Washington and Lee University Top Questions

W&L is small enough that it is entirely possible that your professor will know everyone's name the first day of class, and even more importantly, professors become invested in each of their students because there are so few of us. The city of Lexington is wonderful, there are enough stores and coffee shops to keep city-lovers happy, and ample opportunities to explore the outdoors. Tubing down the Maury River and hiking Devil's Marbleyard are few "must-dos" before graduation.

The academic benefits of a small, close-knit school like ours cannot be measured. Having a class with just two students and a Pulitzer prize winning professor is not normal, nor can it ever be replicated outside the hallowed halls of academia. The small school has not once limited my opportunities; at W&L I have access to every opportunity students at bigger schools do, but I have less competition for them and more faculty support encouraging me to go after my goals.

W&L is a school that'll make you work hard, but it's definitely worth it. I have learned more here in four years than I ever thought possible. When I first came to W&L I wasn't sure if I would like it, but now I know that I love it and I'm excited to be a proud alum next year.

W&L is a great university. It's a great, welcoming place, to any and everyone. One example of this is my favorite campus tradition, the Speaking Tradition, where everyone says, "Hi" to each other on campus regardless of whether you know the person or not. More importantly, W&L is a school that makes sure it gives each student what they need to develop academically and personally. For some, this means the freedom to pursue independent projects for degree credit, and for others, it means meeting with your professor twice a week. The great thing about W&L is that whatever you need, whatever you want to make of your college experience, it is available to students here. Though W&L is smaller than super-large schools, that attribute enables W&L to offer its students smaller classes, all classes taught by professors (No TAs!), and a real university community. Even now, in my senior year, I am still meeting new people in my class. Frankly, I think W&L is the perfect size.

The first thing that stood out to me about W&L was the Honor Code, which is entirely enforced by the elected student body. The only “rule” is no lying, cheating, or stealing, and it doesn’t happen here because of the small community, and the penalty for one of these actions is expulsion. Students pride themselves in upholding traditions, such as the Honor Code, but also equally important traditions such as the speaking tradition, which promotes unity amongst W&L students, faculty, and staff. The Honor Code lends itself to unproctored exams, take-home tests, and you don’t need to be worried if you leave your purse or i-pod outside for a few hours.

Washington and Lee is an amazing place! It's a very small school and some students' high school are actually larger. But, the gorgeous campus with the historic "Collonade" fits perfectly in the quaint little town of Lexington, Virginia, with its 4-square block downtown with its brick sidewalks and little shops lining the streets. Lexington can be considered a college town, since the population of around 7,000 practically doubles when school is in session, since Virginia Military Institute is also in Lexington. Campus is small but a perfect size. You definitely won't have to catch a bus to your classes here! In most cases your dorm will only be 100 yards from your classroom building or the Commons or Dining Hall. Washington and Lee is an esteemed school on the East Coast and for it's size is very well-known and well-thought-of. They have a large alumni base especially in the major East Coast and Southern cities and W&L is a very tight-nit community. The faculty and administration at W&L are extremely involved with the students and their activities. President Ruscio and various Deans and Professors are known for having students to their house for dinner and we have a great relationship with our faculty and administration. It's a place you have to visit and see for yourself. If you walk around campus you'll experience the friendly environment because of W&L's unique "speaking tradition." So, sit in on a class, or stay overnight and experience everything W&L has to offer, you'll fall in love with it just like me!

Located in picturesque Lexington, VA, Washington and Lee University is a place filled with a unique dynamic of rich history and contemporary fun. Watching the painstakingly well-dressed students roam the historic Colonnade on their way to class, one could easily mistake the school for a movie set. Classes at W&L are rigorous, and the students are as enthusiastic about learning as they are about socializing off campus at frat parties. Somehow the student body consistently excels at keeping the two in balance.

