Washington and Lee University Top Questions

Professors here are excellent. They remember me long after I've taken a course with them. They are always willing to take extra time to help me if I need it. Courses are challenging, but not unreasonably so. The German Department in particular is fantastic. It's small, which I like. Everybody in the department knows everyone else. Professors and students are more equal than anything else.

Professors not only know your name, but most likely where you are from, what you are planning to major in, and what year you are. My favorite class was either Art in Business of Puzzles and Critical Thought. One was a marketing course which looked at strategy in detail, while the other involved problem solving which was then applied to every day business decisions. Students will often have intellectual discussions regarding classes, especially when they have an opinionated professor and disagree with his/her opinion. The most unique class I have take and W and L would have to be Puzzles and Critical Thought. Students are competitive, but I think most are competing with the system, not one another. The system being what percentage of the class you have to be in to graduate with honors, etc. I have spent time with professors outside of class. I think that some of the general education classes are unnecessary. If a student is not interested in a class it makes it harder to want to do well in my opinion, and if they aren't going to use it later, then why waste time when it could be spent either raising your major GPA, or allot you time to double major. The education at Washington and Lee provides students with a well-rounded perspective and an insight into all areas of study. Washington and Lee is one of the strongest networking schools in that everyone has the same passion for the school and most W and L graduates will look out for others in the job market. Also, W and L is incredibly helpful in helping students find internships that can aid them in finding a job later. Professors are also an incredible resource for future employment. Many students will also go to graduate school from W and L.

As I previously stated, the academics are fantastic. I never took a class that I regretted taking. (Well maybe French, but that's for other reasons than it being a good class) Classes are small, participation usually required, and most students do a good job participating. (You can't get away with sitting in the back of the classroom and not doing anything for four years here) Professors are really accessible, you will have had dinner at at least one professors house by the time you graduate. W&L has a strong tradition of getting students fabulous jobs, and of getting students into good graduate/law schools. Three of my friends got into Harvard Law, University of Chicago Law and Cornell Law as well as a couple who went on to the Law school at Washington and Lee, which is a top 25 law school. One other important thing is the W&L Honor Code. This is a student run system that all entering freshman commit to following for their four years. The basic code is no lying, stealing or cheating. If you are found guilty of any instance of lying, stealing or cheating, you are kicked out. This code helps create a wonderful atmosphere of trust, you get to schedule your own exams, Professors trust you, people leave personal items at carrells etc. without fear of them being stolen etc. Plus the single sanction of expulsion really wards off any temptation to cheat.

My largest class at W&L has been a whopping 22 students. At such a small school, even freshman have small class sizes. It's amazing to be able to get to know all of your professors and have them call you by name in class. The professors are all here to teach, so they'll go out of their way to help you. But don't be fooled, the academics at W&L are as hard as ever. Students are extremely competitive, and they keep improving every year. Professors push you to do your best and encourage class discussions.

Because of its size, W&L has very small classes and intimate relationships are formed with professors. It is not uncommon to go to a professor's house for dinner. I am a physics major and love my physics professor. I am no longer in a class of hers, but visit her anyway just to chat.

The best thing about a small school is the close relationships you can build with professors. The classes are generally small, ranging from 15-25 students. Students are involved in discussion and must participate more then students at larger schools, where class sizes range into the hundreds. On the down side, you can't hide in the back or skip class because your professor will know it. The student body competitive, and the course load is challenging, especially the broad general education requirements.

really strong, small classes, teachers are so accessible, teachers often have classes outside, once i had one in a coffee shop in town

We all study like crazy people. I never anticipated having to put in this much work. At the beginning of the year they kept telling us to be ready for not making all A's, but I didn't think I'd ever make a C like I did first term. My intelligence has increased so much since coming to W&L; the intelligence of students here is amazing. Students here are extremely competitive.

professors know your name, know when you miss class, and know when you're failing. they follow up with you when you're having trouble and encourage students to stop in their offices whenever the door is open. my favorite class was an advertising class that allowed me to discover what career i want to pursue and it was basically run by students with a little guidance from the professor. students study a lot. during the week it is all work and rarely play. class participation is essential to getting a good grade. if you don't go to class or you go and just sit there, you won't get a good grade and you won't enjoy the classes. students talk a lot outside of the classroom about what is going in the world and how it relates to courses. students are competitive only in the sense that they want to exceed their own expectations. it's not like they want to beat their friend they just want to beat what they what was possible for them. business is a pretty popular major because it allows you to go into something like ibanking, consulting, advertising, marketing, and a variety of other things. the professors are some of the best in the country and truly care about the students. i frequently see them around campus or in town and they always stop to chat and see how i am doing. i think the academic requirements are rigorous and you can't just coast by at W&L. you have to work for your grades and really work to have a good GPA. W&L teaches you how to get a job but also just how to continually learn and continue to ask questions and grow as a person.

The professors at Washington and Lee are wonderful. I've done research with my advisor and have developed a friendship with her as well. Other professors, even some I've never had, know me by name and are always willing to talk outside of class.