Sweet Briar College
Sweet Briar, VA, USA

Reviews

Sweet Briar College

Jessica

a current student here
19 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Academic Rigor
The level of difficulty in the courses vary just like they would anywhere. Most of the professors give you a syllabus for the semester and expect you to stay on top of the deadlines. If you struggle in a class there is this place called the ARC where tutors who are majoring in the subject can help you out with homework, papers, etc.
Am enjoying being here
There are many clubs on campus that host events every month. If you want to get off campus, Lynchburg and Charlottesville aren't too far of a drive and they have lots of great restaurants and places to shop. There are lots of traditions to bond you to your sister class and let you get to know all sorts of people around campus
Bang for the buck
Since it's a private school it is expensive, but it's completely worth it. The school and this site : ) offer lots of scholarships to help out students. The teacher-student ratio is low so you get much more attention than you would at a public school. We just got a new gym which is really nice. There are lots of new indoor facilities to play sports, hold events, or offer fitness classes like Zumba. We also just got wireless internet connection all over campus, but if you don't have a laptop there are lots of Mac and Dell computers you can use all over campus. All guest artist concerts, productions, and lectures are completely free to students.
Tips for prospective students
When I was looking at colleges, Sweet Briar was at the bottom of my list until I took a tour. The campus is gorgeous and the people were so friendly and helpful. If you are considering SBC definitely come visit before you make your final college decision and don't be afraid to ask questions. Their are facebook groups for upcoming and prospective students so feel free to join and ask current students anything.
Great for these types of students
One who:
-likes small classes
-wants to be known by her name instead of a number
-wants to be challenged in a supportive environment

Chelsea from Spout Spring, VA

a current student here
15 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
This is my first semester in college and I am currently taking 13 credit hours. I'm learning so much! I'm really enjoying my classes and they go in depth! I'm enrolled in elemetary Greek and can already write sentences in Greek. I'm also enrolled in an English class, Honors Eugenics class, which is really interesting, a hiking course, Archeology class, learning about civilizations rising to power and why they fall, and a philosophy class that is seriously mind blowing! I've learned so much since I got here!!
Am enjoying being here
I really love it here at Sweet Briar. The people are nice, the campus is breath taking, and the classes are amazing! I've been meeting people from all over the world, and I get so many opportunities to go to other countries! It's amazing!
Bang for the buck
So I think Sweet Briar is awesome, but the cost isn't as exciting. The tuition for Sweet Briar is around forty thousand per year. Not so great. However, Sweet Briar does offer many scholarships to help you with the tuition. As for BANG, I'd have to say Sweet Briar is amazing with tons of things to do, but sometimes can be a little pricey and, I believe at least, that you should be able to control yourself if you plan on coming here, because you could end up spending more than you actually have.
Tips for prospective students
Dear Prospective,
Sweet Briar college is a well respected liberal arts college, and the people here are amazing; but when you get here don't expect everything to go smoothly. The professors will gladly help you if you feel like you're getting behind, but you need to be prepared for college. That means you need to be capable of handling stress and balancing your social life with that of your academic life. College is college is college.
Great for these types of students
This school is great if you love horses, history, ghosts, English, opportunities to go across the world, internships, one on one help and support, and if you genuinely love nature!

Kay from VA

a current student here
12 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The courses are very interesting and the professors will help you with anything you need to make sure you understand the material.
Am enjoying being here
The traditions are awesome, the community is nice and beautiful, and there is always something going on. There are a lot of clubs and social events.
Bang for the buck
With our new gym and apartments, Sweet Briar is really growing. While the food isn't always worth our money, there are great computers, gym equipment, and free laundry that is worth it!
Tips for prospective students
Don't by afraid to ask anything you are curious about.
Sweet Briar is always accepting of diversity and new personalities and ideas.
Great for these types of students
Those who want to have success, those who want to be known by their professors and feel welcomed, those who can enjoy the bond between sisters, and those who really want to learn.

