Washington and Lee University Top Questions

Alcohol to the point of vomiting or further, multiple nights a week, week after week after week.

The amount of school spirit here is pathetic. People often to not bother to attend the home football games, and when they do, the generally wear a dress and heels rather than their school colors. Then, they leave at half time. It's true, the social life is almost solely based around the Greek system, which costs thousands of dollars a year to join. If you are not willing or able to shell out that kind of money, your social life will be limited. Sure, the administration makes sure that the Campus Activities Board offers game nights or whatever for those who choose not to rush, but the people who attend these are few and far between. As for the dating scene, there isn't one. There's nothing to do on weekends if you don't enjoy the pungent smell of alcohol and sweaty frat boys. If you don't drink or enjoy watching other people act like complete morons while drunk, you will get bored really fast. If you're a middle class kid who likes sports and actually remembering your friends the night after a party, don't go here. I made a huge mistake.

Greek Life is huge here. Period. Most students here go greek and the majority of the social life revolves around fraternitiy and sorority functions. The town and the school don't offer students much to do after 7:00 pm, so options are limited for students who don't go greek. There are "traditional" fraternity and sororiteis on this campus in addition to a few historically black fraternities and sororities. However, it is difficult for black greeks to maintain membership on this campus with such a small number of minorities. Most of their chapters are shared with other nearby colleges. In addition to Greek Life there are a bunch of great clubs and orginzations to get involved in. Whether you're intrested in politics, law, investment, the environment, human rights or whatever there is an organization on this campus that can feed your interests. There are tons of opporunites to lead and make important decisions, and usually funding for clubs that don't exist with enough interest.

Athletics are pretty popular on campus. And I'll admit that the party scene is very popular, but that doesn't mean drinking is the only thing to do. There a lots of different types of parties for whatever scene you like, and there is no pressure to drink. If you don't want to go out, there are movies every night and always some activity or another going on. I'll just say, I've never been bored in my four years.

Greek life is quite a large part of W&L culture. Upwards of 80{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students choose to go Greek. It is an open Greek system, so no matter what Greek organization you join (or if you don't join), you are always welcome at any social event. As for dorm life, it's a really trusting community. Everyone leaves their doors open or unlocked. You also meet a lot of your original friends in the dorm: you get to know the people on your hall very well and hang out with them very often. There's always tons of stuff going on at W&L. There's always a commons movie playing; there's lots of great sporting events; we have great speakers. Clarence Thomas came to speak to us last year, as well as Bill Nye the Science Guy...and many great scholars, of course.

The one thing I'd change about W&L is gender relations. While I am supporter of the greek system, it is arguably the reason for the unacceptable relations. Since greek members primarily eat and interact with those in their respective houses, the primary interaction between genders takes place at parties, where everyone is drunk. No need to explain the bad decisions that ensue...

The campus social scene really does revolve around Greek Life, but while many social events revolve around greek organizations, they are open to everyone, regardless of greek affiliation. Mixers are required to open to the public two hours after beginning, so virtually anyone can go to any party. Being independent does not restrict you from participating in any campus social activity. The social life does not only include fraternity parties though, there are movies playing in the commons every night and comedians and bands are brought to campus very often. There is ALWAYS something to do. Furthermore, students at W&L are open-minded. If you're not into drinking, no problem. If you prefer sitting in your room playing online poker all night, people will accept that. No student will ever feel pressure to do something outside his or her comfort zone in a social setting. Everyone respects each other's choices and everyone has a great time.

Greek life is big here (over 70{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students are involved), so if you are thinking of applying to W&L, come with an open mind. Parties are fun, but you certainly don't have to drink to have a good time. Fancy Dress Ball, an event like prom, occurs every year. Lexington is a great place to live for four years too; it was actually just voted one of the coolest small towns in America. When the weather is nice, check out the local drive-in movie theater, tube down the Maury River, or visit Panther Falls for a swim.

Students are very involved on campus and busy with class but it does not effect the social scene. The fraternities and soroities throw awesome parties and being greek is an important part of the social scene. however, you can have fun without being greek and it is easy to have friends in other houses. The weekends and wednesday night are big party days and are worth finishing your work early for.

the amount of alcohol consumed is truly breath-taking.