Bryn Mawr College seeks academically talented students who are eager to create positive change. The College has found highly successful candidates among students of varied interests and talents from a wide range of schools and regions in the United States and abroad. In its consideration of candidates, the Office of Admissions conducts a holistic review in determining a student’s ability and readiness for college through the student’s high-school record in the context of the rigor of the program of study, grades (if available), standardized tests (if provided), personal essays, and insight provided by school and community officials. 

Candidates are expected to complete a four-year secondary school curriculum and Bryn Mawr requires that students earn a high school diploma or GED equivalent. Official final high school transcripts must be sent from the high school to the College confirming the student has graduated. If the Admissions Office does not receive the student’s graduation confirmation, the student’s information is sent to the College’s Registrar who will intervene prior to enrollment.  

Good preparation for study at Bryn Mawr would include the following academic coursework: English grammar, composition, and literature through four levels; four levels of mathematics (preferably up to pre-calculus or calculus); four levels of one modern or ancient language, or a good foundation in two languages; work in history; and four levels in science, including two lab sciences (preferably biology, chemistry, or physics).  

Since school curricula vary widely, the College is fully aware that many applicants for admission will complete programs that differ from the one described above. The College will consider such applications, provided the students have maintained good records and continuity in the study of core subjects. 

Application

For the 2025-2026 application cycle, Bryn Mawr College will accept The Common Application. There is no application fee. For more information about applying to Bryn Mawr, please visit: www.brynmawr.edu/admissions-aid/how-apply.

Admission Plans

Application to the first-year class may be made through one of three plans: Fall Early Decision (ED I), Winter Early Decision (ED II), or Regular Decision.

• For all three plans, applicants follow the same procedures and are evaluated by the same criteria.
• Both the Fall Early Decision (ED I) and Winter Early Decision (ED II) plans are binding and are most beneficial for the candidate who has thoroughly investigated Bryn Mawr and has found the College to be the clear first choice. The ED II plan differs only in that it has a later deadline.
• An early decision candidate may not apply early decision to any other institution but may apply to another institution under a regular admission plan or a non-binding early action plan. If admitted to Bryn Mawr College under an early decision plan, the student is required to withdraw applications from all other colleges or universities.
• An early decision candidate must sign the Early Decision Agreement through The Common Application indicating that the student understands the commitment required. The signatures of a parent and a high school official are also required.
• Early decision candidates will receive one of three decisions: admit, defer to the regular applicant pool, or deny. If admitted to Bryn Mawr, the student is required to withdraw all applications to other institutions. If deferred to the regular pool, the student will be reconsidered along with the regular admission applicants and will receive notification in mid- to late-March. If denied, the student may not apply again that year.
• The Regular Decision Plan is designed for those candidates who wish to keep open different options for their undergraduate education throughout the admission process. Applications under this plan are accepted at any time before the January 15 deadline.

Application Deadlines

Applications and all supporting materials are due:

Fall Early Decision (ED I): November 15

Winter Early Decision (ED II): January 1

Regular Decision Plan: January 15

Applicants interested in institutional, need-based financial aid must submit a financial aid application (CSS Profile, FAFSA, and required tax documents) at the same time as their admissions application. If you do not apply for institutional financial aid during the admissions process, you cannot apply in subsequent years.

Standardized Tests and Interviews

Bryn Mawr College provides applicants the option of submitting standardized test scores.

• SAT I or ACT scores are currently optional ; however, if admitted students have taken either the SAT I or ACT, the College will request those official scores before matriculation. While the test scores will not be reviewed by the Office of Admissions, they will be used for academic advising and placement.
• Non-US citizens and non-US permanent residents are required to submit the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo exams if their primary language is not English and/or their language of instruction over the past four years has not been English. Because exams are only given on selected dates students should sit for their exams well in advance of the application deadlines.
• Official scores are preferred and should be sent from testing agencies such as the College Board (Bryn Mawr code: 2049) or the ACT (Bryn Mawr code: 3526). Information about the tests, test centers, fees, and dates may be obtained at www.collegeboard.com and www.actstudent.org.
• The Office of Admissions will accept self-reported SAT and/or ACT scores. Admitted students will need to submit official copies of their scores before matriculation. Early Decision students must submit scores by March 1. Regular Decision students must submit scores by June 1.

Students submitting test scores must have them completed in advance of the application deadline.

Interview: An interview with an admissions staff member, an alumna admissions representative, or an admissions student representative conducted at the College, off-campus, or virtually is strongly recommended for all candidates. Interviews should be completed by the deadline of the plan under which the candidate is applying. Appointments for interviews, information sessions, and campus tours can be made in advance online or by calling the Office of Admissions at (610) 526-5152. The Office of Admissions is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and is open on select Saturdays throughout the year. A student who is unable to visit the College can arrange an alumna or Zoom interview by visiting the website as well. Applicants from China interview through InitialView.

International Applicants

Bryn Mawr welcomes applications from international students who have outstanding secondary school records in an American-style high school program or a program that leads to university entrance in their own countries. Transcripts in languages other than English must be officially transcribed before being submitted. 

Non-US citizens and non-US permanent residents are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo results if their primary language is not English and/or their language of instruction over the past four years has not been English. Because exams are only given on selected dates students should sit for their exams well in advance of the application deadlines. Bryn Mawr will accept official results of any of the TOEFL tests: computer, paper or internet based. 

Early Admission and Deferred Entrance

Each year a few outstanding students enter the College after the junior year of high school. An interview is encouraged for early admission candidates.  

