Mary Baldwin University
Staunton, VA, USA

Reviews

Mary Baldwin University

Alexis

a current student here
9 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
The courses at Mary Baldwin can definitely be challenging. Of course some classes are harder than others and some professors are more helpful than others, but the small class size creates an environment where students can connect with their professors better. General education classes at Mary Baldwin have about twenty students. The ability to connect with fellow students and professors in small classes has been helpful to me because I can follow along to the lectures and ask questions when I need to. I really feel as though I have learned a lot this semester.
Am enjoying being here
Mary Baldwin is located in Staunton Virginia, which is a very call town. Being in a small town is something that was hard to get used to because it's unlike home in the suburbs. There are a number of school events put on by different clubs and organizations. This gives the students something to do on a weeknight or a weekend. I personally come to enjoy the small town environment because I feel the school is more oriented towards studying than partying. Even so, that doesn't mean we don't have fun. The school has organized carnival events, mixers, shopping trips, spa days and each Saturday night there is an event for anyone who wants to come. The clubs and organizations put together a wide range of activities for students to become involved with. If you like volunteering and being socially involved or if you like watching improve there will always be something for you to do around campus. If campus events aren't your thing then there is always a party scene at JMU, which is thirty minutes away. There are also events that happen in downtown Staunton for people who like live bands and good food.
Bang for the buck
Because Mary Baldwin is a private college, it comes at a pretty high cost. Whether or not the Baldwin experience is worth the money is a decision that can really only be made by each individual student. I feel that I'm getting my money's worth at Mary Baldwin. I enjoy the learning environment and the social environment at school. The dorms are nice as well. Freshmen dorms all com equipped with floor to ceiling storage and a sink and mirror. The dorms also have lounge areas and kitchens. There is also a gym that is free for students. They even offer free workout classes throughout the week.
Tips for prospective students
Mary Baldwin is a great school, but if you have to be fully aware that it may be a complete change from the environment that you're used to at home. This can be true for other schools as well. Mary Baldwin College is an all girls school in a very small town. Before deciding to live there you have to think about whether or not it's the right environment for you. It's important to visit and check out the dorms and all the facilities before attending any school not just Mary Baldwin.
Great for these types of students
Mary Baldwin is great for people who don't mind being in a small and very quiet town. If you like being out in the country then you will like it here. It's a very beautiful place to look at. If you're serious about your education then this a good place for you as well because it's a good place to get some studying done.

Jessica from Woodbridge, VA

a current student here
5 people found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Am learning a lot
I've been attending MBC since my Christmas break, and I would have to say that I have learned a lot. The facility is very up front and willing to help- IF you step up to the bat.
Am enjoying being here
Mary Baldwin is A GREAT school, but, if you are the type of girl who likes to party then NO it is not the school for you. But, JMU is about 45 minutes away, so it's not to far from a party school if your up for a party. If you don't like parties that's great too! You can just stay on campus!
Bang for the buck
While the freshmen dorms may not be as good as the upper clansmen, and some of the facilities are not 100% top of the line, they do the best they can to make sure you get the bang for your buck. It is a privet college- so it is expensive, but they do try to help! Our since center is getting ready to under go a $1.2 or so million dollar renovation. If you apply yourself, anything is worth the money.
Tips for prospective students
If you want a party, do not come here.
If you do not want an ALL GIRLS SCHOOL- NO GUYS- DO NOT COME HERE.

While some girls can handle the no party and all girls school, not all of them can. VISIT the campus first to see if you like it. While they do give out a good amount of aid your first year, that should not be the only reason you attend. Again, this school is not for anybody.
Great for these types of students
Girls who want to focus on SCHOOL.
Girls who do not want boys interfering with school.
Girls who care about the community and are ready for heavy community involvement.

