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Warren Wilson College Reviews

Average Rating Details

Academic Rigor

Dorm Life

Food and Dining

See Warren Wilson College reviews submitted by students. Find out what students have to say about various aspects of attending Warren Wilson College. Read about academic experiences and campus life in these free Warren Wilson College reviews, or contribute your own Warren Wilson College review if you're a current student there.

  • 4 out of 4 people found this review useful.

    Tyler from Takoma Park, MD

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Am learning a lot

    The academics here are definitely good (especially in environmental studies) but not top of the line. However, I have already learned a ton in my classes and expect that to continue throughout my time here. Aside from what I've learned in my classes, Warren Wilson teaches more than just academics. I have learned a lot about bicycle mechanics, being a janitor, how to live positively in a close community, what kinds of work go into making every aspect of college life possible, and even a little bit of blacksmithing, just to name a few things from outside the classroom. So I would say that even if the academics alone are not on par with the Ivy League, the overall learning experience can not be beat.
    Am enjoying being here

    I LOVE it here. When I applied to school, I wanted a school with a close community, where people knew each other and were friendly and happy to be together, and I found that here. What I didn't expect was that my favorite aspects turned out to be the work program and the geographic location (and the people, of course). With the work program, you know the people serving your meals and cleaning your dorms because they are students like yourself; every student works, which I think makes everyone appreciate each other a bit more and feel more ownership for the place where they all live and learn. (Not everyone cleans, there are also crews like gardening and bike shop and outdoor programs, to name a few.) And the mountains are beautiful. There are pastures and hiking/biking trails through the woods, a farm, a river, and it is all gorgeous in a different way with each season. I love it.
    Bang for the buck

    Warren Wilson is priced in the same range as most private liberal arts colleges. It is at the lower end of the range, but private colleges tend to be really expensive no matter what. Tuition with a room and 3 meals a day comes out to around 34,000 per year if you get no financial aid. BUT, you will almost definitely have financial aid, at least to some degree. The school offers some aid, but not as much as more well-endowed (richer) liberal arts schools. I personally end up paying around 19,000 per year (including the cost of loans; it would be like 13,000 not counting loans), which is definitely a struggle, but I think it's worth it because of the overall experience that I couldn't get anywhere else.
    Tips for prospective students

    I don't want to say admissions is super lax, but admissions is pretty lax. You will probably get in if you fill out an application. The people in admissions are really helpful, so if you're worried then give them a call; set up an interview or just tell them what you're worried about. If you don't look good on paper (grades, tests) but are still a swell kid, talk to admissions and they'll be great.
    Great for these types of students

    If you are not the picture-perfect kid, you will fit right in. People who flourish here differ a lot, but in general I think students here go a bit against the grain of popular culture. Students like to think for themselves and have their own ideas. There used to be a slogan that the school got rid of because everyone in the world made fun of it so much: We're not for everyone, but then again, maybe you're not everyone. You can see why they got rid of it. But it's definitely based on a true story

  • 4 out of 4 people found this review useful.

    Marissa from Philadelphia, PA

    Reviewer is Researching this school. Reviewer has not been to campus.

    Categories Rating Comments
    Great for these types of students

    Total individuals who really want to make the world a better place

  • Tamara from New Haven, CT

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Warren Wilson College is a small 4-year liberal arts school outside of Asheville, North Carolina. Warren Wilson operates on The Triad of Education, Work, and Community Service.
    There are only about 1,000 people on campus and the student to teacher ratio is never more than 20:1. Even though the college is a liberal-arts based school, the science and agricultural sciences departments are strong and the professors challenge their students to think critically and logically. Because of this, our science students often get into their first choices of graduate schools.
    Warren Wilson is a work-study college, so in addition to taking classes, you work 15 hours a week in a specific job there are over 30 crews to choose from- everything from Farm crew to Carpentry or school newspaper crews. It sounds overwhelming, but you get used to it pretty fast as you settle into the college life and it is a great way of gaining work experience and life skills while you’re in college.
    Service, the last part of the triad. Warren Wilson requires 100 documented hours of service before Graduation. Now, this seems like a lot to ask of students, but if you think about it that is 25 hours per year or only 12.5 hours per semester; this seems very reasonable. The confidence and gratification that helping the community brings to you is worth the 100 hours of your time, and the hard work you’ve put in will build character and resumes.

    Tips for prospective students

    Please come and visit Warren Wilson. If you don't visit you might overlook the beauty of the place. You might want a bigger school or a school in a big city, but this school has a lot of heart and a lot of opportunities for learning and researching in class or one-on-one with professors that you wouldn't get at many other schools.
    Academic Rigor

    The classes are small and occur 1-5 times per week depending on the course. There are many majors available to study- psychology, sociology, archeology, chemistry, biochemistry, Outdoor Leadership, biology, sustainable forestry, agricultural sciences, creative writing, history, etc. There is no such thing as a pre-med/ pre-vet degree, but there are planned courses of study which will boost your chances of getting into Medical schools, and Warren Wilson offers all of the prerequisite courses that they look for. Pre-Med/ Pre-Vet students also tend to get into the medical schools that they apply to after attending Warren Wilson College.
    The classes are mixed as far as levels of challenge. There are some introductory course that are far easier than other class (say, biochemistry) but all classes help the student think critically and relate the classes to real-world events.
    Dorm Life

