Admissions

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Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Bridgewater College welcomes applications from first-time freshmen, transfer, and graduate students. Admission to Bridgewater College is granted to those applicants who present evidence of the ability to succeed in the academic and social atmosphere that the College expects.

Undergraduate Admissions

Bridgewater College welcomes all applicants with a high school education or previous college experience. First-time freshmen and transfer students may apply for admission as an undergraduate student. 

First-Year Freshmen Admission

Students currently enrolled in a secondary school or has completed a secondary school program but, has not yet enrolled in a post-secondary school must apply for admission as a freshman. Students may choose to apply through the College’s website or add the College to their Common Application.

Early Action:

The Early Action (EA) deadline is November 15. If an applicant wants to apply EA, they need to indicate their intent on their admission application.

Applying Early Action means an applicant will submit the following required documents by November 15:

  • Admission application (Common App or Bridgewater College App)
  • Official high school transcript
  • SAT or ACT scores if they are not applying test optional.

If an applicant submits the required documents by November 15 and the applicant is admissible, this guarantees the following will happen by December 1.

  • The applicant will receive their admission decision letter, which will include their merit award amount.

Admitted EA applicants have a deadline of May 1 to pay their reservation deposit.

If an applicant does not submit all the required documents by the November 15, their application will then be reviewed under the Rolling Admission Process.

Rolling Admissions Process:

If a first-time freshmen applicant does not apply Early Action, their admission application will be reviewed under the rolling admissions process. Completed applications are reviewed daily throughout the recruitment cycle. Admitted applicants will receive their admission decision letter, which will include their merit award amount, within two weeks of the date their admission application is completed.

Test-Optional:

If first-time freshmen applicants feel their grades and overall performance in the classroom are better indicators of their ability than their SAT or ACT scores, or if they have been unable to schedule a test date prior to applying to BC, they may apply for admission as test optional. If an applicant wants to apply as test-optional, they need to indicate their intent on their admission application or contact the admissions office in writing asking for their application to reflect this change. 

First-Year Freshmen Admission Requirements:

The program of courses completed in high school should include the following credits: four in English; two in one world language; three in college preparatory mathematics, to include algebra, geometry and algebra II; three in social studies and history; three in sciences to include a lab unit(s); 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. Applicants from Virginia high schools are encouraged to take a program leading to the Advanced Studies Diploma.

Based on the applicants pass history they may be asked to submit reference letters that testify to evidence of their personal integrity, honesty, and ethics.

In addition to submitting an application, all applicants must submit an official high school or secondary school transcript—The transcript should include the high school grade point average (GPA) on a 4.0.

If the applicant did not apply test-optional they must provide their standardized test scores (SAT or ACT). Applicants may submit their standardized test scores through one of the following:

  • the official testing center using the Colleges code - SAT 5069 and ACT 4342,
  • self-reported on their admission application,
  • send a pdf copy of their student report page,
  • request their secondary school to submit their scores.

During the application review process an applicant may be asked to submit additional semester grades and/or a set of standardized test scores.

Applicants may also consider submitting the following materials as support items for their application:

  1. Written letters of recommendation—Students may submit written letters of recommendation from the following parties: guidance counselor, high school teachers, athletic coaches and community members that personally know the applicant.
  2. Personal statement—A brief personal statement providing additional information may be submitted. We are interested in knowing important things about the applicant that do not appear on transcripts or are not reflected by GPA or standardized test scores.

Admission applications will be received and processed until the College’s posted last day to drop and add classes for the semester if space in the entering class is available.

Reservation Deposits:

Students who have been accepted for admission must confirm their intention to enroll by submitting a $300 reservation deposit. The reservation deposit is applied to the entering semester charges for the upcoming year.

Fall Semester: The deposit is refundable if requested in writing before May 1.

Spring Semester: The deposit is refundable if requested in writing before December 21.

Finalizing Enrollment:

Final admission is dependent upon satisfactory completion of your semester program of studies. Deposited applicants must submit an official copy of their final high school transcript which must include the date in which the deposited applicant completed their programs of studies.

If the deposited applicant chose to provide self-reported standardized test scores, they must submit an official report as outlined above.

If the deposited applicant was enrolled in dual enrollment courses, they must submit official transcripts from each post-secondary institution they were enrolled in.

