It’s one of the most endearing debates on Bryn Mawr’s campus: what is the most beloved tradition on campus?  Ask any Mawrter and she’ll tell you her favorite. Ask any alumna and she’ll share her memories. For anyone who hasn’t been to campus or experienced a tradition firsthand, they’re most easily described as holidays that are only celebrated at Bryn Mawr.

Most of our traditions have been celebrated since the 1800s. Generations of Bryn Mawr women are connected through the traditions as they are intangible links between Bryn Mawr’s rich past and its vibrant present. There are four major traditions held throughout the academic year: Parade Night, where fresh women parade through campus and are welcomed into the community; Lantern Night, the October evening when students gather in the Cloisters and each new student receives her lantern; Hell Week, which only sounds terrifying and cannot be explained, just experienced; and of course, May Day.

There are those who insist that no tradition can hold a candle to Lantern Night (pun intended), but May Day is definitely a highlight of the academic year. Held at the end of classes and before the start of finals, May Day is an all-day celebration. Some of the festivities, like may pole dancing or hoop races, have been around for more than a century. In recent years, additions such as barbecues and concerts have been added to the fun.  A few constants remain—the day begins with a strawberry and cream breakfast and  students wear all  white. And May Day always concludes with a screening of  The Philadelphia Story on Merion Green; this classic  film stars Bryn Mawr alumna Katharine Hepburn.

May Day will allow students to look ahead to a well-deserved summer break, but it’s also one of the last campus gatherings for our Class of 2012. Here in the Admissions Office, we’re getting ready to say farewell to our awesome senior tour guides. Although saying goodbye to the seniors will be difficult (they are amazing!), we’re learning more about our incoming Class of 2016 and we’re very excited to have the next class join us this fall. But we won’t get too ahead of ourselves. This weekend, we just plan to join in the fun and celebrate.

There’s no way around it — Bryn Mawr is a women’s college. No men attend Bryn Mawr as full-time undergraduate students. There are no football games or fraternity parties (or fraternities, for that matter). You’ll see guys on campus — Penn, Haverford, or Swarthmore students taking courses via our consortium or those pursuing a graduate degree.  But our undergrads are still all female. Out of nearly 4,000 colleges in the U.S., only about 50 are dedicated to educating women; we know that for some students this difference can provoke many questions. Over the next few months, we’ll have an ongoing discussion on the admissions blog about attending a women’s college. You’ll hear from Bryn Mawr students about their experiences and you’ll get a glimpse of life on campus. Let’s start the conversation by dispelling some of the most prevalent myths about women’s colleges:

A women’s college is like a finishing school.

Fact: Forget anything you saw in the movie Mona Lisa Smile; we love Ginnifer Goodwin and Kirsten Dunst, but the movie isn’t a primer for the modern Bryn Mawr experience. You won’t see anyone wearing white gloves or taking etiquette courses for credit. You will, however, find your peers wearing lab coats or spending a semester abroad.

Lots of women together= Drama.

Fact: This, unfortunately, is a cultural narrative around women. Women “can’t get along” and if you watch enough reality TV, you might actually believe this (we’re looking at you, Real Housewives). Bryn Mawr has a close knit community and Honor Codes that promote collaboration and personal empowerment over competition. We believe the only woman you should compete with is yourself and that your peers should inspire and encourage you.

A women’s college won’t prepare me for the real world.

Fact: We can’t think of a better place to help get you ready to make your mark on the world. The lessons you learn here will guide and inform you long after graduation. At Bryn Mawr, you will take an active role in creating or changing campus policies through our Self Governance Association by drafting resolutions based on what’s important to you. In the classroom, you will be challenged and challenge others. You can start clubs or take on experiential learning opportunities in the Philadelphia region through a Praxis placement. The skills acquired at Bryn Mawr ­— assertiveness, initiative, leadership, and using your voice for change — will undoubtedly serve you well.

There’s no social life at a women’s college.

Fact: At Bryn Mawr, we’ll provide the options and you’ll decide what to do with them. Any academic, extracurricular, or social opportunity you’d have elsewhere, you’ll have here. Bryn Mawr women take pride in being unique — there’s no one type of student here. We value diversity; women here represent every political view, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, socioeconomic status, race, and social interest.  Bryn Mawr’s campus is filled with bold, bright, and unabashedly true- to-themselves women. With a student body like ours, you’ll have a rich community to embrace you. Take note from Class of 1928 alumna, Hollywood legend, and style icon Katharine Hepburn — be absolutely fabulous in your own way and on your own terms.