Washington and Lee University Top Questions

Classes are intense, interesting, and intimate. Last semester, i had two classes in which there were fewer than 10 people, and my largest class all year has 35 people in it. All of my professors have learned my name within a week or so of class, and I still talk to them frequently on campus. Students at w&; follow the philosophy of "work hard, play hard" and definately do their work alongside of the partying. getting into w&l is difficult, and even athletes have rigorous standards to meet. It's really refreshing, really to be able to hang out with friends or go to a party and have a conversation about the Decameron, Dante, John Locke, or gender perceptions in early modern europe. Its a fun atmosphere for learning, and i get to use material from previous classes to my advantage in future classes, where the teachers are as excited as I am to get more information. My department (Medieval and Renaissance studies) is really exciting, since it's made up of teachers from several departments who have one common passion, which really is a passion for them. They're a wonderful group who love to talk about their feild and love to discuss new ideas with students, both in class and out.

competitive / difficult / geared towards job - school of commerce / geared towards learning - all liberal arts majors. Great academic setting

The academics here are amazing. The professors generally know your name by the second day of class and honestly care about the students and their success in life. My favorite class was Chem 111 with Dr. U, he embodies the best of this university's quality of instructors. My least favorite class was one taken with a visiting professor in the english department, I have never had a class that wasnt good taught by a full time professor here. Class participation is very common, its kind of hard to sit as an observer when class size is 10 or 15 students. It is encouraged and often your grade depends on the discussions you have outside of class time with the professors, who keep regular office hours but are available most times they are not teaching class. Academic discussions often occur outside of class between students and often it is pretty funny hearing at a big party drunk people discussing philosophy, science, or some other intelligent thing. Students are very competitive with each other but that never stops them from helping each other when needed. Its a healthy sort of competition where no one wants anyone to loose but wants their classmates to succeed so that if they are the best they are the best of the best. Washington and Lee's academic requirements are rigorous but fair and the gen ed credits ensure you experience a wide variety of knowledge during your college years. Overall learning here is geared towards learning for its own sake which is generally followed by getting a good job.

All the professors take a great deal of pride in their students. I have not met one that does not help his/her students. I absolutely love the academic atmosphere. It's also extremely difficult to make good grades though. Once you get here, you still have to work.

Although I could state so above, I am also a Classics major, in addition to the Physics major. My professors in both fields of study are friendly, approachable, yet also demanding of our work, setting standards achieveable, but challenging -- as I have come to expect from all fields in which I have studied at this school. Even during classes which I did not enjoy because of the subject, I still appreciated my professors' dedication and enthusiasm for their teaching matter. In addition to studying physics and classics, I work for the physics department, which allows me to spend time with the professors in a more relaxed environment. They are incredibly personable, and while outside the classroom far more casual, they still maintain professionalism in the classroom. The academic requirements are wide-ranged, forcing students to study matters that might be outside their major focus. These requirements caused me to take an ancient philosophy class, which contributed towards my decision to add classics to my major declaration. The general education requirements gear the school towards learning for its own sake, but not exclusively and certainly not extremely. The career center is an influential presence on campus.

All my professors know my name and they believe me when I give them an excuse for being late/ not there/ turning something in late. We take the honor code very seriously, so they can trust us to tell them the truth.

Students do study a lot, and W&L is a hard school; we do not just party all the time. Most of the students that go here are smart, so work ethic ultimately separates A students from B students. There are the geniuses that never have to work, but the majority of students work hard and fairly often. Some majors are harder than others and all majors very in the type of work required, so choose wisely something you will enjoy and also plays to your strengths as a student.

very good.

difficult and challenging. lots of opportunities-to study abroad, independent studies, etc. general requirements include classes in many different areas-literature, science, math, art, etc. quite extensive, but are changing and becoming easier. students are competitive but fair spring term allows students to take interesting, focused courses for six weeks.

Great class size, lots of work, helpful professors, amazing opportunities to learn in any liberal arts field. Not the best school for engeneers or those seeking hands on skills.