PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS APPLY FEES TO WORTHY CAUSES

The Bryn Mawr Admissions Office is giving this year's applicants a chance to put their money where their values are. Rather than requiring the standard application fee payable to the College, the 2005 application form gives students the option of making a $50 donation to the charity of their choice. Bryn Mawr is the first and only college in the nation to do so.

The idea came from Maureen McGonigle '98, associate director of admissions. "Other colleges were either increasing application fees or waiving fees for students who apply online," said McGonigle. "We wanted to do something that reflected the College's commitment to making a difference in the world."

The response has been enthusiastic. Since the policy was initiated earlier this year, almost a quarter of Bryn Mawr's applicants have chosen to donate fees to charity. The remainder chose the traditional option of paying the fee to the College or requested fee waivers due to financial need. "If this pattern continues, by the application deadline January 15, 2005, Bryn Mawr will have raised almost $15,000 for charities," explained Jennifer Rickard, dean of undergraduate admissions and financial aid. 

The charities selected include food banks, animal shelters, international social-service agencies and local fire companies. Along with the contributions come thank-you notes from students expressing their appreciation for this innovative alternative.

"We do not take into account either the charity chosen or how a student opted to fulfill the application fee requirement in the admissions process," said Rickard. "We just want to give young people a chance to make a meaningful contribution to the world — which is what Bryn Mawr is about."

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