Student Visits
We invite prospective students and their families to visit Bryn Mawr and take a tour with a member of our admissions staff. Our Upper School Fall Visiting Days offer another way for prospective applicants to grades 9 - 12 to see the school with their parents or guardian.
If your daughter is applying to grades 2 - 12, she may spend a morning visiting classes with a Bryn Mawr hostess. Her shadow day will be scheduled upon receipt of the first part of her applications (pgs. 3 - 5) and the application fee. For applicants to grades 6 - 12, the required student essay and student questionnaire may be submitted at a later date, prior to the application deadline.
For K, Pre-First, Grade 1
While applicants to Kindergarten do not have a "shadow" visit, they will be invited to campus in late winter for a special event. Accepted students and their families will also be invited to attend a party in February when they will have the opportunity to spend time in the classroom, meet the teachers and other new girls, and see the Lower School campus.
Accepted applicants to Pre-First and 1st Grade will be invited to attend the Accepted Students' Shadow Day on February 26, 2013
Grades 2-5
What should I wear for my shadow day? A typical day at Bryn Mawr is active; you will move around campus, both indoors and out-of-doors. We suggest that you wear comfortable school clothing, sneakers, and bring outerwear appropriate to the weather.
What time should I arrive at Bryn Mawr?
You should plan to arrive at the Admission Office by 8:30 am.
Do I need to bring anything with me?
No, our teachers will have everything you need in the classroom. Just come ready to meet new girls, learn along with your hostess and her classmates, and have fun!
Can I request a hostess?
If you have a friend in your grade at Bryn Mawr, please let us know. We'll do our best to accommodate your request. Sometimes visiting girls like to shadow with someone they already know, but others prefer to be paired with someone new.
Where should I go when I arrive?
Please come to the Admission Office – a small, modern wooden structure just behind the large white house. Your parents will find visitor’s parking near the building. You will get a nametag and we will give you one for your hostess. Then we will say goodbye to your parents and walk down the hill to the Lower School!
What will my morning be like?
Once you get to the classroom, we will introduce you to your hostess and her teacher. Your hostess will introduce you to her classmates. In no time you will have made lots of new friends! Then it is off to classes. You will go to all of your hostess' classes to get a sense of what it is like to go to school at Bryn Mawr. Don't plan on being in the same classroom all morning; your hostess may go to different buildings for some classes. In the middle of the morning, you will have an outdoor recess. Just like you, Bryn Mawr girls get hungry, so you'll get a snack! You may bring your own snack, but we have plenty to share.
Is it all right to participate in class?
Absolutely! We can't tell you what the girls will be studying on a particular day, but if you feel comfortable participating in the discussion, please join the conversation. If you would rather sit quietly and listen, that's okay too. Do what feels good for you and we know you will have a fun morning. Our teachers and students are very excited that you have come to visit them at Bryn Mawr.
Do I have to take a test today?
Not on your shadow day! However, girls applying to Grades 2-4 do take an entrance test. You can take this test at Bryn Mawr on Saturday, January 5, 2013.
The registration form for this test is in the application packet. If this date is inconvenient, the test is given at other AIMS schools on different days. Please request that they send your scores to Bryn Mawr.
If you are applying to 5th grade, you need to take the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE). You can register for it online at www.iseetest.org. We give it at Bryn Mawr on December 1, 2012 and January 5, 2013.
When is my visit over?
At 12:30 pm someone from the Admission Cottage will come down to the Lower School and walk you back up the hill. Your parents will be waiting for you; I am sure they will want to hear all about your morning!
We look forward to your visit!
Grades 6-12
Why is this visit important?
We want you to experience what it feels like to be a Bryn Mawr student. The best way to do that is to visit campus, attend classes, see advisory and Convocation, meet the girls, and hang out during a break. During your visit you will meet with an Admission Officer and tell her all about your academic and extracurricular activities. We want to get to know you and we know you want to learn about Bryn Mawr. A shadow day is a great way to get acquainted.
What should I wear for my shadow day?
A typical day at Bryn Mawr is active; you will move around campus, both indoors and out-of-doors. We suggest that you wear comfortable school clothing: jeans, slacks or a skirt are fine. Sneakers or other comfortable shoes are recommended, because you will do quite a bit of walking between classes and activities. Also, bring outerwear suitable for the weather.
Do I need to bring anything?
The only thing that you might want to bring is a book. Chances are you won't have time to read, but some visitors like to have one with them "just in case."
Can I request a hostess?
If you have a friend in your grade at Bryn Mawr, please let us know. We will do our best to accomodate your request. Sometimes visiting girls like to shadow with someone they already know, but others prefer to be paired with someone new. We keep your interests in mind, as well as the schedules of our students. If everything works out, we will assign your friend to be your escort. If not, you will be matched with another hostess. In either case, we think you will have a great morning.
What grade will I visit?
Girls applying to grades 7 and 8 and grades 10-12 will shadow with girls in their current grade.
However, if you are applying to 6th grade, you will spend part of your morning in 6th grade and part in 5th grade. If you are a 9th grade applicant, you will split your time between 9th and 8th grades. This arrangement will allow you to experience both divisions, and to meet girls in your current grade.
What time should I arrive?
You will be greeted at the Admission Cottage at 7:45 am; your parents can park right in front of the building. We will have a brief questionnaire for you to fill out and we will provide you with a schedule for the day. Your hostess will meet you in the Admission Cottage. Then you are off for the morning, attending classes with your hostess. During that time you will meet many other girls (you may even know some of them from outside of school!).
Do I need to prepare for my visit?
Absolutely not. Just come and enjoy being a Bryn Mawrtian for a day.
Should I bring my own lunch?
(only applicants to grade 9 stay for lunch)
No need. You are Bryn Mawr's guest for the day. We have really good food: salad bar, sandwiches, and a variety of hot meals. Not to mention homemade cookies and soft ice cream! Your hostess will show you where things are in the cafeteria. There will be lots of girls who want to join you for lunch. Depending on the weather, you may even eat outside.
Do I have to take an entrance test on my shadow day?
No, there aren't any tests on your shadow day. The Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE) is required as part of the application. You can register for the ISEE online at www.iseetest.org. Make sure you check the registration deadlines carefully. We welcome you to take the test at Bryn Mawr on December 1, 2012 or January 5, 2013. However, if those dates aren't convenient for you, you can take the test at another AIMSschool and have them send the scores to Bryn Mawr.
What if I have more questions after my shadow day?
Not a problem! If you have other things you want to discuss, or questions you forgot to ask while you were on campus, just give us a call at 410-323-8800. For the most part, Ms. Canestraro (ext. 1330) works with Middle School applicants and Ms. Titus (ext. 1237) works with Upper School applicants, but anyone in the Admission Office would be happy to talk with you.
We look forward to your visit!