Anonymous
Post 06/10/2026 11:44     Subject: W&L
Anonymous wrote:Our kid's a senior, loves it and has done well, wants to stay for law school. We're from the northeast. The negative comments on here are not consistent with our experience, at all.

As far as admissions, showing interest is key. Sit for the interview, on campus if possible. Apply early if possible. All these things should greatly increase your odds.


W&L Law has been on a steady decline for years. It's fine, sure, but 20 years ago it was better than fine. A kid from W&L undergrad can do better than that.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2026 11:42     Subject: W&L
Anonymous wrote:It is slightly easier to get in W&L ED vs UVA ED at our private in the DMV, and the gap is a little wider for W&L RD vs UVA EA(lower stats on SCOIR with athletes removed). Every year there are at least one or two into W&L RD and WL UVA. Never the other way.


Yea but you don't tell us if the kids are in state or out and that makes a big difference. Nice try though.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2026 11:33     Subject: W&L
Our kid's a senior, loves it and has done well, wants to stay for law school. We're from the northeast. The negative comments on here are not consistent with our experience, at all.

As far as admissions, showing interest is key. Sit for the interview, on campus if possible. Apply early if possible. All these things should greatly increase your odds.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2026 10:22     Subject: W&L
If you are an athlete not a hard admit. Some of the athlete bros seemed dumb as rocks and partied hard. For it's size there is a lot of drugs (tons of coke).

The Greek scene is weird, not on campus and you need a car to get there. The police will pick up students walking the road as that is no longer allowed. Lots of rich douche types.

Really odd LAC imo unless your familiar with old south vibes.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2026 09:26     Subject: Re:W&L
Also, done grade deflation, which isn't bad, but be warned if pre-med or law, some had an issue with all the drinking/partying constantly.and their grades.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2026 09:24     Subject: W&L
It is slightly easier to get in W&L ED vs UVA ED at our private in the DMV, and the gap is a little wider for W&L RD vs UVA EA(lower stats on SCOIR with athletes removed). Every year there are at least one or two into W&L RD and WL UVA. Never the other way.
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2026 09:20     Subject: Re:W&L
Very segregated socially in terms of frats/Sororities, many circles don't mix at all. There is a house for "nerds" for boys/girls, but they are isolated to themselves, which is hard at a small school in the middle of nowhere. Also be sure you're conservative, big divide between those that are not and those that are diverse. Mental health a thing too, the area is very isolating. I know someone who transferred.to Emory to get out and was much happier (from NE).
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2026 08:54     Subject: W&L
This thread is enlightening as one of my most exceptional students ever (I've been teaching 30 years) received a Johnson scholarship and chose that over some "bigger name" schools and he is also non-white. I didn't know the Greek stats nor the URM stats but the Johnson is clearly a strong pull for some (and truly this kid is exceptional, so I imagine the scholarship is quite hard to get).
Anonymous
Post 06/10/2026 06:44     Subject: W&L
Strivers hate it because nerds wouldn’t fit in.
Anonymous
Post 06/09/2026 23:59     Subject: W&L
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:W&L seems to be the hardest school in VA to get in and DS is obsessed. What is the trick to getting in? UVA and VT are pretty transparent about what the look for. W&L seems like a total mystery with an Ivy like acceptance rate.


DD is a current Junior there. The professors/classes are amazing. It was her first choice (she had the stats for T20 schools).

Here is what she did: Showed a lot of demonstrated interest (Campus tour, asked to have them match her up with a current student to talk to, Interacted with the AO for our region (asked very specific questions that couldn’t be found on the website), tried to do some of the online info sessions they offered and did the optional interview). Most of all she applied ED. They are need blind and all needs met plus they give 10% of the incoming class full ride scholarships(Johnson). So run the Estimated cost calculator and if the numbers are affordable, apply ED.

It would also help if your son isn’t a business major as that is a really popular major there. Pick a humanities major. like history. My daughter initially was a humanities major but changed her mind to business sophomore year. It was really easy to switch. The earliest you declare a major is Spring Semester Sophomore year.


+1

Great advice.



But Johnsons only go to 44 students. Cost is $95,500, and that does not include Greek membership. W&L is 75% Greek, which was a huge turn-off to our kid. Greek is so expected at W&L that it includes anticipated fees on its regular admissions page. W&L also has awful diversity figures, as well, at only 4.3-5% black.



PP here. Their freshman class is ~475-490. 44 is 9% of the class (they offer more scholarships than that, not everyone takes them up on their offer). They are very generous with their financial aid, the average financial aid package of those who qualify for aid is ~$80,000. 2 of my daughter’s roommates are on full aid.

As for 5% black students-it’s in line with many SLACs: of the top 25 SLACs on US news, most have 5-7%. They are actively trying to improve diversity.

As for Greek life, it’s very laid back. There is a frat or sorority for almost everyone who rushes. They also have 2 historically black sororities and 2 black fraternities. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But it’s certainly not a turn-off to a lot of people.


Anonymous
Post 06/09/2026 22:00     Subject: W&L
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:W&L seems to be the hardest school in VA to get in and DS is obsessed. What is the trick to getting in? UVA and VT are pretty transparent about what the look for. W&L seems like a total mystery with an Ivy like acceptance rate.


