#1 Bryn Mawr College:
Bryn Mawr College stands as one of only 26 women's colleges in the United States. Though many girls choose not to consider a women’s college, institutions like Bryn Mawr prepare strong women leaders, particularly in STEM fields where female representation remains a challenge both in college and the workplace. Women’s college alumni graduate with greater confidence to take on the world of STEM careers.
Academic Excellence and Collaborative Opportunities
Bryn Mawr's academic environment is characterized by its collaborative approach and extensive partnerships. The college offers:
Bi-College Programs with Haverford and Swarthmore: Students can easily take courses at both with a free shuttle bus connecting the campuses.
Access to UPenn: Students can take courses at the University of Pennsylvania, further expanding their academic horizons.
Distinctive Traditions
Bryn Mawr's fun traditions create a sense of belonging and school spirit:
Color-coded class years: Each class year has its distinctive color
Parade Night: A welcoming celebration for new students
Lantern Night: A ceremony where first-year students receive lanterns, with everyone dressed in robes to welcome them
May Day: Spring celebration featuring Maypole dancing and flower crowns
Special themed dining events throughout the year
Student Success Stories
One geology major who initially intended to study astronomy found her passion after hiking the Four Corners region and Grand Canyon. Through professor mentorship, she conducted research on volcanoes in Nicaragua, completed museum work, and published a paper before branching into paleontology.
Another student completed a French internship in Avignon, took ASL courses at Swarthmore, studied botany at Haverford, and participated in the combined Bryn Mawr-Haverford Choir.
Get Connected!
Interested students should join the mailing list to stay informed about Bryn Mawr's offerings, events, and application deadlines. As application numbers continue to rise, the college remains committed to finding intellectually curious, open-minded risk-takers who will thrive in this unique educational environment.
On Sunday, March 23rd, I’ll be off to meet with admissions reps at 9 PA colleges: Bryn Mawr, Villanova, Franklin & Marshall, Dickinson, Penn State, Bucknell, Lehigh, Lafayette, and Muhlenberg to learn the latest about admissions (including data, any upcoming changes/ requirements), new majors/programs, and of course, to tour campuses and say hi to some of my students! Let me know if you have specific questions about any of these colleges.
Please visit the updated Less College Stress Consulting website! Here’s what’s new:
I’m offering a free “destressing” strategy session for families who are ready to tune out the buzz and get professional advice on how to approach the college process. Click on the “Get Started” link on the homepage to schedule. We’ve also added plenty of college tour photos to the website.
See the “New for 2025 Offerings,” including an honest college list appraisal, Parent/Student Survey “Brag Sheet” editing, and final Common App Essay review for students who do not have an LCS Comprehensive or Essay Package. Please spread the word about these options to families handling the college process on their own.
Contact me for a list appraisal after mid-April once the 2025 admissions numbers are in. “Brag Sheets,” which school counselors use to compose their letters for colleges, can be completed now or as soon as they can be accessed in Naviance or Scoir–get them off your plate. (By the way, no real “bragging” is recommended, but examples of your student’s best character traits in action are!)
It’s busy, but I still have a few spots left for juniors. Message me or email at lesscollegestress@gmail.com to set up a Zoom meeting.
UMaryland: 30K undergrads; middle 50% of admitted students GPA 3.8-4.3(weighted); SAT 1440-1540/ACT 33-35. These scores are up from last year. Honors college middle 50% is 4.37-4.58 (weighted). About a 70% admit rate to the Honors College. We still are offering spring admission and saw an 11% increase in in-state apps this year with the same class size, so it was much more competitive. Over 90% of the class is admitted in the EA round.
Engineering, Public Policy, CompSci, Nursing, Business, and Social Data Science are the most popular majors. A new AI major is launching. Create your own major! If current students who want to transfer meet the course requirements, they are still subject to a competitive review, especially for Computer Science. It was a more competitive year than in the past, as we saw another increase in applications and our class size remained the same. We do review major blind for general admission. For limited enrollment programs, students must meet gateway requirements.
UDelaware: 17,642 undergraduates; average GPA 3.85-4.32; SAT: 1280-1430/ACT: 27-32. We admit directly to a major. Only 1/3 of students are from Delaware. Jewish students are invited to the summer session to bond. Business is more manageable to switch into as the majors in that college are less restrictive than those in the college of engineering (lab space, size of college, etc). 18 units of core subjects, 2 years of a foreign language is adequate, precalculus is required for business and engineering. There are thousands of nursing applicants for 200 spots.
Just added Hospitality Event Management and Art Conservation/History, Applied Physics and Mathematics, and Data Science majors this year! Our top Programs are Business, Biology, Nursing (direct admit), Kinesiology (also competitive PT program), UD has an excellent, popular Sport Management program with great hands-on learning opportunities. D1 athletics and competitive club teams; Just added women’s D1 Hockey!
UVermont: Hit 100,000 applicationss this year! 88% are from out of state. 11,000 undergrads/1600 graduate including med school. Average GPA 3.9 SAT; 1310-1420/ ACT 29-32. Won NCAA Men’s Soccer Championship. Designated R1 Research Institution. We are only in our 4th year of Early Decision, and have received about 500 applications. EA much larger w/ 20K. EDII - new this year - received about 200. We are more generous with merit aid in the Early Decsion rounds (about 75% admit rate) where EA admit rate is between 50-60%.