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Student Reviews

Washington and Lee University Reviews

Check out reviews left by other students, or leave your own review. You could win a free scholarship!

  • 06/25/2011

    Reviewer is Accepted here and planning to attend soon. Reviewer has been to campus.

    4 out of 5 people found this review useful. 1 of 5

    Categories Comments
    Great for these types of students

    It's great for anyone who knows they want to go Greek since Greek life is a big part of the school.

    Tips for prospective students

    Definitely apply for the Johnson Scholarship, even if you don't get it, the Scholarship Competition is a great way to really get familiar with the campus. And have a teacher proof-read your essay before you submit it!

    Bang for the buck

    It's a pricey school, but if you work hard (and apply for the Johnson Scholarship) it can be affordable. Hopefully it will pay out after graduation.

    Will enjoy being here

    Located in the South, everyone is so super friendly and hospitable. The campus is absolutely gorgeous and being an outdoorsy girl, it's a perfect location to go outside and enjoy the mountains

    Will learn a lot

    I've had the chance to sit in on an econ class, and from that one class it is clear that the professors are top-notch. The academic quality of the school makes it worth the hefty price tag.

  • 11/10/2012

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    3 out of 3 people found this review useful. 2 of 5

    Categories Comments
    Greek Life

    SO MUCH GREEK LIFE. Seriously, if you're into that sort of thing, this is the place for you. Also if you're rich, white, and from the South.

    Dorm Life

    Awful, unless you escape the sanitarium-esque decor and alcohol and puke-drenched halls of Graham-Lees.

    Academic Rigor

    Classes are difficult and the professors are tough, but fair and incredibly knowledge as well as very invested in student success.

    Tips for prospective students

    There is a life available for people not interested in the Greek system, but you have to be INCREDIBLY independent to handle being an Independent at W&L.

    In three sentences

    Amazing academics, engaging professors, wonderful course selection, and a beautiful campus. Downsides: HUGE amount of Greek life and the entire school follows the work hard, play hard ideology. Huge emphasis on drinking.

  • 10/19/2011

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    1 out of 2 people found this review useful. 3 of 5

    Categories Comments
    Great for these types of students

    The campus is beautiful and it seems the people are too... At first they seem a bit haughty but everyone is very welcoming, nice and very fashionable!

    Will enjoy being here

    Smaller campus to walk around, cute town, and endless outdoor activities along with tons of greek life is what I saw.

  • 04/08/2012

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has been to campus.

    1 out of 2 people found this review useful. 4 of 5

    Categories Comments
    Dorm Life

    We didn't get to go inside of a dorm, but they were all beautiful from the outside. They also said it was very common for upperclassmen to rent a townhouse down the road from W&L as a group and live there too, and it wasn't too expensive. Variety of options!

    Academic Rigor

    All of the professors I talked to seemed very engaged and interested in getting to know their students personally.

    In three sentences

    I toured W&L this past year, and I had the most amazing experience! I got to sit with a guidance counselor and talk with him and my mom for over an hour about the school and various programs that I was interested in, and then I went on a tour with a senior there who was very informative and helpful and even introduced me to some of his professors. It felt like the tour was catered specifically for me!

  • 04/25/2013

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    5 of 5

    Categories Comments
    Campus Safety

    I've always had a good experience with security, but I never had a lot of reasons to worry. I never felt unsafe or had trouble, but I heard others did.

    Greek Life

    HUGE. HUGE. DARN. HUGE. LIKE SUPER HUGE. But not a necessity! For the ladies, if you aren't super sratty, there's a sorority for that. If you still want to stay independent, like I did, it is still possible and enjoyable. The Indie community is just as strong, despite the small numbers.

    Clubs and Activities

    There isn't much, but what's there is good. It's easy to start a group though, so I recommend it.

    Great for these types of students

    Preppy, southern, white is the stereotype, but it's actively growing more diverse. If you can study hard and party harder, you'll also do fine. If you aren't any of this, like myself, do NOT despair or give into loathing everything like I did. You'll miss out on a lot more opportunities. Make friends and do things with them.

    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    Streaking the colonnade is a supposed tradition, but I haven't done it. Definitely explore the library, it's got some fun secret nooks.

    Bang for the buck

    Overly priced to the extreme, but if you can afford it or get financial aid, do it. All colleges are overpriced anyway.

    What to do for fun

    Parties, sorority/fraternity greek life, intramural sports and organizations, volunteer opportunities, christian groups.

    Food and Dining

    Not excellent, but they do have crab and lobster dinners every now and then.

    Dorm Life

    Most of the dorms are small, old, loud, and not air conditioned. Get out as soon as you can.

    Tips for prospective students

    Definitely do the pre-orientation trip, you'll walk in to this small, very social conscience with friends. If you don't drink alcohol, like me, still go to the parties because they'll still be fun. If you don't like the parties, don't despair! There ARE other social opportunities. Also, DEFINITELY reach out to the professors for help.

    In three sentences

    A very close knit school with countless intern and job opportunities. The professors are grand, knowledgeable, and some of the most fascinating people in the world. However, it does have a VERY large party scene, be that for better or worse.