There are many misconceptions about women’s colleges. These myths can have a negative influence on decisions made by high school seniors in regards to choosing a college. If a prospective first year believes these myths without visiting or getting information from current students attending a women’s college, then it is likely they will exclude the colleges from their list of college choices. Here are five popular myths:
1. The “mean woman” myth.
Every since I was in elementary school, people would constantly say that females are vicious and petty individuals. However, I have seen males act the same way. People always categorize women as the means ones, especially in movies and television shows. Since women’s colleges have only women living on campus then it is believed that everyone is mean spirited. However, mean people can be found anywhere and just because a college is a women’s college does not mean that there’s an abundance of it. I have met people who are genuinely kind, just like I would if I had gone elsewhere.
2. You will never see a man.
As the sayings go, “We are not a girl’s school without men, but a women’s college without boys.” There will be a lot of mixers and parties, in which men from nearby colleges are invited to attend. You can go to parties at other colleges with your friends. You are not being locked away from society. Where there are females, there will always be males.
3. We don’t look presentable.
We are not going to look like we are going to a fashion show everyday wearing heels, makeup, and jewelry. Sometimes there are people who look like they just got out of bed. However, that does not mean that we do not take pride in our appearance. Majority of the times people dressed nicely in clothing ranging from sweatshirts to the occasional dress. This isn’t any different than what goes on at other schools.
4. We hate men.
Agnes Scott’s date raffle clearly proves this claim wrong. We do not hate men or have a problem getting along with them.
5. We can’t compete in the world.
There are many successful women who attended a women’s college and are now successful, such as Hillary Clinton, Martha Stewart, Marian Wright Edelman, Jennifer Nettles, Ann Compton, and Natasha Trethewey. If a women’s college education prohibited women from being successful, then how come these women are making the extraordinary accomplishments?
Don’t let any of these myths keep you from considering a women’s college. You may just miss out on a great experience.