Wake Forest University

Wake has very challenging academics; I had to work much harder for my grades, even in the divisional classes. It's not called "work forest" for nothing. Your classmates are all just as smart as you so it's something to get used to after high school, but it's great being able to find intellectually stimulating conversation just about anywhere. It's like Duke intelligence without the snobbery.

Great athletics are always an option—football and basketball really bring school spirit out and draw the student body together like nothing else can. It's fun being able to get to know the players since they live on our halls.

I had no trouble finding many friendly people, especially on my freshman hall (I believe that part of that experiences comes from choosing substance-free) and it's not because I fit the mold of the typical Wake student (however reasonable that stereotype might be). I am a white protestant, but that's about it—I am politically liberal and come from a home of poverty. The amazing people I have gotten to know (both conservative/liberal, Greek/non-Greek, etc) are not judgemental of people different from them. I don't drink and I'm not part of a panhellenic sorority, and it still isn't hard to have a social life (though admittedly it does suffer more than at other schools because half of our social time is spent working together!)

Winston isn't the greatest college town for sure—but there are things to do if you want to find them (just not right by campus) Good luck finding all that much free time anyway, with homework and extracurriculars as everyone here was that overachiever in high school—but there are things to do around campus in Winston, especially if you're into the arts.

Teachers for the most part are awesome—with small classes, they really get to know you. They're not spending all their time on research, and do occasionally invite you out or to their house for dinner. Faculty advisers sometimes do the same. There are of course profs who are very bad with the grade deflation, but for the most part they will at least care how you are doing and be willing to help you (or move an exam if you get sick during exam week…)

Excellent study abroad programs, they really encourage it; I spent a semester in Australia, and have had friends spend (with Wake and other programs) time in Europe, Asia, Central and South America.

Your social life will indeed suffer if you have any trouble at all balancing hard work with building relationships with people; it definately takes a lot of effort to do both of these things effectively at Wake. As much as I love the motto "Pro Humanitate", and as much good and service I see Wake Forest students doing, we are often left to wonder how they really expect us to care deeply for the good of humanity when we're too busy doing (sometimes) busywork to really be invested in the community and our fellow students.

I also question whether the grade (and ego) deflation is necessary to achieve the academic standing they strive for, and if future employers really care about the little apologia for the low GPA that accompanies transcripts. I'll have to discover that in the real world outside the "bubble." The new meal plan is NOT an awesome deal for incoming freshman—hence my decision to live off-campus this coming year.

Overall, I have loved my experience being a Demon Deacon; I bear the name with pride and wouldn't trade it for anything. But I know this is because I prayed very much for my college decision, and it wasn't hard knowing I wanted to come to Wake whatsoever. It's definitely not for everyone but hopefully this helps if you're thinking about it!=)