<p>To each their own opinion about Wake Forest and innovation. I guess 10-20 years from now we’ll see whether what they deem innovation is worth it. I know I’m not alone in feeling that Wake Forest has abandoned its original academic philosophy. There are many in the faculty, students and even adminstration who disagree with the current path. </p>
<p>But for the record, I’m a girl. Our opinions of feeling safe can differ greatly.</p>
<p>As for the paying full tuition, besides $750/yr for being a National Merit Finalist and a little less than $2000/year for being a NC resident, my parents are paying the full sticker price. (Although I’ve been invited this year to apply for the upperclassmen Carswell, which is a whopping $1500/year). Despite the fact that now my younger brother is going to UNC-Chapel Hill this fall and our bills came the same day, leading to a few comments; I think both my parents and I are happy with this decision. (My dad graduated from Wake though, so he might be biased). </p>
<p>As a woman, I generally feel safe on campus. I have to walk to Scales at night pretty frequently to practice. Just don’t linger outside and I wouldn’t listen to your ipod at night (felt the need to say it since a lot of Wake students do). </p>
<p>I applied to Wake under the “Small in number, big in resources” tagline, and I guess I am just worried they are losing sight of that. I know that probably eventually these will be good/ok decisions, but for students here in the interim period, it isn’t maybe the most fortunate. </p>
<p>Most of my friends are really glad they chose Wake. My b/f is in a completely different economic situation and has had his loans increase each year and due to some things at home, financial aid in the future is completely up in the air depending on the health of a family member. But despite these difficulties, he is glad to be at Wake because of the opportunities it has offered him. </p>
<p>Wake has some good opportunities to do research with a professor during the summer, I am actually doing that this summer. They also have a preministerial/nonprofit internship which several of my friends have done. </p>
<p>I neglected to mention earlier I am also in a sorority (joined in fall my sophomore year, thoguh). </p>
<p>One thing I would say: don’t make plans for your student to go to Wake because of a certain thing they want to study. I truly know almost no one that is studying what they planned (I think I mentioned I was Math/Physics/Poli-Sci and am now Music). This is especially true with the premed track. I felt like everyone (but me) was pre-med my freshman year and now I only have a handful of friends who have remained that. Now the others are discovering other interests besides premed (a few are still science majors but want to teach or do research). </p>
<p>I hope that answers some more questions.</p>
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<p>I agree with this and I am female and just graduated. Winston is a small city, and like most cities there will be some crime; however, the crime rate is not outrageous. I have never really felt unsafe on campus at night alone - just use common sense and you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>LifeUnfolding:</p>
<p>Can you explain why most students change majors at Wake? Do you think they change more than at most schools?</p>
<p>I’m thinking that Wake’s core requirements let students discover new interests…?</p>
<p>Hopefully the students who change majors do it in time to graduate in four years!</p>
<p>Everywhere most people change majors.
The pre-med thing is just because like half of the freshman class wants to go Pre-Med and most of them are not really capable of doing the work. Changing majors is not something exclusive to Wake Forest, and yes the divisional requirements help students discover new interests.</p>
<p>
Agreed! D, who may apply to med school at some point in the future, said the crowd was significantly smaller at the sophomore “Med School Talks” by Dr. Lane than at the ones she attended her freshman year.</p>
<p>“Undecided” is probably the most popular major indicated by incoming freshmen. IMO, most 18 year olds really don’t know what they want to do with the rest of their lives. Plus, a real stand-out professor or two can really sway a student’s interests.</p>
<p>I agree with what others say. Since you don’t declare until sophomore year, most people graduate in 4 years. Most people just change their minds about what they will major in, not what they actually declare, I don’t know anyone personally who has changed majors once they declared (but I am only a rising junior). In general I think people change their minds once they get here because they do discover other areas of study, most people don’t have the chance to explore many of the social sciences or things like philosophy as high schoolers, so once they get here there are entire fields to explore. I think that the number of divisional requirements is an asset for students because they are encouraged to try things they normally wouldn’t. Except for a couple divisionals I keep procrastinating taking (history-because I did every history AP in high shcool and am kind of tired of it), I have had a really positive experience. Last semester I took two anthropology courses that I never would have taken otherwise, and thoroughly enjoyed them (much more than I expected). </p>
<p>I would say that people change their majors way less than at other institutions, mostly because we wait so long to declare. There are only a few majors where deciding late is a problem (mostly sciences- bio, chem, physics: but most people interested in those areas will take classes in them early on anyway).</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all of your insight into Wake Forest! We’re looking forward to next week’s interview, seemingly more important than when standardized tests were required.</p>
<p>Any tips for the interview?</p>
<p>Be yourself.
