Name: Dana Caldwell
Career Development College / Technical School
Career Development
Spring 2017
Name Dana Caldwell
Question
1. Where is this college
located? How long would
it take you to get there
from Garnet Valley?
How do you feel about
this distance?
2. How many
undergraduate students
attend this school? How
many graduate students?
3. List three sports,
clubs, and/or
organizations that the
school offers that interest
you. Consider Greek life
(fraternities/ sororities),
campus ministry, study
abroad opportunities,
community service
organizations, etc.
4. What kind of
internships/externships
are available to students
of this school?
Try to find the answer to
this question for your
prospective major.
5. What is the campus
setting (urban, suburban,
Exploration Project
General Information
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA. It is 40
minutes from my house,
which is a decent
distance. I could go
home whenever I
wanted, basically.
1300 undergraduates and
450 graduate students
(all women, of course).
There is no greek life,
which Im fine with. sororities. I know I dont sororities. There is an
Fem-Co club, Mindful
Meditation, Ultimate
Frisbee team, and even a
Ukulele club. Any
opportunities to study
abroad, which are fully
encourage, are fully paid
for by the college.
Alumnae and sponsors
provide externships to
students during their
winter break. Summer
internships are available
at the university, as well.
The campus setting is
urban, in the Main Line
University of Rochester Gettysburg College
Rochester, NY. It is a 5 Gettysburg, PA. It is
and half hour drive from about a 2 hour, 2.5 hour
my house, which is pretty drive from my house. I
far. I know Id only be would be able to come
able to come home during home for long weekends
breaks, but I think I wouldand holidays, so I think
be alright with that. this is a good distance.
6,266 undergraduates and There are only
4,794 graduate students. undergraduates enrolled
In total, there are 11,060 and there are a total of
students. 2,429 students.
There are 16 frats and 15 There are 9 frats and 6
plan on being involved in ultimate frisbee team,
greek life. There is an womens rugby, and a
ASL club, College womens center. Also,
feminists, and a cycling they fully cover any
club. There are many study abroad expenses
study abroad and encourage it. My
opportunities, but cousin who attends this
expenses must be covered college is currently
by the student. studying abroad in
Argentina.
There are many They offer paid and
internships offered, paid unpaid internships during
and unpaid. Resources and the summer or school
counseling is available to year. They are ranked
assist students trying to number 11 for internships
find one that is most during college.
suitable to them.
It is in a mid-sized It is located in the small,
metropolitan area. The historical town of
rural, etc.)? What kinds and twenty minutes city of Rochester offers Gettysburg. It is an hour
of off-campus outside of Philly. A train many activities, and the from the state capitol,
experiences are available is right off campus, snow allows for outdoor Harrisburg. There are
to students at this school? available for students to skiing, snow tubing, and several restaurants and
use. There are endless more. There is a student small stores in the town
off-campus shuttle, allowing students right off of campus.
opportunities. to explore the city.
6. What are three majors Biochemistry & Cellular Biology, Biochemistry &
that this school offers that Molecular Biology, Molecular Genetics, Molecular Biology,
you would like to Biology, Neuroscience, Microbiology, and Biology, Neuroscience,
consider? and Spanish. Spanish. and Spanish.

Financials (use the net price calculator from the school website or College Board)
https://professionals.collegeboard.org/higher-ed/financial-aid/netprice/participating-schools

Question Bryn Mawr College University of Rochester Gettysburg College

7. How much does this
school cost per year? $50,625
Include:
Tuition and Fees
Room and Board
Books and Supplies
Transportation
Personal Expenses
Total Cost of
Attendance
Tuition and Fees: Tuition and Fees: $49,260 Tuition and Fees:
Room and Board: $14,818 $52,640
Room and Board: Books and Supplies: Room and Board: $6,740
$15,910 $1,310 Books and Supplies:
Books and Supplies: Transportation: $300 $1,000
$1,000 Personal Expenses: $1,080 Transportation: $1,500
Transportation: $80 Total Cost of Attendance: Personal Expenses:
Personal Expenses: $70,108 $1,210
$1,000 Total Cost of Attendance:
Total Cost of $63,090
Attendance: $68,552

8. What is the Estimated $15,459 $35,700 $33,264

grant/gift aid?
9. What would be your $7,500 $7,500 $8,500
Expected Self Help? In
what form is it?
10. What is the remaining $45,953 $32,622 $24,764
cost?
11 What is this schools Default rate: 2.2% Default rate: 2.0%. 90% 98% of graduates are
job placement rate for I could not find the of graduates are employed employed or are
graduating students? colleges job placement 6 months after graduation. attending graduate
What is this schools rate. school. Default rate:
student loan default rate? 2.0%.

