Bridgewater College (BC)

A small, private, Brethren-affiliated school in the Shenandoah Valley, Bridgewater College “is about personally developing students in every aspect of life and making each individual physically, academically, socially, and mentally fit for the real world.” Many come to Bridgewater for its combination of small size and strong academic programs---including majors in more unusual fields such as equine studies and athletic training. In particular, students point out that “the Music and Religious Departments are amazingly active and could challenge those of much bigger and specialized schools.” A private school, Bridgewater offers generous scholarship packages. Plus, students say, “You know you’re getting your money’s worth,” thanks to consistently small class sizes and ample personal interaction with faculty. A senior remembers, “I’ve never been turned away from a professor’s office; they always make time for their students and advisees.” Administrators are also highly involved with the student body and are generally described as “dedicated and kind individuals who assist students with their needs in a prompt manner.” Depending on their own religious and political convictions, students might find Bridgewater is fairly secular, despite its religious affiliation; on the other side of the spectrum, more leftist students complain, “There is far too little progressive thought at this college.”

At Bridgewater College, “Most students are White, semi-conservative, [and] heterosexual,” and a fairly large number of them “went to high school nearby and grew up with a rural Virginia background.” Because “Most students that come here either come for sports or religion,” Christians and athletes (or Christian athletes) make up a large percentage of the student population. However, within those groups, students say there is quite a bit of diversity. A senior explains, “The students here range from extroverted party animals to introverted book worms, with many levels in between.” Ethnic and cultural diversity is more limited at Bridgewater; however, students point out that “there are active organizations for minorities and foreign students, and they are a vital part of campus life. It is not unusual in the dining hall to see a local White kid, an African American, a Peruvian, and a Palestinian all eating together and having a great time.”

Everyone at Bridgewater College is required to live on campus and, during the week, students spend time “studying and socializing” in the dorms. In addition, “All of the intramural sports are very popular,” and “There is also a wide variety of clubs from political to outdoors [clubs], to an equestrian team and department clubs.” A dry campus, Bridgewater College makes an effort to provide students with alternative entertainment options, such as “movies on campus and an array of activities like nonalcoholic toga parties and trips to go snow-tubing and caving.” Even so, students tell us that, “like any other campus, people find ways to drink.” At the same time, students maintain respect for the campus community and college rules. A junior explains, “Bridgewater has very strict substance policies, so although people may still drink or smoke, they rarely do so on campus.” Instead, when they want to blow off steam, “Lots of people go to Harrisonburg to party.”