Tabia Tahsin '27

Among the thousands of open tabs and color-coded spreadsheets, Bryn Mawr stood out as one of the colleges that seemed more like “for me!”

Growing up in Dhaka, Bangladesh, I was surrounded by women who shaped the way I viewed the world. At home, it was my mother and my elder sisters. Furthermore, from my first grade till 12th, I spent twelve important years at Viqarunnisa Noon School, an all-girls school in my hometown where I grew up watching women support one another, celebrate each other's achievements, and create spaces where everyone could thrive. Being surrounded by strong empowering women became such a normal part of my life that I only realized its importance when I began searching for colleges. When I started looking at colleges, I found myself naturally drawn toward women's colleges. I wasn't only searching for a place with strong academics, but also searching for a community that would provide me with the same supportive network and empowerment I had grown up with. I wanted a place where I could challenge myself while being surrounded by people who believed in lifting each other up.

At the same time, exploring what I wanted to study, I was becoming more certain that I wanted to study Neuroscience. As I talked to my upperclassmen at Bryn Mawr, I found myself drawn to their experiences with research. They spoke about professors who knew their students beyond the classroom, research opportunities available to undergraduates, how the professors cared deeply about the students’ learning environment, and traditions that connected generations of Mawrters! Talking to other students, I also learned about the consortium and the easily accessible location of Bryn Mawr. I loved that Bryn Mawr offered the best of both worlds- the close-knit experience through which I could build meaningful relationships with professors and classmates and also the opportunity to access bigger communities through the Tri-Co. 

"During my college search, I spoke with many current students and alum, and every conversation left me feeling welcomed."

Somewhere between those conversations in my high school, my spreadsheet for Bryn Mawr checked off every point. At one point I realized, instead of exploring different schools, I subconsciously started comparing other schools to Bryn Mawr, which to me was the answer in itself!

By the time I decided to do the Early Decision application to Bryn Mawr, the choice felt very natural to me. I could visualise myself studying in the lusty cup or having a lantern in my class color and overall, it felt like a perfect fit for me. 

During my college search, I spoke with many current students and alum, and every conversation left me feeling welcomed. I remember being surprised by how willing people were to answer my questions, even though they had never met me before. They shared stories about their favorite traditions, their friendships, and the moments that made Bryn Mawr feel like more than just a college. My upperclassmen didn’t just talk about the academics, rather they spoke so fondly about the people, about the many memories they have created and about all the traditions, and clubs. They talked about the community, and about the feeling of belonging so nicely that I also felt connected to the values of Bryn Mawr students. Another thing which helped me realise that I love being among a part of the community of Bryn Mawr was their passion for social justice, their curiosity, and their desire to make a difference- all of which reflected many of the things I valued personally.

Applying Early Decision felt less like making a decision and more like trusting a feeling I already had. I knew there were many wonderful colleges out there, but Bryn Mawr seemed like the best fit for me and a place where I could picture myself growing.

Applying Early Decision gave me something I desperately needed during my senior year of high school: a sense of clarity.

As an international student, my college application process was a little different from what many of my friends experienced. I was preparing for the SAT, keeping up with my high school classes, applying to universities abroad, and studying for university entrance exams in Bangladesh- all at the same time. Even though I applied Early Decision II to Bryn Mawr, I also submitted some regular decision applications along with my ED2 because I needed to have a plan B and sometimes also a plan C. However, throughout the entire process, my heart was tied to Bryn Mawr. I often found myself stalking the website (very funny now when I look back at it haha) and just thinking of how it would feel to study at those spots, or have friends from all over the world. 

When I received my acceptance, I was over the moon. I remember feeling an incredible sense of joy, excitement and the immense sense of relief. Suddenly, one of the biggest uncertainties in my life had an answer. I withdrew my applications from all the schools I had applied for in regular decision and was able to spend the rest of my senior year focusing on the moments I would soon miss- the conversations with my friends, the lively banter during family dinners, and the small everyday experiences that made home feel like home.

Looking back as a senior, now that I get to see my family and friends roughly for only a month every year, I am grateful and glad that I decided to apply EDII because that decision provided me with the opportunity to enjoy those few final months without worries before moving nearly 8,000 miles away.

Before coming to Bryn Mawr, I imagined myself walking through the beautiful campus, making offerings to athena, wearing white in mayday, attending fun classes, and working closely with professors- the picture perfect idea of what a college experience is. What I did not imagine was how many small moments would make this place feel like home. The campus that once existed only through pictures on my computer screen now carries so many memories. Every dorm has a story, a study spot or memories with my friends; trying our hardest not to split the friendship poles and what not. Every pathway reminds me of a conversation- every hellos, every favorite corner of campus holds a small piece of my college experience! 

I came here hoping to build relationships with professors, but I never expected those relationships to extend beyond academics. 

I have had professors invite me to dinner for thanksgiving, grab coffee with me, and take walks around campus. Those moments remind me that Bryn Mawr is not just a place where I learn. It is a place where I am known for myself! Amidst the countless study sessions and assignments, I found a community that supported me through my homesickness, need for uncertainty, and growth. 

Leaving the community factor aside, I have received immense opportunities from Bryn Mawr which helped me enrich my college experience. I did not know about so many of the opportunities I have experienced so far in Bryn Mawr before I was here. I have had the opportunity to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark for a semester, attend different academic and professional conferences and events in different parts of the country fully funded by the career and civic engagement center, and also been able to engage in research internship without worrying about the funding as there are funding awards available from Career and Civic Engagement for working in unpaid internships! 

Furthermore, the small-knit college experience has indeed helped me create memories of a lifetime. 

To prospective students I'd say: trust your instincts, but don't rush them! Take your time choosing the school, talk to current students, and explore the school campus, location and traditions. But again, don’t rush into a decision just because of peer pressure. I believe applying Early Decision is about recognizing what matters most to you and finding those values in the chosen institution. If there is a place for you, to which you keep returning to, the place for which your gut and consciousness keeps drifting back to, the place where you can imagine yourself growing and finding your community, then make sure you listen to that feeling! 

Sometimes our gut and subconscious already know our preference and choice even before we have fully admitted it to ourselves. For me, that place was Bryn Mawr College!