Women’s colleges are a minority in the United States — there are a total of around 43. Given the lack of representation that results from this small number, women’s colleges have acquired several misinformed stereotypes and myths that need correcting. Here are five of the most common associations with women’s colleges, and the degree to which they are largely false.

1. They are full of drama.

False. Due to the popularity of movies, books and TV shows that center around drama and a clique of girls, an image that comes to people’s minds when they envision a women’s college is one of fighting and manipulation. Yet this stereotype is far from accurate. Rather than tearing each other down, students at women’s colleges support and inspire one another as leaders and scholars. In fact, an absence of men actually causes the drama to decrease. Think about it: a huge part of the Mean Girls plot involved Regina and Cady’s fight over Aaron Samuels. In Gossip Girl, relationships with Nate put Serena and Blair’s friendship at risk several times. When women, who growing up absorb the idea that they must compete for male attention, find themselves in an environment with no males, the results can be magical.

2. Every night is a slumber party.

False. While women’s colleges are incredibly empowering environments, this does not mean that all the students are friends with one another and paint their nails and have giant slumber parties every night. A sense of solidarity does not equal an absence of independence. Like in any academic or work environment, students at women’s colleges form natural friendships with people because of common interests and overall priorities, not simply upon the basis of gender. Also, who even has time for sleepovers every night? Again, women’s colleges are similar to any other school in the sense that they can be extremely academically rigorous.

3. All the students hate men.

False. People choose to go to women’s colleges for all sorts of reasons. Some of these reasons are to stay away from men, but not because students hate them. Rather, it could be because she carries trauma from sexual harassment. Maybe she never felt she could speak out in high school because her male classmates would always dominate the conversation. On the other hand, perhaps her decision had absolutely nothing to do with men. She could have just happened to visit a women’s college and really like the campus environment and academic offerings. In any case, a women’s college campus is not equivalent to a man-hating vortex of doom. This myth really does need to go.

3. All the students are gay.

False. It is true that women’s colleges do have populations of LGBTQ-identified students, but like at many institutions they do not make up the majority. While LGBTQ people do attend same-sex schools to meet potential partners, this is certainly not their only motivation. Women’s colleges have historically acted as inclusive spaces for stigmatized gender identities. LGTBQ people fall under this category for the host of discrimination they face throughout their lives, including on college campuses. Yes, women’s colleges have an LGTBQ population. But that does not mean every student is gay. This type of thinking reduces a women’s college to the sexuality of its students, and many people would agree that there is more to an individual than her sexuality.

4. They are out of touch with reality.

False. Just because women’s colleges are same-sex education environments does not mean they are ignorant of the fact that men exist. Of course they know that. In fact, women’s colleges are so aware of the dominant male presence in nearly every key leadership position that they make an effort to empower women and change this reality. In fact, one of these women is currently running for president.

Hopefully this list demystifies women’s colleges and presents them as complex and powerful environments rather than petty stereotypes. Do try to avoid mentioning these myths when talking with anyone, but especially with a student or alum from a women's college, who are most likely fed up with hearing them so often.