Bridgewater College seeks to enroll qualified students regardless of sex, race, color, disability, or national or ethnic origin; further, it does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, disability, or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, employment practices, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other college-administered programs and activities. Admission is granted to those who present evidence of the ability to succeed in the academic and social atmosphere that Bridgewater expects. While success in a liberal arts college may depend upon several qualities, applicants for admission to Bridgewater are expected to show the following types of ability and achievement:
- Graduation from an accredited senior high school or secondary school. The program of courses completed in the high school should include the following credits: four in English; two in one foreign language, preferably in French, German or Spanish; three in college preparatory mathematics, preferably algebra, geometry, and algebra II; two in social studies and history; two in sciences; and four in suitable electives. While the electives may be in vocational or non-academic subjects, it is recommended that they be in academic subjects such as English, science, mathematics, and social studies. In case the applicant wishes to become an engineer or scientist, one of the four electives should be in mathematics. Applicants from Virginia high schools are encouraged to take a program leading to the Advanced Studies Diploma.
- Scholarship on the secondary school program indicating a rank in the upper half of the graduating class. Grades or marks made on the high school program typically indicate ability of applicants to acceptably complete college work. If an applicant ranks lower than the upper half, he or she needs to show additional strong academic qualities in order to gain admission.
- A satisfactory score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) of the College Entrance Examination Board or the ACT Assesment of the ACT. Scores on the SAT II are welcome but not required. A bulletin of information concerning the SAT may be obtained from high school officials or by consulting the College Entrance Examination Board web site. Information concerning the ACT Assessment may also be obtained from your high school guidance office or by visiting the ACT web site.
- Good character. Success in a church-related liberal arts college depends not only upon the type and quality of secondary school program completed but also upon good character. Good character includes such qualities as clean living, high aspirations, and industriousness. Applicants are expected to present evidence of these qualities.
Procedure. Application for admission may be made upon the completion of the junior year in high school, and it should be made not later than August 1 of the year one wishes to enroll. Those who wish to matriculate at the beginning of the Interterm or the Spring Semester must file an application for admission at least thirty days in advance of the date of enrollment.
In order to obtain full and complete information concerning the achievements of applicants and their abilities to do college work, Bridgewater College will make use of the following methods:
- The application form. The application form, whether using the paper version or the online application, has been designed to provide the Admissions Committee with necessary information about the applicant. This is the first step, and a very important one, to begin the application process.
- The high school or secondary school transcipt. Upon receipt of the properly completed application form, the College asks the applicant's high school to furnish an official transcript of his or her high school academic record. The applicant must fill out a transcript request form in the guidance office before the high school may release this transcript to the College. Transfer students must submit official transcripts of their records at other institutions.
- Written recommendations. Upon receipt of the properly completed application, the College asks the applicant's guidance officer, a teacher, and a minister or other adult to provide a character rating or a letter of character recommendation.
- Personal interview. Soon after the application form has been sent in, any applicant who has not talked with an official representative of the College should arrange to come to the campus for a personal interview by a member of the Admissions staff. Appointment for an interview may be made by telephoning the Admissions Office at 800-759-8328, by email to admissions@bridgewater.edu, or writing to the Admissions Office, 402 East College Street, Bridgewater, VA 22812.
- Health record. Each applicant must present a written health report on a form supplied by the College. The form, properly executed, must be returned to the College before official registration can begin.
Each application is acknowledged by a letter from the Director of Admissions. As soon as the various data included in the application have been received and evaluated, the applicant is sent a note of acceptance or rejection. Inquiries from applicants are welcomed. Questions are answered and requested information is provided promptly.
Readmission. A student who is absent from the College for a semester or longer, or one who has withdrawn from the College for any reason, must apply for readmission to the Director of Admissions. If the applicant for readmission withdrew for health reasons, a letter of recommendation and evaluation will be required from a professional clinician.
Transfer Credit. A student who has attended another accredited institution and is in good standing there may apply for admission to advanced standing not later than the beginning of the senior year. One who has attended an accredited two-year college may transfer as many as 68 credits in courses comparable to those offered at Bridgewater College. Transfer students are required to present official transcripts of their records at former institutions as well as any other information deemed necessary by the Admissions Committee. Normally, transfer credit is not allowed on courses bearing a grade of less than C. However, by special permission, depending on the circumstances, limited credit may be allowed on courses bearing a grade of D. For an explanation of quality point average, see page 36 in the College Catalog.
Advanced Placement. Credit and advanced placement may be awarded to students on the basis of results on the Advanced Placement (AP) Tests of the College Entrance Examination Board, but subject in every instance to the approval of the department concerned and the Council on Education. To be considered for credit for an English composition or literature course, the student must submit a portfolio of writings produced in the AP course to the chair of the English Department. A minimum score of 3 is required for credit consideration. Students may be asked to provide textbook and course materials for the respective departments to evaluate when making advanced placement decisions. AP Tests are available in English Composition and Literature, American History, European History, French, German, Spanish, Art, Music, Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Psychology. Students interested in taking one or more of these tests for the purpose of obtaining credit and
advanced placement at Bridgewater should confer with the secondary school principal during their junior year or earlier and with the College upon application for admission. The College considers the results of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) as a means of determining advanced placement for students who have not followed the traditional pattern of preparation.
International Baccalaureate Program Credits. Credit and advanced placement may be awarded to students on the basis of results on the International Baccalaureate (IB) (transcript of grades), but subject to every instance to the recommendation of the academic department concerned and approved by the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs, in accordance with the policies of the Council on Education. The student's records and transcript of grades will be evaluated with scores of 5, 6, or 7 on the Higher Level Examinations. The International Baccalaureate Program is available in selected high schools in the United States and numerous foreign countries. For more information on the IB Program, check out the Official Web Site. |
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