Sweet Briar College in
Sweet Briar Station (VA)

Sweet Briar is a fine educational institution. I've worked here for 20 years. The grounds are beautiful. The professors, faculty, and staff go all out for the students. For an all girls school it competes with coed schools for students. Come join our community. Give Sweet Briar College a try, you wont want to leave.

When I am among the trees, especially the willows and the honey locust, equally the beech, the oaks and the pines, they give off such hints of gladness. I would almost say that they save me, and daily. -Mary Oliver (Margaret Banister Writer in Residence at Sweet Briar College)

I toured here with my mom on November 30th, and it was amazing. I was fascinated by how large the campus is. I enjoyed walking around the campus, as the tour guide was very friendly, helpful, and answered all my questions. I enjoyed her telling us the history of the school. As well as this, I got to talk to one of the advisors, Aaron Basko, who was very down-to-earth, helpful, and answered my questions. Overall, I really enjoyed the tour.

I love this place and am so grateful to be able to walk my dog there. Today was first time since March. But it's not up to its usual standard. Grass needs cutting on the trails as it's easier to see snakes and avoid ticks, but we had a nice short walk due to us being out of shape!

Am an alumna of SBC (class of 1995). This campus is by far THE loveliest, best-maintained, and most wholesome/warming of all in the Commonwealth. Just about all the programs offered by SBC are excellent with great instructors; that's the least of all the positive accolades this school keeps & carries! The Dell also ROCKS... Every chance there is for me to do so, I ALWAYS pay many visits to Sweet Briar and its wondrous, history-rich campus... It's so worth it! Every time.

Beautiful Campus, My girls attended a 5 day Strings Camp hosted on campus, they had a great time. Not students.

Sweet Briar taught me to be an independent thinker and a take-charge leader. The faculty are like family and the campus is magical. Even after 4 years of living there, every season takes my breath away.

Never before in my life have I been able to find a place that both helps me to grow as an individual and completely accepts the individual that I am, no matter where I am in the process of that growth. I have personal connections with nearly every one of my faculty members. For example: I took a Marketing course out of curiosity during the fall of my sophomore year. To this day, as a rising senior, that professor (who teaches only one or two night courses for the College) periodically emails to check in with me and to keep me aware of various jobs/internships that may be available to me - and that's not even the field in which I've chosen to major! The friendships that I have fostered here at Sweet Briar are some of the nearest and dearest I have ever experienced. While many of my friends graduated with the class of 2015, I have no doubt that we will remain close, despite between states apart. There are so many opportunities to create meaningful relationships, be it on your dorm hall, in a class, on a team, onstage, or in any number of our myriad of available clubs and activity groups. I have been a Student Admissions Ambassador since the spring of my first-year and I have never once felt phony or cliche when showing off our beautiful campus to visitors. I am not one to stomach "BS" and would certainly never stand for speaking it on my tours. Just goes to show that all the love and positivity is 100% real.

This college offers a fabulous academic environment, and it is a wonderful place to visit. It has 3250 acres of rolling hills to hike and bike. Relax at the boathouse or scratch the noses of our sweet horses. This campus boasts historic architecture and a stunning library. For students, the campus offers small classes, accessible professors, and rigorous academics. Students graduate with strong leadership skills and a can-do attitude that will serve them in all walks of life. Check out our unique engineering program!

I loved attending college here. SBC is a huge family. It shaped me into the strong, confident woman I am today.

Sweet Briar is a place where one can receive a world class education, enter a global network of influencers, employers, entrepreneurs and leaders while developing one's passion and bringing it to market. What one notices at first glance of Sweet Briar is its intoxicating beauty and otherworldly sensibility... the true beauty of Sweet Briar lies far more deeply. The real power of Sweet Briar lies in her liberal arts mission, excellent academic resources and enriching community. The Sweet Briar experience is unique, rare, intimate and remarkable. We are a Sisterhood of talented, intelligent and transformative women who are groomed to lead and leave a mark in the world. Those of us who have been educated at Sweet Briar stick together, and we change the world every single day. There is nothing we cannot do. Jane Rangel, Class of 2006 says it best: “Where else could I sit on the grass on the sloping dell during American Foreign Policy class and hotly debate the efficacy of American interventionism with my professor — a leading expert in South Asian politics — and the eight other bright, outspoken young women in my course? I am thoroughly convinced that there is no other college in the world where I can accept an invitation to my Creative Writing professor’s house to share a delicious home cooked meal with my ten other classmates and listen to Ken Saro Wiwa Jr. speak about his quest for justice for his father and the Ogoni people. And only at Sweet Briar could I sit outside the Bistro and share a beer with internationally renowned author Salman Rushdie, as we discuss the creative value of magical realism. If Sweet Briar’s campus sometimes feels insular, it somehow has the wondrous effect of creating women who are anything but. One of my classmates would go on to serve — and sustain injury — in a UN peacekeeping mission in Sudan. One of my roommates spent several years working on legal and humanitarian issues in the war torn and volatile West Bank. My other roommate is finishing her residency as an OBGYN. Alumnae are working tirelessly right now to save Sweet Briar, and I have to believe that they will succeed. Because Sweet Briar is small, but scrappy. Rural, yet so international. Women turning the impossible into possible.”  — Jane Rangel, Sweet Briar Class of 2006

