Sweet Briar College User Reviews and Ratings
Outdated & Dead
By H, Class of 2020, From VA
this college is absolutely terrible. the only reason I haven't transferred yet is because their credits don't transfer well and I would have to do most of my Bachelor's again. Don't go here.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：1
City & Setting
Score：1
Classes & Teachers
Score：2
Dining & Food
Score：1
Dorms & Housing
Score：1
Health & Safety
Score：1
Terrible
By Class of 2020, From Sweet Briar
This college is a college for women of the past. The administration cares only about image, they do not allow the students to have any personality or personal growth. They do not celebrate women who believe in empowerment. They only want women they can create into a "perfect" housewife. It's quite literally the worst school I've ever seen. The dorms are full of mold, in which they've only painted over so multiple students get sick every year. We even had a few students have to transfer because it was so bad. The food is alright. The only good thing about this college is the professors, but lately the school has fired some of the most beloved professors on campus with no explanation. We are now stuck with one professor departments. The social life on campus is almost exactly like Mean Girls- but without the happy ending.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：1
City & Setting
Score：1
Classes & Teachers
Score：4
Dining & Food
Score：2
Dorms & Housing
Score：1
Health & Safety
Score：1
Sweet Briar was a great College !
By shini class of 1988, From seattle, washington
I had a wonderful memorable experience at SBC. Good academic exposure. Was a good stepping stone for my career. Staff was great, have great memories.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：3
Classes & Teachers
Score：4
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
WAS a good college - today a former shell of glory days
By 90s graduate, From USA
I appreciate reviews on this page from older alumnae (prior to 2008). As a former graduate of the 90s, I too experienced a great education at an institution with stellar professors and strong experiences equipping me to leave as a young professional and work towards success in my career. Today this college is a 'has been' - a former shell of what it once was. Mismanagement that continues despite canned PR messaging from the college and older alumnae who are out of touch and out to lunch and looking to relive their youth - dreams of what once was when life was good and they were young. Fact remains the college was on the path to decimation in 2015 when Alumnae with goodwill and great intent raised the requisite funds. While showing some initial signs of rebuilding the college ... mismanagement, politicking by alumnae board members who had school spirit but did not have the skills to fundamentally rebuild and transform an organization, and now rash agenda's by the current President spell it's demise. Student life is miserable and any faculty worth much has either been exited or have retired/resigned. Adjuncts are being hired. enrollments are lowCurriculum is touted as innovative when it is nothing more than niche basics for those not seeking a traditional curriculum. Enrollment is low marketing nonexistent and smarts say there are still political agendas at play of various nature. At the end of the day they will keep SBC as some level of educational institution per the Trust and I. Fletcher's will but it will not be a serious institution of higher education with comparative advantage over others. It's a niche school that touts innovation sans realizing fac. taking 3 day seminars on it cannot build curriculum nor teach it and it is not applicable at the undergrad level. The list goes on. Student life is mediocre at best, the residences abysmal, the culture putrid. enrollments low after four years of 'rebuild'. A 'has been' without hope for much more.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：1
City & Setting
Score：1
Classes & Teachers
Score：2
Dining & Food
Score：1
Dorms & Housing
Score：1
Health & Safety
Score：1
"Students have growing pains"
By Class of 2020, From Sweet Briar, VA
The reviews from women who graduated decades ago are no longer applicable to the college as it currently stands. The college currently has a single history professor, no library staff, no modern languages, no classical languages, hardly any math or science major, and the current "schools of learning" are not applicable to the workforce or graduate school at large. These women are disconnected and write us off as having "growing pains." The college has a 100% acceptance rate, community college transfers no longer have to do their Gen Eds, and we as current students (especially those of us who changed our minds and decided to return) have been betrayed tenfold.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：1
Dining & Food
Score：2
Dorms & Housing
Score：2
Health & Safety
Score：4
Best school!
By AVH, Class of 1992, From Wintergreen, VA
SBC was such a wonderful experience for me - the school taught me leadership qualities as well as providing a great education. Campus life is FANTASTIC. They are undergoing some changes to streamline the curriculum so the review from the current student may be part of growing pains, but the changes are to address current academic realities faced by students across the country and are to be celebrated, not criticized. I highly recommend this school to any young woman who wants to have a wonderful college experience.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Simply Tranformative
By Meg 92, From Ashburn, VA
Sweet Briar is an incredibly special place that has impacted so many women for the better. The incredible environment, supportive community and unrivaled network of alumnae is home to the lucky few that discovered the best kept secret in higher education. It was a tranformative experience for me and I hope my daughters as well.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Where women have incomparable access to excellence.
