University of Mary Washington (UMW)

University of Mary Washington students receive "an extremely thorough and well-rounded education." Classes at UMW take many different forms, from discussion-based seminars to peer-teaching with guidance from the professors. Moreover, the university provides opportunities for experiential learning beyond the classroom. For instance, a class called Alleviating Food Waste allows students to participate in volunteer initiatives and "make real change." First-year students can enroll in the Impact Program, which combines a onecredit course called "Doing the Work Together" with hands-on community service opportunities. Among the many programs the university offers, the Historic Preservation major is mentioned as "one of the best." As one student notes, "When speaking to alumni and professors at other institutions, they have likened my experience here to that of a graduate program." Professors are "typically very personable and understanding" and take the time to connect with students. One student shares, "As someone who has struggled with mental health in college, my professors have been very understanding and worked with me so I could be successful while taking care of myself." Another student sums it up by saying that when it comes to the professors, "We are a first priority to them and it shows."

It’s “very easy to feel part of the community” here. This welcoming environment is supported by initiatives that help students get to know each other when they first arrive on campus: “I was able to make some of my closest friends” in the first-year seminar. Students note that the school is making an effort “to be inclusive and diverse,” and the student body reflects “a wide range of political leanings.” One student shares, “As someone who falls under multiple marginalized groups and has moved a lot, this is the most comfortable I have felt in a school environment.” UMW is supportive and “very open for those in the LGBTQ+ community.” According to another student, “People can feel safe being themselves here and not be judged for who they are.” There are many international students as well as older students at UMW. Students here are supportive and friendly, “always willing to lend a helping hand.” As one student puts it, UMW “is a place where I can never fail to find friends.”

This 234-acre campus, filled with trees and abundant green space, offers plenty of activities “that cater to so many different interests and types of people,” whether that’s hanging out to watch films at the Hurley Convergence Center or partaking in popular weekly activities like trivia, karaoke, and bingo. The school boasts a “strong athletics” program, and students enjoy both playing and watching sports. “Clubs are a huge part of campus life.” There’s a good mix of interest-based clubs like Improv and Yarnworks—a club for all things yarn—as well as service-based opportunities, such as PAWS, where students “volunteer at a local humane society and help dogs in need of homes.” Creative expression is encouraged at UMW, with students showcasing their talents through art shows, music showcases, dramatic readings, and theater productions. With so much happening daily, students appreciate the school’s website and app that curates “all of the events and when they’re happening!” Some events are not to be missed, including the popular campus tradition known as “Devil-Goat Day,” in which “devils” (students graduating in odd years) and “goats” (students graduating in even years) engage in friendly competitions, like jousting and tug-of-war. When not attending classes or participating in extracurricular activities, students often hang out by the river or visit “incredibly popular” and commercial downtown Fredericksburg. In all, “there’s always some type of event going on.”

The University of Mary Washington prioritizes career preparation from day one, and its entire mantra for the Center for Career & Professional Development is all about “Life after MW.” That means that the school meets students wherever they are, whether that's starting a résumé or finalizing an online profile—and this includes helping alumni and providing services over the summer. “UMW is all about engaging and encouraging each student to live up to their fullest potential, giving them the tools they will need for future careers and life endeavors.” A yearly Career & Internship Fair serves as the focal point for making key connections, preceded by a preparatory Career Week that ensures students are primed to succeed. All of this is supplemented by a handful of digital tools that refine one’s interview skills, simulate real-world jobs, provide self-paced training, and provide additional courses for high-demand tech and sales jobs. Students note that the Virginia setting is “a wonderful location for jobs” and point to professors as providing “great opportunities for post-academic success like jobs and internships.” Graduates report the median starting salary as about $67,000, and according to PayScale, more than half of these students find high meaning in their jobs.