Sweet Briar Girl

a current student here
6 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Sweet Briar is a wonderful school where the academics are challenging, the friends are forever, and the professors know your name. You aren't a number here. Everything is personal.
Tips for prospective students
Work hard. It's not easy, but it's manageable.
Academic Rigor
Work hard and you will achieve great things.
Dorm Life
Beautiful.
Food and Dining
Well, they're trying.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Sweet Briar has so many traditions. It surprised me a bit when I first got here, but now I see it as part of campus life.
Great for these types of students
Hard working,

bryanna from bethlehem, pa

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
sweet briar college has a unique and unidentifiable element to it. while a lot of colleges give prospectives the impression that they will be remolded during their college experience sweet briar offers a new metaphor. sweet briar college is an institution where at first you'll believe you have strengths and weakness, but during your time at sweet briar you'll discover how to capitalize on your strengths while developing your "weaknesses" to a point where you feel comfortable enough to claim you don't have any.
Tips for prospective students
+ if you can, visit your top three colleges' campuses
+ talk to the head of the department(s) you are interested in
+ get in touch with a current student and ask them the questions you're really curious about
+ take the time to really evaluate what you want to gain from your college experience (this is an investment and a privilege)
Academic Rigor
most students spend anywhere from three to five hours a day working on coursework outside of the allotted time in the classroom. i have yet to be assigned "busy work" so everything i have been putting my time towards has benefited me or will benefit me in my career choice.
Dorm Life
the dorms at sweet briar are older and haven't been renovated recently, but that's one of the unique features about this college. the older dorms have decorated ceiling fans, hard wood floors and crown molding. the interior architecture gives the dorms a homey feel due to the older design. plus, anything that is broken or damaged can be requested by any student to be fixed through an online portal.
Food and Dining
dining services does a tremendous job with supplying students with a range of choices given the small student body size and array of dietary restrictions. i always have found something to eat and any questions and concerns that students have can always be brought up with the dining staff.
What to do for fun
i am involved in three tap clubs on campus. tap clubs are unique to sweet briar and brief descriptions about each club can be read on sbc.edu. there are a lot of traditions ingrained into sweet briars academic calendar and everyday life. i am also a member of the varsity tennis team, class of 2018 treasurer, work in the financial aid office, and a member of the french club. i enjoy watching movies with friends and playing video games. on rare occasions, i'll go to hampton-sydney college to hang out with some friends.
Bang for the buck
the cost to pursue a higher education these days is quite high for almost all families in the u.s. while sweet briar is an expensive college on paper, the amount of financial aid each student receives nearly halves the cost for every student attending. the classes are very small in comparison to even some of the smallest institutions (no more than 25); i've been in classes with only four students in the class. the amount of attention a student can receive in and outside of the classroom is beyond unbelievable. the career services office and library are also amazing resources to take full advantage of while attending and even after for free!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
all of our traditions can be found of the sbc.edu website, but a few of my favorite are lantern bearing, the class specific objects/symbols and the decoration of senior robes. lantern bearing is when a non-graduating student creates a basket for a graduating student and the couple or group walks around the upper quad with the rest of those who have created a basket for other graduating members. during the walk, the graduating member tells the person(s) who decorated her basket about her unique experiences while attending sweet briar. they walk around four times and the forth lap is done by only the graduating students. the class specific objects/symbols are the freshman hitching post, the sophomore rock, the junior benches and the senior steps. members of their respective class years are only able to touch their class' object/symbol. the middle doors in the dining hall are also reserved only for the graduating class to walk through as a symbol of respect that carries over from the senior steps on the other side of campus. the last tradition i deeply enjoy is the decoration of the senior robes. each year the graduating class members have received robes that have been passed down year to year and have certain requirements to be filled to obtain. seniors ask a junior to accept their robe when they graduate and to decorate something symbolizing the interests and name of the senior graduating to put on the robe.
Great for these types of students
sweet briar is a great environment for students who wish to develop skills that they lack confidence in but deeply enjoy, academically orientated students with a desire to play a division iii sport, and students that feel they have something unique to bring to the table and desire a community that is willing and happy to help them develop their idea(s) to a new level.
Clubs and Activities
the clubs around campus are all fun to be involved with, but the tap clubs are very involved on campus and most everyone is in one.
Greek Life
sweet briar has tap clubs instead of greek life on campus.
Campus Safety
safety is becoming a bigger concern with all the media coverage on recent horrific actions seen on larger campuses. sweet briar college has campus safety officers on call 24/7 and frequently make rounds around the entirety of the campus.

