The View From Campus: What Do U.S. Women’s Colleges Provide?
Image courtesy of Evonne (CC Flickr)
We are searching for women that want to grow and learn…
Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, IN
We spoke to Mona Bowe from Admissions at Saint Mary’s College (Notre Dame, IN) about what makes Women’s Colleges different.
Describe your institution in 5 words?
Catholic, residential, women’s, liberal arts.
What is your institution best known for overseas?
Providing quality education and leadership skills for women looking for undergraduate education opportunities.
What are your top academic programs (undergrad & grad)?
Our grad programs are too small, as we are only in our second year of the programs. The largest, however, is the Master’s in Speech Pathology. At the undergrad level, the most popular are:
- Business
- Education
- Nursing
- Psychology
- Communication
What are the top 5 countries represented at your institution after the U.S.?
China is our most represented country, but currently we have students from Rwanda, Morocco, Japan, Jordan, Myanmar Vietnam, Ukraine, Guatemala, Panama, Colombia, Peru (one from each country).
How does your institution use an IELTS result in the admissions process?
We use IELTS results to measure English Language ability and proficiency.
If a female international student comes across women’s colleges in her search what does she need to know about these institutions?
The number one difference I point out to domestic and international students alike, is that they should understand that an all-girls high school, and a women’s college, are two completely different animals! While both might have in their mission “educating females”, women’s colleges in the US do so inside and outside of the classroom. Students will receive a world-class education in their major area of study (or two, or three), but in addition will gain invaluable leadership skills that are hard to develop in a co-educational environment. The students themselves challenge each other to develop into empowered, confident women.
Other than the obvious one, what are some major differences between women’s colleges in the US and the greater majority of other post-secondary institutions?
Data shows that the majority of leadership and research opportunities at co-educational institutions have traditionally gone to men, because they tend to be louder and more assertive at this time of their development. At a women’s college, all these positions of leadership, and all the opportunities for research, are taken by women. The skills gained from these kinds of experiences, will prepare graduates of women’s college to work alongside, and compete against, men and women for positions in graduate school, careers, and their communities.
How selective are women’s colleges in the admissions process?
It varies, but they all have one thing in common: we are searching for women that want to grow and learn; who are interested in pushing themselves outside of their comfort zone, and are not afraid to try; who understand that they have an opinion, and a powerful voice to make it heard.
Sounds like a very tall order, but if you have ever met a graduate of a women’s college, you know what I mean by “they know they can change the world.”