The pearl of the Bloomington-Normal community.
My first and only choice; a home away from home.
A genuine life experience full of self discovery, opportunities to develop leadership skills, and a rigorous course schedule to keep you on your toes, with a campus community comparable to your own family; a true college experience that I wouldn't have any other way.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Do not be afraid to explore, whether it be a class, a sport, or a club. Illinois Wesleyan has so much to offer, way more than one would expect from a private university. Take your classes seriously the first semester so you won't be behind second semester; IWU's classes are not to be taken lightly but can be a joyful learning experience if you keep up. Don't be afraid to go to Shirk, an incredibly high percentage of students work out, even if they are not competing for Wesleyan. Embrace the variety that Wesleyan encourages. Major props to my small, private university of a little over 2000 students for collaborating with students and expanding new ideas whose origins are in places other than the United States. Take risks! No matter what you believe, students can still be shy even in their college years. Speak up, stand up, and work towards the change you wish to bring forth in your community. Another thing about community, the Bloomington-Normal community provides endless volunteer opportunities, take advantage of those to expand your horizons!
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Material covered in each course and expectations are very clear and appropriate based on the level. Even a 100 level course will quickly teach students to be organized and responsible. Although classes are rigorous, they are doable if students keep up with the material and study, a lot. By the end of freshman year students' research skills drastically improve.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
The RAs do an excellent job of easing students into their halls. Floors and even entire halls come together for different activities that their hall councils hold. Students tend to become very good friends with other students in the same residence halls rather quickly, which always makes for a more pleasant experience.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
No campus food experience is perfect, but Wesleyan food is definitely the best among the other colleges that students visit. IWU has it all, pizza, pasta, burgers, chicken, mashed potatoes, corn and other veggie favorites, as well as asian cuisine and a variety of desserts and ice cream. Make sure to keep a lookout for IWU's incredible ice cream bars which include the create-your-own or the ice cream that comes with caramelized bananas! Students also do not want to miss the chocolate fountain or Sunday Brunch, which has students waking up early on a weekend just to get a taste of personal omelettes, Belgian waffles, fresh fruit, and much much more. The amazing Saga Dave makes sure that our Thanksgiving and Valentines Day dinners are memorable by creating an atmosphere similar to fancy restaurant, fully equipped with themed foods and goodies. Wesleyan also has outdoor picnics with free food, as well as breakfast-at-night events. One of the favorites is definitely Carnival Night, where students are served up carnival-style food such as chicken strips, hot dogs, burgers, fries, funnel cake, ice cream, popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cones. IWU even hires balloon artists from Funbelievable Balloons to create anything the students' inner child desires.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
Illinois Wesleyan makes a point of having activities not only over the weekends but during the week as well. Students can always find a movie screening, a dance, a comedian, a concert or talent show, and even game shows. If IWU faculty and staff is not in charge of some event, there is always a registered student organization providing entertainment for the student body. There are cookouts and student concerts, athletic activities, and volunteer opportunities. The activities are endless at Wesleyan, students will sometimes have to choose which activities to attend!
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Literally everyone. If students are set on what they want or if they come in with an undeclared major, students of all ethnic backgrounds, athletes and musical geniuses, students that are unsure if they prefer a big or small university (since Wesleyan is neighbors with Illinois State University students are able to experience the best of both worlds).
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There is literally a club for everything. There are academic clubs, clubs for activism, athletics, clubs for volunteering, spiritual clubs, media clubs, fine arts, musical, and cultural clubs. If we do not have a club it is in the students' power to create a new one.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Although Wesleyan is a small university Greek Life has established its presence for years, with 1/3 of the student population participating. This means IWU has a lot of members in the Greek Community, but if fraternities and sororities are not your thing, you are definitely not left out! Students in Greek Life are just like other students, and there is no crazy drama between fraternities or sororities.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Bloomington is a very safe place, and students on Wesleyan's campus can see three different emergency light stations from anywhere on campus, so no matter where students are on campus they are always near a station in case they need help for any reason. Campus security will escort students from academic buildings to residence halls during the nighttime hours if they are studying late and do not feel comfortable walking to their dorms alone.