Anonymous

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Tips for prospective students
If you're worried about attending a women's college for any reason, don't be. It's not nearly as scary or as strange as you might think, I promise. At one point, just about every student was a skeptic. To put it simply, men are here when we want them, and not when we don't. It's as simple as that!

My best advice is to consider visiting campus--that's the best way to find out what it's really like.
Academic Rigor
Classes are tough. Because of our round-table discussion style of learning, you have to know your stuff, but you also get so much more out of your education. By the same token, professors care a lot about their students, so if you are struggling you can always go to them.
Dorm Life
Our residence halls are very nice. No cinderblock walls and bars on the windows here! We're very lucky to have nice, plain plaster walls, hardwood floors, and nice big windows with a (usually) great view. Our buildings are older with all the charms of a vintage residence hall, complete with visiting parlor (now a lounge area). Doors are usually left unlocked because of our honor code. Rooms range from singles to quads and we also have apartment living for upperclasswomen.
Food and Dining
It's college food. It's not the best food you've ever had, but it's definitely not the worst. I've been on a lot of college campuses and would have to say we have some of the best. The dining hall is very accommodating of allergies and dietary needs, however, and we do have an entire vegetarian station. Not to mention, we do have fresh made-to-order eggs every morning and made-to-order pancakes on the weekends.
Bang for the buck
The degree you get from Sweet Briar is worth every penny. First of all, we are one of the so-called Seven Sisters of the South and our college has a good name behind it. Beyond that, choosing women's-only education prepares us to take on the world. The benefits of a women's college are phenomenal, but not very well known. You gain so much out of attending a women's college (confidence, poise, articulacy, etc.) that it's a decision you won't regret. The friendships formed at SBC last a lifetime, too.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
We have tons of unusual traditions. I suggest checking out the college's website, but I'll give you some of my favorites to look out for: Rock and Hitching Post Fight, Step-Singing, Lantern Bearing, and Scream Night.
Great for these types of students
Intelligent, motivated young women who want to get the most out of their four years in college... and have a lot of fun along the way!
Clubs and Activities
We have around fifty different clubs on campus, so there are plenty of options for every interest. Starting a club is also quite easy.
Greek Life
We do not have Greek Life, but we do have Tap Clubs! Tap clubs are student interest-based organizations on campus that each have a rival. We have 11 clubs total--obviously number 11 is still waiting on a rival! Some of my favorite rivalries: Sweet Tones and Ear Phones (Sweet Tones can sing, Ear Phones are just plain loud!), Paint 'N' Patches and Ain'ts 'N' Asses (PnP enjoys theatre, AnA enjoys... comedic skits resembling theatre), Taps on Toes and Falls on Nose (TNT can dance, FON falls on their noses to help others).
Campus Safety
Campus Safety is excellent. We have an open campus from 6AM to 6PM, but at night we do restrict access to campus via a checkpoint system. I've always felt remarkably safe and never had a problem... or at least, the one time I did, Campus Safety was on it and happy to kick the problem off campus.

