Washington and Lee University Top Questions

Admissions has tried to include a more diverse student body over the last couple of years. This has just created a really weird "counter culture" that is still dominated by the traditional preppy Washington and Lee students. It seems that the only thing to talk about here for students is what party they went to last night, who blacked out, etc. If you don't drink and aren't rich, you will likely feel left out. This is coming from someone who read reviews of W and L last year, didn't believe how the social scene could possibly be so exaggeratedly dominated by one group, and came here anyway.

Students here are generally good people, and most people are friendly and respectful. To clear the air, most students here are not racists. But a lot of students here don't know much about other races and other cultures, and this is not the place where that kind of learning is really gonna happen. This school is and always will be a predominantly white institution.

Students are competitive, but not too competitive. The Honor System is alive and strong, though of course it has its bumps along the way, but that we can adapt and change because of it is what makes it so honorable. Students generally dress up for class--you won't see anyone in pajamas. There still are a lot of rich students, but it's a general mix of many backgrounds. Currently, there isn't a lot of diversity, but it's growing. Greek life is still a very big deal (about 75{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students are Greek), but its influence isn't always a bad thing since it's more inclusive than exclusive. Students aren't generally very political on campus, but if they are, they're more likely to be conservative than liberal.

Students here are highly intellectually engaged. They will discuss issues outside class and will investigate things that intrigue them. They are also highly politically active. The campus is conservative, but both the College Republicans and College Democrats are active on campus. Students come from all over the country and world. Some of my best friends are from Georgia, Washington, Maryland, New York, Nepal, and India. Students from all areas and ways of life come together at W&L and do not generally allow their differences to interfere with the possible friendship.

The student body is primarily white and from the middle to upper class, HOWEVER, this is noticeably changing. Since I've arrived, I have already noticed that influence of the Johnson Scholarship, which offers full tuition and board to students from all backgrounds.

W&L students are fun-loving and welcoming. The campus has an extremely strong sense of community and individuals feel very at home walking around campus. Even if you don't know someone you pass, he or she will more than likely smile, nod, say hello, or in some other way acknowledge your presence. Although a strong majority of the students are white, there is a growing minority population. Many students tend to dress up for class, but not everyone does. There are always a few students in each class that will look very put together even for 8 AM Calculus, but that does not mean students feel required to look nice. Compared to other schools, W&L students are: smarter, friendlier, better-looking.

W&L is full of smart students from all over the US and from abroad. Students work hard but like to have fun too. Because of the student-run Honor System (that was actually inspired by Robert E. Lee) students hold themselves to a higher standard--no lying, cheating, or stealing. A perk? Student-scheduled final exams and the ability to leave your books anywhere on campus.

The student body is kind of homogenious but people have many different perspectives if you get to know them. Everyone is pretty friendly and agreeable which makes for a happy student body that is fun to be a part of.

diverse in that most u.s. states are represented. most students are upper middle class with conservative parents.

Washington and Lee is a diverse school with students from all over the country and world. I'm one of very few from my state and yet I have not felt like I'm left out in anyway. Most of the students seem to come from well off families, but there are plenty who are not. The students do like to party a lot, but that comes after the hardwork in the classroom. Students are extremely friendly and talkative. I would feel out of place here if I were not social and I did not like to party a fair amount.