Washington and Lee University Top Questions

Admissions has tried to include a more diverse student body over the last couple of years. This has just created a really weird "counter culture" that is still dominated by the traditional preppy Washington and Lee students. It seems that the only thing to talk about here for students is what party they went to last night, who blacked out, etc. If you don't drink and aren't rich, you will likely feel left out. This is coming from someone who read reviews of W and L last year, didn't believe how the social scene could possibly be so exaggeratedly dominated by one group, and came here anyway.

Students here are generally good people, and most people are friendly and respectful. To clear the air, most students here are not racists. But a lot of students here don't know much about other races and other cultures, and this is not the place where that kind of learning is really gonna happen. This school is and always will be a predominantly white institution.

Students are competitive, but not too competitive. The Honor System is alive and strong, though of course it has its bumps along the way, but that we can adapt and change because of it is what makes it so honorable. Students generally dress up for class--you won't see anyone in pajamas. There still are a lot of rich students, but it's a general mix of many backgrounds. Currently, there isn't a lot of diversity, but it's growing. Greek life is still a very big deal (about 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students are Greek), but its influence isn't always a bad thing since it's more inclusive than exclusive. Students aren't generally very political on campus, but if they are, they're more likely to be conservative than liberal.

Students here are highly intellectually engaged. They will discuss issues outside class and will investigate things that intrigue them. They are also highly politically active. The campus is conservative, but both the College Republicans and College Democrats are active on campus. Students come from all over the country and world. Some of my best friends are from Georgia, Washington, Maryland, New York, Nepal, and India. Students from all areas and ways of life come together at W&L and do not generally allow their differences to interfere with the possible friendship.

The student body is primarily white and from the middle to upper class, HOWEVER, this is noticeably changing. Since I've arrived, I have already noticed that influence of the Johnson Scholarship, which offers full tuition and board to students from all backgrounds.

W&L students are fun-loving and welcoming. The campus has an extremely strong sense of community and individuals feel very at home walking around campus. Even if you don't know someone you pass, he or she will more than likely smile, nod, say hello, or in some other way acknowledge your presence. Although a strong majority of the students are white, there is a growing minority population. Many students tend to dress up for class, but not everyone does. There are always a few students in each class that will look very put together even for 8 AM Calculus, but that does not mean students feel required to look nice. Compared to other schools, W&L students are: smarter, friendlier, better-looking.

W&L is full of smart students from all over the US and from abroad. Students work hard but like to have fun too. Because of the student-run Honor System (that was actually inspired by Robert E. Lee) students hold themselves to a higher standard--no lying, cheating, or stealing. A perk? Student-scheduled final exams and the ability to leave your books anywhere on campus.

The student body is kind of homogenious but people have many different perspectives if you get to know them. Everyone is pretty friendly and agreeable which makes for a happy student body that is fun to be a part of.

diverse in that most u.s. states are represented. most students are upper middle class with conservative parents.

Washington and Lee is a diverse school with students from all over the country and world. I'm one of very few from my state and yet I have not felt like I'm left out in anyway. Most of the students seem to come from well off families, but there are plenty who are not. The students do like to party a lot, but that comes after the hardwork in the classroom. Students are extremely friendly and talkative. I would feel out of place here if I were not social and I did not like to party a fair amount.

No racial, socioeconomic or much religious diversity. If you're not white and upper-class, 1)look elsewhere or 2)be prepared to deal with a lot of problems--not necessarily racial harrassment but trouble fitting in and havng an active social life. Students dress well--people don't wear sweats to class here--hardly ever. People say campus is "conservative" but mostly it's just apathetic. There is no activism of any kind on campus.

It's true that there is a definite student culture at W&L and some people may feel out of place on this campus. That's not to say that the student body isn't diverse, from all manner of backgrounds and with all sorts of interests. However, we all share a love for the school and similar mentality about what being part of this community means. Students here take school seriously, as well as the traditions that come with W&L, but also like to have a good time. They are caring and like to get involved in what they are passionate about.

W&L is thought of as a white, southern Republican school. While this is mainly true, they are working on increasing diversity. Students are very politically active, mainly on the Republican side of things. The student body is fairly conservative. You normally see people dressed up for class, girls wearing J Crew and pearls and guys in Polo. People often don't wear sweats to class like at large state schools, but if you do wear sweats you won't be scoffed at.

It's a pretty preppy group. Invest in a pink polo and a few dozen sundresses before you come here. We're smart, and work really hard, but people are largely friendly and devoted to the school.

The student body is very much a part of W&L life. Everyday when I go to class, I'll pass by faces I recognize and whose name I know. It is the student's pride and respect for being at W&L that is contagious and creates a unique environment. Every senior leaves not wanting to go. It is the student body that adds an unparalleled energy and life to the ninth oldest college in the country. The four years spent here are nearly removed from reality, where the focus is on learning and growing. Every student shares that connection, which is why the alumni network is so strong.

I'm Hispanic and I do just fine.

W&L's student body seems pretty homogeneous at first glance, but in reality, students come from all over and we have a sizable population of international students for a school of our size.

Washington and Lee students are extremely outgoing. People often comment on how unbelievably social every student is. The campus is certainly becoming more liberal, and more socio-economically diverse (especially after the introduction of the merit-based Johnson Scholarship). Freshmen often worry more about how they dress than upperclassmen do, you are more likely to see sweats on the upperclassmen women than the freshmen girls. All parties at W&L are "open" and free which makes this campus very tight-knit. People aren't kicked out unless they cause trouble, and everyone is told about every party. In that sense, the student body is very inclusive.

As a former all boys school that only went co-ed in 1985, W&L has been slow to change its student body. That being said, the school has worked hard to attract a diversified student body and it gets more varied every year. The stereotypes still linger, but they're not really true any more.

Students at W&L run the full gamut of personalities and backgrounds. There are all kinds of folks here; diversity is not lacking at W&L. The only constant though the student body here is the W&L education. Groups for every possible cause and culture are one campus; all are active on campus. W&L’s student body is also overwhelmingly outgoing, friendly, and smart. In addition to the fantastic academics at W&L, students get to learn with equally fantastic people.