By Sally, class of 1979, From Bel Air MD
The best environment for women to grow, learn, expand, challenge, explore, and construct a firm foundation for life. You'll interact daily with faculty and their families. January term brings scientists and historians as their sabbatical, perfect for engaging with the best minds of the day. The perfect place for women to aspire and inspire.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Stay far away
By Anon, From Sweet Briar, VA
I'm a current student, will graduate next year, and I'm really upset that I haven't been able to get out. The president of Sweet Briar is running the school into the ground. Tenured faculty have been fired, there have been THREE academic deans over the course of just a few months, and the current curriculum that's supposed to be "groundbreaking" is making it extremely difficult for my friends to qualify for graduate programs. Many students are transferring out and will have to repeat tons of credits. The alumnae body who "saved" the school is disinterested in hearing student input like this and is only focused on how "great" and "necessary" these changes are. They don't listen to "naysayers" and then are surprised when students speak out. I will say that it's a beautiful campus and a unique and special place, but with things as they are now, there's really no hope of getting anything resembling a normal college education, and especially not if you're a new student.
What best describes you? Current Student
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：4
Classes & Teachers
Score：4
Dining & Food
Score：2
Dorms & Housing
Score：2
Health & Safety
Score：2
Legacy of extraordinary women
By Polly C, class of 1993, From Washington, DC
I attended Sweet Briar in the early 90's and it set me on a path for success in both my personal and professional lives. When I was in school I was surrounded by a dynamic faculty and administration who lifted me up while challenging the way I approached the world. I left after 4 years with leadership confidence and a drive to achieve. What I didn't realize then but recognize so clearly now is that upon graduation, I joined a legacy of the most extraordinary women I'd ever know and I continue to be proud and emotionally tied to all of them. The biggest gift... The incredible friends who I've stayed close to for almost 30 years.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：4
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Sweet Briar College
By Katrina B, class of 1997, From Purcellville Va 20132
SBC is one of the most beautiful places in the world, combining world class education, a strong warm community, and a bucolic natural setting. The professors are amazing and involved, the students so very happy to soak up knowledge and there is truly something for everyone - Sports, arts, music and outdoor activities!
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：5
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Sweet Briar College taught me .....
By Laura, From Evergreen, colorado
How to advocate for my education, career and everything I desired in live. As a student of a woman's college I learned how to learn without the distractions of males in classes trying to dominate the conversations. I learned to appreciate our fragil environment while living in one of the most beautiful places in the US. The campus was motivation to aspire to greatness. The social life was great. Lots of boat house parties and weekends at events.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：5
Health & Safety
Score：5
Sweet Briar is even better than you can imagine!
By AEAD, '82, From Richmond, VA
Sweet Briar College is a true hidden gem among institutions of higher education in the US. As a small, rural, liberal arts women's college, it may not match what everyone's idea of college is. It is even better! The quality of education that a young woman receives at Sweet Briar is outstanding. Equally important is the way that students develop their sense of self-confidence, and come to recognize that they are capable of practically anything! As an alumna, I take great pride in the evolution of the college to continue to be relevant to our current students, while continuing to hold fast to high academic standards and a challenging curriculum. This prepares each young woman to be the Best that she can be.: a leader, a valued colleague, a visionary, and a bold, confident woman ready to engage in her community to make a meaningful impact. What can you do with a liberal arts degree from Sweet Briar College? Anything that you want! Why? Because you have learned how to think critically, communicate effectively, and since you have effectively "learned how to learn" across a variety of disciplines, you will be incredibly adaptable and able to meet any challenge in the future!
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
Sweet Briar College prepares you for a lifetime of learning
By Jane D. Class of 1982, From San Antonio, Texas
Whatever your major--engineering, biology, dance, history--SBC's liberal arts curriculum gives you the tools to succeed in whatever you choose to do with your life, whether a traditional career, a less-traditional-work life, or volunteering in your community: reading comprehension, writing skills, critical thinking. A Sweet Briar student acquires a nimble brain, allowing a graduate to pursue the arts, the sciences, businesss, law, and switch it up somewhere down the line, such as enabling a 20-year veteran of magazine journalism to decide to go to law school. I did just that. Admittedly, Sweet Briar is not for everyone. The school is small, relatively speaking, but the College embraces its smallness. When you graduate, you don't really leave campus; it stays with you through your classmates, who will be friends for life. And when you return for Reunion or some other function, you feel the same way you felt on that first drive up the hill to that beautiful campus--you are home.
What best describes you? Alumni
Activities & Social Life
Score：4
City & Setting
Score：5
Classes & Teachers
Score：5
Dining & Food
Score：5
Dorms & Housing
Score：4
Health & Safety
Score：5
