My D. and I are revisiting W&L Sun/Mon because she is anxious about making her decision and doesn’t want to wait for the accepted student day on the 29th (so late). She is doing an overnight and attending a class, I am sure we will eat in the dining hall and see the dorms. For those in the know about W&L, what else should we definitely look at to get a true feel for the school?
The students are overwhelmingly Greek-affiliated. Most (80% of women think) are members of sororities so to the extent that you can get a sense of Greek Life that may be an important factor. I don’t think you can visit sorority row on your own, so your daughter may want to be proactive about that when she visits and ask upfront about Greek life.
The libraries will be busy (it will be the last week of classes before exams). People on the first floor of the main library are either taking a study break or aren’t really there to study 
so you could probably chat them up a bit. Students on other levels and in the science library are pretty focused.
The eCafe at Hillel is a good place to grab coffee; it’s popular with all students. Marketplace (known as D-hall) gets the best cross-section of students at breakfast – they do a good job with it, and many of the juniors & seniors who live off-campus will get breakfast at D-hall. D is a big fan of their grind-it-yourself peanut butter. Greek upperclassmen generally have lunch & dinner at Greek houses (not necessarily their own, as they may prefer a different menu or be meeting friends who are in a different house), so if you eat in D-hall for one of those meals, you’ll mostly see first-years and independents.
The Commons (same level as the bookstore) is like the school living room, so you’ll see students hanging out there. W&L students are usually pretty friendly and open to talking about the school and their classes/EC’s, so don’t be afraid to approach a random student or small group, but do be aware that it is a busy time of year for them.
The sorority houses look different from the exterior but the interiors are identical.
If your D has a particular academic or EC interest, PM me and I might be able to suggest specific people to contact.
Too bad about the 4/29 candidates day - it really is too late. Anyone on the fence is not given much of a chance to ponder their decision since commitment day is only two days after. I understand not much they can do about the school calender, but maybe admissions should attempt to get decisions out by early- to mid-march and have candidates day earlier, rather than later. Fortunately S has visited twice already, but we will try to go again on the 29th - just to mingle with kids who have been accepted… unless he has already decided on another school before then.
Thank you @yaupon for all the great suggestions. She has done a great job setting up her schedule and meetings and I think it is going to be a successful visit. We will be sure to check out the e-Cafe, Commons, D-hall and, of course, the Library. Now, if only the drive wasn’t 9 hours!! I will report back after the visit. Thanks again!
Safe travels, @skimama. Hope you have good weather and good podcasts/audio books for the drive!
The Greek percentage has dropped about 10% in the past year. It is low 70’s to high 60’s now.
I think the greek percentage could drop even further as the years progress and new upper-division housing is added to increase the focus on residential community life.
Most sorority chapter members do not live in the existing houses (I think) – I think it is primarily meeting and dining space so I don’t think the new housing would decrease membership per se.
Most sophomores live in their sorority house. No house (fraternity or sorority) is even close to being big enough to hold the entire chapter.
@higheredmom, about ⅔ of my D’s pledge class lived in the sorority house sophomore year (most of the others lived in the on-campus Woods Creek apartments). Girls with the highest GPA had first pick in the room draw.
My D LOVED W&L. The visit went great, the students were friendly and welcoming. We enjoyed the entire experience and she is excited to be a part of the class of 2019. Thanks to everyone, especially @yaupon for the tips.
Thanks for the update, @skimama! I have been thinking about you
So happy you and your D had a good visit. Here’s to four wonderful years! And if you haven’t already made hotel reservations for Parents Weekend, do that this very minute.
Wow @yaupon, making a reservation was not easy, I am guessing every parent must attend!?
Most parents do if they possibly can, @skimama. Of course, it depends on your budget, your schedule, & your other family commitments. Totally worth it to see the kid who may recently have pretended not to know you be genuinely happy to see you and introduce you to friends & professors!