火爆社区

Washington and Lee University, one of the oldest colleges in the country, has a longstanding tradition of giving students the 鈥渦nique opportunity to customize my academic path,鈥� which one student declares 鈥渁 perfect example of how the school encourages an individualized and dynamic learning experience.鈥� W&L not only offers 鈥渟ome of the best educational opportunities,鈥� but it also provides ample 鈥渞esources when it comes to studying abroad, conducting research, finding internships, and personal projects.鈥� The 鈥渃areer center is one of [the school鈥檚] strongest resources,鈥� along with the 鈥渆laborate alumni network of successful professionals that are enthusiastic to advise, recommend, and offer opportunities to current students.鈥� That support extends into the classroom with a student-to-faculty ratio that 鈥渋s awesome. You get the chance to understand the concepts taught in class way better than in a huge lecture hall.鈥� It helps, too, that professors 鈥渁re so helpful and want to build genuine connections with their students,鈥� which also means that they 鈥渓ike to see students succeed and push them academically.鈥� Many courses have a flipped classroom model: 鈥淩eadings and assignments are completed before class so that class time is dedicated to peer discussions and clarification from the professor.鈥� In the much-loved four-week Spring Term, students take only one deep-dive course that affords students various opportunities as 鈥渙ften these courses involve travel, either domestically or abroad, and almost always include unique experimental opportunities.鈥� All this makes for a 鈥渧ery positive鈥� overall academic experience, driven by 鈥渂road and interesting鈥� class selections and professors who are 鈥渁ll very smart and interested in their subjects.鈥�

W&L is home to 鈥渁 really talented group of friendly and respectful students.鈥� The university 鈥渉as a way of making students come out of their shells,鈥� and 鈥渕ost people are very interested in specific topics, but end up well-rounded because of our liberal arts philosophy.鈥� As one student notes, 鈥淢any of my peers are creating combinations of majors I would never have thought of and pursuing careers that fit [a blend] of their interests, not just one.鈥� The honor system 鈥渋s prevalent and impactful every day:鈥� Students are responsible and 鈥渢he school fosters a community of trust.鈥� Students at W&L 鈥渃ome from various socioeconomic backgrounds鈥� and 鈥渁re friendly and polite in a way that uniquely reflects Southern hospitality.鈥� The 鈥渟ay hey鈥� tradition 鈥渋s a vow we take to acknowledge the value in each and every person we see on and around campus,鈥� and most are 鈥渁lways excited to introduce you to whatever activities or events they are involved in.鈥� As one student sums up, 鈥淓veryone here is brilliant, and you鈥檒l likely never be the most intelligent person in any given class, which I think is a good thing.鈥�

The community and traditions at W&L 鈥淸make] our students eager to come back in the fall.鈥� These traditions include Mock Convention (a simulated presidential nomination every four years) and Fancy Dress Ball as particular highlights. 鈥淵ou can usually find [at least] three club-hosted events such as dances, dinners, university guests talks every month to attend,鈥� and 鈥渆verything is open to everyone鈥�you can walk into a room not knowing anyone, and know that someone is going to come introduce themselves and start a conversation.鈥� Many students 鈥渁re greatly invested in Greek life,鈥� which 鈥渋s so much more than a social sphere; rather, many people contribute to the philanthropy of their fraternity/ sorority and support their peers.鈥� The Outing Club is also popular, 鈥渢hey take you on hikes and backpacking to explore the beauty of the area.鈥� The region is known for its 鈥渂eautiful mountains and trails鈥� and 鈥減eople love to get outside鈥� and explore. Students also 鈥渓ike to spend time in the small town of Lexington, VA, and the cute local coffee shops or bookstores.鈥� As one student puts it, the school is 鈥渇ull of opportunities to get involved and stay busy, no matter what you鈥檙e into.鈥�

Students at Washington and Lee University stand by what they were told when they first spoke with the school: 鈥淵ou鈥檒l never be without a job.鈥� With a high employment or continuing education placement of 96 percent, that鈥檚 largely accurate, and students credit the university for offering 鈥渕any opportunities for one to explore their interests and find good career prospects.鈥� One feature in particular that they highlight is the Career Fellows program, which helps students learn vital r茅sum茅, job search, and professional skills by doing: 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way to gain leadership experience while helping your peers.鈥� The Office of Career and Professional Development (CPD) also gets top marks for being 鈥渁mazing鈥� and that it 鈥渞eally prepares students well for entering the workforce after college.鈥� Whether students need step-by-step guides for building digital portfolios or are seeking tools for help preparing for a big interview, CPD has them covered. Atop that, there鈥檚 also an 鈥渆laborate alumni network of successful professionals that are enthusiastic to advise, recommend, and offer opportunities to current students.鈥� Impressively, about 80 percent of alumni report that they鈥檙e in fields directly or somewhat related to their majors and are pulling in early career median salaries (according to PayScale) of $80,300.