If the deposited applicant took any AP or IB courses and corresponding test their test scores need to be submitted to the College through the test source.

Final acceptance to the College is contingent upon maintaining a satisfactory conduct record. Applicants must promptly notify the admissions office in writing if any of the following occur at any time before or after your admission: any criminal charge; any disposition of a criminal charge; any school, college or university disciplinary or honor code action against you; or any type of military discharge other than an honorable discharge.  Failure to do so will be grounds to withdraw your admission or to dismiss you after enrollment.

Deferring Enrollment

First-time freshmen that have been admitted into the College can request to defer their admission decision for one semester “gap semester” (Fall to Spring) or for one full academic year “gap year” (Fall to Fall). 

First-time Freshman Not Enrolling in a Post-Secondary Institution

If the first-time freshman applicant is requesting to defer their admission and does not plan to enroll in a postsecondary institution, the applicant’s status will remain a first-time freshman.

  • If the first-time freshmen applicant requests a “gap semester” and will not be enrolling in any postsecondary institution, the applicant will retain their current merit scholarship, other institutional awards, and their admitted admission decision status.
    • Any institutional awards will be divided by two (2) since the student will be charged half of a total year’s tuition and residential fees.  
  • If the first-time freshmen applicant requests a “gap year” and will not be enrolling in any postsecondary institution, the applicant will retain their current merit scholarship, other institutional awards, and their admitted admission decision status.

First-time Freshman Enrolling in a Post-Secondary Institution

If the first-time freshmen applicant is requesting to defer their admission to enroll in a postsecondary institution, the applicant’s status will change from first-time freshmen to transfer student.  For the purposes of determining whether credits taken during the ”gap semester” or “gap year” may be counted among the credits required to graduate from Bridgewater College, our Transfer Credit Policy will apply.

  • If the first-time applicant requests a “gap semester” and earns less than eleven (11) credits, they will retain the merit scholarship and institutional awards.  These amounts will be divided by two (2) since the applicant will be charged half of a total year’s tuition and residential fees.   
  • If the first-time applicant requests a “gap semester” and earns more than eleven (11) credits, they will retain the merit scholarship and institutional awards.  These amounts will be divided by two (2) since the applicant will be charged half of a total year’s tuition and residential fees.   
  • If the first-time applicant requests a “gap year” and earns less than eleven (11) credits, they will retain the merit scholarship and institutional awards. 
  • If the first-time applicant requests a “gap year” and earns more than eleven (11) credits, they will be awarded a Transfer Merit Scholarship based on the cumulative grade point average of their postsecondary courses.

Specific Student Instructions

To defer enrollment the applicant must take the following actions:

  • Submit the $300 Reservation Deposit by the deadline stated in your admission letter.
  • Email the Office of Admissions at admissions@bridewater.edu to make a formal request to defer your enrollment.  The request must:
    • Contain your Legal First Name and Legal Last Name
    • Identify the start term you would like to defer your admission to
    • Clearly outline what your intentions are during the deferment period.
  • All requests to defer enrollment must be received before the first day of classes of the semester you were admitted into.
  • After the College’s posted Last Day to Add a Class deferred applicants will receive an email communication with instructions to review, update and submit their deferred application.

International Student Admissions Policy

Bridgewater College aims to enroll a diverse student population that is academically prepared to perform at a high level. The following policy outlines the steps necessary for an international student applicant. An international student is defined for these purposes as a person who intends to matriculate in F-1 status and requires the College to issue them a Form I-20.

Admission Application Requirement

An international student can submit an admission application through the College’s official website or by adding the College to their Common App. The deadline to apply and submit the required supporting documents for the fall semester is April 17 and December 1 for the spring semester.

Required Supporting Documents

All applicants must provide an official copy of their secondary school transcript, country specific exam/test results and English language proficiency test results. An international application may not apply test-optional, nor may they self-reported English language proficiency test scores on their admission application.

Official Secondary Transcripts

All institutional transcripts must be submitted for an academic credential evaluation to obtain equivalency information regarding courses, credits, grades, and degrees earned through SpanTran (discount available), World Education Services (WES), or any current NACES member. A general or document-by-document report is sufficient and must include GPA. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make arrangements for the evaluation. An official copy of the completed evaluation should be sent directly from the company to the College.

