Answer: They are all enthusiastic graduates of women’s colleges.

How in the world did these women end up at schools that are not coed? The same way many women do. First, they went to visit because something about the college attracted them. Most women’s colleges are small liberal arts schools that offer small classes, lots of personal contact with professors, and strong academics. That’s a great combination; one that many high school students are looking for in any college they consider.

And then these women found something extra. For a number of students, it was a strong sense of community.

For others, it was a super financial aid package. For still others, it was the opportunities for leadership in a place where all the leaders are women.

Women who have had positive experiences at non-coed colleges offer this advice: Don’t dismiss a college simply because it’s not coed. If the school offers something that attracts you, check it out.

“All colleges are looking for bright, capable students. You do not need to be a valedictorian to get into highly selective institutions.” — Giulietta Aquino, Associate Dean of Admission, Mills College

Some firsthand experiences Erica Gonzalez, Saint Mary’s College ’07 (Notre Dame, Indiana): Erica, who is both Puerto Rican and African American, says, “In coed schools, I’ve always felt men were more credited for what they could do, and [mens’] sports were more emphasized. I’m involved in seven or eight clubs and take leadership positions in all of them. I give my opinion more, and what I say really counts.”

Stacy Villalta, Mills College ’09: Stacy’s parents were immigrants from Central America, and as a child she lived in Los Angeles. When she was in high school, she took an AP English class with a teacher who put her on the mailing list for Mills, a women’s college in Oakland, California. “At first I thought, an all-women’s college, that’s not for me,” Stacy says. But recruiters from the college made it sound appealing: small class sizes, a beautiful campus, and a place where you would be known by a name and not a number. “Because [Mills is] a women’s college, it’s allowed me to focus on my education rather than impress a boy,” Stacy says. “I do tend to have a social life, but Monday through Friday I concentrate on my studies.” She says the school has guided her to her goals—with professors even responding to her e-mails within two hours. And getting to know her fellow students has made her aware of the school’s diversity. “You get to know your peers,” she says, “and realize everyone comes with a different story.”

“It’s that sense of sisterhood coming to an all-women’s college. I feel that in abundance.” — Greta Douglas Simmons College ’06

Gina Patterson, Simmons College ’06: Gina, whose mother is from Trinidad and father is from Jamaica, wasn’t sure about going to an all-women’s college. Now she thinks it’s the best decision she could have made. “I probably would have been sidetracked by social life at a coed school,” she says. “At Simmons I feel like I’m very focused because I’m not being sidetracked. I feel much more comfortable being able to voice my opinion and to question things when I’m unsure. Going to a women’s college has been so empowering for me: for me growing into myself, for really being able to be comfortable in my own skin, to love being a woman.”

What is right for you? Bianca Passos, Barnard College ‘08, was born in Brazil and moved to the U.S. with her parents when she was seven. “I wasn’t looking at women’s colleges,” she says, but she stumbled on Barnard College when she was visiting other schools in New York City and immediately decided to apply. Barnard is across the street from Columbia University, which is coed, and Columbia’s classes, activities, and even dorms are open to Barnard students. Bianca says, “It’s easy to balance between the academic and the social.”

To Bianca’s surprise, the fact that Barnard is a women’s school came to be one of the things she valued most about it. Her advisor, the head of the American Studies Department, was a woman, and 60% of the faculty are women (the national average is about 30%). Having these role models inspired Bianca. “I hate to use the word nurturing, because it fits into the female stereotype,” she says of her experience at Barnard, “but they recognize the student body as female and cater to us. It’s very nurturing to our abilities and potential as women.”

She has also come to realize that diversity goes beyond one’s skin color and background. “Barnard teaches us to be very culturally aware,” she says. “We learn it in the classroom, but I’ve learned it most from the other students. College is eye-opening in many different ways, not only to racial and religious diversity. It’s also geographic and demographic diversity, and all of the different interests. There’s diversity in a lot of different senses.”

What about the guys? You’ll find women’s colleges in settings from quiet rural surroundings to New York City. Some offer all-female classes; others have cross-registrations with coed schools. A few even have some coed dorms. So the opportunities for interactions with men vary widely. At many schools, women endure—and to some extent enjoy—the relative absence of men during the week, which gives them the chance to focus on their studies and other activities without distraction.

Still skeptical? A women’s college is not for everyone. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons along with all aspects of any college you consider. Judge a women’s college the way you would any college: get beyond the glossy brochures and admissions reps. Go to visit. Stay overnight. Attend some classes. Talk to as many students as possible to a sense of what the school is like. Compare it to other schools you visit. Then you be the judge.

Women’s Colleges Q&A and Tips Q: Aren’t women’s colleges more expensive than coed schools? A: Not necessarily. Private colleges may cost more, but they often hand out generous financial aid, especially to students they are trying to attract. Since many are seeking to attract minority applicants, this can work in your favor. Q: How racially and ethnically diverse are women’s colleges? A: The percentage of women of color varies. But don’t base your decision solely on statistics. It’s important to see what the campus atmosphere is and how supportive the community is for students. Tips: If you’re interested in the sciences, you’ll find a supportive “you can do it” attitude at most women’s colleges. Many pride themselves on the number of students who major in the sciences and on the number who go on to graduate programs in the sciences. When you visit any college, talk to other students of color to see if they feel comfortable. Check out multicultural student organizations. Remember, though: some students of color seek out such organizations, while others prefer not to. There’s no “right” way.

 

Women’s College Coalition ”Recently, I asked a junior-year student who was leading me on a tour of her women’s college campus to tell me what one word she would use to capture and describe the essence of her college experience. She thought carefully and then replied confidently, ”Challenge.” She explained that her women’s college experience had challenged and supported her to take risks, had guided her and given her the courage to navigate her way out of her comfort zone, and helped her set higher expectations for herself and achieve greater goals.” —Susan E. Lennon, Executive Director Women’s College Coalition Check out the website of the Women’s College Coalition: www.womenscolleges.org.

Article by Deborah Knight and courtesy of www.careersandcolleges.com