Distinctive Colleges in Southwest Virginia
As an IEC, I invest time, energy, and miles in keeping abreast of the ever-changing college admissions landscape. Spring is my heavy travel season for campus visits, conferences, and continuing education. Last week, I had the opportunity to visit nine colleges and universities in Virginia. I imagine you've heard of at least a few of them. How many can you name based on these clues?
The only university in the world where you can earn college credit by thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail through the unique Semester A-Trail program.
A university where 54 distinguished students spend their final year in a coveted "lawn room," which requires braving the elements to reach the bathroom.
The only faith-based, LDS-aligned university with a Division III athletics program.
A liberal arts college where students celebrate Tinker Day with an annual costumed hike to the peak of Tinker Mountain, and which counts Margaret Wise Brown, the author of *Goodnight Moon*, among its notable alumni. (Note: their graduate programs are gender inclusive.)
A college with two working farms on campus and a very popular Agriculture & Young Farmers Club, with a reportedly high vet school acceptance rate.
The only NAIA athletics program in Virginia, where students celebrate the last day of spring classes by mud-sliding down a steep hill to a pig roast on Mud Pig Day.
A liberal arts college focused on interdisciplinary, experiential learning that hosted this year's Women's DIII Final Four games.
A private university founded before the nation's independence, where students run a professional consulting firm and invest a significant portion of the endowment in real-world experiential learning.
In my opinion, the most architecturally consistent large public university; attending a football game just to see the team enter the field is on my bucket list.
Why do I visit college campuses?
To learn about academics, experiential learning opportunities, and student life.
To gain insights from current students and admissions officers.
To develop a better understanding of admissions processes, nuances, scholarships, and financial aid.
Ultimately, to support best academic, personal, and financial fit college planning for students and families.
And, let's be honest, to pet horses and dogs like Cricket!
I'll be sharing more in the coming days on the College Rangefinder facebook page and, more regularly, on Instagram.
