<p>Hey sdkb01, I’m a freshman at Wes, and I wanted to confirm that CSS is a really incredible program. The workload is intense, and students read 500+ pages and write a 5-6 page paper every week during their sophomore year (in addition to taking two other classes). This scares away a lot of students, so the major consolidates some of the more intellectual and motivated kids on the Wesleyan campus. I also found that CSS majors become so proficient at time management that they can take on ambitious projects outside of the classroom. For example, a current CSS sophomore recently founded a student-run micro-investment and consulting firm that you can read about here: [Germinal</a> Fund - Microfinance for the Middletown, CT Community](<a href=“http://www.germinalfund.org/]Germinal”>http://www.germinalfund.org/)</p>
<p>In terms of the standard Gov major, I think it is a solid program. I took a freshman seminar in Constitutional Law that was a great experience. The professor, John Finn, is a wonderful personality and incredibly intelligent. Check out his ratemyprofessor page for some additional comments. Wes doesn’t really have any bad majors so I wouldn’t worry about the Gov major. That said, CSS would probably be the better academic experience if you can handle the intensity and enjoy the inter-disciplinary approach.</p>
<p>About the endowment, I know Wesleyan has less disposable funds than its peers but its hard for me to feel it while campus. Some schools like Swarthmore run a “cash-free” campus where every on campus event is required to be free. Wesleyan isn’t so strict about this, so some of the film series screenings cost $5, and occasionally a frat has a $2 or $3 dollar door fee. Even as a student on significant financial aid, I find this barely affects my experience and isn’t a big concern. Overall, buildings feel nice and new, and the administration funds more student events than I have time to attend. Our food is pretty fantastic too.</p>