Washington and Lee University Top Questions

Two words. GREEK LIFE. parties are open, (but as people become affliated with their own greek org, they become more stratified and social networks get a little tighter) the alcohol is free (as in, the frats pay for it) and there is almost ALWays something going on. I love the social life here. Definetly party hard study hard environment.

Greek organizations are really big, but the way the system works there's a place for everyone, basically, and independants essentially become their own fraternity/sorority. if i'm awake at 2 am on a tuesday, i'm on facebook ignoring the homework i should be doing....tuesdays and sundays are the only days during the week when there are no parties going on. every other night there's something going on on campus, but a lot of students dont go out on weekdays. most parties are dance-oriented as well as drink-oriented, so if you choose not to drink (which actually a lot of students do) there's always dancing, and there's always movies playing in the commons and often there're theatre events at the arts center. lexington is small, so off campus is basically on campus, but the town is in proximity to a lot of road-trip destinations, and organizations on campus sponsor events as well.

Washington and Lee has a tremendous amount of clubs for a school of its size and because of that participation is often lacking even though membership is high because people generally have too many commitments. Washington and Lee is majority greek with the greek system running the school social scene. As there is not much to do in Lexington almost all fun comes through the greek system. If you dont like this I really wouldnt suggest this school, but come and try it, the greek system here is quite different from the stereotype. The school is full of too many fun traditions to name but it is really cool. There are a lot of guest speakers, perhaps too many as people are often too committed to attend. There is not much in the way of culture and excitement around W&L except through the school and to get to the nearest larger city it is an hours drive but most people are busy enough here they dont leave.

Alumni weekend, parents weekend, and homecoming are all fun events . The Greek scene is HUGE, dispite Jason Rodocker and the administration's most valiant efforts.

The activities and social life at W&L are, in one word, vibrant. Opportunities abound for greek and non-greek, drinkers and non-drinkers, those who enjoy the parties and those who prefer movie nights. Because of the prevalence of the greek system, most consider the greek life to be the social life. However, as an independent and one who does not typically party, I have rarely found myself unoccupied on the weekends. Activities range from movie nights to game nights to camping to hiking trips. Impromptu gatherings my freshman year were common place, given the security we felt in leaving our doors open and the closeness one developed among one's hallmates. Studying demands considerable time, yet the informal motto of the student body is "Work hard. Play hard." This phrase, I believe, embodies the social life of most students. Parties are commonplace, yet rarely get out of hand given the dedication to academics. Dating is usually casual (random party hook-ups are prevalent). Traditions, especially certain themed parties, are embraced -- not surprising at a school named after two such historically important generals.

Most students are in a Greek organization, and many have other involvements as well. A lot of students are athletes, some even two or more sport athletes, and football games and men's lacrosse games typically get a lot of support. Most freshman leave their dorm rooms unlocked because of the honor code, and things are rarely (if ever) stolen. There are a lot of guest speakers, and people go to the ones they are interested in or if they are required to for class, but guest speakers aren't a huge thing. I met my closest friends during fall term of freshman year mainly hanging out in the dorms before going out or sometimes out at night. The dating scene tends to oscillate between two extremes. Most people who date stay together for long periods of time and don't often date other people after they break up. Because of this, some people feel like everyone dates. On the other hand, there are PLENTY of single people as well, and just as many people say "no one dates" as "everyone dates." Washington and Lee is a very traditional school, so a lot of the same parties happen on the same nights each year, and there are a fair amount of date functions like homecoming, Christmas weekend, and Fancy Dress (essentially prom for college kids). Because of the size of the school alumni networking is easy and effective as far as the job search goes.

segregated, unless people are drunk.

an overwhelming majority of students are involved with activities at school-whether it is sports, student government, greek life, or various clubs. dorm rooms are often left unlocked, and students leave laptops, purses, etc unattended on campus. athletic events are not well attended. very interesting guest speakers- jesse ventura, bill nye, marvin hamlish very active social scene. big parties usually 3 or 4 times a week, but always something going on. parties are usually at the frat houses or off campus houses, not a big bar scene.

Frat life

The honor system does a great job. Expect to leave your purse by the keg and come back and find it there three hours later. Leave your dorm rooms open. Athletic events are sparsely attended. Students arrive in sundresses and seersucker for football games and ditch during halftime for the sorority receptions. Expect to make friends, then have your social life completely rearranged once rush is over at the beginning of winter term. Although the school would like to make you think non-drinkers are welcome, there is really not much else to do on the weekends except make the rounds in town and in the country and fraternity parties. You WILL get very drunk very often your freshman year, before it tapers off as you become a junior and senior. Formal date functions happen almost once a month; and they are an awesome time.