Why New Students Chose Bryn Mawr

By: Izzy G. ‘28

Americans spend just about 5% of their lifetimes in school. However, this 5% informs the path we take for the other 95%, so finding a good fit and a supportive setting is crucial. Bryn Mawr's 725 students each chose to attend for different reasons, but common themes emerge in why families make this decision. 

According to Rebekah Jackson, Bryn Mawr’s Senior Director of Enrollment Management, “Parents overwhelmingly tell us that the school's academic reputation is the reason why they look at Bryn Mawr and often why they choose it.” Freshmen Keigan A., Nana Ama A., and Cecilia H., also cite the school’s academics as a key factor in their decision. Nana states that one reason she chose Bryn Mawr is “the rigorous course offerings, which met [her] desire for growth.” Cecilia says that “the strong college prep opportunities” helped her make her decision.

The most recent rankings from Niche, a reputable school and college search website, speak to Bryn Mawr’s strength in academics. As of September 2024, Bryn Mawr is ranked by Niche as the #1 private high school in Baltimore, the #2 private high school in Maryland, and the #11 all-girls high school in the country. Its rankings are based on surveys of parents and students, diversity, college-related statistics, among other factors. Bryn Mawr has earned 217 5-star reviews on the Niche website.

 Ms. Jackson also says that prospective students find “that they feel more comfortable here… and that it is more focused and quiet.” Keigan remembers noticing on her shadow day that “everyone was so focused and attentive.” Now, as a student here, she feels “comfortable and confident in classes”. Keigan credits this confidence to the “passionate” teachers, who she says are “rooting for you.” “They want to know how you’re doing as a person, and teacher-student relationships are super cool here,” she says. Both Keigan and Cecilia say that their classes are engaging, and in Cecilia’s words, classes at Bryn Mawr are “challenging, yet very fulfilling.”

Nana, Keigan, and Cecilia are happy to be part of Bryn Mawr’s “welcoming and encouraging community,” as Nana puts it. She says Bryn Mawr exceeded her expectations because of the “highly accepting and open environment”, where she can “be [herself] without judgment.” Keigan noted “the sense of camaraderie” on her shadow day, which she now experiences even more as a student. “I’ve made tons of new friends, and it just feels like one big family here… I can go up to anyone and ask them anything,” she states. Cecilia was also pleasantly surprised by “how welcoming everyone was for [her] transition.”

However, some families don’t find Bryn Mawr to be the best fit. The Admissions Office has found through surveys that location and cost influence the decision to pick another school - families who don’t live relatively near Bryn Mawr might not find it convenient to drive here every morning, and since Bryn Mawr is an independent school, families might be deterred by the cost of tuition. Additionally, an all-girls school might not be the most convenient in the context of keeping siblings of the opposite sex together. 

Cecilia, Keigan, and Nana all considered multiple other schools, both public and private, but ultimately chose Bryn Mawr for its vibrant community and strong academics. When asked to share a surprising aspect of Bryn Mawr, all three emphasize that it’s not all work and no play. Nana says she was happy to see Bryn Mawr’s spirited community - “School spirit is taken very seriously not only on spirit days, but on a regular day to day basis in classes and around campus.”