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Washington & Lee University
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Washington & Lee University - Academics - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.62

Academics

A
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Quick Stats

Student-Faculty Ratio 7:1
Full-Time Student Population 2,154
Part-Time Student Population 2
Full-Time Instructional Faculty 272
Part-Time Instructional Faculty 71
Total FT Faculty 272
Faculty with Terminal Degree 96%
Average Faculty Salary $95,710
Full-Time Retention Rate 94%
Transfer-Out Rate 5%
Graduation Rate 89%
Programs/Majors Offered 41
Average Course Load 4–6 courses
Academic/Career Counseling? Yes
Remedial Services? No
Class Sizes
  • Fewer than 20 Students: 68%
  • 20 to 49 Students: 31%
  • 50 or More Students: 1%

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

Make no mistake: academic work at Washington and Lee is intense. Professors expect a lot of effort and take great pride in not inflating grades. If you get an A+ here, cherish it, because it might be the only one you’ll see. On the positive side, students build personal relationships with the faculty, and can rely on them for help whenever they hit a rough spot. Professors keep ample office hours and have students over for some down-home cooking. Certain old-school history profs have also been known to share a few drinks with their pupils at the Palms, but that’s another story. Also, classes at Washington and Lee are taught exclusively by professors—no teaching assistants allowed.

At Washington and Lee, students are required to take a broad selection of classes—general education credits, or “gen eds”—outside of their majors. This kind of work typically makes up one-third of the courseload. Some of W&L’s coolest programs are interdisciplinary—the courses cut across the usual majors and create hybrid offerings that attract all kinds of students. The Shepherd Program for Poverty combines economics, politics, and philosophy in academic study, and volunteer work helps students get their hands dirty with real-world problems. Students can dip into economics, literature, and science in the environmental studies program, or peruse philosophy, music, and art in the medieval and renaissance studies major. There is even a class on superheroes here for the comic book lover. Needless to say, Washington and Lee has a course offering for any and all interests students could possibly have.

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Washington & Lee Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Academics at Washington & Lee University

Dubyuhnell

'15

Economics

5.0
A+

Small Classes, Many Choices

The small classes are nice because if you have a question, it will be answered and also it forces students to actually pay attention and learn. I came in looking to major in econ and so far my experience with the business school has been phenomenal.

Nov 29, 2011

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Academics at Washington & Lee University

charlesbarkley

'14

Chinese Language and Literature

4.2
A-

East Asian Languages and Literature

I'm currently doing a Chinese major, which is a part of the East Asian Languages and Literature program. On the first day of class freshmen year it was pretty amazing to sit in a tiny room with only eight other students to learn Chinese. The teacher's are overall very good in the program, and it also attracts some great TA's who are native speakers that help to supplement and teach the class. The workload first term seems like a lot but after it becomes increasingly easier as you get a better grasp on the language. The Red House is a tiny dilapidated building full of creaks and a tiny bathroom, but I would not want to learn in any other building.

Nov 01, 2011

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Academics at Washington & Lee University

tylerdurden

'13

Economics and Econometrics

5.0
A+

Awesome Profs

Professors love what they do and are enthusiastic and engaging. They all have tons of office hours and are available, and excited, to give you all the help you might need. Classes are challenging and interesting and almost every professor is fantastic

Nov 01, 2011

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Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate your school’s professors on the following topics

Rate your school’s academic environment on the following topics

Facts

Instructional Programs Occupational: No
Academic: Yes
Continuing Professional: No
Recreational/Avocational: No
Adult Basic Remedial: No
Secondary (High School): No
Special Credit Opportunities Advanced Placement (AP) Credits: Yes
Dual Credit: Yes
Life Experience Credits: No
AP Test Score Requirements Possible credit for scores of 3, 4, or 5
IB Test Score Requirements Possible credit or advanced placement is given for scores of 5 or above on higher-level exams
Undergraduate Schools/Divisions
  • The College
  • The Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics
Degrees Awarded
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Doctorate - Professional practice
  • Master's degree
Most Popular Majors
  • Business Administration and Management: 7%
  • Economics and Econometrics: 3%
  • Law: 9%
  • Political Science and Government, General: 4%
Special Study Options
  • Study abroad
  • Teacher certification (below the postsecondary level)
Best Places to Study
  • The Commons living room
  • Fraternity/sorority common room
  • Friend's room
  • Journalism School computer lab
  • Leyburn Library
  • Science Library
  • Williams School reading room
Did You Know?

W&L is the ninth-oldest college in the country; it traces its founding to 1749 (it started as Augusta Academy). Come back in 2049 for the opening of the mysterious time capsule.

Washington and Lee’s honor system is legendary. W&L is one of a handful of universities with honor systems run entirely by students. Cases involving plagiarism, lying, theft, and sometimes harassment are brought up before the elected, all-student Executive Committee. So behave—the only punishment for a violation is withdrawal from the school. Professors say the Honor Code gives them confidence in students, who can schedule their own exams and sometimes take them home overnight. Students say it lets them leave valuables around campus without fear.

Where in the world are W&L students? Well, about 45 percent of the class of 2004 went abroad to study during their time at the University. Students can go all over the world, from Scotland to Spain, Japan, and Brazil.

Students can get credit for working in the U.S. Senate, CBS News, or the White House in the Washington Term Program, organized through the politics department. Students spend the six-week spring term in Washington DC and in past semesters have schmoozed with the likes of Dick Cheney and Congressman Jim Davis.
 

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Most Recent Student Author

College Prowler guides are in the hands of students throughout the entire process. Because you can't make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who write, edit, and survey their peers for every guide that we publish. Thanks to our most recent student author at W&L

Name: Zachary John Barbieri

Hometown: Wayne, NJ

Major: Accounting and Philosophy

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