Sweet Briar is a place that instantly feels like home. You walk onto campus and are greeted warmly by all around you. The professor truly care for the students, and the experience of learning there is unparalleled. Since attending SBC and graduating with a Physics degree, I have attended many other schools post-baccalaureate as I needed to expand my knowledge. I have never felt so taken care of but simultaneously challenged, as I did at Sweet Briar College. The place is truly remarkable. Sweet Briar taught me to ask for what I need to succeed, without shame; to stand up for others and truly listen for understanding; to speak my mind but be able to withstand corrective criticism or suggestion, or outright disagreement; to seek out experiences to expand my comfort zone; to learn and then turn around and teach what I learned to someone else; and to bring others up with me. Sweet Briar women come from a wide range of background and experiences. The place teems with diversity in the truest sense of the word. I met women from all over the world, rich, poor, working class, mothers, wives and many in between those classifications. No matter your age or background or race or sexual orientation... you fit in here. The one thing that SBC women have in common is true desire to learn and make a positive impact on the world. This plays out after graduation in many forms. We are all different, but we are all also Sweet Briar women for life. The academic experience is like no other. You learn directly from experts in the field. You can study physics and also take a class on Geoffrey Chaucer, minor in dance and obtain a leadership certificate; play a sport, run a club, plan social events, attend world class guest lectures from the likes of Brian Green or E. O. Wilson (both lectured during my time there). Tap clubs are a lot of fun. The campus traditions are like no other: step singing, founder's day, painting the rock and hitching post, taking a hike up to Monument Hill to pay respects to the Founder's daughter... the list goes on and on. Your professors become your family; the staff become your family; the other students are like your sisters. A collective spirit of enthusiasm for life exists on this campus. Being far from a Starbucks is no deterrent. There are always things to do and places to go for social fun if you want, but it's not required. Boat house parties, dell parties, dorm parties; the things is, because of the Honor code, you will be safe and taken care of here, if not rather forthrightly admonished by those who do so because everyone here understands that dignity is important. The campus is also quite frankly one of the most beautiful places on earth. She who earns the rose may bear it.

Sweet Briar is unlike any other college. Nowhere will you find a place where you can have one on one time with your professors. Nowhere will you find a place where the professors and staff remember you by name. Nowhere can you feel safe at any moment of the day. Nowhere will you understand what it is like to have meaningful friendships that will last a lifetime. Nowhere will you have numerous opportunities that will help pave the way for your future. Nowhere will you understand what it's like to be home. Nowhere will you find a true and loving family where you are always welcomed home. However, you'll get all of those things and MORE if you attend Sweet Briar College. The staff, faculty, and alumnae are waiting to welcome YOU home.

Sweet Briar College is an academically prestigious institution for higher education of women. Situated on a pastoral 3k acre campus with faculty among the top in the nation, Sweet Briar is consistently given high ratings in Forbes and other educational evaluation publications. Alumnae are currently saving the college for the class of 2016 and beyond.

Sweet Briar College quickly goes from being your college to your second home. The huge and beautiful campus creates for a large and inclusive space where each woman can find her own place. Had it not been for Sweet Briar College and its amazing and talented faculty and staff, I would have never grown into the strong and confident leader I am today. And I haven't even graduated yet. It kills me that my experience at Sweet Briar College may be coming to an end, but I encourage all to join the fight for Sweet Briar College to be thousands of girls' future.

Sweet Briar College is located in the most beautiful place on earth. I was allowed to spend 4 fabulous years there. If you choose Sweet Briar College it will be the greatest decision of your life. Come and join the "Sisterhood"

Beautiful campus, brand new library. Fantastic faculty experience - 4 years and I still call the place home. Highly recommend a visit as it's impossible to appreciate the possibilities and beauty until you arrive.

