Joel and I had the incredible opportunity to take three students, Alexis and Asta from Central High School and Amanda from Technology High School, on an IGNITE Greater Newark excursion to my alma mater, Bryn Mawr College, on May 10th had a range of prior experience with college tours. The first, Alexis, had been on trips before with her school where she saw 4 – 6 colleges within the span of a few days, so she had seen a lot but it was also very blurred together. The second, Amanda, has been on a few tours and is already thinking a lot about college because of her participation with NJ LEAP. The third, Asta, had never been on a college tour before. What did they all have in common though? A) They are all juniors and college is definitely on their minds. And B) They all had NEVER been to an all-women’s campus before. All-women’s campuses are definitely unique and definitely not for everyone. However I loved being a part of such a close-knit community (there were only about 300 students in my graduating class) and truly believe I wouldn't have ended up a math major had it not been for the unique support and environment Bryn Mawr’s math (and ultimately STEM) program provides.
It was such a joy being able to share my experiences with these young ladies and see them open up to the possibility of an all-women’s campus for themselves. They each had a different favorite part of the trip. Amanda loved the cloisters of Thomas Great Hall and said she could see herself retreating there after a rough day for some peace, quiet, and sunshine by the fountain. Asta loved Carpenter library with its modern feel and natural sunlight that *almost* makes you forget you’re inside at a library. Alexis loved getting such a personal and in-depth tour of the campus and hearing the seniors who were officially done with all their course work ring the bells at Taylor Hall. After THOROUGHLY exploring the campus, hearing many stories from me about everything from Bryn Mawr traditions to all-nighters in the library (as well as Joel’s contrasting experiences going to UC Davis in California), we headed to Peace a Pizza for lunch. I’m not sure if the girls were as excited as I was about the somewhat eccentric pizza toppings, but they liked seeing the town around Bryn Mawr and the plain pizza seemed to be to their liking. We rounded off the trip with dessert at Hope’s Cookies (another favorite of mine) before heading home.
Thanks to all the donors whose funding helps make trips like this possible! I know each of the girls who came on this excursion with me really valued the experience!!
--Theresa
It was such a joy being able to share my experiences with these young ladies and see them open up to the possibility of an all-women’s campus for themselves. They each had a different favorite part of the trip. Amanda loved the cloisters of Thomas Great Hall and said she could see herself retreating there after a rough day for some peace, quiet, and sunshine by the fountain. Asta loved Carpenter library with its modern feel and natural sunlight that *almost* makes you forget you’re inside at a library. Alexis loved getting such a personal and in-depth tour of the campus and hearing the seniors who were officially done with all their course work ring the bells at Taylor Hall. After THOROUGHLY exploring the campus, hearing many stories from me about everything from Bryn Mawr traditions to all-nighters in the library (as well as Joel’s contrasting experiences going to UC Davis in California), we headed to Peace a Pizza for lunch. I’m not sure if the girls were as excited as I was about the somewhat eccentric pizza toppings, but they liked seeing the town around Bryn Mawr and the plain pizza seemed to be to their liking. We rounded off the trip with dessert at Hope’s Cookies (another favorite of mine) before heading home.
Thanks to all the donors whose funding helps make trips like this possible! I know each of the girls who came on this excursion with me really valued the experience!!
--Theresa