Prospective Students Invited to Visit E&H During Virginia Private College Week from July 30 to Aug. 4

Virginia Private College Week is July 30 to Aug. 4

Emory & Henry College will once again be participating in this year’s Virginia Private College Week. The event is an opportunity for rising juniors, seniors and transfer students to learn about the quality and affordability of Virginia's private colleges.

During the week of July 30 to Aug. 4, the 24 member institutions of the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV) will host two daily programs for interested students and their families.

At Emory & Henry, prospective students and families will be treated to sessions involving the College’s “hand-crafted” Admissions process, including the advantageous Early Action timeline. Overviews of financial aid, scholarships and other grant possibilities will be covered, along with the multitudes of campus activities, student life offerings and the ever-growing Study Abroad programs.

Prospective students also will hear about plans for a new Macados restaurant, which will be opening this fall in the Emory community. They also will receive updates on the construction of a new residence hall and a new field house as well as improvements to the campus dining hall.

Programs are scheduled to start at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. daily. In addition to the weekly events, Emory & Henry College will also host a Saturday session August 4. This event starts at 9 a.m.

Students who visit at least three institutions during the week will receive three application fee waivers.  Students may use these waivers to apply to any three participating CICV colleges for free.

Registration is not required, but it is strongly recommend that interested students contact the E&H Office of Admissions at 276.944.6133 or 800.848.5493 regarding your visit.

For more information about CICV and Private College Week, including a list of participating colleges and exceptions to this schedule, please visit www.vaprivatecolleges.org.

Common Myths about a Private College Education

Myth:  Private colleges are too expensive.
Fact:  Last year, 72% of freshmen  at Virginia private  colleges demonstrated financial need.  Their average financial aid package was $20,406 (grants, work study & loans) .  Virginia residents attending a private  college in the state will also receive the undergraduate TAG award, which will be $2,800 for 2012-2013.  Nationally, about two-thirds of full-time students  receive some sort of grant aid.  Some of those who do not receive grant aid benefit  from federal tax credits and deductions.

Myth:  Only low income or extremely smart students receive financial aid for college.   
Fact:  There are many forms of financial assistance available that are not merit  or need-based, such as institutional grants (non-need  or -merit  based assistance), work-study programs  and state grants. According to a recent study by the Human Capital Research Corporation, institutional grants constitute the largest source of financial assistance for students attending Virginia private  colleges, typically  accounting for more  than one-third of the cost of attendance and about three fourths of all grant aid awarded.

Myth:  Private  colleges cost significantly more  than public  colleges.
Fact:   The difference between public and private  college tuition is far less than many families  assume, thanks to significant  institutional, merit  and need-based grants and the Tuition  Assistance Grant (TAG). According to a study by the Human Capital Research Corporation, the average price gap between  a Virginia private  and public college is only $4,700 after grant aid from  all sources.

Myth:  Private College v. Public College- there's not much difference, really.
Fact:  Parents and students  should compare  the time it takes to graduate  as well as overall graduation rates, class size, student/faculty ratio, and personal attention received by students.  Virginia private schools will rank favorably.

Myth:  Private liberal arts colleges won't prepare me for a job.
Fact:   In today's competitive marketplace, the benefits  of graduating from  a private  liberal arts college are more valuable than ever.  Students learn to think critically, analytically, and creatively  and to communicate well­ attributes sought by employers  in all professions.  Many of Virginia's  business and professional leaders are graduates of Virginia private colleges.

Myth:  Private colleges are not diverse.
Fact:   When you compare  the demographics  of public colleges to those of private colleges, you'll see that Virginia private  colleges enroll  a higher percentage  of African Amer ican undergraduates than Virginia public institutions. They also enroll a larger percentage  of Pell Grant recipients  (students  who receive federal need-based aid).  In addition, at small private  colleges, you will get to know nearly everyone.  If the va lue of diversity  is to learn to appreciate  others, then small private  colleges often  off er greater diversity.

Myth:  Virginia  529 Plans can only be used at public  institutions in Virginia.
Fact:  Virginia 529 plans can be applied to the tuition at any Virginia private college.  In fact, all four savings programs offered  by The Virginia College Savings Plan can be used at Virginia private colleges: the Virginia Education Savings Trust (VEST), CollegeAmerica ®, CollegeWealth ®, and the Virginia Prepaid Education Program (VPEP).