The College of Wooster is a rigorous institution that prepares students for graduate-level schoolwork. While the classes can be difficult, classes are small and teachers are typically more than willing to answer questions and help you find a way to make the class suit your needs. If you have aspirations and a willingness to think outside the box, this school is probably a good choice.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
*Be prepared for rigorous work.
*Don't be afraid to ask questions! Whether it be your professors, advisers, or even fellow students.
*It's a small school where you'll encounter the same people often. Smile and make conversation--you'd be surprised how far that will get you.
*98% of the student body lives on campus, so the chances of a snow day will be slim to none. Filling the Kauke Arch with snow doesn't change that, no matter what they'll tell you when you visit
*Unless you plan on eating in the dining hall 3 times a day, Plan A on the meal plan will be your friend. It allows for roughly two meals in the dining hall per day, and also has the most flex dollars (a currency that can be used in the dining halls, as well as the coffee shop, convenience store, a small restaurant in downstairs Lowry, etc). Most people don't even use all the swipes in this plan, and if you do then you can always use the flex towards meals.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Wooster is a very rigorous institution. You have to petition to take more than 4 courses at any given time, which leaves many people wondering how hard could this actually be, but it's done this way because all classes have high expectations and large amounts of in-class and home work. It all accumulates into Junior and Senior IS, which is essentially an undergraduate independent project or thesis. The difficulty is balanced my the professors, however, because they are always willing to help if you ask.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
Dorm life is a rather mixed basket, especially freshmen year, when you're placed in dormitories and with room mates based solely on the answers you place in an application form (for example, my entire floor my freshmen year was very music oriented, and consisted of mostly music majors or people who noted high interest in music). After that, though, you have at least some choice in where you want to live, especially in regards to content-specific dorms and houses. These are divided by studies and general interests: clubs can petition for a house across campus, and certain dorms are designed specifically for language majors, etc. That's usually where you'll find a more enjoyable experience, but freshmen year definitely acts as a process of learning how to get along with others you don't necessarily know.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
I will say this much: it is a lot better than what you would find in a lot of schools across the US. There are two main dining areas: Lowry and Kittredge. The former is the main dining area with a wide variety of foods available, whereas Kittredge is smaller and more focused on having healthier options. As with all schools, the dining menu can become repetitive, and while gluten free and vegetarian/vegan options are available they're also limited.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
There are plenty of clubs and activities to keep you active throughout the week, as well as a gym that is open every day. Parties are usually small, but happen on weekends and Wednesdays. There are usually plenty of events throughout the week put together by many clubs and organizations. Off campus, there's a gorgeous library, a bunch of fun shops to lurk through, movie theaters and the occasional event going on in downtown Wooster. Plus there's always fun to be had with friends--since the campus is small it's easy to coordinate a video game night with friends out of the blue :)
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Plain and simple, Wooster is expensive. I cry inside when I look at my loans estimate. However, if you're from an average household you're probably paying about the same amount at Wooster as you are anywhere else, if not probably a little more. I'm paying for about $2.5k more per year than my other choice college, but given the rigorous coursework, the opportunities I've been given and my ability to turn just a major into my major, it's been a wonderful experience that I wouldn't give up for the world.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
*As anyone will mention, there is the filling the Arch tradition. According to Wooster lore, a group of students filled the inside of Kauke, which is a giant archway, with snow, and they got a day off of classes for their efforts. While the latter isn't true, and you will be congratulated for your efforts via email and assured that classes will resume as normal, at the very least it's fun to put together.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
People who like rigorous classwork and aren't afraid to think outside of the box.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are a wide variety of clubs and activities for people to participate in. They range from your typical clubs, like sports and dance, to slightly unusual ones, like quidditch (yes, quidditch is a thing. No, there's no flying).
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek life plays a big role on campus when it chooses to. Meaning, on a typical day you won't hardly notice it, but when they're doing something big (like pulling for new recruits) it seems like it's everywhere.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
While there has been an increase in hazards that are slightly worrisome, there's usually a pretty quick account of warnings and information spread across the board when there's something to be watching out for.