Lovely campus, lovely students, lovely faculty and staff! I graduated class of 2011 and during my years at SBC I enjoyed small class sizes with ample attention and interaction with professors. SBC also encourages students to experience many study abroad programs including its own Junior Year in France or Spain. As a junior I spent a wonderful semester abroad at Saint Andrews University in Scotland. In addition to its great study abroad options, SBC is one of only two women's higher education opportunities that has a degree program in engineering. The short and long of it being check out Sweet Briar College! You will fall in love. #savesweetbriar

A beautiful college located in VA! The college is about empowering and encouraging young women to be all they can be to go out into the world and make a difference. The bonds of community and friendship based on rich tradition is an amazing reflection of what is needed for our future leaders. One of the best liberal arts colleges you will find in the US!

Sweet Briar College provides an intellectually challenging and intimate educational experience. Small classes, close friends and passionate spirits drive woman for success on campus and beyond. I graduated years ago and I continue to feel the power of my undergraduate experience. It's worth a trip to see if the College is for you.

Set on a beautiful campus, it's staffed with the highest caliber professors to prepare girls to be the most capable, confident, and contributing young women upon their send off into the "real world". I can recommend this college with the highest rating and belief that it is a phenomenal institution benefiting women's education.

2011 graduate. Sweet Briar provided me with an excellent education thanks to faculty and staff who took a personal interest in my success. Small class sizes and the single-sex environment fostered my self-confidence as a student and encouraged me to excel. Honors program was an outstanding opportunity for academically rigorous subject-focused learning and research. The campus is beautiful, the dorms are good-sized and comfortable, and the staff are dedicated to their student's success. Sweet Briar provided multiple opportunities to work on campus, and location allowed me to take spend time at other institutions (UVA, Hampden-Sydney, Longwood University, Randolph Macon) for both personal and academic reasons. I also studied abroad through Sweet Briar's Junior Year in France program and found the experience well-coordinated, academically challenging, and life-changing. Sweet Briar provided an excellent undergraduate experience that I remain extremely satisfied with.

Sweet Briar College is a place like no other. Women who attend Sweet Briar learn that their voices matter. They learn that they matter, and Sweet Briar women enter the post-college world with poise, confidence, and determination to live out their dreams and make a positive contribution to the world (their world). Sweet Briar prides itself on small class sizes and meaningful contact with exceptional faculty. Our campus is breathtakingly beautiful, and we put the grounds to good use in many courses. Students also enjoy active co-curricular lives both on an off campus.

Sweet Briar fosters excellence in all pursuits by providing great campus resources, small class sizes, and focused academic attention. There are no teaching assistants; you're taught directly from experts publishing in their field. The enormous campus has a number of active research plots and opportunities to gain fieldwork experience and job skills. There's also a popular engineering program whose classes overlap with other areas of study. Summer research with the faculty can lead to publications, and personally, for me it led to the acquisition of geospatial analysis skills that I now use every day, working in my field as a research associate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. I enjoyed Sweet Briar primarily because as a liberal arts college, the wide latitude in subjects and classes allow you to build multiple skill sets. You don't have to sacrifice any of your interests to pursue your major focus. For example, I was able to earn a degree in Environmental Studies and earn a minor in Philosophy while leading sustainability initiatives in the Environmental Club, working as a wilderness trip instructor, reviewing video games as a member of the gaming club, taking programming and software classes that were extremely helpful later in my career, and learning to paint at a level that I could show and sell my work. Sweet Briar gives you the resources and opportunities to grow as a full person and be excellent in all your interests. I can attest that it is particularly strong as for young women interested in STEAM careers (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) and with strong research ambitions.

For over a century, a college devoted to developing women into leaders across the world. I graduated back in the 90s and the perserverence that I learned there is simply irreplacable. A college where you find your voice and where you are not just a number. Small class sizes with world renown professors - this education is simply bar none.

Sweet Briar College was the best place for me. Far from being a school for wealthy, horse-riding Southern girls, Sweet Briar attracts women of all types from all over the world. Between small classes, intimate dorms, and an all-school dining hall, you have the opportunity to not only get to know your classmates and dorm mates, but also your professors and women from all the classes around you. You will be held accountable for your education, but also guided and nurtured and not forgotten. Sweet Briar may be small, but the choices are extensive.

Sweet Briar college is a great place and I have known numerous graduates including relatives. I went to Trinity College in Hartford CT, and when I learned Jim Jones was going to be president I knew the college was in trouble. Jim Jones was the worst president we ever had, he almost ruined the college. I know numerous students that didn't attend because of president Jones. It is so sad that Sweet Briar is closing, Jim Jones didn't help that action at all.