Washington and Lee University Top Questions

There are many things to do on any given night at W&L, including of course, the inevitable fraternity party. You can also go to a concert, watch free movies in the Commons, go to one of the many organizations’ meetings… That being said, just like all other college campuses, W&L students enjoy social life, especially in the form of parties, but we know it’s not just about the parties. It is completely acceptable to go out on a Saturday night, stay sober, and still go home and do some work if you need to get it done. Other students understand, most of them have been there too. To get by at W&L, you do need to have a good work and social life balance. Social life here does matter, but it doesn’t have to be at parties. There are other ways to get socially involved in other activities on campus or in classes. One of the main keys is that W&L students are, the majority, very social, and it doesn’t just have to be at parties, but it definitely can be.

Former president Bill Clinton calls the W&L Mock Convention after they pick Hillary Clinton as their winner.

Greek life is a MAJOR part of social life and somewhere around 85-90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students are in a fraternity or sorority. Most will live in the house for their sophomore year since 2 years of on-campus living is required. W&L is a pretty big party school. You could find something to do any night of the week. We work hard and we play hard. There are numerous on-campus (or fraternity) parties but off campus parties are very popular as well. Parties are popular. Bars are not, unless you're 21. W&L is a very safe environment where we are all on the Honor System and promise to not lie, cheat, or steal. Students rarely lock their doors. Athletics are not that popular. Being a small school, usually half the people you know are athletes, but football games are going to be a shock to you if you're used to huge SEC games like I was. People usually wear their dresses and sun bonnets and leave at half-time.

After freshman year, students move out of the dorms and the sexes are separated, with men living in their fraternity houses and women in sorority houses and on-campus apartments. Students rarely have the opportunity to spend time with members of the opposite sex outside of parties and class. Traditional dating happens but is not common.

Over 80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the students are in a fraternity or sorority, but students also enjoy volunteering and the outdoors. Students strive to have a perfectly balanced resume, so any activity that will look good on a resume is usually done. Due to the amount of activities most students are involved in, there is rarely a minute wasted during the day. This creates a "work hard, party hard" mentality that most students fall into shortly after arrival. Since W&L is full of tradition, the students go all out during the big events. The sporting events are not well attended, but any annual frat party is packed. Mock Convention and Fancy Dress Ball are the two most important and formal parties, and are accompanied by cocktail parties and returning alumni.

there are so many clubs and groups that most people are involved in a few in some respect. doors are left unlocked and laptops and books are scattered about campus by their owners for hours. there always seems to be some campus activity, lecture, game, theater event etc. i met my closest friends from all different places: a poker night, watching tv in the commons, clubs, and on my dorm hall. i have met most people in the dining hall, where very few people will bite you for sitting next to them, and you will learn more about what is going on around campus. you will learn about the long list of school traditions pretty fast. parties are common, but no one should chastize you for not going at this work hard/play hard school. about 3/4ths of the school is greek, but ive never regreted staying independant because that has become its own network of friends.

Students leave their dorm rooms open all of the time. It is a very safe campus. The Greek system is huge, though the administration is cracking down on the fraternities and they seem to be dying off one by one. For the next 10 years, at least, however, the Greek system will be a huge part of campus life. When I was a freshman in 2004, nearly the entire student body went to parties, and every fraternity had at least one party a weekend. This has changed. There are fewer large fraternity parties and more people drinking in small groups.

I never lock my door. When I do by accident, it is a cause for panic, since I never have my key on me. Partying is huge. Almost to an unhealthy extent. Guest speakers are great; I have heard John Grisham, Bill Nye the Science Guy, and uncountable other fascinating speakers. If you aren't a drinker, Saturday night could be a bit dull. There are always free movies in the commons though-most of which are excellent.

The social life on the University side revolves around fraternities. I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing, and the fraternities are no more or less accepting than any other part of the student body. They also throw some great parties. There is a heavy drinking culture, but that is a reality of modern college life these days. I think the social scene may be tougher fro women, who I think feel that they have to go along with the sort of sexual objectification, misogyny, and other male centered aspects of greek culture. On the other hand, some women may prefer a "traditional" Southern social life. On a Saturday night, if you don't drink, you can watch a movie, maybe catch a show at the Lime Kiln theater, or go to bed. On the law school side, social life revolves around house parties, since there are no social law fraternities. The law and undergrad sides rarely mix.

a lot of off-campus fraternity sponsored parties. alcohol and drugs flow freely. few people date; alcohol-propelled "hook-ups" rule relationships between sexes.