W&L gets a lot of heat here on CC, often by people who are unfamiliar with it. So, as a current student, I’ve decided to give my two cents to the discussion. I’m gay and a racial minority, and I feel accepted and loved by my friends and fraternity brothers. Half of my friends are liberal and half are conservative (though always with the “socially liberal” disclaimer"). The school is not overwhelmingly conservative anymore, with each incoming class being more and more liberal. In spite of this, there is still a climate of healthy debate and discussion on campus, as the Spectator, being a conservative publication that always stirs up controversy, exemplifies. The professors are majority liberal, and are dedicated, accomplished and care about students (there are exceptions to this, but that has not been MY experience). The resources provided by the school are extensive, and the campus is unbelievably gorgeous. The people care. They really do. At W&L, you will find friends that will go to great lengths to cheer you up on a bad day, and you will discover that in a friendly climate like this you yourself will change to become more caring. The greek life is inclusive (though the “tiers” system is not, but this only matters if you think it does). The parties are incredible and will not let you get bored, though I will probably remember the nights I went to the woods with my best friends to look at the stars rather than the drunken Wednesdays at Windfall or KA Beach (mostly because I actually cannot remember either). Going to W&L, just as anything else, is exactly what you make of it: do not get caught up in superficial things, and you can have one heck of an amazing and transformative experience, as I have. W&L is an amazing place that is evolving and improving, and that will always have a place in my heart. Do not let others’ hate sway your opinion of this school. Check it out for yourself, visit, talk to current students.
Very well said. I think you are underplaying how conservative we are though. I think being more conservative is a good thing though.
@collegeboy1997 - Thank you for your post! I am the mom of a liberal WLU student and his experience is very similar to yours. The opportunities and resources available to students are simply amazing! I frequently want to defend W&L on CC but don’t out of fear that I will reveal more than I should ; ) Both DH and I were greek at a big state university. WLU’s greek system is the most open and inclusive I have personally seen. DS would agree that most students are fiscally conservative and fairly/very socially liberal. Judging W&LU or any school based only on what you read on these forums would be a mistake. Good luck to you and Go Generals!
Thanks for posting a good, comprehensive post! Would love to see some more posts from other students. Our son has committed to the school but we have been a little worried due to reading various things on here and elsewhere. However, I always noticed that most complaining seemed to be from QUITE a while ago, like 2008 - 2012 plus I research everything I can find via Google. Recent student group FB pages, things like that. He wasn’t a Johnson Scholar but he received a great scholarship. It took a long time to decide mainly because of the poor reputation in internet land. It really seems to be a residual reputation, not a current one, from the extensive research I’ve now done. To be honest, I didn’t realize the school was as good as it was because (although we visited) I overlooked it due to the Greek Life statistics. We hope he’ll at least consider Greek life- it was great for us in the late 80s at a non-SEC state school. His oldest brother is gay so he would not put up with an anti gay climate, neither would we. I know the new upperclassman dorms aren’t popular with students, but I’m glad to see it happen. From what I see, it looks like this is going to be a great experience for our son. We plan to visit a lot as we are from the Gulf Coast area and love that area of VA.
Thank you for your post @collegeboy1997. I am constantly searching the internet for REAL positive and negative comments as my daughter has committed to W&L for the fall. I try to steer clear of CC as I have found it to be a heated, negative forum. I, too, am concerned with Greek Life as my daughter isn’t typically that Rah Rah sorority kind of girl. I have been trying to research the sororities with very little luck. Guess she will have to figure that one out on her own. Any other tid-bits would be greatly appreciated!
@downtowndoll did your son apply for the Leading Edge?
@MeddlingMotherOY, my D (recent W&L grad) would never have gone through rush at other schools. The fact that it is deferred plus the fact that there are a couple houses that are more about supporting each other and less about partying gave her a chance to consider a sorority, and it wound up being a low-key and positive part of her undergrad experience. The connections she made led to a job offer and an apartment after graduation. Your D will figure out pretty quickly which houses would be a good fit.
100% encourage a pre-O trip if that interests your kid. Great head start to making friends and helpful to have a rapport with some upperclassmen (trip leaders). I recently looked back at photos from D’s pre-O trip and noted that the kids in that group went on to be student government leaders and Phi Beta Kappa members. The pre-O trips’ emphasis on service and leadership development attracts good kids.
@yauponredux thank you for your insight. I know my D will make the right choice for greek life - but being the meddling mother that I am … I was trying to get some info ahead of time 
I think the LE is such a great concept that gets kids to form a bond before the rigors of college! I hope she got in as they say it’s limited. Thanks again!
@MeddlingMotherOY He did sign up for pre orientation as soon as registration opened . We’ve already booked our Airbnb places for that weekend and also the parents’ weekend, which I hear books up quickly.
@downtowndoll Congrats to your S for getting in the pre-o trip. We were on our computers Monday at 10:55 and clicked and clicked to get registered until they emailed everyone to let them know that there were problems and they would have to have registration on Tuesday. 
Tuesday my D had 4 wisdom teeth out and we couldn’t get to a computer until 11:49 am. Unfortunately, that was too late and she was waitlisted. Darn - that fills up quickly!! She really only wanted 1 trip - so it looks like she will be there for regular move-in day. sigh
Now that I can look for a hotel I will look into Airbnb. I’ve never used it! This is all going so quickly 
@MeddlingMotherOY, did you find a place to stay for move-in and parents’ weekend? Don’t delay; we wound up staying 40 minutes away our D’s first PW because I waited too long to book. Living in a city with terrible traffic, it takes us at least 30 minutes to get anywhere, so I didn’t think the drive would be too onerous. Until it snowed.
@yauponredux AARGH… I have not looked for a place yet because I wasn’t certain about the Pre-O trip. Now that I know which date to pick - I will have to find a place to stay. Apparently, I will have to put down my coffee and book and get busy.
Our son got Sustainability which was what he wanted. Wow, I didn’t realize it would book up so early- my husband did it because I had a crazy day at work and my son was on his graduation trip with his grandmother. .Airbnb was a lot less than the area hotels and we were able to book some great places that were big enough for his siblings.
@downtowndoll I just started looking at airbnb. That might work out!
@jostri I would refer you tot his post of mine as a response to your post on the W&L thread
Welcome to all the new WLU parents! I hope your daughters and sons love W&L as much as my DS does. DS1 have had such a positive experience in Lexington that DS2 has W&L at the top of his college search list.
update: the class of 2020 is awesome, good job W&U admissions
I agree with @collegeboy1997 !!
great article!
@downtowndoll did your son attend? My DD has been admitted for this fall and is seriously considering it.
@MeddlingMotherOY did your child attend? Your thoughts now?