Washington and Lee University Top Questions

The best thing about Washington and Lee is the faculty and the quality of the academics. The school is definitely too small--everyone knows everything about everyone. But if you want to graduate high school only to go to a college that is just like high school, you'll be right at home. Unless you are from the South, no one knows anything about Washington and Lee. It's almost like the best-kept Southern secret. In any event, people end up thinking you're either at William and Mary or at Washington University in St. Louis. Or, my favorite, William and Lee University.

I dislike the administration - they're quite duplicitous and use the honor system manipulatively. I like the professors - I believe them to, in general, be well qualified, intelligent, wonderful-teachers. I enjoy the social scene - there are a ton of frat parties, but they can get old as the school is small. The registrar's office is a pain. Lexington is beautiful and Rockbridge county is great, overall I think the school is awesome both academically and socially, but the administration is hurting the social scene with frat crackdowns and extra rules in general.

Because 40{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the students are accepted early decision, there is a common pride in W&L that anyone who visits can feel. Because it's small, it creates the opprotunity for everyone to connect and truely feel a part of the community; infact the small size makes the school feel BIGGER because everyone does know eachother and can get along with a wide variety of people. Continuing with the idea of school pride, outside of W&L the connection is even stronger. For example, last summer I saw an alumni (who I didn't know) wearing a W&L visor and I went up to talk to him and we had an instant bond. If I'm wearing W&L gear outside of school I will--without fail--have someone stop me and have a conversation about W&L and compare our experiences. That also is a testement to our Speaking Tradition, which says that all students should say Hi to everyone in passing... In or out of school. Basically, being a student at W&L is like being in a secret club. There are little secrets and understandings. Everyone feels proud and honored to be a part of the club and once you're in, you're in for life.

The small student body is great. You always know someone everywhere you go, yet there are plenty of people you do not know at all. Lexington is not much of a city, but there are some fun places to eat, and no one goes out to bars because of the Greek life so that's not really an issue.

Washington and Lee is a small school, but I think its size is a great asset, not a weakness. So far my biggest classes here have had about 20 students, and I've always been able to get to know my professors. There really is a sense of community here, and making friends is easy in small classes and in the dorms. I also love the Honor System and have been impressed by how well it seems to work. It really is as pervasive as the viewbooks and promotional materials always made it sound. For example, one time I left an umbrella in a cubby out by the dining hall, completely forgot about it, and then happened to see it and picked it up two weeks later. If I'm studying in the library and need a break, I can leave my books on a table and come back later and they're still exactly as I left them. Because of the Honor System, I hardly ever lock my door. I feel really safe on campus, and people here are so friendly and helpful from the security to the library staff. Most people go out of their way to help me. For example, I got lost during orientation week and asked a professor for directions to one of my classroom buildings. Instead of just telling them to me, he went out of his way to escort me there. I have been so impressed with this friendly community overall. Most people who I talk to about college have never heard of Washington and Lee, but I'm always ready to tell them about it! I did find that when I first got in and started telling people that I was going to W&L, most of them had no idea that this school is actually hard to get into and prestigious, and I got a lot of "why did you settle for THAT school--you could do so much better" vibes from people. Obviously, these people just need someone informed to tell them more about W&L, but that was kind of an annoying reaction to deal with. People who do know the school's reputation are impressed that I go here.

The small campus makes it easy to make friends fast, and knowing everyone creates a feeling of unity and trust. The Honor System really helps create trust-- people leave their rooms unlocked, books and laptops are left in the open, and tests are all unproctored. The town of Lexington itself is pretty boring, but we make our own fun. The greek system is huge, but it's getting easier every year to be an independent and still have a social life. There is a ton of drinking here; parties happen almost every night of the week.

The best thing about W&L is the atmosphere. It's a small community with a clear identity.

The best thing about Washington and Lee is the ability to have all of the desirable aspects of a school in one place. I don't think there is any other university that has a strong sense of community, accommodating and intelligent professors, kind staff, smart and driven students, and an incredible social scene. I would change the general education requirements because a lot of the time they are classes which are neither enjoyable nor useful. I love how small this school is and that I know almost everyone in my grade and the majority in others as well. When I tell people that I go to W and L, they either don't know where it is or confuse it with another school, or they are floored and impressed and often times have some sort of connection to the school. I spend most of time on campus either on "the hill" (main campus) or in the sorority house. We do not have a college town in that there isn't the typical bar scene, but there are plenty of places to go out, usually fraternity houses or off campus houses. I love the administration here, they couldn't be better. The biggest recent controversy on campus was when a girl in one of the sororities made a list of people from her own sorority and wrote what level of sexual activity each was willing to participate in, which was then forwarded to most every fraternity. A lot of girls were hurt, and she ended up leaving. I will always remember all of the theme parties/mixers where people get really creative with costumes. I think the most frequent student complaint would be that there is NO grade inflation and the classes are incredibly difficult.

My academic experience at Washington and Lee is unparalled among my friends and acquaintances. You get to know your professors extremely well. The classes are almost never over 20, and frequently 15 or under. Staff, Faculty and Administration treat you like gold and they are all very accomodating and interested in you and your future. (Except for a select few, but you figure who they are pretty quick). W&L is really small, my high school had a higher number of students, and quite cliqueish due to the very prevalent Fraternity/Sorority presence. People are still very friendly, and there is a tradition of saying hi to all you pass. If you are a girl, and not interested in joining a Sorority, either bring some like-minded friends with you or go somewhere else. Guys have a easier time being "independent" i.e. not in a frat, but there is still a fair amount of social pressure to join. Fortunately there are several student groups that have sprung up and support the independent lifestyle. The campus is absolutely gorgeous, especially in the spring. Lexington isn't much a college town, there are only two bars, and the number of restaurants and stores is limited. You can get by, but if you want any variety you have to travel 45 minutes to an hour away. W&L is very historic, it's the 9th oldest college in the United States and Robert E. Lee is buried on campus. I loved my experience here. It helped me get into graduate school, and as a nice bonus I met my wife at the Law school. (By the way, there's a law school. And it's in the top 25)

Washington and Lee is all about the small college experience. We've created our own community that gives you the support you need. Students, faculty, and staff are friendly and open. Everyone is proud to be at W&L, and we all strive to make the school better.