Is Washington & Lee University intolerable for a liberal?

scmom12
Thu, 19 Nov 2015 16:08:59 +0000

You have to be clear about what you mean as conservative. D went to W&L and is conservative, but I noticed that while most kids are conservative in general, as a whole the campus is moderate or slightly liberal on social issues. Not a huge litmus test I know, but when SC came out with gay marriage ruling, almost all D’s friends changed FB profile in support.

I agree with mathmom that I would be hesitant to encourage attendance there if you have absolutely no interest in Greek life (although one of D’s friends from HS didn’t join and had a great experience). Sophomore year is the official year of living in Greek housing and (in the past) after that everyone is off campus. While these off campus houses do tend to group in greek groups, they don’t always. Now even that is changing with construction of new dorms that will allow kids to stay on campus longer.

Few other comments - my D was in sorority and did wear jeans and sneakers - often. I consider the dress mostly to be southern which does intersect with “preppy”. Funny thing is a friend’s son is at Kenyon - wanted nothing to do with greek life, yet wears khakis or khaki shorts daily with rainbow sandals plus button down shirt…but very much not a frat boy in attitude or interest…just southern. Take a look at Scene of Campus photos on website - you’ll see it all dress wise.

Yes the Mock Convention is huge and everyone is encouraged and huge % does participate but (upthread) to characterize it as a republican club is slightly misleading. Mock Con is held in every election year in spring for the party out of power. Since we have a Democratic president, it will be (and was last time) a Republican convention. If a republican president is elected, the next one will be a democratic convention. Obviously the speakers brought to campus by this reflect the convention that is being held. You can head a “state” delegation regardless of your politics.

As far as gay population, I can’t really comment except to say some of most popular, well liked students there during D’s 4 years are gay. Now how they personally felt during the 4 years, I can’t say.

W&L does have a small number of minority students, but it is interesting to me that the ones there are included more in the greek life that at other D’s big university. AA and other minority students join the main stream frats and srats.

OP, as far as your interests, W&L does have a real business school (school of commerce) which not as many LACs have. There are lots of opportunities in music. You didn’t say what but my D took piano 3 of her years there even though it wasn’t her major and had the best teacher/student relationship she had ever had in previous 12 years of music. Great music facilities. It didn’t have a thing to do with choosing W&L, but she loved the open practice rooms with Steinway pianos!