A small campus with a great community vibe, filled with overachieving students that graduate with starry eyes and top internships.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
If you're looking for a school with diversity, this may not be the most obvious pick. Though many students come from similar backgrounds, you can be sure that every student you will meet is extraordinary in some, or many, ways. Don't judge a book by it's cover. In addition, use your faculty! This school is rare in that all the faculty really want to help you, take you out for ice cream, give you research opportunities, etc. Don't end up senior year feeling like you never got to know any of your professors (though I'm not sure this is even possible!).
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
Washington and Lee is an intense academic environment. However, the professors are very dedicated and willing to help, unlike at many large universities, where their prime focus is on research. If you put in the work, top grades are possible, but many students have a hard time adjusting from their lax high school schedules.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
While the dorms are currently below-par, the university is currently doing construction to totally remodel and update all of the freshman dorms. The amount of activities (including alcohol-free) are boundless, with movie nights, visiting comedians, pool tables, monthly freshman bonding activities (like bonfires, carnivals, etc.), and more. You'd be hard-pressed to find a freshmen with nothing to do on a Friday night.
Describe the food and dining at your college.
The dining hall (dhall) is full of local, healthy food, though the diversity leaves something to be desired. Off campus, there are a variety of great local restaurants with unique dishes and cult followings.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
On campus, the parties are inventive and crazy, and activities like Fancy Dress and lots of visiting musical artists (including Pretty Lights, White Panda, and more) and comedians will keep you busy. Off campus, go to Natural Bridge Zoo, Foamhenge, or tube down the Maury.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
W&L is a top ranked school- and employers know that. Almost every department could be considered one of the best in the nation, and the career opportunities that follow students- particularly business majors- are unheard of. There are also a wide variety of opportunities for students in the sciences, including the prestigious Richmond Term, where W&L alumni doctors host students in their practices for a month, and a wide variety of research labs that are easy to get involved in. However, if you're hoping to go to grad school, you can expect great recs, but don't hope for much help otherwise. The career counseling office is a little lacking, and most of the opportunities are thanks to the very supportive and successful alumns.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The streaking tradition started here! General Robert E. Lee started the streaking tradition across our epic colonnade, and if you graduate without doing it, you aren't a real W&L graduate! Our school fight song, the Washington & Lee Swing, also has a much-copied tune. Look it up- I guarantee you've heard it. Other great activities include Mock Convention. Every four years over 90% of the campus gets involved to predict who will be elected to run in the presidential race in the party out of power. We're right almost every time, and get keynote speakers like Ann Coulter and Carville. Lastly, our yearly Fancy Dress is like prom on crack- every student and tons of faculty get dolled up and go to this black tie event, featuring a live band AND a DJ, as well as an unforgettable theme each year.
Which types of students will excel at your college?
Business students, journalism students, premed and prelaw students, and artistic students who want a chance to really stand out.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
There are lots of different clubs, from a capella to volunteering to language clubs. Most of the clubs are smaller, allowing for you to really get to know the people involved and a GREAT chance for leadership, and the funding is substantial, but it's often hard to get non-members involved in activities, since the school is on the smaller side (this is especially obvious in sorority fundraisers). Unfortunately, the club sports are also very limited (though it's pretty easy to get involved in our NCAA sports, since we're division 3).
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Greek life is huge at Washington and Lee. Almost every student is involved, which can sound daunting. It may be helpful to know that greek life is not as exclusive as at other schools, and you'll find that there really is an organization for everyone. Many of the students involved aren't typically greek (i.e. snobby, rich) and find that the system allows great opportunities for community service as well as great housing.
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
Lexington is a small town and the campus security is very active and helpful. We have a very strong honor system in place, allowed students to leave their rooms unlocked and their backpacks unattended with little worry anything will happen. I have many friends who have lost wallets, phones, etc., and had them promptly returned.
A small campus with a great community vibe, filled with overachieving students that graduate with starry eyes and top internships.
If you're looking for a school with diversity, this may not be the most obvious pick. Though many students come from similar backgrounds, you can be sure that every student you will meet is extraordinary in some, or many, ways. Don't judge a book by it's cover. In addition, use your faculty! This school is rare in that all the faculty really want to help you, take you out for ice cream, give you research opportunities, etc. Don't end up senior year feeling like you never got to know any of your professors (though I'm not sure this is even possible!).
Washington and Lee is an intense academic environment. However, the professors are very dedicated and willing to help, unlike at many large universities, where their prime focus is on research. If you put in the work, top grades are possible, but many students have a hard time adjusting from their lax high school schedules.
While the dorms are currently below-par, the university is currently doing construction to totally remodel and update all of the freshman dorms. The amount of activities (including alcohol-free) are boundless, with movie nights, visiting comedians, pool tables, monthly freshman bonding activities (like bonfires, carnivals, etc.), and more. You'd be hard-pressed to find a freshmen with nothing to do on a Friday night.
The dining hall (dhall) is full of local, healthy food, though the diversity leaves something to be desired. Off campus, there are a variety of great local restaurants with unique dishes and cult followings.
On campus, the parties are inventive and crazy, and activities like Fancy Dress and lots of visiting musical artists (including Pretty Lights, White Panda, and more) and comedians will keep you busy. Off campus, go to Natural Bridge Zoo, Foamhenge, or tube down the Maury.
W&L is a top ranked school- and employers know that. Almost every department could be considered one of the best in the nation, and the career opportunities that follow students- particularly business majors- are unheard of. There are also a wide variety of opportunities for students in the sciences, including the prestigious Richmond Term, where W&L alumni doctors host students in their practices for a month, and a wide variety of research labs that are easy to get involved in. However, if you're hoping to go to grad school, you can expect great recs, but don't hope for much help otherwise. The career counseling office is a little lacking, and most of the opportunities are thanks to the very supportive and successful alumns.
The streaking tradition started here! General Robert E. Lee started the streaking tradition across our epic colonnade, and if you graduate without doing it, you aren't a real W&L graduate! Our school fight song, the Washington & Lee Swing, also has a much-copied tune. Look it up- I guarantee you've heard it. Other great activities include Mock Convention. Every four years over 90% of the campus gets involved to predict who will be elected to run in the presidential race in the party out of power. We're right almost every time, and get keynote speakers like Ann Coulter and Carville. Lastly, our yearly Fancy Dress is like prom on crack- every student and tons of faculty get dolled up and go to this black tie event, featuring a live band AND a DJ, as well as an unforgettable theme each year.
Business students, journalism students, premed and prelaw students, and artistic students who want a chance to really stand out.
There are lots of different clubs, from a capella to volunteering to language clubs. Most of the clubs are smaller, allowing for you to really get to know the people involved and a GREAT chance for leadership, and the funding is substantial, but it's often hard to get non-members involved in activities, since the school is on the smaller side (this is especially obvious in sorority fundraisers). Unfortunately, the club sports are also very limited (though it's pretty easy to get involved in our NCAA sports, since we're division 3).
Greek life is huge at Washington and Lee. Almost every student is involved, which can sound daunting. It may be helpful to know that greek life is not as exclusive as at other schools, and you'll find that there really is an organization for everyone. Many of the students involved aren't typically greek (i.e. snobby, rich) and find that the system allows great opportunities for community service as well as great housing.
Lexington is a small town and the campus security is very active and helpful. We have a very strong honor system in place, allowed students to leave their rooms unlocked and their backpacks unattended with little worry anything will happen. I have many friends who have lost wallets, phones, etc., and had them promptly returned.