English Language Proficiency Test

Applicants who first language is not English or have not attended an English-speaking institution must submit an English language proficiency test score report. The test score report must be sent from the test company and must be from one of the following exams:

  • TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language (79 iBT or 550 paper-based)
  • IELTS – Intensive English Language Testing System (6.5 academic)
  • Duolingo English Test (105)
  • SAT or ACT — If you are a native English speaker or have studied in an English-speaking secondary school, you should submit SAT or ACT scores instead of or in addition to English proficiency scores.

Admitted Student Documents

Before being issued a Form I-20, each admitted applicant must submit the required admitted student documents: completed Certificate of Finance form (COF), official bank statement, and certified letter from the bank (showing proof of adequate liquid assets equal to or exceeding the resources needed from the student and parents’ line on their Certificate of Finance), a copy of their passport and their permanent foreign address.

Liquid assets are defined as a checking account, savings account, money market accounts, marketable securities, short-term bonds, or accounts receivable.

Certificate of Finance (COF)

Each admitted applicant will receive a personalized Certificate of Finance (COF) which outlines their costs of attendance, institutional aid they’ve been awarded, and the necessary financial resources needed to attend the College. The applicant must fill out the COF completely. Once the COF is completed, it is submitted along with an official bank statement, and certified letter from the bank from each person/funds source listed on the COF.

Official Bank Statement

An official bank statement must be provided for each person/fund source listed on the applicants completed COF. Statements must be sent directly from the bank and include the person/fund source full name, and at least the past four months of transactions.

Certified Letter from Bank

A certified letter must be provided from the bank for each person/fund source listed on the applicants completed COF. All certified letters must be sent directly from a bank official. The certified letter must include the following:

  • The account holder’s full name
  • The account holder’s relationship to the applicant
  • An average account balance

Passport

Admitted applicants must provide a copy of their passport.

Permanent Foreign Address

If the admitted applicant provided a temporary address on their admission application, they must provide their permanent foreign mailing address.

Review of Admitted Student Documents

Once the applicant submits their admitted student documents they will be reviewed for authenticity and validity.

During the review the admitted student documents could be accepted or denied. If the documents are denied because of authenticity the applicant will be notified in writing and their application will be withdrawn. If the documents are denied because they fail to show adequate liquid assets needed to fulfill the student and parents’ resources line on their COF, the applicant will have the option to secure additional sources of funding, and will need to provide an updated COF, official bank statement, and certified letter related to the sources.

Once the admitted student documents are approved, they applicant will be notified in writing of the approval and be directed to pay their reservation deposit. Once their reservation deposit is received and receipted to their student account the College will then issue the student their Form I-20.

Reservation Deposits:

Students who have been accepted for admission must confirm their intention to enroll by submitting a $300 reservation deposit. The reservation deposit is applied to the entering semester charges for the upcoming year.

Fall Semester: The deposit is refundable if requested in writing before May 1.

Finalizing Enrollment

Once the applicant has paid their reservation deposit and received their Form I-20 they must complete the items listed on their Deposited Student Checklist. If the applicant has not made substantial progress completing the checklist items or had not had frequent communications with the Admissions Office by August 1, their application may be withdrawn, and their reservation deposit will not be refunded.

Final Secondary School Transcript

Every deposited applicant is required to submit an official copy of their final secondary school transcript. The transcript should include the date the applicant completed their courses of study, the courses they were enrolled in and the final grade they earned in each class while attending the post-secondary institution.

I-901 SEVIS Fee

All deposited international applicants must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee prior to their visa appointment.

Visa Appointment

If located outside of the United States, a deposited applicant must schedule a visa appointment in their home country to get approved to travel to the U.S. Once the applicant has scheduled their appointment, they must communicate that date with the Admissions Office.

 

Denied Visa

If an applicant is denied their visa, they can schedule a new Visa appointment, have their application withdrawn and reservation deposit refunded or defer their admission to a future term. To defer their application, they must first have a re-scheduled visa appointment.

Visa Fee

TBD

Arrival information

International students must arrive to campus by the designated day. Typically, this day is two days before domestic first-year freshmen move-in day. Specific arrival information will be communicated by the Office of International Student Services. The College will offer limited transportation options from Dulles International Airport and Charlottesville Albemarle Airport to campus, and transportation outside of the communicated options is not guaranteed. Once the applicant finalizes their travel plans, they must notify the College of their arrival day, time, and location.