Mary Baldwin to Open its Doors for Private College Week

Mary Baldwin University is one of 24 colleges around the Commonwealth to participate in Virginia Private College Week, which is designed to emphasize the quality of and to dispel common misconceptions about the cost of a private education. 

Rising high school juniors and seniors are invited to tour the Mary Baldwin campus and to attend information sessions about admissions, financial aid, and academics July 29 through August 3.

“Visiting campuses in person is one of the most important steps in the college search process,” said Robert Lambeth, president of Council for Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV), which hosts the annual event. “I encourage parents to explore which college will be the best fit for their son or daughter, and I want to reassure them that a quality education at a Virginia private college is affordable and within reach.”

Among the top myths many people hold is the notion that private colleges are too expensive. Last year, however, 87 percent of freshmen at Virginia private colleges received financial aid, and their average financial aid package was $20,463 (including grants, work study, and loans). Virginia residents attending a private college in the state will also receive the undergraduate Tuition Assistance Grant, which is $3,100 for 2013–14.

The right “fit” is paramount when students and parents consider where to spend their time and college fund.

“There is no ‘one size fits all’ college experience,” said Andrew Modlin, associate vice president for enrollment management at Mary Baldwin. “It is important that prospective students take the time to explore a variety of colleges so that they are equipped to select the one that is the right match. The college search process is about finding the place where a student is able to connect and develop the skills to prepare her for the future.”

In addition to its historic hilltop campus and classical architecture, Mary Baldwin is home to programs and opportunities that students won’t find elsewhere, including the Virginia Women’s Institute for Leadership, the only all-female cadet corps in the country, partnerships with the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and the American Shakespeare Center, the chance to engage in undergraduate research projects, and new graduate programs in health sciences.

Virginia Private College Week sessions at most colleges, including Mary Baldwin, will be held at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., daily (9 a.m. only on August 3). Register here. Students who visit at least three institutions during the week will receive three application fee waivers, which may be used to apply to any three Virginia private colleges.

Mary Baldwin’s doors are open all summer for prospective students. For more information or to register for a personal visit, click or contact the Admissions office at 800-468-2262 or admit@marybaldwin.edu.