Admissions

Sweet Briar College invites bold, curious, and motivated students from all backgrounds to apply.

We welcome individuals with diverse talents, interests, and life experiences who are excited to pursue a transformative education in the liberal arts and sciences. Our admissions team seeks students with a solid academic foundation, a drive to learn, and the character to make meaningful contributions to our close-knit community.

Admission to the First-year Class

Sweet Briar welcomes motivated, intellectually curious young women who are eager to take ownership of their education. We’re seeking students who demonstrate qualities such as independent thinking, strong ethics, leadership, community involvement, and a genuine appreciation for diversity.

Recommended High School Preparation

To be competitive for admission, most applicants have at least 16 academic units, including:

• 4 units of English
• 3 units of mathematics
• 3 units of social studies
• 3 units of science

Most admitted students exceed this with around 20 academic units

We give special attention to:

• Course rigor (including AP, IB, or honors-level courses)
• Grades in academic subjects
• Your high school’s curriculum and grading context

Test-Optional Policy

Sweet Briar is test-optional for students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. However, SAT or ACT scores may be submitted and will be considered if available.

Other Pathways to Apply

We also accept the GED in place of a traditional high school diploma for:

• First-year applicants
• Transfer students
• Turning Point applicants (women age 23+ or those returning to education after four years or more)

Key Application Dates

• Early Decision (binding): November 1
• Rolling Admission: After December 1, decisions are made as applications are completed.

Final admission decisions are contingent upon successful completion of high school graduation or passing the GED. A final transcript must be submitted before enrollment.

Suggested College Preparatory Curriculum for High School Students

Note: Students are encouraged to challenge themselves by taking Advanced Placement (AP), Honors, or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses when available and appropriate.

Application Credentials and Requirements

How to Apply

Students may apply using Sweet Briar’s online application on our website at sbc.edu/admissions/apply-now or through the Common Application.

First-Year Application Requirements:

• A completed application
• Official transcripts of all academic work to date

       Note: Sweet Briar accepts the General Education Diploma (GED) in place of a high school diploma. A final transcript with proof of graduation must be submitted before enrollment.

• If applicable, a list of senior-year courses and current grades
• Optional SAT (code is 5634) or ACT (code is 4406) scores with high school GPA of 3.0 or higher 
• One letter of recommendation from a counselor, teacher or alumna, or participation in an interview with an alumna (strongly encouraged)
• One or more of the following (optional but encouraged)
  • A personal essay (written or video)
  • A creative writing/art sample
  • A portfolio or virtual/in-person interview 

International Student Requirements

In addition to the requirements listed above, international applicants must submit:

• Proof of English proficiency via one of the following:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 65
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 6.0
  • Duolingo English Test with a minimum score of 90

     An online interview may be substituted if testing access is limited - contact the Admissions Office for details.

• College Board’s International Student Certification of Finances

    An I-20 cannot be issued until an International Student Certification of Finances has been verified.

Transfer Student Admission

Sweet Briar welcomes transfer students who wish to continue their education with advanced standing.

Applicants with fewer than 24 college credit hours must meet first-year admission requirements. Those with more are encouraged to have at least one full year of successful college coursework.

Transfer Application Requirements:

• A completed application
• Official transcripts from each college attended
• Proof of good academic standing

Admission is offered on a rolling basis. Applicants are notified shortly after all materials are received.

Transfer Credit Policy

• Credit is typically awarded for courses completed with a grade of “C-” or higher at regionally accredited institutions, subject to review by the registrar.
• A maximum of 60 transfer credit hours may be applied toward the required 120 credits needed for degree completion.
• General education courses must align with Sweet Briar’s liberal arts framework.

Associate Degree Pathway

Sweet Briar recognizes associate degrees from regionally accredited community college as satisfying the Leadership Core (general education) requirements, allowing eligible students to begin major coursework immediately.

Eligible degrees include:

• Associate of Arts
• Associate of Science
• Associate of Arts and Sciences
• Associate of Engineering

To qualify, the associate degree must:

• Include at least 30 general education credits
• Contain one 3-semester credit course in each of the following:
  • Humanities/Fine Arts
  • Social/Behavioral Sciences
  • Natural Science/Mathematics

Credits awarded via AP or IB exams will be reviewed to ensure they meet SBC standards.

Credit Not Accepted Toward Transfer Agreements

• College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
• Experiential Learning
• Armed services experience (presentation of armed services transcript may warrant a review of applicable academic credit; not to exceed 60 hours when combined with other transfer credits)

Early College and Dual Enrollment Students

Students earning an associate degree while in high school (e.g., through dual enrollment or Early College) must apply as first-year students. Community college credit earned will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis, with receipt of transcript from the college that offered the credit (credit review cannot be conducted using the high school transcript). 

Enrollment Deposit

Sweet Briar College adheres to the National Candidates’ Reply Date Agreement, allowing admitted students until May 1 to confirm their enrollment.

A $250 non-refundable enrollment deposit is required to reserve your place in the class. This deposit will be credited to your student account and applied toward tuition and fees.

Appealing an Admission Decision

Students who wish to appeal an admission decision may submit a written appeal to the Vice President of Enrollment Management. The appeal must include new or updated information not previously submitted with the original application, such as:

• Updated grades or GPA
• New SAT/ACT test scores
• Additional letters of recommendation
• Other relevant documentation or achievements

The Vice President, in collaboration with the Admissions Committee, will review the new materials and re-evaluate the decision. Students will be notified once a final determination has been made.

Non-Residential and Special Admissions Options

Residential Requirement and Exceptions

Sweet Briar values the vibrant, supportive learning environment created through on-campus living. All full-time undergraduate students under age 23 are required to live on campus.

Students may request an exception if they meet one of the following criteria:

1. Living with a parent, guardian, spouse, or domestic partner within the following counties or cities: Albemarle County, Amherst County, Appomattox County, Bedford (City and County), Buckingham County, Buena Vista City, Campbell County, Charlottesville City, Lexington City, Lynchburg City, Nelson County, and Rockbridge County
2. Transfer student currently living off campus on their own or with others

Requests must be submitted through the Office of Residence Life and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Other Admissions Options

Early Admission

Students wishing to enter Sweet Briar before completing high school may be considered if they:

• Have met the College’s minimum course requirements for first-year admission
• Show exceptional academic performance and social maturity
• Complete an interview with an admissions counselor, the Dean of the College, and the Dean of Student Life

Part-time Students

Part-time enrollment is available for students wishing to take one or more courses for credit. Tuition is charged per credit hour, based on the full-time tuition rate.

For information on available courses, contact the Registrar’s Office. For information on fees, contact the Business Office.

The Turning Point Program

Designed for women returning to education, the Turning Point Program offers a flexible, non-residential option for students who:

•  Are at least 23 years old or
• Have been out of formal education for at least four years

Turning Point students may enroll on a full- or part-time basis and apply using the standard first-year or transfer application process.

Students with Disabilities

Sweet Briar College is committed to providing equal access to students with documented disabilities, in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

• Reasonable accommodations are assessed and made on an individual, case-by-case basis.
• Sweet Briar does not discriminate based on disability in the admissions process.

If an applicant would like an accommodated review:

• They must self-identify and initiate the request
• Submit a written appeal to the Vice President of Enrollment Management, along with documentation of the disability
• The request will be evaluated by the Dean of the College, the Director of the Academic Resource Center, or other relevant officials.