The pearl of the Bloomington-Normal community. My first and only choice; a home away from home. A genuine life experience full of self discovery, opportunities to develop leadership skills, and a rigorous course schedule to keep you on your toes, with a campus community comparable to your own family; a true college experience that I wouldn't have any other way.
Do not be afraid to explore, whether it be a class, a sport, or a club. Illinois Wesleyan has so much to offer, way more than one would expect from a private university. Take your classes seriously the first semester so you won't be behind second semester; IWU's classes are not to be taken lightly but can be a joyful learning experience if you keep up. Don't be afraid to go to Shirk, an incredibly high percentage of students work out, even if they are not competing for Wesleyan. Embrace the variety that Wesleyan encourages. Major props to my small, private university of a little over 2000 students for collaborating with students and expanding new ideas whose origins are in places other than the United States. Take risks! No matter what you believe, students can still be shy even in their college years. Speak up, stand up, and work towards the change you wish to bring forth in your community. Another thing about community, the Bloomington-Normal community provides endless volunteer opportunities, take advantage of those to expand your horizons!
Material covered in each course and expectations are very clear and appropriate based on the level. Even a 100 level course will quickly teach students to be organized and responsible. Although classes are rigorous, they are doable if students keep up with the material and study, a lot. By the end of freshman year students' research skills drastically improve.
The RAs do an excellent job of easing students into their halls. Floors and even entire halls come together for different activities that their hall councils hold. Students tend to become very good friends with other students in the same residence halls rather quickly, which always makes for a more pleasant experience.
No campus food experience is perfect, but Wesleyan food is definitely the best among the other colleges that students visit. IWU has it all, pizza, pasta, burgers, chicken, mashed potatoes, corn and other veggie favorites, as well as asian cuisine and a variety of desserts and ice cream. Make sure to keep a lookout for IWU's incredible ice cream bars which include the create-your-own or the ice cream that comes with caramelized bananas! Students also do not want to miss the chocolate fountain or Sunday Brunch, which has students waking up early on a weekend just to get a taste of personal omelettes, Belgian waffles, fresh fruit, and much much more. The amazing Saga Dave makes sure that our Thanksgiving and Valentines Day dinners are memorable by creating an atmosphere similar to fancy restaurant, fully equipped with themed foods and goodies. Wesleyan also has outdoor picnics with free food, as well as breakfast-at-night events. One of the favorites is definitely Carnival Night, where students are served up carnival-style food such as chicken strips, hot dogs, burgers, fries, funnel cake, ice cream, popcorn, cotton candy, and snow cones. IWU even hires balloon artists from Funbelievable Balloons to create anything the students' inner child desires.
Illinois Wesleyan makes a point of having activities not only over the weekends but during the week as well. Students can always find a movie screening, a dance, a comedian, a concert or talent show, and even game shows. If IWU faculty and staff is not in charge of some event, there is always a registered student organization providing entertainment for the student body. There are cookouts and student concerts, athletic activities, and volunteer opportunities. The activities are endless at Wesleyan, students will sometimes have to choose which activities to attend!
Literally everyone. If students are set on what they want or if they come in with an undeclared major, students of all ethnic backgrounds, athletes and musical geniuses, students that are unsure if they prefer a big or small university (since Wesleyan is neighbors with Illinois State University students are able to experience the best of both worlds).
There is literally a club for everything. There are academic clubs, clubs for activism, athletics, clubs for volunteering, spiritual clubs, media clubs, fine arts, musical, and cultural clubs. If we do not have a club it is in the students' power to create a new one.
Although Wesleyan is a small university Greek Life has established its presence for years, with 1/3 of the student population participating. This means IWU has a lot of members in the Greek Community, but if fraternities and sororities are not your thing, you are definitely not left out! Students in Greek Life are just like other students, and there is no crazy drama between fraternities or sororities.
Bloomington is a very safe place, and students on Wesleyan's campus can see three different emergency light stations from anywhere on campus, so no matter where students are on campus they are always near a station in case they need help for any reason. Campus security will escort students from academic buildings to residence halls during the nighttime hours if they are studying late and do not feel comfortable walking to their dorms alone.