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Comparable Schools'
Diversity Grades:
College Prowler Take
Wesleyan prides itself on its diversity, hence the nickname “Diversity University.” In actuality, Wesleyan is a primarily white, upper-middle class school that pays particular attention to its minority groups. International students are as common at Wesleyan as at any other New England university. Other minority groups such as queer or interracial organizations are also available in moderation. However, where Wesleyan earns its nickname is in the welcoming atmosphere it provides to people of all persuasions. The queer community on campus frequently cites grievances with the administration that their voices are not heard, and in certain respects, they are right. However, the student-based gay community is extremely vibrant, and all lifestyles from queer to asexual to transgender are extremely active in University life. Where Wesleyan truly shines is in the tight-knit community
it creates for people of all kinds. No two Wesleyan students are alike, and though many liberal arts universities tout this claim, at Wesleyan it is a reality. While a large number of students hail from the Northeast, it is not uncommon to
find students who have spent considerable time overseas, practice any variety of religious beliefs, and are into just about every obscure, strange, and amazing hobby that you’ve ever heard of. It is certainly safe to say that Wesleyan has something for everyone.
Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
WesKH says: Wesleyan University 2013 Biological and Biomedical Sciences  |
I will say that, as far as life...
I will say that, as far as life experience goes (the kind of diversity you can't see) Wesleyan is hugely diverse. I have never met so many people with so many different stories to tell. We are also diverse in the more traditional sense. We've a good number of international students, a really active queer community, and people of basically every color and creed. I think we are trying to work on our socioeconomic diversity, and our political diversity is, well, not so high. We've got a "small but vocal conservative community."
Diversity: March 11, 2009
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WesLD says: Wesleyan University 2013 Psychology |
The campus is incredibly diverse -...
The campus is incredibly diverse - economically, ethnically, racially, ideologically and sexually. Politically, not as much. The campus tends to be pretty democratic. However, there is still a 'students for republicans' group, keeping the campus somewhat politically diverse.
Diversity: February 24, 2009
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WesNF says: Wesleyan University 2014 Biological and Biomedical Sciences |
Diversity is something that...
Diversity is something that Wesleyan puts a lot of effort into promoting. I would say that the student body encompasses just about every economic status, ethnicity, and sexual/gender identity. However, the same cannot be said for political and ideological diversity. Colleges nearly always lean to the left, but Wesleyan does more than simply lean. While most students are not radical, there is a large activist component to the student body, and there are notable individuals who stand out for vocal radicalism of the "Any contribution to society made by rich, straight, white men is completely invalid" vein. That being said, Wesleyan is not an echo chamber. There are those with opinions contrary to the majority of students, one just has to look around a bit.
Diversity: February 19, 2009
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Anonymous says: |
There are lots of different...
There are lots of different personalities, but not many different races. It’s still primarily a white school. |
Anonymous says: |
People rag on Wesleyan for not...
People rag on Wesleyan for not being very culturally diverse, but compared to a lot of New England schools it very culturally diverse. This isn’t a white-collar, polo shirt, Ivy kind of a school. People are proud of where they came from, and they came from so many different places that it makes the school very diverse. |
FactsEconomic Status
While Wesleyan promotes its ‘need-blind’ policy, it is after all a private school, and many lower-income students cannot afford to attend. While there certainly is a wide range of economic backgrounds on campus, the majority of students fall into the middle and upper-middle class brackets.
Gay Pride
While the administration has been accused of being homophobic, the Wesleyan student body is extremely open to homosexuality. Wesleyan offers an undergraduate Queer Studies program, as well as a Queer Alum network. Also found on campus is the LGBTTQQFAGPBSDM organization which represents every alternative gender/sexual choice including lesbian, gay, transgender, transsexual, queer questioning, flexual, and asexual. Each semester, this group organizes and advertises numerous events for the queer community both on and off campus. Other queer organizations on campus include the Queer Alliance, Spectrum, the Transgender Group, the Gay Café, Open House, and the Queer Task Force.
Most Common Religions
Christian, Jewish, Islamic, and Buddhist are the most prevelent religions represented on campus. Around 30 percent of the student population is Jewish, in fact. Programs are offered on campus for many other faiths, as well.
Political Activity
The 1994 film PCU (short for Politically Correct University) was written by Wesleyan alums Adam Leff and Zak Penn and based on Wesleyan University. The film depicts the widely- held myth that Wesleyan is an extremely active, politically-oriented school. On the surface, protests and debate are prevalent, but for issues reaching beyond the boundaries of campus, Wesleyan is less active. On the whole, while many Wes students pride themselves on bucking the system, very few students are actually involved in broader politics. Student apathy is the ugly underside of Wesleyan’s activist façade.
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