Have provocative questions ready.
Be ready to answer what is your greatest weakness, that is a standard interview question. Don’t say something stupid like “I care too much” or “sometimes I study too much”, that sounds asinine. Instead, use something that is a flaw, but is very correctable–> time management, something minor and correctable.
Just relax though and have fun.</p>
<p>bettzke, my son had his interview back in June. He went in with a “resume” and an unofficial transcript and came out with just the resume. His interviewer was a retired PoliSci prof. It was polite chit-chat that evolved into a discussion (debate) of the death penalty. The prof also asked about son’s plans for his essay and, when he heard son is dabbles in song-writing, encouraged him to make his essay a song. It was very positive, not nerve-wracking at all, and really sealed the deal on making Wake his #1.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the help on this thread! I’m keeping fingers and toes crossed for a successful interview! :)</p>
<p>^ Good luck to your daughter! </p>
<p>I had a D graduate from Wake in 2008, and one who is transferring there this fall. After reading this thread, it will be interesting for me to see how their experiences there will compare. My older D loved Wake, and as we are from the Chicago area, she knew what to be aware of in terms of safety. I don’t think she ever felt unsafe there, so I was a little surprised to read some of the remarks in this post. Winston does have some sketchy areas, but as I said, we are from Chicago, and we know what it’s like to live in an area where you have to know when to be careful. So maybe that’s just all a matter of perspective. Seemed that her interviewers knew full well the quality of students/education at WFU.</p>
<p>From a parent’s perspective, (I have four children and visited many schools,) finding a school with the same combination of great education, small class size, beautiful campus, big-time sports, friendly students, and good climate is not easy. It’s a small list, and Wake shines.</p>
<p>Well put 4mom! My D is going back for her sophmore year and she justs loves it. In particular, the small class size and the accessibility of the professors. </p>
<p>I do appreciate hearing about some of the safety concerns - she will be bringing a car for the first time and I am going to nag her about being careful walking from parking lot to her dorm just as soon as she wakes up.</p>
<p>I must say, I went to a large University of California campus, and when I see people talking about larger class sizes I get nervous, but glad to see they are talking about 25 students and not 300!</p>
<p><<from a=“” parent’s=“” perspective,=“” (i=“” have=“” four=“” children=“” and=“” visited=“” many=“” schools,)=“” finding=“” school=“” with=“” the=“” same=“” combination=“” of=“” great=“” education,=“” small=“” class=“” size,=“” beautiful=“” campus,=“” big-time=“” sports,=“” friendly=“” students,=“” good=“” climate=“” is=“” not=“” easy.=“” it’s=“” list,=“” wake=“” shines.=“”>></from></p>
<p>From what I’ve gathered, I agree wholeheartedly. This thread has been extremely helpful in our application decision-making process. We’re back from the interview and ready to apply ED!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! :)</p>
<p>im moving in within two weeks! i fianally get to see if wfu meets my expectations. cant wait!</p>
<p>Congrats, Hucmenzu! Have a great time and keep us updated!</p>
<p>I’m a rising sophomore, and I absolutely LOVED my time at Wake, and can’t wait to go back in a few days (provided this dang wisdom tooth surgery doesn’t trip me up beforehand :X )</p>
<p>I think the best thing about my experience so far is the overall balance of life as a student. There’s fun (not always the “bad” kind), there’s stimulation, and there are incredible friends to go through it with you. </p>
<p>The breadth of what a student can do (academically speaking) at Wake is extraordinary- not only regarding the interdisciplinary courseload, but within each course itself. Professors give students an enormous amount of freedom. I know the cheesy viewbooks talk about students “asking and solving their own questions,” but it really is true here. What makes it better is the professor-student relations that form as a result of intimate class settings. Things aren’t always “easy,” however, and sometimes the work is overwhelming. The key is moderation. </p>
<p>I may not be the best person to answer any questions regarding Greek life (a big part of our campus entertainment), but I can say that there is ALWAYS SOMETHING going on for everyone on campus, organized or not- if there isn’t, it’s probably a strong sign that you should be studying. This is especially good considering the relative lack of activity in W-S. </p>
