First-Year Advising

Every new Bryn Mawr student is assigned to the first-year class dean before arriving at the College as a first-year or transfer student. Your dean serves as your primary advisor through the sophomore year, and as a secondary resource once you have chosen a major and are working with your major advisor. As your goals and questions evolve during your time as a Bryn Mawr student, we encourage you to develop meaningful advising relationships with your dean, your professors, your major advisor, peer mentors, and other members of the campus community.

The Undergraduate Dean’s Office is committed to supporting your success throughout your time at Bryn Mawr. We aim to engage, encourage, and empower you to explore the college and yourself. We are here to help you in your academic and personal journeys. Deans are not here to tell you what to do but rather to help you find the path that fits you best. You are ultimately responsible for your own educational experience; we are here as collaborators and consultants, to help you as you navigate the pathways of academics, co-curricular experiences, and inter- and intra-personal development. Keep in mind that your education here at Bryn Mawr is made up of a collection of all your experiences. Each class you take and each activity you partake in contribute to your growth as a unique individual. We aim to help you find connections between all your thoughts and work, in and out of the classroom.

The Undergraduate Dean’s Office aims to create an open, respectful, and supportive environment for all. We actively support students of all abilities, sexual orientations, faiths, gender identities, races, ethnicities, cultures, citizenship statuses, and socio-economic statuses.

Contact Information:

Mary Beth Horvath, Ed.D.
Associate Dean of the First Year Experience

Make an appointment with Dean Horvath

New Student Drop-in hour: Mondays from 4-5pm in Guild Hall
New Student Zoom-in hour: Thursdays from 10-11am 

New Student programs 

Emily Balch Seminars