Meet Cristal McDonald

Cristal McDonald
Assistant Director of Admissions
540-828-5367
cmcdonal@bridgewater.edu
Hometown: Ashburn, Va.
Degree: B.A. in communications studies concentrating in public relations and a minor in business administration (Bridgewater College)

What brought you to Bridgewater College?
Two major things attracted me to Bridgewater College. First, financial aid played a big role when deciding the right college for me. Bridgewater was very generous in not only making college affordable, but also making the process easy and simple. The second attraction came when I visited campus. Everyone I was meeting went out of their way to find out the answers to my questions and made me feel right at home.

What advice do you have about the college search process?
Make sure to keep your options open. It is great to know what career path you would like to take, but it is not necessary. When you are looking at colleges, don’t eliminate the schools that have your exact major. Try keeping the schools in mind that have similar major fields as your career goal; you never know if you might change your mind in the future. Also, make sure to visit EVERY campus that piques your interest. Visiting campuses allows you to explore what it is really like being a student at each school. Visit with an admissions counselor, take a tour, meet with current faculty and coaches, eat in the dining halls, etc. Try to get as much information as possible from each school so that when it is time to make that final decision you can be as informed as possible and make the right college decision for YOU!

What is one of the most rewarding parts of your job?
One of the most rewarding parts of my job is being able to build personal relationships with students and their families that go beyond the admissions process. It pleases me to know that both students and parents feel comfortable calling or emailing me whenever they have a question, concern or just need to talk. It is always rewarding knowing that I helped a student make one of the most important decisions in his or her life.