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

Additionally, professors here are 鈥渧ery passionate about their fields,鈥� 鈥渨ant to make a difference in your life,鈥� and are 鈥渧ery open when it comes to meeting with students.鈥� Students appreciate the inclusion of 鈥渄iscussion groups, collaborative projects, and department-wide trips 鈥� to enrich [the] learning experience.鈥� Moreover, they love that the faculty strives to be 鈥渃lear in what they need you to do and what you need to learn,鈥� and that they鈥檙e 鈥渕ore than willing to share connections with the student body.鈥� As one student puts it, 鈥淔rom research positions to shadowing experiences, you will be prepared for your next steps.鈥�

Since Shepherd has a smaller student body (fewer than three thousand undergraduates attend), the school lends itself to a 鈥渕ore family-like atmosphere.鈥� But that doesn鈥檛 mean it鈥檚 not 鈥渆xtremely diverse鈥濃�攖raditional, non-traditional, and international students all stroll the hallways and grounds. 鈥淚 feel like we have a well-rounded lump of people who attend here,鈥� says one student. And that well-roundedness comes across in the 鈥渒ind and collaborative鈥� attitude everyone seems to have on a campus where everyone 鈥渋s encouraged by students, members, and staff to be who they truly are.鈥�

鈥淭he campus is truly breathtaking鈥� at Shepherd, offering 鈥渓ots of hikes鈥� and 鈥渂eautiful parks and trails around the area.鈥� Plus, nearby, historic Shepherdstown is the 鈥減erfect mix of small town and suburban life.鈥� Students 鈥渞eally enjoy going into town and frequenting coffee shops and restaurants.鈥� One student specifically notes, 鈥淚 visit a bakery daily that was once used as a Civil War hospital, and it is only a three-minute walk from class.鈥� The school is also 鈥渞ich with opportunities because of the close proximity to major cities.鈥�

Between classes, 鈥減eople will go to the commuter lounge and relax鈥� or study in the library. When classes are over, the school鈥檚 Program Board 鈥渟ets up events constantly, such as Paint Night, Bingo, or different food-related events.鈥� That constant sense of involvement is just one of the reasons that the university 鈥渉as a sense of home to it.鈥� That鈥檚 reinforced come game day, when 鈥渟tudents rock 鈥� university gear with pride.鈥