Female only colleges are schools that have a student body entirely comprised of women. This type of college is often referred to as all-women’s or women’s colleges, and they are an important part of the American higher education landscape.
Proponents of women’s colleges argue that the ethos behind the all-female model fosters independence and self-confidence, prepares students for leadership roles, and offers a safe and supportive environment in which to complete their degree. They also say that the women’s colleges encourage graduates to excel in male-dominated fields, especially in science and technology (STEM), and help them establish a network of successful and accomplished alumnae after graduation.
Critics of women’s colleges often point to the “distracting” effect of all-female environments and question whether the ethos cultivated at such institutions will translate into real-world work situations. In addition, they raise concerns about the potential for discrimination against women in the workplace.
There click here are a number of reasons why women’s colleges have become less common over time, including economic considerations and the increasing popularity of coed universities. But the most important reason for their decline is a combination of both historical and political factors.
In the 1800s, many of the Ivy League schools, such as Harvard and Princeton, did not admit women. To counteract the discrimination, they paired up with sister colleges that educated women separately from their male undergraduates.
By the end of the nineteenth century, seven elite, all-female colleges emerged: Mount Holyoke College, Vassar College, Wellesley College, Smith College, Radcliffe College, Bryn Mawr College, and Barnard College. They were known as the Seven Sisters and served as models for many other women’s colleges that followed in their footsteps.
One of the early advocates of women’s colleges was poet Emily Dickinson, who wrote in her diary that she “had a feeling that it would be possible to educate a woman in this country.” She and other women were determined to create a system where women could be given equal opportunities to succeed in college and beyond.
However, the 1870s proved to be a challenging time for these nascent schools. A group of Yale University alumni, in particular, worried about the “distracting” effects of women’s presence. They expressed the belief that “gentlemen — let’s face it — charming as women are — they get to be a drag if you have to associate with them every day.”
After these criticisms, many of these all-women’s colleges eventually incorporated a coeducational model and began accepting men as well. But the majority of these institutions still maintain their uniqueness with smaller class sizes, higher teacher-student ratios, and an emphasis on experiential learning that sets them apart from other schools.
Today, there are only a handful of all-female colleges remaining in the United States, most of which have transitioned to coeducational status. In fact, only four of the Seven Sisters remain – Mount Holyoke, Smith, Vassar, and Wellesley.
As the number of all-female colleges continues to shrink, students must look at their options carefully. Thankfully, there are some high-quality, low-cost options for students looking to attend an all-female college.