freshmen class. Praxis Program allows students to earn credit for community-based work and research.

Student Reviews…

“Students are able to get to know each other within the class setting, as well as for the professor to know each student. Bryn Mawr is an inclusive setting, where our social honor code fosters trust within the community such that creativity and diversity is always welcomed.”