Current Wesleyan freshman answers questions

<p>basically the thread says it all :)</p>

<p>Whats your favorite thing about Wes? Why’d you pick it in the first place?</p>

<p>Well, I was accepted to colleges that are even more selective that Wes, but I have no regrets now. The main reason is definitely student body. No matter who you are: jock, gay, hipster, nerd, you will find your niche. In Wesleyan everyone loves each other, and it’s not a cliche here. I have a Russian friend, two gay friends, two friends who are seniors etc (I’m a freshman). Secondly, I am very into languages, and Wesleyan is one of the best LACs for languages. I, personally, take two languages now, and may even add Italian next year, and I adore my language professors. They are very helpful, and I feel like I’m already making a lot of progress.</p>

<p>I just committed to applying ED at Wesleyan for a varsity sport. How are athletes treated at Wesleyan? Do they fit in well with the other students, or is it a distinct separation?</p>

<p>Also, when I went on an overnight visit we stayed on campus, but I was wondering how often you go into Middletown, and how is it for college students? </p>

<p>Last questions: are there attempts to get the freshmen to interact with each other at the beginning? What was the process to choose a roommate/dorm?</p>

<p>Thank you!!</p>

<p>I would say athletes fit in very well. There are a lot of great water polo, lacrosse, tennis, football, soccer,etc players living on my floor, and they usually chill with everyone else. That being said, I have to add that there are some ‘jocks’ that tend to hang out only with a couple of their teammates, but it’s their own decision. If you want to interact with everyone else, you can easily do it.
Personally, I don’t like Middletown. However, I’m used to living in huge cities like NYC; so, my opinion on Mdtwn is very biased. On the other hand, I should say that it has pretty much everything college students may ask for. I go to Main St caf</p>

<p>Do you find that a lot of your classmates are still trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives? Or are people pretty sure what they want to major in, etc?</p>

<p>My daughter is a freshman at Wes this year, and really enjoying it.</p>

<p>On the subject of figuring out what one wants to do with one’s life:</p>

<p>Wes seems to really encourage exploration, and I imagine that a great many students have not at all decided on a major when entering Wes. Our daughter did a self-designed “gap year” after high school before starting at Wes. Best decision she ever made in her life. </p>

<p>She worked at two jobs, took a few JC classes to get ahead, did a lot of UNASSIGNED reading and writing (passions of hers), did a wonderful internship, lived away from home for a while, and got to know herself as a young adult. After the pressure of high school, she really benefitted from taking a break to consolidate and “let the dust settle” before starting college. Although she’s not entirely decided on what “to do with her life,” giving herself the time to NOT be in school, but, rather, to be with herself, to be “the captain of her [own] soul,” was fantastic for her. Our daughter grew up a lot, and was on fire to begin her undergrad work when she finally arrived at Wesleyan late last August.</p>

<p>My understanding is that many top colleges encourage students to take gap years because these students are generally more successful and improve their statistics (grad rates, etc.).</p>

<p>Learning to become comfortable with uncertainty is one of life’s great challenges and opportunities. Keep your eyes and ears open, let your head lead your heart (but listen to both), and keep moving forward. It all works out.</p>

<p>Do you find that a lot of your classmates are still trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives? Or are people pretty sure what they want to major in, etc?</p>

<p>Sorry for a late response. I would say that around 3/4 people are undecided. Obviously, most of them have an idea about what interests them, but when I ask ‘what are you gonna major in?’ most freshmen and even sophomores answers ’ i don’t know yet’. Personally speaking, I am taking classes that are not related to each other, because I want to explore different areas before committing to a particular major. Many people do pretty much the same. A lot of people change their minds many times. My roommate, for example, wanted to be an Econ major, but changed his ming after a month, and now he wants to be a chemistry and astronomy double major.</p>