The College of Wooster is a rigorous institution that prepares students for graduate-level schoolwork. While the classes can be difficult, classes are small and teachers are typically more than willing to answer questions and help you find a way to make the class suit your needs. If you have aspirations and a willingness to think outside the box, this school is probably a good choice.
*Be prepared for rigorous work. *Don't be afraid to ask questions! Whether it be your professors, advisers, or even fellow students. *It's a small school where you'll encounter the same people often. Smile and make conversation--you'd be surprised how far that will get you. *98% of the student body lives on campus, so the chances of a snow day will be slim to none. Filling the Kauke Arch with snow doesn't change that, no matter what they'll tell you when you visit *Unless you plan on eating in the dining hall 3 times a day, Plan A on the meal plan will be your friend. It allows for roughly two meals in the dining hall per day, and also has the most flex dollars (a currency that can be used in the dining halls, as well as the coffee shop, convenience store, a small restaurant in downstairs Lowry, etc). Most people don't even use all the swipes in this plan, and if you do then you can always use the flex towards meals.
Wooster is a very rigorous institution. You have to petition to take more than 4 courses at any given time, which leaves many people wondering how hard could this actually be, but it's done this way because all classes have high expectations and large amounts of in-class and home work. It all accumulates into Junior and Senior IS, which is essentially an undergraduate independent project or thesis. The difficulty is balanced my the professors, however, because they are always willing to help if you ask.
Dorm life is a rather mixed basket, especially freshmen year, when you're placed in dormitories and with room mates based solely on the answers you place in an application form (for example, my entire floor my freshmen year was very music oriented, and consisted of mostly music majors or people who noted high interest in music). After that, though, you have at least some choice in where you want to live, especially in regards to content-specific dorms and houses. These are divided by studies and general interests: clubs can petition for a house across campus, and certain dorms are designed specifically for language majors, etc. That's usually where you'll find a more enjoyable experience, but freshmen year definitely acts as a process of learning how to get along with others you don't necessarily know.
I will say this much: it is a lot better than what you would find in a lot of schools across the US. There are two main dining areas: Lowry and Kittredge. The former is the main dining area with a wide variety of foods available, whereas Kittredge is smaller and more focused on having healthier options. As with all schools, the dining menu can become repetitive, and while gluten free and vegetarian/vegan options are available they're also limited.
There are plenty of clubs and activities to keep you active throughout the week, as well as a gym that is open every day. Parties are usually small, but happen on weekends and Wednesdays. There are usually plenty of events throughout the week put together by many clubs and organizations. Off campus, there's a gorgeous library, a bunch of fun shops to lurk through, movie theaters and the occasional event going on in downtown Wooster. Plus there's always fun to be had with friends--since the campus is small it's easy to coordinate a video game night with friends out of the blue :)
Plain and simple, Wooster is expensive. I cry inside when I look at my loans estimate. However, if you're from an average household you're probably paying about the same amount at Wooster as you are anywhere else, if not probably a little more. I'm paying for about $2.5k more per year than my other choice college, but given the rigorous coursework, the opportunities I've been given and my ability to turn just a major into my major, it's been a wonderful experience that I wouldn't give up for the world.
*As anyone will mention, there is the filling the Arch tradition. According to Wooster lore, a group of students filled the inside of Kauke, which is a giant archway, with snow, and they got a day off of classes for their efforts. While the latter isn't true, and you will be congratulated for your efforts via email and assured that classes will resume as normal, at the very least it's fun to put together.
People who like rigorous classwork and aren't afraid to think outside of the box.
There are a wide variety of clubs and activities for people to participate in. They range from your typical clubs, like sports and dance, to slightly unusual ones, like quidditch (yes, quidditch is a thing. No, there's no flying).
Greek life plays a big role on campus when it chooses to. Meaning, on a typical day you won't hardly notice it, but when they're doing something big (like pulling for new recruits) it seems like it's everywhere.
While there has been an increase in hazards that are slightly worrisome, there's usually a pretty quick account of warnings and information spread across the board when there's something to be watching out for.