Bryn Mawr College

Undergraduate Dean's Office

Every new Bryn Mawr student is assigned a dean before she even arrives at the College as a freshman or transfer student. Through both individual advising and college-wide programming, deans help students navigate the many challenges they encounter during their years at the College. Your dean can help you make the transition from high school to college and think through your choice of major. She or he can also talk with you about moving beyond Bryn Mawr, whether you are looking for employment or applying to graduate school. What is more, deans are not just academic advisers. Students can talk with their deans about coping with homesickness, handling roommate problems, or managing extra-curricular activities. Finally, your dean is not only interested in helping you through difficulties but is also eager to hear about your accomplishments, both large and small.

 

While you are encouraged to take as much responsibility for your own life as you can, the deans are available to provide information, suggest solutions, and make referrals to other offices on campus. The deans work closely with many other offices and groups on campus, including Residential Life, the Health Center, Counseling Services, the hall advisers, the Financial Aid Office, the Career Development Office, the Self Government Association, the Registrar's Office, and the academic departments in order to ensure that students are able to access the resources they need.

 

Thus, your dean is far more than just the source of a signature on a registration form. True, you will at times need to see your dean for official permission or approval. But beyond this, he or she should be among the first people you consult if you are unsure about any aspect of life at Bryn Mawr. In many cases, simply having your dean explain a procedure, outline your options, or strategize your next step will enable you to manage your own concerns more effectively.