StudentsReview :: Washington & Jefferson College - Extra Detail about the Comment
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Washington & Jefferson College

How this student rated the school
Educational QualityA Faculty AccessibilityA
Useful SchoolworkB Excess CompetitionA+
Academic SuccessB+ Creativity/ InnovationC
Individual ValueA+ University Resource UseA
Campus Aesthetics/ BeautyA FriendlinessA
Campus MaintenanceA Social LifeB-
Surrounding CityD Extra CurricularsB+
SafetyA+
Describes the student body as:
Friendly, Approachable

Describes the faculty as:
Friendly, Helpful

Female
Quite Bright
Lowest Rating
Surrounding City
D
Highest Rating
Excess Competition
A+
She cares more about Creativity/ Innovation than the average student.
Date: Oct 10 2011
Major: English (This Major's Salary over time)
Professors: W&J is called a family for a reason—there is a great sense of camaraderie between faculty, staff and students. Many professors have no qualms about friending students on Facebook or inviting students to their homes. If you plan on attending grad school, though, be warned that the professors will NOT make any large effort to pull for you or network with other professors at grad programs to get you in. You are expected to do this on your own. On the bright side, because the college is so small, everyone will quickly know you by name…

Students:…However, the social life for students is dominated by the Greek life on campus, and the town of Washington is quiet and uneventful. A large percentage of students go home for the weekend, and many more travel into Pittsburgh about 40 minutes away in hopes of more exciting weekend activities. If you do not wish to pledge Greek, plan on becoming very involved with SAB (student activities board) so that you have things to do.

Campus activities/events: Nevertheless, in past years, SAB has increased the number of activities for non-Greeks and Greeks alike. If you have a car, take it with you to campus. Not only is parking free, but you will quickly become stir-crazy living on the tiny campus without it. Due to W&J's small size, it is also very easy to network among faculty and staff and quickly, so if you plan on starting a new club or spearheading a campus event, you will know who to contact right away.

Coursework: W&J takes the liberal arts curriculum to heart. If you are a science person who expects to take no courses in the humanities, do NOT go to W&J. Likewise, if you are not in the sciences, expect to take two natural science and math courses with one lab. Academically, W&J is only challenging in the first two years. At around halfway through junior year, I felt unchallenged by my coursework, and assignments began to feel like busywork. I applied to and currently attend a top-5 ranked grad school because I was desperate for a challenge. That said, A-grades are completely attainable.

Dorms: All students are required to live on campus for four years and are guaranteed housing (unless they register as commuters or appeal to live off-campus.) The dorms are, for the most part, rather old. Thankfully they are larger than at most campuses, and there are plenty of opportunities to live in a single dorm. There is also pet housing on campus, and the college community is incredibly tolerant of dogs and cats roaming with their owners on campus.

Safety: The city of Washington, where the college is located, is a major hub for transportation of illegal drugs from the Midwest into New England. Crime is therefore not unheard of. However, the campus itself is watched by both city police and campus security, and, in my experience, never felt unsafe. I frequently walked around campus in the wee hours of the night by myself and felt perfectly secure. Laptops do get stolen and straying into the wrong parts of town is not advisable, but if you are vigilant and keep W&J Security's number close on hand, you will feel at ease living on campus.

Overall: I loved my experience at W&J. I received personal attention from my professors and was able to get involved in clubs and campus initiatives very easily. I recommend this college!

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