    There are 2 freshman dorms and a variety of other dorms across campus that you can live in after your first semester at Warren Wilson. Most dorms have kitchens, common rooms and study rooms. Sunderland is the only dorm (unfortunately) with air conditioning but all rooms have windows which you can put fans in.
    Most rooms have wireless internet but can be weak at times, so I would recommend bringing a long Ethernet cord. Each dorm tries to have activities to do on the weekend, although more often than not, they don't happen. There is a designated substance free dorm hall on the 3rd floor of Sunderland, which provides a safe haven for freshman who want to stay away from alcohol, etc. There is also a whole substance-free dorm, called wellness where those who wish to stay substance-free can live. Of course, alcohol and illegal drugs are not condoned at this school; a lot of people who don't go here seem to think it is but they have been told wrong.
    Every dorm has a Resident Director, and every hall in the dorm has a Resident Adviser. These people help you report problems in your dorm, enforce set rules, and settle conflicts appropriately.
    Food and Dining

    There are two cafeterias on campus, and as of next year, 2 cafes.
    Considering how small the campus is, it's really quite a nice choice.
    The Two Cafeterias are Gladfelter and Cowpie Cafe (vegetarian/ vegan).
    The existing cafe is called Sage Cafe and the new cafe that will be running next year will be in the bottom floor of the freshman dorm, Sunderland.
    What to do for fun

    All manner of outdoor activities such as running, biking, swimming, canoeing/ kayaking, volleyball, etc. (Just today I saw a flyer for a hang gliding trip!) The Outdoor leadership crew offers many different types of day/weekend trips to different places which are a lot of fun.
    Monday through Saturday you can take the bus into Asheville, or to the mall and other stores along the bus route. The bus is free for Warren Wilson Students.
    Hang out in Sage Cafe! There is often live music, game nights, and Saturday Morning Cartoons!
    PLays! The WWC Theater crew puts on plays and productions which are open to the public and students which provide wonderful entertainment.

    Bang for the buck

    Warren Wilson is expensive at 34000$ per year but the work-program pays you for your work, which goes directly to your tuition, and over breaks you can stay and work for extra cash.
    Warren Wilson has a lot of conferences, talks, and live music to see during the week and on the weekends. This provides good entertainment and extra learning opportunities.
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    We have no football team, but we have homecoming. Homecoming for Warren Wilson is eating a picnic outside and lighting a giant teepee of wood on fire while the fire legion spins fire around it. It is beautiful and very entertaining.

    There is a church on campus because the school was originally a baptist affiliation.

    We have over 400 cows on our property that are maintained by the farm crew. We also have a garden, herb garden, chickens, and pigs that produce food that Warren Wilson students and faculty can buy.

    The campus is separated into two by the Warren Wilson Road, but the two halves are connected by a foot bridge, fondly called The Bridge.
    Great for these types of students

    Hard workers, Community involved, Science students, Writers, vegetarian/vegans, activists, minorities, gay/lesbian/gender queer/ transgender students; you will not get judged here for your sexual preferences or your disabilities and there are a lot of support groups and conferences on equality within our communities.
    Clubs and Activities

    There aren't a lot of clubs that I know of:
    Student Caucus (Student Government)
    Jewish Student Organization (services and support)
    Fire Legion (Fire spinning)
    Christians in Action (services and support)
    and there are groups that play Magic/ Dungeons and Dragon
    Sports teams include: men and woman's soccer, men and woman's basketball, men and woman's swim team, mountain biking, kayaking, and cross country running.

    (There may be more that I am not aware of...)
    Greek Life

    Null and Void.
    Warren Wilson does not have Fraternities/ Sororities.
    No hazing or hierarchical structures here!
    Campus Safety

    Campus is relatively safe. Most students leave their doors unlocked and have no problems. I do not recommend this but it shows a level of trust that you don't see at many schools. The campus has had some minor vandalism problems by a few students, but nothing that has caused major problems concerning the schools safety. We have monthly fire alarm tests, and the campus police, Public Safety, patrol the campus constantly.

  • Quantisha from Swannanoa, NC

    Reviewer is A current student here.

    Categories Rating Comments
    In three sentences

    Warren Wilson has saved my life. It is at once the worse and best thing that could have ever happened to me in my life. This school has opened so many doors for me and I still have a year to go.
    Tips for prospective students

    Don't do anything you would not do in your normal life while visiting. There is a line between being a nice and helpful host and jack-ass.
    Academic Rigor

    You have to fight to get what you want out of some classes while others classes make you want to take it over and over because it was so good.
    Dorm Life

    Upper class men dorms are so much better then freshmen hosing.
    Food and Dining

    Getting our dining hall fully redone this summer
    What to do for fun

    Circus, fire spinning, silks, dance, acrobatics.
    Bang for the buck

    You get what you look for
    Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

    The tree house and the dam are by far my favorite places to go but there is no limit to the amount of wonderful people that are here.
    Great for these types of students

    Anyone that is not everyone and has a hard work ethic
    Clubs and Activities

    if you think it up Warren Wilson will try and fund it for you
    Greek Life

    NONE!
    Campus Safety

    People do come from off campus just to mess with students but then they are handled quickly.