A family member went to W & L and I visited several times. The wealthy, white, Southern stereotype you mentioned seemed to fit many of the students, and it was definitely a school that placed emphasis on its history and traditions. But there were also a fair number of East Coast/NY students, and my family member and almost all of her friends from W & L are now working in NYC. Others are in Philly or Baltimore or DC. Others are in the south. My impression is that it is an academically challenging school and students go on to a variety of fields, but maybe more tend to go into finance and law (I'm sure the school publishes stats on that). FWIW everyone I have met who went there loved it. And I have no idea what the "wink wink" comment above about the honor system is about -- I'm guessing that person didn't attend W & L. Good luck to your son.

Anonymous wrote:Save your money and go public. You are right about W+L. It's for red-necked, social climbing, white folks of southern background.

Not a W&L supporter, but your comments, if meant to be taken seriously -- can't always tell on this site -- are racist and, most importantly, misleading. If you are just poking W&L, you need to work on your delivery. Try something subtle or indirect.

Anonymous wrote:It is what it is (and you know what it is). Dartmouth of the south.

Is that meant as a compliment? Most people would think so. Just checking.

Save your money and go public. You are right about W+L. It's for red-necked, social climbing, white folks of southern background.

It is what it is (and you know what it is). Dartmouth of the south.

Anonymous wrote:If you are looking to be given special treatment as a minority, W&L is not the best place. As you seem to have noticed, reverse discrimination is not well-received at W&L. That said W&L offers a unique experience grounded in tradition (ninth-oldest U.S. University) and honor. The school takes its honor code very seriously and that alone should alleviate whatever concerns you might have. Your DC will be treated fairly, just like every other student.

Where are you getting this from? I don't see this anywhere in OP's post. Are you suggesting that a policy against "reverse discrimination" is the reason that W&L lacks diversity? Have you considered any other possible causes for this?

Anonymous wrote:The honor system at Washington and Lee is the real deal, not just something the school gives lip service to. It would be a mistake to assume otherwise.

Wink, wink. Nudge, nudge. Say no more.

The honor system at Washington and Lee is the real deal, not just something the school gives lip service to. It would be a mistake to assume otherwise.

If you are looking to be given special treatment as a minority, W&L is not the best place. As you seem to have noticed, reverse discrimination is not well-received at W&L. That said W&L offers a unique experience grounded in tradition (ninth-oldest U.S. University) and honor. The school takes its honor code very seriously and that alone should alleviate whatever concerns you might have. Your DC will be treated fairly, just like every other student.

I went there for law. There were a few in my law class who had gone there for undergrad and loved it. One was a minority and was very accepted. My law class was full of minorities. It does have a southern fratty feel but not in a way that this liberal Yankee ever found bothersome. I had a great time there.

OP, if thats what your DS wants, he'll find it at the other schools. Except for the SLAC part, which is a perfectly valid reason to choose W&L over the others. Some kids really want that kind of focus on undergraduates and some want the bigger stage of a research university.

Several members of my DH's family have gone there , including my DH. It is very white and very preppy. It has maintained its Old School Southern atmosphere more than many similar places. (My in-laws love that about it. I'm from the NE and find the dressy, frat-y culture stifling when we visit.)
I'm not talking about racism. I'm talking about people who come with a very limited exposure to people unlike themselves. I'm sure it has strengths and it is a stunning campus. My husband LOVED going there but now says he doesn't want our kids to go there because it's "too limiting."

I wouldn't call W&L "prestigious", but it certainly occupies a high tier just below the New England schools. Very southern and preppy. Vibe and social life runs toward the greek system, as PP notes. After graduation, DS will fit in well anywhere from Arlington south.

W&L, after going co-ed in the mid 1980's, has vaulted up the ranks of prestigious SLACs. I think your concerns about the culture are dated. The quality of the applicants is very strong and there is a different vibe in terms of the fraternity scene, which is an important part of the school social life. If you are concerned your son will become an elitist, that has more to do with your son than the experience he would have at W&L.

My son got in here (we don't know about his financial package yet, hopefully he'll get something) and it's his top choice because he wants to do pre-law and he really likes the school. We're VA residents so I'm hoping my son will get into UVA or William & Mary too. But he really wants W & L because he wants a small liberal arts environment and he loves the southern fratty culture.

My question is about the school culture. We are a solidly middle class family and while we have money for his college due to his grandparents, we are not rich or pretentious by any means. We're also a minority (South Asian). The vibe I get from W & L is that it's a school for rich, white, Southern kids who vote Republican and 90% of the social life is Greek - so these people dominate the school's social culture and the general atmosphere on campus and classroom discussions. I worry that it might be a damaging environment - apart from inducing insecurities, it might also give him false values about money and status and "class".

Any comments from W & L parents or alumni would be great. Thanks!