I have been looking at Washington & Lee for a while now since it is rated very well in Political Science and also has business majors available. I am a little nervous, though, since it does seem like it is highly Republican. I actually prefer not to be in a place that is 90% Democrats like where I currently live, but what is your experience with the degree of Conservatism at W&L? Are people accepting of others with different political views (including professors)?
Most professors at W&L are liberal. The student body is more culturally conservative than politically conservative. College Dems is very strong, albeit smaller than its GOP counterpart.
Thanks! 
It seems like it is actually a good balance then.
Son went to W&L - administration, students and professor staff live in a highly conservative culture and I would beware of the college if you are looking for “a good balance”. W&L’s desire to have a perceived balance of liberalism vs. conservatism is anything but that on the inside. If you are looking to be a southern congressman / senator who has a lot of deep connections, go to that school. If you are looking to learn more from a diverse population of thought leaders - both professors and students - stay far away from W&L.
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This is what is wrong with today’s potitics. Are you looking to have your kid spoon fed pablum from the left/right or are you looking for a good education that teaches kids to think independent of what the professor thinks. I would agrue that W&L is the latter.
By all means do not go to W&L if you are looking for left/right leaning professors shoving their ideals down their student throats. W&L is better than that.
I have two moderately liberal sons at W&L. They are very comfortable there, and have no problem expressing their opinions. I would characterize the student body as being right-of-center, with many exceptions, and the faculty as being left-of-center, with many exceptions. The most salient characteristic of political expression on campus is a polite respect for people with differing opinions. That politeness and cordiality is one of the good parts of “Southern”
@BBDark I specifically asked if people are accepting of differing views. I did not ask the question you seem to be answering angrily.
@bellybones Thank you! That’s very helpful. I will be visiting in April but I’m not sure if the students will be back from spring break, so it is nice to get information prior on the student body.
Glad to help, @rubyyy. Final exams are the week of 4/11, so you will see students on campus, but this will be one of the rare times that they won’t be feeling too friendly Spring break is 4/16-4/25.
Don’t be too hard on @BBDark. I find him/her to be an astute and generous commenter. I think the comment was directed at the message directly above, not your original post.
Good luck wherever you end up next year. If it’s W&L, there’s a lot to like there!
@rubyyy,
I sorry that you took offence to my comment. I should have been direct in my comment. It was not directed to you.
I applaud you for looking outside your comfort zone.
Come on in…the water is fine.