It's a very good school full of self-motivated people. The professors are incredible and are always available to help. Academically, it would be difficult to find a more challenging and stimulating school. However, to survive at Washington and Lee you have to have thick skin. Gossip is rampant and it is difficult to succeed socially if you are not ready for it. The small size and isolated location augment the feeling of being in a social bubble. In general, it is a wonderful place to be, but not for the weak of heart. The school pushes students both mentally and socially.

the size is just right, and its amidst beautiful natural landscape in a very small southern town. there is so much school pride and even the alumni seem to always be comming back to visit. people who like to volunteer, like a sence of community, or who kinda know what direction they are going, are happy here. i admit that a couple students hav e trouble being comfortable here because it is very different from what they are used to and far from home. but these people are few in number, and the campus still boasts a student body from all around the country and the world. you should really visit the campus, have lunch here, and asks anyone and everyone lots of questions. there is a huge emphasis on studying abroad, internships, and a great alumni network and the school expects you to utrilize all the awesome opportunities. It is a work hard/play hard kind of school that boasts community at this boarder-line ivy league secluded gem. i couln not possibly stress the lable of a pride-filled community enough.

Washington and Lee is unusual for many reasons. It's not for everyone- the smallness means that it's hard to disappear. If you have a bad experience with someone, you are bound to see him or her again. On the other hand, the small size means that walking around campus, you know everyone. You will never have a TA. Your professors will invite you over for dinner, and some will even call you if you've missed class (only to ask if you're ok, not to pry). I loved every minute of being there, I wouldn't have gone anywhere else.

Best thing is the sense of community I love the small classes and personal relations that are possible and encouraged with professors. Always remember my professors knowing my birthday, my interests, and my story- because they can I would like to see the rampant alcoholism and snobby attitudes dissappear. That is what I would change.

The best thing about the University is its academics. There is a work hard, play hard attitude, but the work that students do is remarkable in its quality, and you get a great education. The social aspects of the school are limited, students must make their own fun because the town is small and offers more for those interested in hiking or arts and crafts than for those looking for a night life. The school is about the right size, I'd say. The biggest problem with the school is the limited diversity, not just in terms of background but also in terms of viewpoint. It is a very conservative place. At the same time, minority recruitment has made strides over the years but there is still much room for improvement. Also, the way gay and lesbian students are treated here by other students, as well as the way women are treated, is extremely disappointing. The culture is still male and hetero-centric, and there are a large number of students who aim to keep it that way, whether it means resisting calls for change or actually engaging in harassment or verbal degradation of women and minority students. The Administration means well. They are in the inenviable position of any administration: trying to please all the students and faculty and trustees at the same time. They try hard, and I think many of them would like to change things more than they have, but they do not want to take the risk of acting in a bold manner.

it feels a bit small sometimes, but i do not want to see the school's size change. most of my time is spent in the fraternity house. when i tell them i go to W&L, i either get an "i'm impressed" eyebrow arch, or a "where is that again?" W&L is run smoothly, few problems with "red tape." W&L is (almost too) steeped in tradition, with many old secret societies and drinking societies. the only real student complaint seems to be that Lexington is too small.

Here's the thing about W&L... Best decision I've ever made. And I'm pretty sure 99{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of my class could attest to this. Despite our attempt at DIII sports, of which I dabbled a few years in (no seriously, theyll take almost anyone), we have the school pride of a state school. Minus the body paint. Insert, coat and tie to football games, girls in sundresses. Varsity garden party. This little script box couldn't stand to hold even a summary of a month at my time at W&L but here's a few statements I've heard through the years that might be most effective: "If you gave me an acceptance letter from Harvard (or insert any school's name here) today, I'd still pick my experience at W&L time and again." "Freshman year i recall i once announced to Caroline* that we are the happiest people literally in the entire world. i had done the calculations, assessed our status in the grand scheme of life on earth and had deduced that we were literally the ultimate happy people. and looking back from the vantage point of graduation morning, i was right." - excerpt from a friend's email on graduation morning The people at W&L seriously make the experience. In my efforts to make this as sincere as possible, I cried the day I got in and I cried the day I left but the moments in between were some of my happiest.

For me Washington and Lee is a place to learn, make connections, and enjoy life. Being in a fraternity sort of separates you sometimes from your stereotypical ivy collegiate experience and vaults you towards a life not dissimilar to Animal House. But my favorite part about the school is that your in the same classes as the men and women you party with - it brings energy and life to the classroom that I don't think you have anywhere else. Also the small class size lets you get an education that's really in touch with the professors, no TA's was a big draw for me. I'll be a junior this fall and my biggest class so far has been about 26 people.