Yajhaira from Stafford, VA

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
I love this college more then I thought I would! It's an all-woman's college, meaning a lot of sisterhood bonds. It is most definitely NOT one of those party colleges, but you can still find yourself distracted when you go to the historical downtown they have here in Staunton.
Tips for prospective students
Work first, then possible playtime can be considered! Don't be afraid to ask if you don't know something or you doubt your information. If the first person you ask can't help, go to the next! We are all squirrels here! (College mascot). Just don't be uncomfortable by the thought of going to a woman's college, it's distinguishing & eye catching.
Academic Rigor
Strong, but not impossible.
Dorm Life
With the right roommate, everything can run very smoothly, & the lounges are amazing! perfect for movies & hangouts-but only after work is done!!
Food and Dining
It's not bad, the food is totally eatable & can go above & beyond.
What to do for fun
Watch movies, hang out with your newly made friends, go downtown where they have great shops & restaurants- but only after all your work is done!!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
They say one of the buildings is haunted by Mary Baldwin herself!
Clubs and Activities
There's plenty to choose from!
Campus Safety
There is available security at all times.

Hannah from Big Sandy, TN

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
Mary Baldwin College offers student many opportunities in their education. The faculty and staff are committed to not only making you a better student but helping you to grow as an individual person. The atmosphere here is that of acceptance and confidence.
Tips for prospective students
If at all possible try to apply early so that you can try to figure out what more you may need to do financially. However don't worry if you don't receive what you expected or wanted for financial aid in your acceptance letter because there is still another chance to receive more in your financial aid package.
Academic Rigor
Being a freshman you can see the academic differences between college and high school and though it will be an adjustment there are many resources on campus to help you if you feel apprehensive or uncertain.
Dorm Life
I currently live in Spencer Dorm(one of the two freshman dorms) and love the comfortable atmosphere here. The only down side is that they do not have air conditioning in either of the freshman dorms, however living in the mountains it will get cold at night if you open your window. *Note-They will put in an AC unit in a room if a student has a medical condition which requires it.
Food and Dining
The food here is very unique to say the least. The offer healthy choices, however it may not be the comfortable food you are used to at home. Overall though it is on a much higher scale when compared to other dinning hall food I have had from other colleges which barely pass for food.
What to do for fun
Warning to those party girls out there. Unfortunately, Staunton is not the place to be if you want to go to parties and do things of that nature. The college itself offers a wide variety of activities such as Movie Madness where you can go to downtown Staunton and watch a free movie every month and receive a free beverage or popcorn. Also they offer events that include going bowling, karaoke, block parties and other fun things. If you want to be active they offer Zumba and Yoga at no cost to you to do in your free time which I highly recommend.
Bang for the buck
You receive a high quality education and will pay less for that education than at other similar colleges.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
On campus we have a fun tradition called Apple Day. On Apple day girls go out and volunteer to pick apples to help feed the hungry in our community. Also on Apple Day there is a huge carnival that has super fun activities and events, but I believe the most fun thing is on Apple Eve when we have our dance party.
Great for these types of students
This college is great for students who are focused on their education and making said education count.
Clubs and Activities
There are far too many clubs to list that are offered here at MBC. We have theater club, social work club, psychology honors club, step dancing club, fencing, event planning committees, and the list goes one and on. If you want it we probably have it or some variation of it.
Greek Life
We do not have any greek life on campus.
Campus Safety
If at anytime you feel unsafe you can call campus security and the will escort you wherever you need to go.

