Bryn Mawr College

Special Cases

The Special Cases Subcommittee of the Committee on Academic Standing considers petitions from students who propose alternative ways to meet degree requirements or for exceptions to the academic regulations of the college.  If you think your situation warrants an exception, discuss your situation with your dean before petitioning the committee. 

Guidelines for submitting petitions:

Students petitioning to enroll in 5.5 units.
Any student in good standing who has completed at least one semester at Bryn Mawr may apply to enroll in 5.5 units.   Students petitioning to enroll in an overload should submit their petitions via email (subject line: “5.5 units”) to Judy Balthazar (jbalthaz@brynmawr.edu) by the end of the second week of the semester. The Special Cases Subcommittee will review petitions during the third week of the semester.  The committee will expect the student to

• discuss her plans with her dean,
• present an academic record that predicts success in the proposed program,
• identify the specific courses she plans to take, and
•  present compelling reasons for enrolling in these specific courses during this specific semester,

Students who receive permission to enroll in 5.5 units will be held to the same deadlines, procedures and expectations as students who enroll in a normal course load.

Students petitioning to accelerate
Any student in good standing who has completed at least one semester at Bryn Mawr may apply to accelerate (that is, to graduate in six semesters) if she

• demonstrates that she has accumulated at least 8 extra credits and
• presents a viable plan to meet all graduation requirements, including the residency requirement, within her remaining semesters.   Please note that accelerating precludes studying abroad during the academic year.

The Special Cases Subcommittee will review petitions for acceleration three times a year.  Students petitioning to accelerate should submit their petitions via email (subject line “acceleration”) to Judy Balthazar (jbalthaz@brynmawr.edu) by the following deadlines:  November 1 (for students in their second year only), February 1, or April 1.

Students who plan to complete the degree in seven semesters may work out the details with their deans and major advisers and need not petition the committee.  Such students do not accelerate officially and will receive their degrees in May with their classmates.

Students petitioning for acceptance into the AB/MA program.
Unusually well prepared undergraduates who are interested in working towards a master’s degree while still completing her bachelor’s degree should follow the instructions regarding the Combined AB/MA Program and submit hard copies of their signed proposals to Judy Balthazar, Undergraduate Dean’s Office, Taylor Hall.

Students petitioning for other exceptions:
Students petitioning for other exceptions should submit their petitions via email (subject line: “special cases committee”) to Judy Balthazar (jbalthaz@brynmawr.edu) at any time during the academic year when classes are in session.