<p>Hi all, We're in CA and my daughter has been admitted to Wake Forest. She's very interested in Wake Forest, and we're weighing whether to spend the money to visit and pursue this option further.</p>
<p>Can anyone familiar with the campus give us the lowdown in a couple areas? We've done a lot of reading in recent weeks and the two biggest criticisms of the school we've come across are that it's focused on partying/Greek life and that if you're not a fashion-conscious preppy sort you won't fit in. We're trying to separate the stereotypes from the real experience.</p>
<p>Would a conservative Christian girl "fit in" at Wake? Someone who dresses neatly but not at J. Crew <g>, who also (as a casual Californian) wears a lot of jeans and t-shirts? Is there plenty for someone not into the "party" or sorority scene to do, or would that make her an outsider? We've seen a list of groups on campus (Christian and political groups, etc.) -- is there much activity with those so she could make friendships and connections outside the party scene? Are there local churches in walking distance, or do any send shuttles to campus? etc.</g></p>
<p>One book says that (other than the drinking <g>) the overall student body leans conservative. Is this accurate? How about the professors? Is she going to be in a more balanced learning environment, with a good mix of ideologies among professors, than someplace like UC Santa Barbara? :)</g></p>
<p>Any anecdotal insight that anyone could provide, whether you've attended, have researched it yourself, know people who've attended, etc., would be very much appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.</p>
<p>As far as fashion goes, I live in jeans and t-shirts, and I've never felt out of place. I'll admit that a lot of people here do dress fairly "preppy," but I've never, ever really felt like anyone was looking at what I or anyone else was wearing.</p>
<p>About churches, all the different religious groups take cars to church on Sunday mornings. It'll be no problem getting back and forth to church even if she doesn't have a car on campus.</p>
<p>Politically, I've rarely noticed a bias (either conservative or liberal) in class. I suspect that most of the professors are liberal, as they are at most universities, but it never enters the classroom.</p>
<p>hi, I'm a freshmen at Wake and i definetly think that your daughter would fit in. Many people here are conservative Christians, so that would definetly not be a problem. I also dress in jeans and t shirts a lot, and I don't feel out of place. There are many girls here though that do wear polo shirts and pearls on a daily basis. If she wants to "fit in" maybe buy a polo shirt or two. I'm not in a sorority, and I've found plenty people to hang out with. The majority of girls here are in a sorority, which sometimes does create a divide - they can be cliquish. There is actually a Christian based sorority that I've seen in the directory, Phi Beta Chi, which could be something that your daughter would be interested in. There are church services held on campus (Baptist and Catholic, possibly others) and I know of at least two in walking distance. I do think that the student body leans toward the conservative side, but there is definetly diversity and a mix of opinions. Enough that you can have interesting conversations with your peers and have some friendly debates. I believe that the professors are a mix. I must say that the professors here are exceptional. They are always willing to meet with you outside of class if you need help, or to just discuss things. Another nice thing is that email here is utilized strongly. I can email a professor any time and expect a response within a few hours. I think that Wake definetly provides a balanced learning environment. Many lectures and cultural activites are also offered outside of the classroom. Best of luck to your daughter in whatever she decides!</p>
<p>I went to Wake years ago and we recently toured with my son. It was still my favorite school of all that we toured, but my son found it too small. A lot of new building has happened recently and yes there are churches within walking distance. I used to walk to the Presbyterian church nearby. There is a Baptist church on campus and I also believe now there are Catholic services too. I got an unbelieveable education. I was an accounting major, passed the CPA exam outright as did most of my classmates. The majority went to work for the large accounting firms and all of us had jobs by graduation. The professors are amazing and all very accessible. The student who gave us the tour was great, the daughter of two alums. I wish my son were going there.</p>
<p>My son is freshman at Wake. He does the preppy look some, but also wears basketball shorts and t-shirts to class. He says there are girls who are always dressed up, others dressed comfortably and others dressed in athlethic clothes. There is an Episcopal service on campus also. The professsors are one of the best things about Wake. He often will spend time just chatting with a prof. in their office or will run into to one on campus and end up talking for 30min. Also the pres. of Wake seems to want to connect with the students. One day my son said the pres. just sat down with him at lunch and they spent an hour talking about the school, college life, etc. My son was so impressed, said those were the kind of things that happen at Wake that you would never get at a larger university. Two of his profs this semester have had their classes to their homes for dinner.</p>
<p>That sounds terrific -- especially as we're Episcopalian, that would be very convenient to have a service on campus. </p>
<p>I really appreciate your stories about campus life. They sound kind of like my alma mater here in CA, Redlands -- my daughter has a great package there but is thinking she might like to try something no one in the family's done before. :) </p>
<p>Everyone's input has been very encouraging. She was really concerned she might be an "outsider" if she didn't do the Greek/party thing there. Everything else we've heard about Wake Forest sounds great. I am printing this info out for her to read. (She is busy studying for AP tests, etc. so I'm manning the boards for her as we work on the college issues!)</p>
<p>Thanks again, would love to hear from anyone else.</p>
<p>I went to Wake out of a Christian high school in San Diego (grew up there), and I loved it. Wake is very different from California, but that is a good thing. Will she fit in? Absolutely. Wake is a small school, but you can find all types of people there.
On the frat note, I was really anti-frat when I went to college, but I think that's just b/c my vision of a frat was very animal house/sororities gone wild. It's nothing like that, and she too may find that she likes a certain sorority and wants to join. But she won't be socially ostracized either way.</p>
<p>My friend's daughter goes there. The daughter says there is nowhere near the campus to "go" if you don't have a car, which makes her unhappy. The daughter also says all people ever do is drink drink drink but this is a person who joined a sorority - I think the partying is par for the course in the frats and sororities. She is a sophomore and not particularly happy at Wake.</p>
<p>Midwest Mom ... the complaints you give are pretty much common at any southern University. I don't have a car and agree that its tough to get out. At the same time I'd say I have am so busy with work/a social life that thank goodness I don't have a car to distract me. My friends drive me out whenever I need a drive. If that doesn't work ....I'm in a sorority and all I have to do is email my sorority listserve... and I've got a ride.</p>
<pre><code> Some of my friends in my sorority don't drink and they are happy! The truth about Wake is that people party (where don't they?) but you don't have to be a partier to fit in.
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