A student admitted to the College may request to defer entrance for one year. Students who wish to defer their entrance must accept the offer of admission and pay their $500 deposit. They can request to defer entrance online until June 15. Students will be contacted as to whether their requests have been approved by the Office of Admissions and then must pay an additional $500 deposit to hold their spot in the following year’s class.  

Credit for Advanced Placement Tests and International Exams

Students who have carried advanced work in school and who have honor grades (a score of 5 is required in most subjects, 4 or 5 in Biology, Calculus, chemistry, computer science, German, Latin, Economics, physics, and statistics) on the Advanced Placement tests of the College Board may, after consultation with the dean and the departments concerned, be admitted to one or more advanced courses in the first year at the College. Additional information can be found on the Registrar’s Office website https://www.brynmawr.edu/inside/academic-information/registrar/registration/transfer-test-credit.

With the approval of the dean and the departments concerned, one or more Advanced Placement Tests with honor grades may be presented for credit. Students receiving six or more units of credit may apply for advanced standing. The Advanced Placement Tests are given at College Board centers in May.

Bryn Mawr recognizes the academic rigor of the International Baccalaureate program and awards credit as follows:

• Students who present the full International Baccalaureate diploma with a total score of 30 or better and honor scores in three higher-level exams normally receive one year’s credit.
• Those with a score of 35 or better, but with honor scores in fewer than three higher-level exams, receive two units of credit for each honor score in higher-level exams plus two for the exam as a whole.
• Those with a score of less than 30 receive two units of credit for each honor score in a higher-level exam. Honors scores are considered to be 6 or 7 in English, French, history and Spanish; 5, 6 or 7 in other subjects.

Bryn Mawr also recognizes and awards credit for other international exams. Depending upon the quality of the examination results, Bryn Mawr may award credit for Advanced Levels on the General Certificate of Education (GCE), the French Baccalaureate, German Abitur and other similar exams. A maximum of eight units from test and transfer credit may be used towards a student’s degree.

Some placement tests are given at the College during Customs Week (Bryn Mawr’s orientation program for new students) and students can consult with their class dean about the advisability of taking these placement tests.

Home-School and Alternative Education Applicants

Students who are homeschooled or participate in alternative education such as an online/cyber school must submit The Common Application in addition to the following items:

1. Official transcripts from any high schools or postsecondary institutions attended;
2. An academic portfolio that includes:
   1. A transcript of courses taken, either self-designed (including reading lists and syllabi), or a formal document from a correspondence school or agency;
   2. Evaluations or grades received for each subject;
   3. A short research paper, preferably completed within the last year (including evaluator’s comments);
3. An additional essay on the reasons for choosing homeschooling; and
4. An interview with a member of the admissions staff or with an alumnae representative is strongly encouraged of homeschooled applicants.

Please note that the supporting documents noted above are in addition to those items required of all applicants.

Transfer Applicants

Each year a small number of students are admitted as transfers to the sophomore and junior classes. Transfer students must start in the fall; spring entrance is not available. Students with up to two years of matriculated course work at another college or university are eligible to apply. Students with current junior or senior year standing are not eligible to apply. Successful transfer candidates have done excellent work at other colleges and universities and present strong high-school records that compare favorably with those entering Bryn Mawr as first-year students. Students who fail to meet the prescribed standards of academic work or who have been put on probation, suspended, or excluded from other colleges and universities will not be admitted under any circumstances.

The deadline for transfer application is March 1. Transfer applicants are required to submit The Common Application and all supporting documents.

Applicants are not required to submit standardized test scores and can apply test-optional. Non-US citizens and non-US permanent residents are required to submit TOEFL (www.toefl.org), IELTS (www.ielts.org), or Duolingo exam results if their primary language is not English and/or their language of instruction over the past four years has not been English.

To qualify for the A.B. degree, students must complete a minimum of two years of full-time study and a minimum of 16 units (64 credits) at Bryn Mawr.

Once admitted to the College Transfer Students are subject to the residency rule, which requires a student to take a minimum of 24 course units while enrolled at Bryn Mawr. Exceptions will be made for students who transfer more than eight units from previous work. Such students may transfer up to 16 units and must then take at least 16 units at Bryn Mawr.

The Katharine E. McBride Scholars Program

The Katharine E. McBride Scholars Program was created to give women 24 years of age or above who have experienced an interruption in their college education the opportunity to attend Bryn Mawr College.

Applicants under the McBride program are required to submit The Common Application in addition to the items listed below. Please visit www.brynmawr.edu/admissions-aid/how-apply/nontraditional-students.

• All official high school transcripts or GED equivalent (Secondary School Final Report is not required)
• All official college transcripts
• Two Instructor Evaluations¹
• SAT I or ACT (optional for all applicants) and TOEFL,IELTS, or Duolingo (if applicable)

¹

McBride Scholar applicants who have not attended school within the last three years may submit letters of reference from recommenders other than professors.

Once admitted to the College, McBride Scholars are subject to the residency rule, which requires a student to take a minimum of 24 course units while enrolled at Bryn Mawr. Exceptions will be made for students who transfer more than eight units from previous work. Such students may transfer up to 16 units and must then take at least 16 units at Bryn Mawr. McBride Scholars may study on a part-time or full-time basis.

Readmission

A student who has withdrawn from the College must apply for permission to return. The student should contact the Undergraduate Dean’s Office concerning the application process and be prepared to demonstrate readiness to resume work at Bryn Mawr.