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Located in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, eleven miles outside of Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr College is a private, women’s liberal arts institution and one of the original members of the Seven Sisters. The college was founded in 1885 in accordance with the will of Joseph W. Taylor, a physician who wished to establish a college “for the advanced education of females”. Historically affiliated with the Society of Friends (Quakers), Bryn Mawr voted to become non-denominational as early as 1893, but remains committed to traditional Quaker values, including the freedom of conscience. In keeping with these values, Bryn Mawr was a leader among colleges and universities for the protection of students’ rights and was the first school to decline aid under the McCarthy-era legislation which would have compromised students’ freedom and privacy and the only institution to decline aid rather than take on the role of informer during the Vietnam War.
Academic Programs
Offering both a liberal arts curriculum for women and a coeducational graduate program in the arts and sciences, and social work and research, Bryn Mawr was the first women’s college to offer graduate education through the PhD level. Bryn Mawr offers over 35 undergraduate majors and 40+ minors from which students may create their own academic program. With over 45 undergraduate fields of study, options include Anthropology; Biology; Child and Family Studies; Computer; Science; Education; Environmental Studies; Greek, Latin and Classical Studies; Hebrew and Judaic Studies; History; International Studies; Mathematics; Physics; Political Science; Psychology; and Women’s Studies. Bryn Mawr’s graduate programs include Chemistry; Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology; Clinical Developmental Psychology; French; Greek, Latin & Classical Studies; History of Art; Mathematics; Physics; and Social Work and Social Research.Bryn Mawr is also a member of the Tri-College Consortium along with Haverford and Swarthmore Colleges and holds a longstanding partnership with the University of Pennsylvania, providing students with a broad variety of curricular opportunities. A few of Bryn Mawr’s Special Academic programs include Emily Balch Seminars; 360o, an interdisciplinary program; and Praxis, an experiential, community-based learning program.
Student Life
With a total enrollment of nearly 2,000 (including approximately 1,300 undergraduates), nearly all 50 States and over 60 foreign nations are represented in Bryn Mawr’s student body. Most undergraduate students live on campus and are primarily self-governed in academic and social matters through the Self-Government Association. Following the Academic Honor System (the honor code), students must ratify the honor code annually and agree to adhere to the principles which stress mutual respect and academic integrity.An array of student clubs and organizations exist on campus, creating a diverse and active campus-life and include clubs based affinities; academics/professions; awareness and advocacy; governing; media; music and performing arts; politics; religion; service and activism; special interests; and sports. A number of traditions are followed at Bryn Mawr including Lantern Night and May Day and the college sponsors off-campus events and trips such as a visit to the KOP mall, New York City, theater, shows, film, screenings and more. Bryn Mawr’s campus dining experienced as been highly ranked by both the Princeton Review and BestColleges.com, and the school scored an “A” on Peta2’s Vegan report card.