BRYN MAWR RECEIVES RECORD NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS

By Whitney Graham '08
A version of this story originally appeared in The Bi-College News, a student publication.

This year, Bryn Mawr received a record number of applications, for the class of 2010. The 2,127 applications (for a class of about 365) represent a 10-percent increase over last year, and the College received more early-decision applications than in previous years. "It's exciting to see how many women are excited about Bryn Mawr," said Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Jennifer Rickard.

With the rise in applicants, Bryn Mawr is steadily becoming more selective in the percentage of students admitted. "People are finally realizing that we are this little treasure," said Peaches Valdes '99, senior assistant director of Admissions.

In the past five years, the acceptance rate at Bryn Mawr has decreased from 60 percent to 46 percent for the current incoming class. "The requirements have not changed, but we have more qualified applicants than we are able to admit," said Valdes.

The idea that applications are up at an all-women's college is news to some. With most colleges currently co-ed, an all-women's college is an option overlooked by many high-school students. "I think that the constant misconception is that by attending a women's college you are making a sacrifice, that you are giving something up, but what I try to convey to families is that the education at Bryn Mawr is enhanced by it," said Valdes. She added, "What is deemed the normal college experience [a co-ed community] shouldn't be the standard."

There are several explanations for the increase of applications at Bryn Mawr, including national college trends or variation in numbers from year to year. Though overall applications have increased, the percentage of international applicants has remained roughly the same. "Students are coming from so many places and your numbers can go up in a particular region, but because [Bryn Mawr] is so small, the numbers don't say it all," said Jennifer Russell, director of international recruitment.

Across America, more students are applying to college, and Bryn Mawr has made an effort to be a part of this increase. "I don't think it's only Bryn Mawr, it's a national trend. However, Bryn Mawr has made significant efforts to enhance recruitment and retention through the Plan for a New Century," said Valdes.

Last year the college targeted high-school students in a different way through searches and SAT scores, but it is still unclear whether there is a direct correlation. "We took a new approach last year and saw a greater response, but we are still assessing if that made a difference," said Rickard.

The Admissions Office feels that representing Bryn Mawr as the unique college experience that it is draws more students. "In some ways, if you're more clear about who you are, you attract more people, because they don't have to cut through the noise to get to the core of who we are," said Rickard.

The increase in applicants may represent a current education trend, but Rickard says that applicants are primarily women who specifically select Bryn Mawr looking for its unique educational experience. She says that this is not always the case with some larger schools. "Sometimes, when schools get so many applications there comes a point when you really don't know why students are applying. The level of 'self selection' goes away," said Rickard.

With more applications comes a more difficult job for the Admissions office. "It's already hard; students don't apply to Bryn Mawr on a whim. It's different than other sisters, different than Haverford and Swarthmore," said Rickard, who emphasized that students who apply to Bryn Mawr often know exactly the type of college experience they are looking for.

Some students say they are concerned about preserving the atmosphere of Bryn Mawr, with its many traditions and small community environment, as larger classes are admitted. "I think there is a fear that with accepting larger classes, we will lose the liberal arts feel, and that's bad," said Christen Gore '06.

The Admissions Office stresses that this is not an issue. Despite the increase in applicants, the College is not contemplating a significant increase in class sizes, Rickard said. "We have aimed to enroll (and have enrolled) between 355 and 360 for the past few years. Next year we are looking at 365 — just a marginal increase. I feel like students who are applying today are students who really identify with the school and so I don't see the culture changing," said Rickard.

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