About

See what students say:

Academics

West Virginia’s Shepherd University sits scenically above the Potomac River, just ninety minutes away from Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. This small liberal arts university is “big on community service and community in general,” including both within Shepherd and in the surrounding area. The school is “very much affordable, especially to in-state students,” but that doesn’t mean it compromises on opportunity: A plethora of programs and events are available to help attendees “accelerate in school,” including “guest speakers and presentations to provide insight to future pathways.” As one example of these “very helpful and abundant” amenities and services, if a class is not offered, a student can often pursue independent study and “work with an advisor at their own pace during the semester [to] pursue their research interests.”

Additionally, professors here are “very passionate about their fields,” “want to make a difference in your life,” and are “very open when it comes to meeting with students.” Students appreciate the inclusion of “discussion groups, collaborative projects, and department-wide trips … to enrich [the] learning experience.” Moreover, they love that the faculty strives to be “clear in what they need you to do and what you need to learn,” and that they’re “more than willing to share connections with the student body.” As one student puts it, “From research positions to shadowing experiences, you will be prepared for your next steps.”

Student Body

Since Shepherd has a smaller student body (fewer than three thousand undergraduates attend), the school lends itself to a “more family-like atmosphere.” But that doesn’t mean it’s not “extremely diverse”—traditional, non-traditional, and international students all stroll the hallways and grounds. “I feel like we have a well-rounded lump of people who attend here,” says one student. And that well-roundedness comes across in the “kind and collaborative” attitude everyone seems to have on a campus where everyone “is encouraged by students, members, and staff to be who they truly are.”

Campus Life

“The campus is truly breathtaking” at Shepherd, offering “lots of hikes” and “beautiful parks and trails around the area.” Plus, nearby, historic Shepherdstown is the “perfect mix of small town and suburban life.” Students “really enjoy going into town and frequenting coffee shops and restaurants.” One student specifically notes, “I visit a bakery daily that was once used as a Civil War hospital, and it is only a three-minute walk from class.” The school is also “rich with opportunities because of the close proximity to major cities.”

Between classes, “people will go to the commuter lounge and relax” or study in the library. When classes are over, the school’s Program Board “sets up events constantly, such as Paint Night, Bingo, or different food-related events.” That constant sense of involvement is just one of the reasons that the university “has a sense of home to it.” That’s reinforced come game day, when “students rock … university gear with pride.”

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Front Office Staff
Office of Admissions

Address
PO Box 5000
Shepherdstown, WV 25443-5000

Phone
304-876-5212

Email
admission@shepherd.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Potomac Place
Center for Contemporary Arts
Scarborough Library
Wellness Center
Student Center

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Harpers Ferry National Historic Park
Antietam National Historic Park
Prime Outlets, Hagerstown, MD
C&O Canal
Historic Shepherdstown

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
M-F
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
304-876-5212

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: M-F 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Average Length: Varies

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
www.shepherd.edu/admissions/visit-campus

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Advance Notice
1 week

Contact Email Address for Visit
admission@shepherd.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
MARC train (within 3 miles of campus) Dulles International Airport

Driving Instructions to Campus
See web site https://www.shepherd.edu/directions-to-shepherd/

Local Accommodations
hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts

Admissions

Applicants: 1,485
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Average HS GPA: 3.40






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