Wheaton College-Wheaton Top Questions

Most of Wheaton's students grew up in the Evangelical subculture. They talk about AWANA, VeggieTales, and the songs from four-year-old Sunday School. Michael W. Smith's recent visit to campus was a big deal for students who had been listening to him their whole lives. They are also predominantly from the upper middle class, though that is gradually becoming less true. Many Wheaton students are interested in politics, and both sides of the political spectrum are represented. The majority are probably right-leaning, but the left-leaning ones are equally vocal. Many students are deeply concerned with a variety of global issues: AIDS, poverty, the modern slave trade, and more.

Most Wheaton students are from middle to upper class suburban homes in the midwest. Almost everyone is a born-again Christian and has a true desire to grow in his/her relationship with Christ. A lot of students are involved in short-term missions over the summer or during spring break. We're all intelligent and have great goals for our lives. Many want to be doctors, lawyers, teachers, missionaries, pastors... the list goes on and on. But we're humble and friendly... oh and most of us are healthy and athletic... so don't be surprised when you see very few overweight people on our campus!

Wheaton tries to be intentionally diverse. There are kids from all over the US and even from all over the world. Many international students are missionary kids, but there are kids from probably over 25 different countries at Wheaton. Unfortunately because it is pretty expensive there tends to be mostly middle to upper class students there. The most unique thing about Wheaton is that although everyone is a Christian, you really see that there are different blends of Christianity all over the world. Everyone loves the same God, but it looks differently for almost everyone.

The student body of Wheaton has been diversifying over the years. The one consistent thing has been the 50/50 ratio of girls to guys (perfect for those with the ring by Spring mentality). Although you will find few LGBT students (at least those who are open about it...and there are some), the socio-economic and racial groups on campus are multiplying (praise God). From those committed to simple living, to those who drive their Hummer down the street for class, most students find a place in Wheaton's social scene. Out of all the sports teams, the football team is the most "tight" and exclusive (they sit in the same place for breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the dining hall...duped "the fish bowl").

A lot of the students seem to make too big of a deal about racial issues. It's not that they are racist, in fact it's quite the opposite. There is such a hype about racial sensitivity that, rather than making race a non-issue, as I would prefer, it brings race to the forefront of thought by incessantly encouraging everyone to think about the racial implications of their comments or actions.

AMAZING. sometimes i feel like i am best friends with everyone on campus.

Wheaton has students from all over the country and the world, giving you so many opportunities to learn about other peoples' backgrounds.

It's pretty WASPy around here, but other people fit in pretty well. The William Osborne Society (black culture club) is really active on campus, and their performance ensemble sings at chapel as often as the chapel band. It can be tough being from outside the midwest sometimes, but people are generally really accommodating. Sometimes people say things that are offensive and just don't realize how narrow their views are, but I think it sort of gets taught out over the course of four years. There are some people who are really sheltered in their first 18 years at home, but there are also people who have seen genocide first hand in Rwanda or lived with people on FBI watchlists in Pakistan. The campus is really diverse in terms of experiences, which is a lot of fun just getting to know people.

The vast majority of students are white, middle-to-upper class Americans. Though, there is a high missionary and international student population that helps to balance things out. Most all are protestant and highly religious. There are rules here which are strictly enforced, so hardcore rebels are sure to feel out of place here, but there is a constant underground where one might find company. Minority students are celebrated and highly honored. This is a very let's-get-more-diversity place. Though there are many cliques. Most are based on organizations one is involved in (many are culture-based like Indian Culture Club, Koinonia, and North Korea Club), namely the football team, though others are by academics. Students who go abroad in the Human Needs and Global Resources program tend to stick together; so do students with similar interests, like the unofficial Anime Club, who watches anime together once a week.