Andy
Wake forest has no diversity whatsoever. Most people are either Catholic or babtist, but religion is not highly stressed. Most students are of middle or upper-class background, caucasian background. A student of a lower class background, with any other ethnicity other than white American would probably feel out of place (unless they are an athlete). Most students dress nicely to class. No one looks sloppy when the come to class except the athletes (they usually wear their athletic gear). Politics are not typically discussed on campus due to the equal amount of conservative southern republicans and liberal northerners.
melissa
too much racism and dislike between greeks (within different organizations) and non greeks
Jillian
Alternative lifestyles are not very well represented, nor are minorities, though that is getting better. Students don't really wear sweatpants, etc., to class. They are usually dressed nicely, and students tend to be pretty fashionable. Most students wear designer jeans and tote around designer handbags. For the most part, students have a lot of money. Just look at the parking lot--Hummers, BMWs, Mercedes. What is really nice about Wake is that only 30{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the student body comes from North Carolina. There is a really large percentage of Northerners here, so its not as overwhelmingly Southern as it could be. Students are definitely politically aware, and I'd say it is split between conservative and liberal. There is definitely a larger conservative contingent here than there is at most universities.
Jamie
there is not as much diversity as i would have liked to see upon arrival. a student with a lack of social skills would probably feel out of place here, but i guess they feel out of place most places. four tables: 1. athletes 2. GDIs 3. frat 4. sorority
Katie
The campus is very Waspy. Most people are white and rich, however I like to believe that Wake students are very accepting of diversity. It is the type of atmosphere though when students consider originality as weird though. Girls get pretty dressed up for class. J.Crew and Polo is seen everywhere. There is a good diversity of people from different parts of the United States though. It is also a very republican student body.
Sarah
Let me tell you the truth: Wake Forest would have no black people if they didn't pay us to come. The black community would diminish to the point that even the ones that went to fancy prep schools and hang out exclusively with the white kids would get scared and stay away. This 80-something percent white thing is no joke; it's about the same ratio that Howard has of Black to everything else. Sometimes this really does feel like an HWCU.
But it's not the skin color that's the problem for me. I'm cool with white. I went to high school in the suburbs, after all. But these white kids are different. They dress like they just stepped off a yacht; pink shorts and rainbow flip-flops and stuff. Fancy cars. I don't have much contact with them for the most part. They just walk past me on the quad. I've long since stopped wondering what planet they're from and just accepted them as the people who pay for my education.
Randy
Wake's student body is incredibly geographically diverse. The student body is pretty politically apathetic, however, with the exception of election years. Kids are way richer than any college students should reasonably be. Most people think Wake is really conservative but it's a very even split on campus. Students definitely don't talk about how much they'll earn one day but you can tell they probably think about it. I'm a Jewish liberal from the North and I have never felt for one moment out of place at Wake. I truly feel like whatever your background you will be welcomed into the community and judged more by your character than anything else.
Cody
Everyone wants to treat people of other races the same. A student with a lot of tattoos and piercings would be out of place at Wake. Most students wear jeans and a casual shirt to class. Different types of students interact (different races, ethnicities, etc.). In the dining hall, there is a section for the athletes, the studiers, the frats, and the sororities. Middle class- upper class financial backgrounds are the most prevalent. Students seem to be politically aware while others are not simply because there is not enough time apart from activities and homework to stay caught up on politics. Predominantly right, but Wake is founded on left.
Melissa
There are people of all ethnicities and races at Wake- obviously white is the majority, but other groups do exist. Students do interact. I know while Wake expands to its 4800 student body, that more students will be accepted from ethnic backgrounds. Wake wants to enlarge its ethnic student body because diversity is important to the university. I believe in diversity too since the world is becoming so much more global; however the best should be accepted to Wake, ethnicity should not make a difference- the most qualified should be accepted. I believe in diversity, but who can bring the most to Wake should be accepted- though diversity does play a part of this.
Nicole
A good summary of Wake's student body would be, "Work hard. Play hard." Students like to have a good time and party, but not to the point of getting in the way of our education. We know that we are first and foremost here to get an education, but we believe we can do that while having fun. When it's time to study and work, we all buckle down and get it done. But when it's time to go out and celebrate, you can find students and various house clubs or bars.