<p>As far as comfort of living goes, Wake students have it pretty good. Dorm rooms are small, but you really shouldn’t be in them much. Laundry is free (!), and I’d say the public areas of the dorms- especially Luter when it’s clean- are fairly nice spaces. Campus is, of course, very accessible and compact. What college kid wouldn’t love being able to wake up 7 minutes before his first class and still get there early?</p>
<p>My biggest complaint is the stuffy Greek subculture, although it does NOT ruin anything about living here. There’s a lot of money at Wake, or at least some of the kids make themselves look that way. The basic premise is to look and behave as though your economic beginning and future compliment the price tag of your tuition. And it’s slightly annoying. However, you quickly realize that, despite a few that truly lack the class they set off, the overall group is MUCH more bearable than some at other universities. Not to mention that the overall student body at least shares the bond of having an extraordinary love of the place they call “home.”</p>
<p>Course scheduling is another MAJOR HEADACHE. More students and the same number of professors is going to be a real problem this year. It’s not a problem worth looking at another school over, but it’s here, and it’s definitely unpleasant. Best put, it’s a relatively minor error indicative of a much larger problem with school administration, which is overal not too popular with students. I agree with scarletleavy regarding donations, and I’m not sure I’ll be giving my hard-earned money to Hatch & Co. to re-route the campus streets and build new Mexican restaurants when they could be helping other students STAY in school or get IN classes!</p>
<p>Campus is pretty, and sports are generally good, although there are letdowns (obviously, not the fault of students), but most know that before coming here. Football is really catching on, and basketball is a staple. I don’t think there are many better things than being at games like Duke and Carolina at the Joel last year. Weather is much better than Ohio (my home state) in the winter, and snow is actually a big deal here!</p>
<p>I haven’t posted on here in a while, so I would like to wish incoming students the very best for their first year. Also, best wishes to any prospective students with their applications and interviews. You’ve got several open ears on here for anything from packing tips to essay ideas!!!</p>
<p>-TJM</p>
<p>I just graduated this May but will chime in. First and foremost, Wake is a great school and has great students. Its reputation isn’t where it deserves to be yet, but its growing. I did the business school, and it really is Work Forest there, but divisionals were also challenging. All my teachers were personable and great. Probably the best part of the school is the student-teacher interaction.</p>
<p>My biggest warning about Wake is about the Greek system. I doubt I could have had a better education experience anywhere else, but I don’t think I’d pick Wake again because of its social culture. Girls can easily have a great time either way, but as a male life is often boring as an independent. The norm is to really commit yourself to an activity where you make great friends such as a sports team, but its still not nearly as fun as college is elsewhere.</p>
<p>Another key issue: job placement at Wake is poor. If college to you is all about getting a great first job and you can’t line that up yourself, you’re in for a rude surprise with their placement office.</p>
<p>As far as Wake not being safe, that’s crazy. It’s basically girls being afraid of the dark, and they keep adding in more lights to any path people walk at night. The only recent incident of crime at Wake happened near the upperclassmen dorms Polo/Martin, because its back is on an off campus road. The rest of Wake’s buildings are far from the edges of the campus, and that barrier discourages would be criminals. Winston has crime, but you’ll never see that part of town as a student, just like you’ll be oblivious to all the cool stuff happening around town while you’re stuck in the Wake “bubble”. Wake is as safe as they come outside of thousand person colleges in the middle of nowhere.</p>
<p>I’m actually just looking into Wake Forest University. From what I’ve researched so far I like the school, and it seems to be really great with my prospective majors: economics, international relations/ studies, political science, __________. Reviewed responses on this thread, appears to be good comments besides the one above mentioning the university is poor for job placements… as one who plan to attend graduate school, I’m not sure if this is good or bad.</p>
<p>I’m not sure that it’s Wake that’s bad for job placements and not the economy. I think that recent college grads are all having a much harder time finding jobs than they did even a couple of years ago.</p>