Victoria from Upper Marlboro, MD

a current student here
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
In three sentences
MBC gives a well rounded education experience. They will give you challenging work and push you to do your best. Don't give up and get help when needed and you should do very well here.
Tips for prospective students
Keep in mind that MBC is an ALL WOMEN'S COLLEGE in a small town. Unlike most single sex institutions, there is NO brother school. So in short, there is not much to do and you will not see a lot of guys on campus. If you like to party, this is not the place for you. There is always something you can get in to but MBC is very strict on students when it comes to noise and activity. HOWEVER, MBC provides a lot of events for you to be apart in. There are a lot of mixers and you can see a lot of guys there. Also, MBC does UNPROCTORED EXAMS. This means that you can take your final exam WITHOUT a teacher WHENEVER YOU WANT during exam week. There are a few rules of course that go along with this, but as long as students keep up integrity, we should be able to keep this unproctored exam schedule. This also allows you to start breaks early if you take all of your finals early. Also, keep in mind that MBC has a LOT of hills and walking. Pack a lot of walking shoes and cut down on the high heels. Heels on hills do not mix.
Academic Rigor
You will be challenged. Even some of the general education classes are a little difficult. It is college. So it will be hard. Also keep in mind, since it is a very small college, professors keep attendance as a grade. If you skip too many classes, you will lose points on your overall grade or possibly fail the course. However, keep in mind that if you just go to class, you practically get free A's. Also, there are a lot of resources made available to students. The writing center and tutors are there to help you with papers and subjects you do not understand. Also, most professors are VERY helpful when it comes to explaining concepts in and out of class. Since it is a small college, teachers will stop and explain concepts because there are not a lot of people in the classes. Most classes run about 20-30 people MAX. There are a few exceptions, of course.
Dorm Life
Freshman dorms are not the great, but they are nice. Compared to other schools, they are awesome. Freshman dorms have sinks inside the rooms are a good size larger than other first year dorms in surrounding colleges. However, the school is very picky about noise and quiet hours. You will be written up if you make too much noise. However, this does not happen to often.
Food and Dining
It could be better. It could be a LOT worse. Because it is so small, there are not a lot of choices, but the food staff is very nice about working around your diet and giving options that are healthy and good for you. Some days are just bad. So keep a stash of food in your room.
What to do for fun
Honestly, there is not too much to do for fun. HOWEVER, the school has a lot of options. Roughly, once or twice a month, there is a mixer. Go to those. They are usually free for MBC students and are a lot of fun. Downtown Staunton is also a lot of fun. It is a very safe town that closes fairly early. Go to the park, Mug Shots, Coffee on the Corner or even Hookah Dookah. There is a lot of things to do downtown if you just look for it. I promise. HOWEVER, the best thing that MBC does is DOWNTOWN MOVIE MADNESS. Once a month on a Thursday, the school buys out TWO movie theaters. Then they allow the students to go to a movie for FREE. You can also get a free popcorn or drink. Keep in mind, these are NOT old movies. THESE ARE NEW MOVIES. There is no catch. Just go twenty mins before the movie starts and BANG you get a free movie. The school also does first Friday events. Once a month they'll do a free or cheap event (usually under $10) and take students off campus for snow tubing or a water park or something fun like that.
Bang for the buck
You get what you are paying for. Tuition pays for FIVE academic terms. Fall term, Spring term and May term. May term is an extra three week term that ends by the usual time other schools ends. You will take up to four credit classes and only take them for three weeks. Fun classes are given during this term. So in short, you get a lot of classes done. My Freshman year I finished 39 credit hours. This is considered a lot, but you have the opportunity to get a lot of classes done in a short time period.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
Apple Day. This is usually the first day off from classes you will get. However, it is SO MUCH FUN. Apple Eve and Apple Day is just about the biggest event on campus. Apple Eve the school throws a big party for us. Food, drinks, fun, bonfire and a party. It is almost like the school's homecoming. Apple day you can go out and pick apples that are donated to charity. Sounds boring, but it is a lot of fun. After is a huge breakfast and then a fair. NEVER SKIP THIS EVENT.
Great for these types of students
MBC is perfect for people that do not mind a small community with all women. If you want to get your work done and get a quality education, this is the place to go. If you are looking for a party scene, do not come here.
Clubs and Activities
There are a lot of clubs you can get into. Most clubs sponsor fun activities campus wide and are a lot of fun to go to. So you do not have to be actively a part of a club to have the perks and fun that they have.
Greek Life
There is none.
Campus Safety
You will feel very safe on campus. Like any other campus, you should be very aware of where you are going and when you go out. However, there are usually no problems on campus with this. Campus Security is awesome. They will help you whenever you need it.

P. from Charleston, WV

accepted here and planning to attend soon
1 person found this review useful
CategoriesComments
Will learn a lot
The school is very focused on getting students involved in the school and leadership opportunities. The professors are very interested in their fields and it shows in their teaching.
Will enjoy being here
It has everything I wanted in a college: small, focus on learning, focus on the classic college experience without the massive parties.
Bang for the buck
If you worked hard in high school and take challenging courses, they will reward you for your hard work. Also, all the opportunities they offer make it worth the cost.
Tips for prospective students
Be prepared to work! And get active in the school, that is what Mary Baldwin is all about, being involved.
Great for these types of students
Women who do not mind going to an all girls school. Women ready to lead and change the world.