<p>Hey guys,</p>
<p>I recall Pinkcupcake starting a thread to advise incoming students or those applying about Wake Forest, and it was quite good and well worth it. I figured I'd restart it, as I could not find that original thread. I'm a rising senior here and willing to offer any kind of info, advice, etc about applying, going here, moving in, etc.</p>
<p>Hi Wneckid. About the computers - do some students continue using their MacBooks? Is there any disadvantage to doing so? Although I understand the theory behind issuing the Lenovo thinkpad, my son is pretty attached to his MacBook (think he prefers Apple products) plus it has a bigger screen. Wish we could opt out of the “free” computer!</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I also have the computer question. I doubt it’s going to scare me out of using my Mac though. I feel like as long as they have Mac support as well I’ll be fine using my Mac. But my question is, how long does it them to respond since ED is rolling? If everything goes well I’d like to submit my Early Decision application within two weeks, and I would just like to know how long it will take to get a response.</p>
<p>i was wondering for admissions, how heavily does wake weigh the essay and class rank?</p>
<p>For computers, I myself have basically only used my macbook pro. It hasn’t been a problem at all for me, though I am not in any sort of math/physics classes that may need some applications that are already on the Thinkpad. That said, my roommate is a physics major and also only uses his macbook. So overall, you’ll be fine with a mac. </p>
<p>Sebastian: If you apply for rolling ED in August, then you should hear back in a month or two. It may take longer if they wanted to review your app more closely or you applied ED in say October. </p>
<p>Coltsfan: It’s really a secret as to how heavily Wake weighs the essay and rank. Certainly if you don’t submit SATs or ACTs, the essay will be more heavily weighed. If you write a bad essay though, I don’t think that denies you automatically. I’ll ask a friend who’s now working for the admissions staff…</p>
<p>Thanks. So did you pick-up your Thinkpad freshman year and just have it sitting around or can you opt out of picking it up and get some sort of rebate/credit (wishful thinking)?</p>
<p>Unfortunately you still have to pick it up and can’t get any credit. I would trade it in for credit in a heartbeat if I could. It basically sits around and I’ve used it on occasion (once my mac freaked out for a day, another time I couldn’t access something on my mac)</p>
<p>As a note, WFU is reevaluating its computer program and possibly giving macbook pros or macbook airs to students in the future.</p>
<p>How conservative is Wake as a whole? I mean are people of color, different ethnicities, sexual orientations, financial status, etc. accepted?</p>
<p>also if i apply ED to Wake forest and get accepted, when would i recieve a financial aid package?</p>
<p>I’m an incoming freshman and would like to know how string the sciences are at wake forest (biology, Chem etc.) and if there is a lot if grade deflation for pre meds</p>
<p>I’m worried about my freshman year schedule. I scheduled my first 8 hours of preferred classes during round 1. I hope this is locked in and will not be changed after my advisor evaluates my course preference survey. I also finished the survey a bit late because I had really limited Internet access while on vacation.</p>
<p>I don’t know if I’ll be able to get the classes I prefer during the second round because they all seem to be full, some with 1 or 2 on the waitlist, on the listings online. How likely are people to drop and switch classes the first few weeks?</p>
<p>@ Cheer: Wake is overall moderate on average–we have a wide spectrum of political views, which I actually like because debate and discussions in and out of class are nice. I’m very liberal and have found Wake to be more open than people say. There’s a growing openness towards different ethnicities, sexual orientation, etc.</p>
<p>@ coltsfan: Not too sure about when you’d receive financial aid if you applied ED. Probably a few weeks to a month after you’re accepted.</p>
<p>@ buenosdias: The sciences are pretty strong I’d say. Are they tough? Yeah probably. Do a lot of people drop pre-med because of “weed-out” classes? Yeah. But they aren’t impossible if you’re committed to doing pre-med. I don’t think there’s necessarily grade deflation though.</p>
<p>Pockethe4ther: You will be fine and should get into those classes you preferred in the first round. I would try to get a bunch of divisional requirements out of the way (or pre-recs if you plan on doing business or med school)</p>
<p>As for the waitlists…it really depends on the teacher/class. I would sign up for the waitlist when you can and then email the teacher asking if they have any idea if you can get off the wait list. If you truly want that specific course (if you are on the waitlist or not in the class at all), go to the first day of class and talk to the teacher.</p>
<p>@Wneckid yayayay thanks for starting this up again! I have been working full time & haven’t been on this in ages.</p>
<p>Also, not to intrude, but I’m going to answer these too just so that there are more opinions on here :)</p>
<p>@dwhite - I use my MacBook. You are required to have a ThinkPad as well, which is actually good because Macs have a horrible version of Excel. Also, the ThinkPads come loaded with Photoshop & other programs. You are required to use a ThinkPad for some classes but I am more comfortable on my Mac and haven’t had issues using it. If your son is a business major he will really value that laptop… Macs don’t do all the stats.</p>
<p>@sebastianivory - I was nervous about bringing my Mac, too, because I am admittedly computer-stupid. I did something dumb to my Mac once and took it to our Information Systems center and they were able to fix it, even though it wasn’t school issued, which was really nice.</p>
<p>@coltsfan - Wake weighs the application very highly I would say, especially since SATs are not mandatory. Since it is a small school, they want an idea of what your personality is like. Class rank is also important, but it isn’t the be-all end-all of admissions. I went to a freakishly competitive high school where I only ranked in the top 17.5% and I got into Wake, although I did have reasonably high SAT scores to bolster that.</p>
<p>@dwhite - You have to pick up the ThinkPad, there is no opting out. If you are a business major you will seriously appreciate this though, due to the Excel statistical functions.</p>
<p>@Cheer007 - Wake is a relatively conservative Southern school, but I think that is starting to change quite a bit. The 2nd most represented state is New Jersey if that helps at all 
</p>
<p>@coltsfan - I do not believe there is a guarantee on financial aid for early decision students, unfortunately. However, I think this is common at most schools.</p>
<p>@buenosdias4 - The science/pre-med classes at Wake are very challenging, but I suppose they will really prepare you for the MCATs. My little sister is premed and she has had great research opportunities through Wake.</p>
<p>@pocket - It is sort of hard to get everything you want freshman year. I got into a bunch of good classes and then got stuck in one or two really random ones. Teachers will try to help you switch classes if you are really unhappy. Nothing to worry about until you actually get to campus to sort things out. Also, if you can’t get exactly what you want, try to take a divisional or maybe an easier class to fill that space.</p>
<p>Hi, I will be attending Wake Forest in the Fall! I just wanted to know which Freshman dorms do many Wake Forest students consider the “best” for freshmen?</p>
<p>Nicest? Easily South Hall. Luter Hall has suite style living which people enjoy. </p>
<p>Other than that they’re about the same. Honestly wouldn’t worry too much about the dorms–they don’t make your experience…the people do.</p>
<p>@Smileforcma</p>
<p>The nicest dorm by far is South. Then Luter & Babcock, then probably Collins. From what I understand, Piccolo & Palmer are now freshman dorms too. They’re nice but small and out of the way. Johnson and Bostwick are by far the smallest, but the advantage to these is that you get to know everyone and people spend less time in their rooms. </p>
<p>Honestly my room was the smallest room in my entire building and possibly the smallest on campus - it was essentially a small single that somehow passed as a “double”. I survived. </p>
<p>South is gorgeous though. Not cool.</p>