Molly Heaton '28

Bryn Mawr was actually the first school that I toured, the summer after my sophomore year of college. I fell in love with the campus, the unique traditions, the location, the bi-co, and the academic environment of Bryn Mawr. After this, I found myself comparing each school I visited to Bryn Mawr. The more schools I visited, the more I realized that Bryn Mawr had the best unique combination of what I was looking for in a college. I think I always subconsciously knew that it was my top choice, but I did not fully decide on it until the beginning of my senior year. No school quite felt like “home” the way that Bryn Mawr did. 

 

In life, I am a very indecisive person. I can barely pick out what flavor of ice cream to order, let alone where I would be living and studying for the next four years of my life. Ironically, Bryn Mawr was one of the few decisions that felt easy. Once I realized it was the school I best pictured myself at, applying Early Decision made sense. I knew it was where I wanted to be, so committing early was a way to alleviate the stress of having many options. I also felt confident knowing that Bryn Mawr offered everything I was looking for: a close-knit community, challenging but supportive academics, and opportunities to grow both inside and outside the classroom. 

By November, I was done applying to colleges, and by December I knew I would be attending Bryn Mawr the next year. While some of my friends were still stressed about applying to schools and hearing back as late as April, I knew exactly where I’d be. This meant I could focus on my classes, excelling in my extracurriculars, and making memories with my friends before leaving. I also connected with other students early on and found my roommate, who is still my best friend and roommate to this day!

 

One thing that really exceeded my expectations is what it truly means to attend a women's college. I do not think I realized how empowering it would be to learn and live in an environment where women’s voices and opinions are constantly uplifted. I am definitely more confident speaking up in class and trying new things due to this aspect. I’ve also loved the proximity to Philadelphia. Coming from a small town in PA, I was excited to be near a city, especially with the free SEPTA passes that we receive through Bryn Mawr. Philly has allowed me to experience new cultures, attend concerts and events, and engage in community service, while still having the close-knit campus environment that I was looking for. Bryn Mawr also has the opportunity to take very specialized classes that may not be offered at big universities, which has allowed me to really figure out what I am interested in academically. Finally, the traditions have really made Bryn Mawr feel like one big family. It’s an amazing community to be a part of. 

Although early decision is a big commitment, it was one of the best choices I have ever made. My advice would be to trust your instincts and think about where you feel most “at home.”