Next week, Mary Baldwin will join 23 other colleges around the commonwealth in hosting prospective students for Virginia Private Colleges Week, hosted each year by the Council of Independent Colleges of Virginia (CICV).
Students will tour the Staunton campus and attend information sessions about admissions, financial aid, and academic programs. College officials will also address some common myths about the cost of a private college education. “Visiting campuses in person is one of the most important steps in the college search process,” said Robert Lambeth, CICV president. “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.”
Campus visits are a critical part of the college search process. It’s all about finding the place where students will feel comfortable and can begin to forge their futures, said Lois Hicks Williams, vice president for enrollment management at Mary Baldwin. “Parents want to know that they are making a solid investment and students want to be able to picture themselves in college. A good campus visit will answer important financial questions, provide that experience, and hopefully make the decision easier.”
Students who visit at least three institutions during the week will receive three application fee waivers. Students may use these waivers to apply to any three participating CICV colleges for free. In addition, students visiting at least three institutions will also be eligible for a drawing for a $500 Amazon gift card.
Sessions at most colleges will begin at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday through Friday, and at 9 a.m. on Saturday. For more information about CICV and Virginia Private College Week, including a list of participating colleges and exceptions to this schedule, please visit www.vaprivatecolleges.org.
The Virginia Private Colleges website provides information concerning the quality and affordability of Virginia private colleges to students and parents by increasing awareness of its member institutions and addressing myths concerning private higher education and its costs. The website is a user-friendly, informative tool to help identify which Virginia private college is right for any qualified student.