<p>This is more of a general thread. What do you think makes Wesleyan special/unique from other colleges? Why did you/would you choose Wesleyan?</p>
<p>It’s a small college that “punches above its weight” all across the board: it grants Ph.Ds in the most rigorous of areas, the physical sciences and math; it’s nationally recognized in the arts and, it is one of the most politically active colleges, if not the preeminent activist college in the country. Even conservatives seem to step up their game at Wesleyan: [Conservative</a> Students Can Be Activists, Too - By Mytheos Holt - Phi Beta Cons - National Review Online](<a href=“http://buzz.nationalreview.com/phi-beta-cons/252860/conservative-students-can-be-activists-too-mytheos-holt]Conservative”>http://buzz.nationalreview.com/phi-beta-cons/252860/conservative-students-can-be-activists-too-mytheos-holt)</p>
<p>Nice points johnwesley. Also, is it true that wesleyan has an open curriculum-meaning no distribution requirements?</p>
<p>Wes does have an open curriculum. However depending on the major, it may require meeting the Gen ed requirements, which are still quite attainable. History, does not require meeting gen ed, but Government does. Those are the ones I am most familiar with. </p>
<p>Gen eds are 2 classes in each category 1. Science 2. Social Science and 3. arts. Lots of classes are cross registered so it appears easy to meet. For example, Roman Civ is listed as a Social Science (history) and and Art since part of the class studies a classics. Likewise a film class can be both a history and and Art. You determine which gen ed it will meet. </p>
<p>I was going to list this as what makes Wesleyan unique… That and having Mike Whalen as the new football coach and the team on the upswing. Go Wes.</p>
<p>to name a few features, some of which aren’t entirely unique:</p>
<p>-music scene (both on campus bands and outside bands who come play)
-student size is pretty big for a LAC
-preponderance and diversity of student activities given our size
-unique majors like the Butterfield colleges and science in society
-strength in sciences relative to other liberal arts schools (including majors like biochemistry and neuroscience) and combination of strong science programs in addition to a liberal arts curriculum/small school atmosphere
-film studies program is probably the best at any LAC
-relative freedom in housing (and, for that matter, dining) options
-proximity to cities, relative to most other LACs
-among schools that are known for being ‘alternative/arsty,’ it’s probably among the more meaningfully diverse</p>