Mary Baldwin University (MBU)

Mary Baldwin University is a small and "beautiful" liberal arts school with "rolling hills and Greek revival buildings" in the Shenandoah Valley. Students "are able, even required, to pursue all areas of study available." But not all areas of study are equal in students’ eyes. "If you go to Mary Baldwin, the best education is going to be in psychology or sociology." Math, on the other hand, is "terrible." As a former all-women’s college, it’s hardly surprising that "Mary Baldwin is all about women’s empowerment and leadership." And they start that empowerment especially early: The PEG [Program for the Exceptionally Gifted] allows students to skip as many as four years of high school and enroll directly in college. While some traditional students find the program innovative, many of them "question the validity of taking girls out of high school to place them in the harsh world of college academics." The students of Mary Baldwin can count on "individual attention" from professors and administrators alike. "It is not uncommon to be given your professor's home or cell phone numbers, and they really do want you to call if you need to." But professors are not pushovers. "Teachers are understanding, yet they push us to succeed no matter what program we are apart of, ethnicity, religion, or age." Additionally, "Everyone knows the President by face and name and are constantly invited to her house for a variety of events."

The students of Mary Baldwin are "focused." "We have a lot of strong leadership types," and each one "has a genuine interest in her education and a desire for success in her studies and eventual career." "The typical student has lots of friends and is very studious, keeps a well-balanced schedule, but knows how to have fun." Many students are "very liberal and feminist," yet at the same time "very compassionate and open-minded." The school is "a very diverse school in terms of gender identity, sexual preference, religious preference, race, and personal expression."

Mary Baldwin is located in Staunton, Virginia, "the quintessential friendly Southern neighborly town." "Downtown is cozy and there is definitely a sense of belonging for Mary Baldwin [students] within the community." "There are two theaters within walking distance, so many people go there." But mostly, just "walking around downtown and spending time at the park, Gypsy Hill" is a "popular" way to pass time. "Traveling to Harrisonburg and Charlottesville to the big malls is popular as well." "Life at Mary Baldwin is rather calm and relaxed," one student says. "If you want a huge party scene, Baldwin is probably not what you’re looking for. However, with five colleges and universities within 45 minutes, it’s certainly not hard to find a big school atmosphere." Students do wish that the school would keep the dining hall open a little later. "Dinner is over at 6:30 in our main eatery," so if you "lose track of time" while studying, you’ll "have to go out to eat instead of eating on campus." Also, "The physical fitness center could use upgrading." It’s "in desperate need of a new track," and more than a few women would like them to "build a swimming pool."