<p>So I was talking to my friends at lunch today and one of them told me she had recently visited Wesleyan. Although I want a liberal arts school, she said that when she went it was very "artsy-fartsy". Can anyone elaborate on the atmosphere and the type of student who attends the school?</p>
<p>I have heard everything for over the top liberal to the point that unless you are all for picketing and fighting for causes on a grand scale that you feel uncomfortable; to comfortably liberal but not unwelcoming to someone reserved or conservative.</p>
<p>I have had two friends visit and both came away with the former view. But I wonder how much you can really gauge on a tour and information session? I would like to hear more about this too from current students.</p>
<p>I’m visiting next month overnight and hope to get a feel then. </p>
<p>One consistent thing I have heard is that Wesleyan has some very bright students and never lacks for things to do on campus.</p>
<p>HSG</p>
<p>Depends on the scene you want - if you want artsy-fartsy, you can find that at Wes. However, Wesleyan also pulls in more NIH funding than any other liberal arts college, so if you want your sciences and more moderate atmosphere (let’s face it, the more extreme students are probably in the humanities), you can have that, too. Also, close to 20% of the school is on a varsity athletic team. You can find the atmosphere you want - the advantage of Wes being a bigger LAC.</p>
<p>I agree with smart—you can create your own experience at Wesleyan, and there are so many layers and subcommunities you will be amazed. I would add, also, that it is not unusual to see a football player who is also a math major and very liberal; or a sciences major who has labs and math classes and who is a campus activist. As an alum and as a parent of a current student, Wesleyan has always been–since the mid-60’s–a campus that has wide diversity in student interests and activities. I have always felt that, as long as you do not want a place where everyone agrees with your ideas, you will feel quite comfortable at Wesleyan, and with a student body of 3,000, there are plenty of people to choose from to become your friends.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! One more question- would you say Wesleyan is a good environment for a conservative? I am and from what you’re all saying it sounds like a more liberal school.</p>
<p>Yes quite liberal. Conservative schools with similar level of academic rigor include Washington and Lee and Davidson. Dartmouth is the most conservative Ivy.</p>
<p>Sent from my ADR6410LVW using CC
Wesleyan is an excellent environment for a conservative if you want to study hard for four years in a small university where you’ll be respected for your ability to articulate your ideas, whatever they are. In no way is it an ideological desert for conservatives. Justice
Scalia spoke there before a packed hall and lived to talk about it. If you want to go to a school where most everybody thinks alike, Wesleyan is not it.</p>
<p>This thread got so heated the moderator shut it down!! Lots of good stuff. </p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/wesleyan-university/1191404-what-has-happened-wesleyan.html?highlight=hockeykid[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/wesleyan-university/1191404-what-has-happened-wesleyan.html?highlight=hockeykid</a></p>
<p>At several points someone named johnwesley melts down. He’s in part the reason for the thread closing down. Apparently, he has resurfaced as circuitrider.</p>
<p>^^Actually, I was going to link the same thread but you beat me to it. FWIW, John is widely known to have graduated in 1993; I’m Class of 1973.</p>