Wheaton College-Wheaton Top Questions

There are many students that epitomize this stereotype, but Wheaton has worked hard to have more of a variety of people (especially in recent years) than many give it credit for. People are generally very nice-- even a little too nice, but it makes for a pretty happy environment.

no, none of them are. Wheaton has real people living real lives in a real world.

1. There are many people who come to Wheaton the best in some area. There is something extroardinary that set them apart in high school. Often this thing is not just academic but extracurricular as well. It becomes almost a competition that you can never win at Wheaton because EVERYONE seems to be the validictorian, prom king/queen, captain of the football team, and star in all the musicals. This only feeds the type A personalities because they want perfection not only in what they do but in their status. 2. It is true that people want to be seen as put together however if you get to know anyone you'll see through the surface. Its true for any relationship really. I found a community at Wheaton where brokenness is not only accepted its encouraged. Some will go through Wheaton never allowing others to see them weak but they're in the minority in my opinion. 3. Totally depends on where your circle lies is. I've heard it said by another upper classman and would tend to agree with them that when you're in the dorms everyone thinks everyone else perfectly follows the rules of the covenant (Wheaton's rule book) but once out of the dorms a new world opens up mainly because servaillance of students isn't as tight. If you want friends that are a little bit more lax with the rules you can find them but if you want people that stay in the lines you can definately find them too.

Well, "ring by spring" isn't that far off; people are getting engaged all the time. But there are also plenty of people still single like myself... ;) As for studying on the weekends, yes it's true. I admit that it's lame, and I admit that I've done it, BUT we also have a LOT of fun, and we have fun without being drunk.

To an extent. Wheaton's a complicated place - it places incredibly high emphasis on the spiritual growth, and it is a very evangelical place. But that doesn't mean all, or even most, of the students go along whistling "Amazing Grace." It's really a place of growth, and growth often means questioning a lot of very fundamental truths. It is true that some of the most quality people I've ever met have come from Wheaton, but don't think it's Christian rainbows and sunshine. There's a lot of reality at Wheaton.

Yes...Most students enter Wheaton from conservative families, but by the time they come out they are more open minded. They might still be conservative, but they know why they are conservative and the reasons are probably better than their parents reasons. Most students though end up being moderates.

There are ten percent of our students who are homeschooled We are much more Republican, but a large number of students are Independent, and there is a spirit of dialogue and a sense that a Christian need not belong to a certain party. For those willing to get involved, there are a large number of events on campus, such as concerts and improv comedy shows, and there is plenty of stuff to do. I have found most people at Wheaton to be humble and likeable.

As a student, I have not found the institution of Wheaton College to be overbearing or strict in any way. You agree to abide by certain rules when you enter and if you choose not to follow them, the college will work with you. There are a lot of very driven students at Wheaton, but the sterotype is very wrong. There is a huge diversity of students with tons of interests, passions, and skills outside of just school work!

No no no. This stereotype does exist for some good reason, I mean, there are students who fulfill the "Wheaton student" role, but as a whole, there are so many students here who are ready to put their social lives ahead of their academics, and there are students with a wide range of social beliefs. Although there are the students who seem to excel at everything the do, we are all aware of our faults...and most of us pretty willing to share them with others.

Although there is a lack of diversity on many levels, you would be surprised at the variety of backgrounds and viewpoints that Wheaton students are coming from. I was a bit tentative about coming to Wheaton at first; I felt that I wouldn't fit in or be accepted by my peers, as I come from a more liberal background, listen to only secular music and have visible tattoos and piercings. Although the majority of people are quite different from me, I've always felt accepted and have made many friends here.