<p>any parents with kids there? we are down to two, and I have another post comparing...but don't really get much input on Wake Forest.</p>
<p>If you have personal experience there, I would appreciate your input on a few issues. Grade deflation, grad/med school acceptance rates WITH grade deflation, drug/drinking culture, happiness of your student, etc. </p>
<p>Thanks so much!!</p>
<p>Hi I have a recent graduate. She had an excellent experience at Wake Forest. The work was considerable but now out in the world she feels her education was better than most of her peers at work and out of work. Wake Forest definitely helped her prepare well for career and post graduate life. She is in an area that requires work experience before graduate school, and she is pretty confident about her grad school chances. She does have many friends who had success in entering the grad school programs of their choice, and who are doing well there now. She was very happy when there. There is drinking there (drinking is at all my kids’ campuses). My feeling is there is not much drug culture, but she and her friends likely would not have participated in drug use. There was no problem being a northerner in a southern school at all. She lived on campus without a car for 3 years and off campus with a car, and with a local internship, for one. She found wonderful friends there and they continue to be in touch and visit even though they are widely scattered now. She really enjoyed the community and small classes. She grew so much in positive ways - educationally and personally. She was able to find a job and be self supporting financially in a major city very soon after graduation. </p>
<p>Hi - my son is sophomore - too soon to know much about grad school (although I would assume the kids do just fine) but I can try to discuss your other questions.</p>
<p>Grade deflation - you may have read my response to a previous poster, but I will repeat it. My only basis for comparison, is my older son’s experience (Vanderbilt) and frankly, I haven’t noticed any difference between Wake’s grading and S1’s experience. Also, we know lots of kids at peer institutions, and I would say they are all the same. Of course, if you compare the grading to a huge, state school it would probably be a bit different. My feeling is Wake (and other similar schools) attracts smart, hard-working, driven kids so, to begin with, there is already a high bar in the classroom. In S2’s experience, he has always received the grade he deserves. He has never commented that he thought his grade was “deflated” or that he was graded unfairly in any way. As a matter of fact, he has commented on how flexible, accessible and helpful his professors always are. I would say that is one of his favorite things about Wake - his professors. He attributes the small classes (which he loves), for creating that ease and comfort with them. </p>
<p>Drinking/Drugs - yes, they drink and I’m sure some do drugs, but I haven’t heard much about the drug scene. Again, I would say it is no different than any other school. Most of my son’s friends have no problem staying in on a weekend night because they are busy, tired or whatever. You go out when/ if you want. </p>
<p>Happiness - My son is thriving academically, socially and in many other ways. He LOVES Wake. It truly is a wonderful community. He has gotten involved in some campus activities that I never imagined would have been of interest to him. And as parents, we are thrilled. </p>
<p>Best of luck</p>
<p>NETTIK4137 - has he gone to admitted student’s day? Those programs were huge in helping our son make his choice - he was having a hard time deciding between 3 schools. Big decision for an 18 year-old :(( </p>
<p>Family friend there. Likes (not loves) it. Greek life is vanilla. Campus is insulated. Lots of wealth, some low income, almost zero middle income. You either have to be able to afford $62,000 per year, or you have to have significant need. Middle income kids pretty much frozen out because Wake gives very little merit $. Offspring applied and was accepted for the fall but chose elsewhere due to zero financial package at Wake. </p>
<p>The economics of college are as MitchK. stated above. Most top private U’s have a bi-modal distribution of full pay and no pay students. The mid-upper middle class receive little aid and do not have the disposable income to attend a private U. These students fill up the state honors programs. It is what it is.
As for grade deflation does anyone really think the students at Vanderbilt, Davidson, GA tech, UNC, JHU, or UVA have it any easier?? If you want a 4.0 GPA attend a university with fewer top students.</p>
<p>continued this on another thread here “son probably going to Wake but wonders if it is wise decision”…seemed to make more sense to start a new thread here under the Wake forum</p>