The "experience" here thus far

Colleges and Universities A-Z Wake Forest University
1

<p>I am a freshman and I don't enjoy it here. Though Wake was my number one choice during the admissions process, there is so much I wish I knew about this institution before I chose to attend. As a student who has been here for almost two full semesters, I think I am qualified to provide some insight on what it is really like to go here.</p>

<p>The social scene at Wake Forest is utterly dominated by Greek life. Though I was aware that Greek life was popular prior to attending, I had no idea how much the system influences campus culture. The competition between the organizations creates a shocking divisiveness that truly detracts from any sense of community here. People here find their validation and identity through their Greek letters. This has been the most disappointing aspect about Wake Forest for me. At times, the culture feels oppressively dominated by exclusive cliques and self-absorbed socialites. One can see the hostility created by the greek system if they visit the web site students use to "rank" the fraternities. Some of the things students post about other people in the community on this page are utterly despicable: Wake</a> Forest University - WFU Greek Life - Fraternities - GreekRank.com</p>

<p>If you are not interested in rushing, I would not encourage you to attend Wake Forest. This is especially true for males. Even though that greek life at Wake is considered "open" for independent freshmen in their first semester (rush here is deferred until second semester), it becomes very exclusive during second semester, when students pledge. Though many people try to downplay the elitism of the organizations, the truth is that the parties are anything but open after students become initiated. As a male, I have been kicked out of multiple fraternity parties simply for being there. Also, almost all parties are off campus in fraternities' satellite houses- students have to get a ride to these parties from pledges of the fraternity. Demand for rides is extremely high and the supply is heavily lacking. In order to successfully get a ride, it is best to know a pledge and have a very good "ratio" of girls to guys. </p>

<p>If you do have the luck of making it to the party, there is always the risk of the police arriving to shut it down. Sometimes the brothers are nice, but often they are rude, conceited, ignorant, bigoted, "jock" types. Speaking of bigots, a fraternity on campus recently required its pledges to graffiti racial slurs on buildings across campus. Classy. As for the girls, don't even bother speaking to them unless you are in a fraternity. Any self-respecting girl would not want to associate with independent males, who are often treated like members of the untouchable group within the Indian caste system. All in all, students are snooty, arrogant, condescending, and close-minded.</p>

<p>The community here has no regard for academics. People don't really care about learning. It is not an intellectual community. Rather, students just see class as an inconvenience that takes away from partying time. Cultural events on campus are sparsely attended. Students here are oblivious as to current events. Nobody here has any drive to do anything interesting with themselves. Rather, people are shallow and materialistic, only aspiring to make copious amounts of money.</p>

<p>There is also no "diversity" on this campus. The racial tension divide here is so strong it is almost palpable. Minorities quickly find each other and remain in isolation from the greater student body. Many people are prejudiced as well.</p>

<p>The administration also leaves a lot to be desired. I mean, for christ sake, there recently was a hit and run incident on campus, and there was no response from the administration. Students were merely contacted by the University Police to provide information.
Reward</a> offered regarding hit-and-run incident | Inside WFU | Wake Forest University</p>

<p>I could go on for hours. Needless to say, I am transferring at the earliest possible opportunity. I am not the only one: I know FOUR other students who have applied elsewhere. Hopefully you do not make the same mistake I did by attending Wake Forest. If you are at all intelligent, kind, and interested in having a great college experience, there are so many better choices. Though I possess many of the hallmark qualities of the typical Wake student (preppy, caucasian, affluent, went to prep school, etc.) I totally hate it here. This is not what college is supposed to be like. I implore you to consider other options.</p>

2

<p>Wow! I am very sorry you have had such a bad experience. It does sound like transferring is the best option for you. Obviously your experience is your experience - and I would not try to convince you otherwise. But I have a son who is in his junior year at Wake and is having a great time. He did not go Greek - and found a great group of non-Greek friends. He does not make the frat party scene a priority - has found his niche elsewhere. And he has enjoyed his academic experience as well - particularly in his business classes at Calloway.</p>