DD is a current Junior there. The professors/classes are amazing. It was her first choice (she had the stats for T20 schools).

Here is what she did: Showed a lot of demonstrated interest (Campus tour, asked to have them match her up with a current student to talk to, Interacted with the AO for our region (asked very specific questions that couldn’t be found on the website), tried to do some of the online info sessions they offered and did the optional interview). Most of all she applied ED. They are need blind and all needs met plus they give 10% of the incoming class full ride scholarships(Johnson). So run the Estimated cost calculator and if the numbers are affordable, apply ED.

It would also help if your son isn’t a business major as that is a really popular major there. Pick a humanities major. like history. My daughter initially was a humanities major but changed her mind to business sophomore year. It was really easy to switch. The earliest you declare a major is Spring Semester Sophomore year.


+1

Great advice.



But Johnsons only go to 44 students. Cost is $95,500, and that does not include Greek membership. W&L is 75% Greek, which was a huge turn-off to our kid. Greek is so expected at W&L that it includes anticipated fees on its regular admissions page. W&L also has awful diversity figures, as well, at only 4.3-5% black.


44 is a lot for a school of that size. Otherwise, you get what you pay for. Sorry it didn’t work out for you but that doesn’t mean it’s not a phenomenal institution.
Anonymous
Post 06/09/2026 21:42     Subject: W&L
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:W&L seems to be the hardest school in VA to get in and DS is obsessed. What is the trick to getting in? UVA and VT are pretty transparent about what the look for. W&L seems like a total mystery with an Ivy like acceptance rate.


DD is a current Junior there. The professors/classes are amazing. It was her first choice (she had the stats for T20 schools).

Here is what she did: Showed a lot of demonstrated interest (Campus tour, asked to have them match her up with a current student to talk to, Interacted with the AO for our region (asked very specific questions that couldn’t be found on the website), tried to do some of the online info sessions they offered and did the optional interview). Most of all she applied ED. They are need blind and all needs met plus they give 10% of the incoming class full ride scholarships(Johnson). So run the Estimated cost calculator and if the numbers are affordable, apply ED.

It would also help if your son isn’t a business major as that is a really popular major there. Pick a humanities major. like history. My daughter initially was a humanities major but changed her mind to business sophomore year. It was really easy to switch. The earliest you declare a major is Spring Semester Sophomore year.


+1

Great advice.



But Johnsons only go to 44 students. Cost is $95,500, and that does not include Greek membership. W&L is 75% Greek, which was a huge turn-off to our kid. Greek is so expected at W&L that it includes anticipated fees on its regular admissions page. W&L also has awful diversity figures, as well, at only 4.3-5% black.
Anonymous
Post 06/09/2026 21:10     Subject: W&L
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:W&L seems to be the hardest school in VA to get in and DS is obsessed. What is the trick to getting in? UVA and VT are pretty transparent about what the look for. W&L seems like a total mystery with an Ivy like acceptance rate.


DD is a current Junior there. The professors/classes are amazing. It was her first choice (she had the stats for T20 schools).

Here is what she did: Showed a lot of demonstrated interest (Campus tour, asked to have them match her up with a current student to talk to, Interacted with the AO for our region (asked very specific questions that couldn’t be found on the website), tried to do some of the online info sessions they offered and did the optional interview). Most of all she applied ED. They are need blind and all needs met plus they give 10% of the incoming class full ride scholarships(Johnson). So run the Estimated cost calculator and if the numbers are affordable, apply ED.

It would also help if your son isn’t a business major as that is a really popular major there. Pick a humanities major. like history. My daughter initially was a humanities major but changed her mind to business sophomore year. It was really easy to switch. The earliest you declare a major is Spring Semester Sophomore year.


+1

Great advice.
Anonymous
Post 06/09/2026 21:00     Subject: W&L
Anonymous wrote:W&L seems to be the hardest school in VA to get in and DS is obsessed. What is the trick to getting in? UVA and VT are pretty transparent about what the look for. W&L seems like a total mystery with an Ivy like acceptance rate.


DD is a current Junior there. The professors/classes are amazing. It was her first choice (she had the stats for T20 schools).

Here is what she did: Showed a lot of demonstrated interest (Campus tour, asked to have them match her up with a current student to talk to, Interacted with the AO for our region (asked very specific questions that couldn’t be found on the website), tried to do some of the online info sessions they offered and did the optional interview). Most of all she applied ED. They are need blind and all needs met plus they give 10% of the incoming class full ride scholarships(Johnson). So run the Estimated cost calculator and if the numbers are affordable, apply ED.

It would also help if your son isn’t a business major as that is a really popular major there. Pick a humanities major. like history. My daughter initially was a humanities major but changed her mind to business sophomore year. It was really easy to switch. The earliest you declare a major is Spring Semester Sophomore year.
Anonymous
Post 06/09/2026 20:08     Subject: W&L
W&L seems to be the hardest school in VA to get in and DS is obsessed. What is the trick to getting in? UVA and VT are pretty transparent about what the look for. W&L seems like a total mystery with an Ivy like acceptance rate.