Overview of the University
The University of Mary Washington is a public liberal arts and sciences university in Fredericksburg, Virginia, USA. The university has a picturesque main campus spread across 176 acres, which is known for its beautifully landscaped gardens, fountains, and green spaces. The university also has two other campuses - one in Stafford and another in Dahlgren - which cater to specific degree programs. Some fast facts about the University of Mary Washington are:
- Established in 1908 as the State Normal and Industrial School for Women at Fredericksburg, UMW had its first graduating class of eight women in 1911.
- The university is named after Mary Ball Washington - mother of the first US president George Washington. In fact, Fredericksburg was also the boyhood town of George Washington.
- UMW is ranked in the top 10 public regional universities in the South by U.S. News & World Report.
- The university has about 4𬔀 undergraduate students and about 300 graduate students.
Grading and GPA System in this University
The University of Mary Washington follows a standard four-point grading system, where each letter grade corresponds to a numerical value from 4.0 (A) to 0.0 (F). The university also awards plus (+) and minus (-) grades that carry a weightage of 0.3. Apart from this, UMW also offers a Pass/No Pass (P/NP) grading system for certain courses, where no letter grade is assigned. Instead, students are awarded a P grade if they meet the minimum requirements for a C- grade or higher, or an NP grade if they do not meet the requirements. To calculate the GPA at UMW, students multiply the numerical value of each grade with the number of credit hours for that course, add up the products, and divide the sum by the total number of credit hours attempted. For example, if a student has earned a B grade (3.0) in a 3-credit course and an A- grade (3.7) in a 4-credit course, the GPA would be: [(3.0 x 3) + (3.7 x 4)] / (3 + 4) = 3.43
Conclusion
The University of Mary Washington offers a comprehensive liberal arts education that focuses on critical thinking, effective communication, and ethical leadership. With small class sizes, dedicated faculty, and a supportive community, UMW offers a personalized and enriching educational experience. Whether you're interested in pursuing a degree in business, sciences, arts, or education, the University of Mary Washington offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs to choose from. So, if you're looking for an academically challenging and socially engaging university experience, UMW may be the right choice for you.
