M. Carey Thomas writes to Mary Garrett, describing her recent visits to both Smith College and Vassar College. Thomas has been sent to tour several colleges in order to prepare for the deanship of Bryn Mawr College that she was awarded in March 1884, when her bid for the Presidency of Bryn Mawr College was denied. She writes of being impressed by Vassar College, and by the female professors there, but of being disappointed by Smith. She states that the female professors at Vassar were much better at teaching their female students than the male professors. She writes that were she in charge of Bryn Mawr, it would become such a good college for women that "not a girl would go to Smith." She again expresses concern for Garrett's health, encouraging her to take periods of rest.