Washington and Lee University Top Questions

No racial, socioeconomic or much religious diversity. If you're not white and upper-class, 1)look elsewhere or 2)be prepared to deal with a lot of problems--not necessarily racial harrassment but trouble fitting in and havng an active social life. Students dress well--people don't wear sweats to class here--hardly ever. People say campus is "conservative" but mostly it's just apathetic. There is no activism of any kind on campus.

It's true that there is a definite student culture at W&L and some people may feel out of place on this campus. That's not to say that the student body isn't diverse, from all manner of backgrounds and with all sorts of interests. However, we all share a love for the school and similar mentality about what being part of this community means. Students here take school seriously, as well as the traditions that come with W&L, but also like to have a good time. They are caring and like to get involved in what they are passionate about.

W&L is thought of as a white, southern Republican school. While this is mainly true, they are working on increasing diversity. Students are very politically active, mainly on the Republican side of things. The student body is fairly conservative. You normally see people dressed up for class, girls wearing J Crew and pearls and guys in Polo. People often don't wear sweats to class like at large state schools, but if you do wear sweats you won't be scoffed at.

It's a pretty preppy group. Invest in a pink polo and a few dozen sundresses before you come here. We're smart, and work really hard, but people are largely friendly and devoted to the school.

The student body is very much a part of W&L life. Everyday when I go to class, I'll pass by faces I recognize and whose name I know. It is the student's pride and respect for being at W&L that is contagious and creates a unique environment. Every senior leaves not wanting to go. It is the student body that adds an unparalleled energy and life to the ninth oldest college in the country. The four years spent here are nearly removed from reality, where the focus is on learning and growing. Every student shares that connection, which is why the alumni network is so strong.

I'm Hispanic and I do just fine.

W&L's student body seems pretty homogeneous at first glance, but in reality, students come from all over and we have a sizable population of international students for a school of our size.

Washington and Lee students are extremely outgoing. People often comment on how unbelievably social every student is. The campus is certainly becoming more liberal, and more socio-economically diverse (especially after the introduction of the merit-based Johnson Scholarship). Freshmen often worry more about how they dress than upperclassmen do, you are more likely to see sweats on the upperclassmen women than the freshmen girls. All parties at W&L are "open" and free which makes this campus very tight-knit. People aren't kicked out unless they cause trouble, and everyone is told about every party. In that sense, the student body is very inclusive.

As a former all boys school that only went co-ed in 1985, W&L has been slow to change its student body. That being said, the school has worked hard to attract a diversified student body and it gets more varied every year. The stereotypes still linger, but they're not really true any more.

Students at W&L run the full gamut of personalities and backgrounds. There are all kinds of folks here; diversity is not lacking at W&L. The only constant though the student body here is the W&L education. Groups for every possible cause and culture are one campus; all are active on campus. W&L’s student body is also overwhelmingly outgoing, friendly, and smart. In addition to the fantastic academics at W&L, students get to learn with equally fantastic people.