The best thing about Washington and Lee is the small campus and community feeling you get from being there. The school is the perfect size where not everyone knows you, but you still have the opportunity to know everyone if you really wanted to. Another great thing about Washington and Lee is the small class size which allows for much more individual attention between you and the faculty, which you really can't find at a lot of bigger schools that are not as prestigious as Washington and Lee. Even so, there are things about Washington and Lee that worry me and should worry any student who is looking at college and that is the work hard, play hard mentality at the school. A lot of the students can party quite regularly and do well, but there are students who are not able to do this, and many of them who try to wind up making huge and sometimes fatal mistakes. Thus, I question whether or not we glorify this party mentality too much and look over the fact that there are a lot of negative things that come with habitual heavy drinking, such as increased sexual assaults, more alcohol related emergencies, and even the spread of sexually transmited infections. These are some of the issues that currently plague the institution and are causes for alarm for some students. That said, Washington and Lee still has a great deal of wonderful qualities. The school is gorgeous nearly all year and the administration is made up of some of the best and brightest teachers, counselors, and minds that can be found in the United States as well as abroad. There are countless opportunities to go abroad to learn and see the world. And the greek system, despite some of it flaws opens students up to vast opportunities for networking and socializing that a lot of other schools are unable to match. Some of my most valued memories and greatest connections are directly because of my decision to go greek and at times, I did question whether it was the right decision for me, but I always come to the same conclusion that I am a much stronger and well-rounded person for going greek and it has positively impacted my life in more ways than I can say. Finally, there is a great deal of school pride which can be seen at Homecoming and at other times throughout the year. Once you are a general, you are a general for life.

One of my most recent and loving memories of Washington and Lee was when half of the senior class stayed for the night of graduation and went nude rope swinging into the Maury as a class. It showed that after four years our class had become unified and loved being with each other. Also, the administration wishes the students to become involved in the future of the school, and if one wishes to become involved in the various student run committees, he or she can make a huge impact on what W+L looks like for many years to come. After graduating and talking with many faculty members, they seem somewhat frustrated by the inability of students to take part in these discussions. The typical W+L student works hard at class, is involved in a varsity sport or leadership position at the school, and is a member of a fraternity or sorority. Balancing all three of these activities is often difficult to manage and often limits the student's capacity to become involved in school policy making. The few individuals that are not involved in these other activities are able to voice an opinion (good or bad) for the students to the faculty.

Overall, W&L is a small school with endless opportunities. Professors, coaches, and peers encourage and foster your desire for academic achievement as well as athletic, social, or community goals. W&L prepares you for the real world. Although W&L may seem like a Greek life fantasy world stuck in a bubble that extends 2.5 square miles, no student graduates without the skills and knowledge to tackle whatever they want to do. W&L prides itself on its honor system, and the difference with W&L is that those ideals are upheld with the highest respect by the students, professors, and community. The W&L bubble is a safe one, and never without a friendly smile or hello. Lexington is a small historic town, but the people love the school and love the students. With the town being so small, the school provides many extra-curricular activities. Students are very involved: the Outdoors club is popular since there are so many options in the mountains. The school is very concerned with environmental needs, and you won't walk 100 feet without finding recycling bins. A lot of times, you can get lost in the bubble, being so far away from everything. But the school is always up-to-date on the most current world events, and professors are happy to take a break from the syllabus and discuss it.

Washington and Lee has plenty of student and alumni pride, which means that it's easy to network with the ambitious people who go here. That being said, the social scene is not as fluid as it initially appears. With fraternity and sorority membership extremely popular, friend groups form early and last: you end up knowing a lot of people, but being fully accepted into a group that's not in your sorority or fraternity can be difficult. Otherwise, people are generally very polite and respectful; the speaking tradition (everyone walking on campus says "hello" to each other) encourages this sense of friendly camaraderie. And while the social scene is probably receives the most attention from students and sites like this one, it's important not to forget all the opportunities beyond campus life. Hiking trails, the Maury river, and nearby farms afford outdoor activities that you will not want to miss out on: my favorite W&L memory is camping out on the Appalachian Trail with a group of friends during the last week of senior year.

Its a small school, so everybody knows each other, which helps the spread of rumors. Most people here drink, and drink a lot, but they know that academics come first. The administration is trying to kill some traditions, like Spring Term, and the frat life.