<p>I am looking for a certain something in a college. I’d like to be in a place where even outside the classroom people work themselves into a frenzy about ideas. I don’t want to go to a school where there are great professors and great teaching, but where nothing much gets talked about after classes except the latest Grays Anatomy or something. And I don’t mean just the latest campus political fight. I mean, the rise and fall of the Soviet Union or the violence in Reservoir Dogs or the meaning of Robert Franks’ The Americans.</p>
<p>I know Wesleyan is supposed to be full of smart and passionate people. Truthfully, is that mostly for grades and papers or does that really, honestly carry over into the dorms and the cafeterias? I know this is a big fat generalization but I’m trying to figure out how to land someplace that’s NOTHING like high school. Thanks!</p>
<p>In my experience, Wes is like what you’re describing. Obviously, people also talk about Grays Anatomy, but there is plenty of intellectual conversation outside of class – both serious, engaging debate, and less serious conversations that still manage to incorporate a lot of high-level ideas. </p>
<p>(My favorite random anecdote about how Wes students incorporate “intellectual” things even when they aren’t being serious: my friend’s randomly made their own version of rock-paper-scissors one day – God-Devil-Nietzche. God kills the devil, the devil kills god, and Nietzche, of course, kills god).</p>
<p>I was looking for an intellectual community very similar to what you are describing, and I am happy to say that I definitely found it here at Wes. People genuinely love learning–generally, its not for pretentious reasons its simply because people really, honest do feel very passionately about their education. I found that although Wes is a bubble of sorts, people are very aware of the world outside, more so then in other liberal arts colleges I think. There is a huge emphasis on intellectualism, but in a fun way (or serious way) or whatever way you want it to be. In fact, I haven’t met one person who is apathetic to their studies.
GREAT school, I’m so glad I came here. Definitely apply, you will not regret it!</p>
<p>I completely agree with the above post. students are naturally intellectual, but not in a way where they’re trying to impress you, just in an organic way where they love learning and challenging each others’ ideas.</p>