<p>Hope you have great transfer options and enjoy the rest of your college experience elsewhere.</p>

3

<p>Thanks for your time and courage to post this. I wish you very well in finding a situation that will make you happy!</p>

4

<p>^^^^^^^</p>

<p>That has to be one of the most depressing letters I’ve ever read. The first 3 paragraphs you wrote were about partying. Fact is, for me, I’m looking for a school where I can work my backside off and I doubt I’ll ever even attend a party there, but your academic comments really only mean anything to me.</p>

<p>What made you choose Wake in the 1st place if it’s ok to ask?</p>

<p>The ks.</p>

5

<p>As a fellow freshman, I’m sorry you’ve had such a bad experience.
However the majority of people that I’ve talked to at Wake about Wake have NOT had this opinion. Many people here really do LOVE Wake (except for some decisions by the administration). I am involved in Greek life and I have to ask myself, where are you getting these bad experiences with Greeks??! Most of my friends are not in a sorority and I see nothing wrong with getting extremely involved in Greek life-- it’s the same thing as getting really involved with any other club (i.e. debate, Student Union, etc). That being said, there will always be guys/girls who are larger than life and can be cruel, but that’s the case in life: these negative individuals with whom you’d had contact would be mean and rude whether they were in Greek life or not.
I don’t see anything wrong with getting involved in Greek life or not getting involved in Greek life. While Greek parties do dominate my social life on the weekends, I do know that other clubs and activities often do their own social events together (like the sports teams and even clubs like debate, etc).
I would say that most of the student population is pretty academically driven-- they don’t call it Work Forest for nothing and I’ve had pretty good experiences with very available and helpful faculty that have made me more interested in the classes I’m taking. I would say something that I really like about Wake is the fact that it is Work Hard, Play Hard: people are very social and there are parties at least 3 or 4 times a week, but people spend hours and hours in the library every day working hard before going out. Personally that has served as a greater motivation to go out: I know that I’ll have something to do fun later that evening as long as I get stuff done earlier that day. I see nothing wrong with this motivation since it’s responsible and only fosters increased good working habits and a hardworking mentality.
I’m sorry you have been disenchanted with Wake Forest here and I hope you find a school that is more your fit. However I would say that unhappiness like yours is NOT common at school and most people are generally really happy with Wake (like me!) except when it comes to things like high tuitions and the lack of communication between student interests and the administration.</p>

6

<p>While I feel sorry for the OP, I think some of those sentiments are extreme. I was a male, who was not in a fraternity, and that was not my experience at all. What I can say though is that if you are not in a fraternity, it does take a bit longer to find your “niche” on campus. Greek life is a great way to expedite that process, but it is by no means the only social outlet on campus. It sounds like the OP is in the wrong place, but attitude can do wonders and sometimes the problem is not with the place, but with the person. Best of luck wherever you wind up.</p>

7

<p>This is the only part I feel like answering, mostly because it is ENTIRELY incorrect:</p>

<p>“The administration also leaves a lot to be desired. I mean, for christ sake, there recently was a hit and run incident on campus, and there was no response from the administration. Students were merely contacted by the University Police to provide information.
Reward offered regarding hit-and-run incident | Inside WFU | Wake Forest University”</p>

<p>…</p>

<p>First of all, police have questioned students, police have come to chapter meetings to talk about it, and teachers have been asked to discuss it in class. The library is collecting money to donate, numerous administrative emails have been sent out, and students are volunteering at Ms. Brehm’s house to help her out. Facebook groups have been created and the school paper has run several articles on this. If anything, the administration and the rest of the student body and faculty have been VERY responsive to this, and I think that your statements regarding this matter have been not only extreme but completely & entirely false.</p>

8

<p>again, tl;dr</p>

<p>but, imo itt geeds being geeds</p>