Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has proclaimed July 25-30 Private College Week in the Commonwealth, and as part of the statewide celebration of private higher education Bluefield College will host a series of open house assemblies featuring campus tours and valuable information sessions
Rising high school juniors and seniors and their families are invited to participate in Virginia Private College Week by attending one of the open house sessions on the Bluefield College campus, starting at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Friday, July 25-29, and at 9 a.m. only on Saturday, July 30.
Sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV) — an association of independent colleges and universities working together to promote awareness of Virginia’s 28 private colleges — Virginia Private College Week is an annual event designed to introduce prospective students to the opportunities and benefits available at a Virginia private college.
During its sessions, Bluefield College, a private Christian liberal arts college located in the scenic Appalachian Mountains of southwest Virginia, will host campus tours, financial aid workshops, and information session on the admissions process. BC also will provide a look into its academic programs and student life.
“Visiting campuses in person is one of the most important steps in the college search process,” said Dr. Robert Lambeth, president of the CICV. “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.”
Affordability will be just one of the many common myths Bluefield College officials will address during their sessions. The school also will address myths about a private college education being inaccessible for the middle class and less government aid being available to private college students, among others.
“The difference between public and private college tuition is far less than many families assume, thanks to significant merit and need-based grants and the Virginia Tuition Assistance Grant,” said Lambeth. “Affordable, personal and quality — these are the words I hope families will associate with a private college education. Our students are successful, because their education is customized to meet their goals both in and out of the classroom.”
Prospective students who visit Bluefield College and at least two other CICV colleges during Virginia Private College Week will receive application fee waivers from each of the three institutions, exempting them from the usual application fees charged by the colleges.
Colleges participating in Private College Week include: Averett College (Danville); Bluefield College (Bluefield); Bridgewater College (Bridgewater); Eastern Mennonite University (Harrisonburg); Emory and Henry College (Emory); Ferrum College (Ferrum); Hampden-Sydney College (Hampden-Sydney); Hampton University (Hampton); Hollins University (Roanoke); Jefferson College of Health Sciences (Roanoke); Liberty University (Lynchburg); Lynchburg College (Lynchburg); Mary Baldwin College (Staunton); Marymount University (Arlington); Randolph-Macon College (Ashland); Randolph College (Lynchburg); Roanoke College (Salem); St. Paul’s College (Lawrenceville); Shenandoah University (Winchester); Sweet Briar College (Amherst); University of Richmond (Richmond); Virginia Intermont College (Bristol); Virginia Union University (Richmond); Virginia Wesleyan College (Norfolk/Virginia Beach); and Washington & Lee University (Lexington).
Prospective students planning to visit the Bluefield College campus are encouraged to register prior to the event by contacting the BC Admissions Office by phone at 800-872-0176 (x4340) or by email at [email protected] For more information, visit www.privatecollegeweek.org or www.vaprivatecolleges.org.