Laura from Orange County, CA

a current student here
3 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I did a year at Hollins, in Roanoke, Va, I did not like Hollins at all. Sweet Briar is the school for you and I know YOU wont regret it. best of luck getting in.
Tips for prospective students
Check out the campus and make sure it feels like home
Academic Rigor
Great classes, small, the professors do care about your grades. if you need help they are there for you
Dorm Life
Great dorms
Food and Dining
great food compared to some schools
Bang for the buck
A bit expensive but worth every penny
Great for these types of students
Independent women who will do great things

Haley from Danville, VA

researching this school
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I fell in love with Sweet Briar <3 The class sizes are small, therefore you get to know your professors :) The campus is full of trails and opportunity.
Tips for prospective students
Visit! Ask a lot of questions.
Academic Rigor
The classes are very personal and adv., but it is worth it. You can also create your own major if one isn't available.
Dorm Life
the dorms are a good size but the stairs can kill lol
Food and Dining
It is great, they have several places to get food and they have Sweet Cash which is like a card that you and/or your parents can deposit money to use for food.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
There are fun traditions like the tap clubs, Big sister, and singing on the stairs. There is a lake with a boat house and trails runs throughout the campus.
Great for these types of students
Women Leaders looking for a place to flourish. Who are want small classes.
Campus Safety
The campus is very safe, the whole student body lives by the Honor Code. If you leave your bike outside without securing it, it well be there when you come back for it after class. The worst trouble people get in is a parking ticket.

D.j. from Daleville, AL

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
The professors really get to know you and are willing to help you in any way possible. The traditions are one of my favorite parts. The whole community is very personal.
Tips for prospective students
Come stay the night! It helps you get the best feel for the campus and is an amazing experience! Our admissions counselors are also fantastic, they will really get to know you and help you make your decision.
Academic Rigor
We have a pretty broad range of difficulty in classes, but the professors really want to help you succeed.
Dorm Life
Great, the roommate I was matched with freshman year became my best friend! Our rooms are also pretty big compared to other college's dorms and have hardwood floors and big closets!
Food and Dining
Its just okay, some nights are better than others. They are pretty good about catering to all different sorts of dietary restrictions.
What to do for fun
We have so many different options. If you want to party, you can party. We may be all-women's, but if you want to find guys, you will find them! We have an awesome outdoor program, I do whitewater kayaking and rock climbing with them. Our Campus Events Organization puts on different events and a dance and does several movie nights a semester.
Bang for the buck
Great! Its expensive, but I received several merit scholarships and get soooo much personal attention from my professors here.
Clubs and Activities
Our Outdoor Program is the best! We also have a wide variety of clubs, and you can also start your own if you want!

Tiffany from Capitol Heights, MD

a current student here
2 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Its a great school with amazing people. The faculty is great and are always willing to help even if your question has nothing to do with their department. It's a great place for learning and discovering who you are.
Tips for prospective students
Visit the campus before deciding on which school you go to. When I first visited the campus, I knew this was the place I wanted to be. Don't let your self get overwhelmed. If you don't really know what you want to major in, don't sweat it. Decide what your interested in and pick your school based on your personality because at the end of the day, your the one spending four years at the college you choose.
Academic Rigor
Sweet Briar is academically challenging. The Professors constantly provide challenges for us to overcome and excel because they know that we are capable of whatever they throw at us. They are always willing to help us when we get stuck.
Dorm Life
Freshman are given roommates, but during the spring semester before room selection begins, students are able to pick their roommates for the coming year. Most dorms are for two residents but there are triplets and quads. There is and RA available 24/7 who can help with any issues.
Food and Dining
Sometimes the food is okay and other times its something else. During lunch there is a sandwich line and a pizza station. If you don't feel like dining at Prothro you can go to the Bistro located in the fitness center.
What to do for fun
We often hang out in the lounges that can be found throughout campus. Lots of the clubs on campus throw various programs to keep us involved.
Bang for the buck
The tuition for sweet briar has a hefty price but it's worth every penny. Its a really hands on school that is constantly concern its students.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Sweet Briar has Lots of traditions. One of which is our tap clubs. But in order to find out more, you have to come visit.
Great for these types of students
Its a great learning environment for those who are serious about learning. It's for those trend setters who prefers to live out loud than be contained in a box.