Bryn Mawr uses a holistic review process including, but not limited to, consideration of the student's school record, program rigor, essays, recommendations, testing (if provided), and personal qualities and achievements. Eligible students will have a high school diploma before matriculation and will not have enrolled as a full-time college student at any other institution. Students who have taken college courses as part of their high school curriculum are considered first-year applicants.

Any student who has completed more than one full semester of college work post-high school must apply as a transfer student. College credits earned from general education courses in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences may be eligible for transfer. Full-time enrollment is required for transfer students and financial aid is available.