Washington & Lee University - Campus Housing

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

W&L students have to live on campus for their first two years at the University (the fraternity and sorority houses, as well as the dorms, qualify as on campus, and are open to sophomores). Students confront a whole range experiences in on-campus housing—sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s pretty bad. The rooms themselves are generally unexceptional, so whether students enjoy their accommodations depends a lot on roommates, dorm counselors, and neighbors down the hall. Students can make lasting friendships during their time in the freshman halls. When there are problems, students say that the administration usually gets right on it and resolves issues ranging from roommate problems to space issues.

Of course, some places just seem to be better at creating the full freshman experience—the invigorating sense of meeting a bunch of new people and crashing into adult life, full-speed. Gaines, with its quiet halls and rooms divided into suites, is lacking here, despite its cleanliness and high-class feel. For incoming students, it’s best to try a real freshman dorm such as Graham-Lees, which, while not the most attractive building, tends to create the most memorable experiences. After freshman year, students tend to expand to other dorms, such as Woods Creek, which offers more of an off-campus feel; they also have the option of moving into fraternity and sorority houses. Upperclassmen usually don’t stay on campus, and they have last pick for housing if they do.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

Fourth-floor of Graham-Lees can be... Fourth-floor of Graham-Lees can be rough because of the heat, but overall, the dorms are fine. Closets are small, but it is nothing terrible. 12345 Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

Woods Creek Apartments are great... Woods Creek Apartments are great sophomore year because it feels like you’re living off campus, even though technically, you aren’t. 12345 Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

Living in the fraternity house was... Living in the fraternity house was the single most fun experience at W&L and also something I’d never want to do again. My grades sucked, but it didn’t matter, because there was always something to do, always something going on for you to put your work off even longer. It was a blast, but I’d never do it again. 12345 Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

Some freshmen get stuck in the... Some freshmen get stuck in the sophomore dorm, Gaines, but try to avoid that if possible so you don’t miss out on the freshman experience. 12345 Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

Your chances of being housed on... Your chances of being housed on campus all four years are good if you want it, but most students live off campus as upperclassmen unless they’re living in a Greek house. 12345 Campus Housing Report

Facts

Did You Know?

About 60 percent of the freshman rooms in Gilliam, Davis, and Graham-Lees residence halls are doubles; the rest are single rooms. W&L students are so sociable!

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Zachary John Barbieri
Hometown: Wayne, NJ
Major: Accounting and Philosophy

Fun Fact: Zachary is the first person in his immediate family to attend college.

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