How "intellectual" are the students at Wooster?

Colleges and Universities A-Z College of Wooster
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<p>As a whole, how interested are the students in actually learning, analyzing, and figuring out information for themselves over studying, memorizing, and getting good grades?</p>

<p>Is it respected to be well-read? Do students question the status quo and take an interest in discussing what they're thinking, reading, watching? </p>

<p>I guess the simplest question to answer in terms of atmosphere, though, is: are there frequent intellectual or philosophical conversations outside of class? Is this something that happens often, or very rarely? </p>

<p>(Mostly, I just want to know if the students here, as a whole, are thinkers, or if this is only a small slice of the population.)</p>

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<p>It’s difficult to answer your question because you’re seeking a generalization. The Wooster campus is a composite of diverse students. I think you’ll find many, many “thinkers.” The college’s well-respected independent study program appeals to students who are all about “learning.” Independent study is undertaken both junior and senior years. It’s a rigorous requirement! Students write scholarly papers, undertake research, present original compositions, all working closely with a faculty member. </p>

<p>The only way you’re going to answer this is to visit campus, sit in on some courses, and talk to students and faculty. It’s worth the effort…</p>

<p>Also, the college sponsors lectures and other public events in order to promote discussion. You could look at the website to see a sampling of events.</p>

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<p>I passed this along to my S who is a Wooster sophomore. His reply:</p>

<p>Hm… it’s hard to say what portion of the student body would be considered ‘thinkers’. There is definitely a presence on campus of individuals and organizations that are interested in more intellectual/philosophical discussion. Primarily these are political groups, which is a tad odd because the campus is quite politically apathetic, but there are lots of other panels, groups, and discussions that occur fairly frequently. Some of these are sponsored by various humanities departments, but some are student-organized. These frequently deal with current events, social issues, reform, politics, religion, and related topics.</p>

<p>I personally do not attend many organized discussions on these topics and would say that I prefer internal reflection when considering issues, but I have been drawn into a few intellectual discussions without actively looking for them. That, coupled with the prominent advertising of the organized panels in media such as flyers at the cafeteria tables, signs in buildings, and notices in the daily Wooster Headline News emails, leads me to believe that there is a decent population of (active) thinkers at the College. Not a majority, perhaps, but certainly a fair number if one is willing to look.</p>

<p>I think a majority of students are truly interested in learning, but I do not think the same holds true for extracurricular intellectualism, though the College definitely supports it. I know a few upperclassmen who are, what I would consider, ‘well-read’ and they are quite respected and prominent members of campus organizations. While embracing intellectual discussion and learning will not guarantee respect at Wooster in every circle, it is not remotely ridiculed in any fashion, either. Finding peers with whom to have to meaningful conversations is not difficult, though, by any means.</p>

<p>As with any institution, there are students who view good grades as the goal of their education, but from my experiences so far, the professors and coursework typically demand more than regurgitation of material, even in intro-level courses. From the upper-level courses I’ve taken, much of the work done revolves around analysis and student-driven class discussions. In many courses (especially the first year seminar), participation makes up a meaningful portion of the grade, so it is hard to avoid it and succeed. Some will still try to avoid learning for whatever reason, but, as I said, I think the average Wooster student wants to learn, though this desire occurs with varying levels in different students. Some people who claim to be only interested in getting good grades are those who, in my opinion, also enjoy learning and figuring out information for themselves. Of course, there are students who will try to slide through with a middle-of-the-road grade without applying themselves, but material and class organization makes this quite difficult in upper-level courses.</p>

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<p>Thank you Wabash80 – My son is also a Wooster sophomore, and from our discussions on this, would agree wholeheartedly. Like most mid-size LA colleges, Wooster has its share of “grade grinders” (along with its share of most every college undergraduate student stereotype), but for the most part, the students who get wide respect from both professors and other students are the ones who can express themselves with grace, compassion and fearlessness. He has close friends who attend Oberlin, Vassar, and Earlham, and finds the level of intellectual/political/philosophical discussion between his friends at Wooster to be equal to the level of discussions he has with his friends from these schools.</p>

<p>He’s very happy with his choice to attend Wooster. So are we.</p>

<p>Hope all this helps.</p>

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