Application Materials and Deadlines

 Question Bryn Mawr College University of Rochester Gettysburg College
12. When is the Nov 15 (early) and Jan Nov 1 for early decision Nov 15 for early decision
application deadline? 15 regular. and Jan 5 regular. and Jan 15 for regular.
13. Does this school Yes Yes Yes.
accept the common
application?
14. What are the Test optional, but the They require SATs and They have a test optional
SAT/ACT requirements average SAT range is have an average score of policy, but strongly
for this school? 1300-1450. 1390. recommend submitting
SAT scores. Their
average score is 1340.
15. What are the They require your high They require a high school They require a high
GPA/Class Rank school transcript. transcript. school transcript.
requirements for this Average GPA
school? unweighted is 3.88.
16. What other No SAT 2s are required. SAT 2s arent required. SAT2s arent required.
admissions requirements Two teacher Teacher recommendations They need a teacher and
are there? SAT 2, letters recommendations and a and a writing supplement counselor
of recommendation, supplemental writing are required. It is recommendation. They
personal statement, piece are required. It is recommended to have an recommend interviews,
interview, audition, etc.? recommended to interview. but they are not required.
interview, but not
required.
17. Is this school Safety Its my top choice, and I This school is a bit of a This is a safety school for
Reach or Middle of think there is a solid reach, but I think it is me. I feel comfortable
the Road? chance of my possible. that my grades and
acceptance. extracurriculars will
suffice.

Campus Life/Services on Campus

Question Bryn Mawr College University of Rochester Gettysburg College

18. Where is the Health Health center hours: Hours: Mon, Weds, Fri Hours: Mon-Fri 8-5,
Center and/or Counseling Mon-Fri 9-5, Sat-Sun 8-9; Tues 9-9; Fri 9-5; Sat closed 12-1pm. Walk ins
Center located and what 9-2. Counseling Center 9-5; Sun 1-6pm. are welcome and
are the hours? How do appointments are made Appointments must be appointments may be
you make an appointment by calling the center. made online or by calling. made online or calling.
at the Counseling Center?
19. What are the hours for Hours: Mon-Thurs 2-6, Hours: Mon-Thurs 9-7; Hours: Mon-Fri 9-5pm.
the Writing Center? Do 7-10 pm; Fri 2-6pm; Sun Fri 9-5. Appointments Appointments can be
you need an appointment 2-8pm. Appointments must be made in advance made in advance on their
or can you just drop in? can be made online or by online or by calling. website.
calling.
20. What academic There are services on There are countless offices There are several services
supports/curricular campus available to and services available for and offices that will be
accommodations can those who really need students with learning able to accommodate
students with special them. needs. learning needs.
learning needs receive?

Works Cited
"Bryn Mawr College." Naviance. Hobsons Inc., Web. 5 May 2017.
<https://static.naviance.com/family-connection/colleges/#/hubs/e32b6649-7a7f-4d2b-91
0e-cb44ccf83013/Overview>

"Gettysburg College." Naviance. Hobsons Inc., Web. 4 May 2017.

<https://static.naviance.com/family-connection/colleges/#/hubs/95164b62-a27c-42c6-8e
74-f39151b2ed81/Overview>

"How Does Bryn Mawr College Rank Among America's Best Colleges?" U.S. News &
World Report. U.S. News & World Report,. Web. 5 May 2017.
<https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/bryn-mawr-college-3237>.

"How Does Gettysburg College Rank Among America's Best Colleges?" U.S. News &
World Report. U.S. News & World Report,. Web. 4 May 2017.
<https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/gettysburg-college-3268>

"How Does University of Rochester Rank Among America's Best Colleges?" U.S. News
& World Report. U.S. News & World Report,. Web. 5 May 2017.
<https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/university-of-rochester-2894>

"University of Rochester ." Naviance. Hobsons Inc., Web. 5 May 2017.

