Wesleyan University

Visit Report by want2bIvy (Member since June 17 2005 with 390 posts) Visit Date - August 2007

2 of 2 people found this visit report helpful
Visit to Wesleyan University in August 2007 by want2bIvy (Student, HS Class of 2008)
Visit Activities:
Information Session: Yes - Dean of admissions and senior student gave excellent presentation of school-lively, unique, welcoming. Held in beautiful visitors center; thorough and informative (though fin.aid not discussed) Campus Tour: Yes - Senior guide was humorous, informative, loved the school. Excellent tour route, gave great overview of entire campus.
Wesleyan University Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 4 - Very Good - Students all seemed to love Wes, gave good impression. All smiles and welcoming. Intellectual, unique group of students. Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent - Inviting staff and faculty; all helpful, seemed to really want to be there and to help. Appearance of Campus: 4 - Very Good - Though construction was going on, the school looked great. All updated, great mix of old and new buildings. Student Center is wonderful. Plenty of trees and landscaping. Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 4 - Very Good - Everything updated, or else very clean. Dormitories: 4 - Very Good - Saw Fauver residences (new frosh dorm 2005). Updated, spacious, clean. Wood frame houses are adorable! 1960's dorms seem interesting as well. Great mix of choices and styles. Security/Safety: 2 - Fair - Emergency phones posted around campus, but no security guards or other safety-Couldn't tell if it was because students have yet to arrive for school year. Campus not gated-all buildings were ope Overall Campus Impression: 4 - Very Good - Great combo of traditional and contemporary, clean, renovated, spacious, easy access to all facilities, admirable new facilities, good landscaping and park-like setting.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 3 - Good - Middletown is a nice area, mid-size location with plenty of shops and restaurants. The town is not in direct access to the school, however. Other than town, Wes is surrounded by cemetery and highways City/Town/Community: 3 - Good - Seemed nicely diverse both culturally and socioeconomically, town is quaint and picturesque, though small in comparison to my hometown-NYC
Campus Visit Notes for Wesleyan University:
Visit Description: I was impressed by Wesleyan. Parents, however, felt that school didn't offer something I couldn't find closer to home. Facilities are excellent, library is beautiful, as is all of the other traditional buildings. The Center for the Arts, though not as elegant as the older buildings, seems contemporary and unique, providing a hub for the Middletown community. Loved all the Victorian homes surrounding the school, and the new residences for frosh and seniors are nice as well. Academic opportunities and extra-curriculars abound! Students were definitely satisfied w/ their Wes experience, and were excited to share their memories. Undergraduate research opportunities are better than at any other school I saw--one girl is actually co-translating a French novel w/ professor, and receiving grant in return. Seems like great school.... Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments: Didn't stay the night, but Inn @ Middletown seems beautiful! Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments: Got lunch at "Empire Pizza"...it was okay, but I'd try somewhere else next time. Nice restaurants up and down Middletown's main street, but had to hit the road. Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.): Shuttle takes students to New Haven, where MetroNorth can bring you to NY. I drove, however. Got stuck on I-95 for 4.5 hours b/c tree fell, blocking two lanes. Not the best ending to the day!
2 of 2 people found this visit report helpful