<https://static.naviance.com/family-connection/colleges/#/hubs/15e00391-b150-422e-a7
8f-6b275d0dedff/Overview>

May 19, 2017

Mrs. Perry
552 Smithbridge Rd
Glen Mills, PA 19342

Dear Mrs. Perry:

For my college search, I chose to research Bryn Mawr College, Gettysburg College, and
University of Rochester. Two of my cousins are currently enrolled at Gettysburg and they
absolutely love it. I visited over the summer and the campus was pretty with a lot to do in the
small, quaint town. I came across Bryn Mawr College while doing my own personal research a
while back and I decided to visit since it is only 45 minutes away. While visiting, I absolutely
fell in love with the campus; it felt like I was in a scene from Harry Potter with all the castle like
buildings. The academics there are also challenging and rigorous, which is what Im looking for.
Finally, I chose University of Rochester after doing my own personal research a while ago, as
well. They have an extremely strong science program and a reputable medical school. I also
wanted to search for colleges that were not so close to home, and University of Rochester is
about 5 hours away.

Although the three schools I chose to research are different from each other, I chose them for
similar reasons. All of their science departments, specifically their biochemistry department, are
very strong. Since University of Rochester is a little larger than the other two, they have their
own science and arts school that is more extensive than Bryn Mawr and Gettysburg. However,
all are academically rigorous and intense, which is important to me; I want to be challenged and
pushed to my limits in college. A big bonus at Bryn Mawr was its proximity to Philadelphia; it
only takes a 20 minute train ride to get to center city. Gettysburg is a little more rural, but the
small town of Gettysburg has much to do and Hershey is only an hour's drive away. University
of Rochester is located in the city of Rochester with a decent amount to do and opportunities
socially, academically, and professionally. The party scene at Bryn Mawr is not great, which I
am fine with since I am mostly going to focus on studies. However, I have social opportunities
because I can go to Haverford, Temple, Villanova, St. Joes, or more to socialize. At Gettysburg
and Rochester, they have several fraternities and sororities where you can socialize and go to
their hosted events.

All of these schools offer the major that I want: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a
double major in Spanish. University of Rochester does offer a few more majors with
Microbiology, Cell and Cellular Development, and Evolutionary Biology. At University of
Rochester, I have to apply to specific schools (such as the School of Arts and Sciences) and that
may reduce my chances of being accepted. I would have to explore my options further to see
how the best way to apply would be. At Bryn Mawr and Gettysburg, I would not apply
undecided and would probably declare my major right away since that would not be a detriment
to me.

All three of these schools are private schools, which means their tuition is usually a lot higher
than state schools. However, private schools have larger endowments and more money to give to
assist in financial aid. Also, these schools offer merit based scholarships, so I could also receive
money for my grades and standardized test scores. Cost is a huge factor into where I will be able
to attend school, so I do have to be aware of the tuition at schools. This summer, my parents and
I will be contacting the financial aid offices at each college that I plan to apply to in order to ask
questions and receive more information from them about their specific aid process. I do not want
to raise my hopes about a school and then be disappointed when I receive very little aid. I am
having ample conversations about the financial aspect of college with my parents already and I
know they will just increase the closer I get to applying.

I feel that the schools I chose to research are all realistic possibilities. Gettysburg is probably
closer to a safety since I believe with my grades and extracurriculars, I would have very little
issues being accepted. Bryn Mawr is a real possibility, I just think that I need slightly higher
SAT scores. University of Rochester is a bit of a reach because of the selectivity of its science
school, but with higher SATs and my worth ethic, it is a possibility. All of these schools require
a high school transcript, GPA, the common application or coalition application, an additional
writing supplement, and at least two letters of recommendation. Bryn Mawr actually has a test
optional policy, meaning they do not require SAT scores; it would be beneficial for me to supply
my scores, though. None of these schools require SAT subject tests. Over the summer, I plan to
write all of my college essays, take the SAT twice more, and hopefully be finished applying to
all of my schools by the start of senior year in September.

After taking several personality tests like Meyers-Briggs, doing the Interest Inventory, and just
knowing myself, I feel that all of these schools are a good fit for me. All three schools are very
academically focused, challenging, and intense. At the same time, the environments are
supportive and helpful with a strong sense of community. I know for a fact that I will be
attending either graduate school or medical school, so attending an undergraduate school that
will guide me and challenge me in preparation for my future is important. As a focused, goal
oriented, involved person like myself, I know I would have no trouble fitting in on any of these
campuses. There are countless clubs, intramural sports, service activities, and more for me to be
involved in. Bryn Mawr definitely had the homiest feeling to it when I visited; I dont know
how to describe it other than how comfortable I felt immediately on campus. This search project
has opened my eyes more to what I am interested in for potential colleges. Bryn Mawr College,
Gettysburg College, and University of Rochester all offer everything I want and need
academically, socially, and professionally.
Sincerely,

Dana Caldwell, Garnet Valley High School

552 Smithbridge Rd
Glen Mills, PA 19342