Wake Forest University

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Students Say - Academics
Wake Forest University is a smaller, private school that offers "the best of both worlds-a big university's resources with small liberal arts college's sense of community." Business and accounting are probably the most notable programs, but you really can't go wrong with any of the various majors available. The alumni network is "incredible," and technology is fabulous. Upon enrollment, "every student receives a laptop." "Studying abroad is a huge deal at Wake Forest," too. More than half of the students participate at some point, taking courses in exotic locales all over the world. Wake Forest owns residential study centers in Venice, Vienna and London. Students at Wake proudly assert theirs are "perhaps the hardest working" students attending a school with the "most beautiful campus in the country." There's definitely quite a bit of "academic rigor" here. "The workload is excessive at times," and professors are "committed to both grade and ego deflation." "Small classes with a lot of discussion are common," though, and students rave about the "wonderful" faculty. "They make class interesting and people rarely skip." "Contacting them out of class is a piece of cake" as well. The administration is also "very easily accessible," and "the school seems to be run well." "There are no needs that are not met by the administration," says a finance major, "and there are no wants by the majority of the students."

Students Say - Campus Life
Academic pressures are "intense," and students tend to really let loose when they are finally done hitting the books. "Drinking is pretty big at Wake, especially hard liquor." "Frat parties are wildly popular" "on the weekends (and Wake Wednesdays)." Students say the "Greek scene is massive," but the number of students pledging each year has been steadily decreasing. "A large portion of the student body is a member of a fraternity or sorority." "All of the frats and sororities have really different personalities," explains a senior, "so you can find a group that fits you no matter what." Intercollegiate sports are another big pastime, "basketball, field hockey, and football in particular." Wake students love their Demon Deacons, and the teams fight well above their weight, pulling down ACC championships against far larger and less academically renowned schools. Intramurals are also very popular. Students are split regarding the appeal of hometown Winston-Salem. On one hand, it's "a very spread-out city" located in a residential area with no easy access to commerce. On the other hand, it's also "a perfectly gorgeous southern location" filled with "plenty of art galleries, theaters, coffeehouses, bookstores, shops, etc."

Students Say - Student Body
There is a lot of Southern prep at Wake Forest and "a slight air of materialism." "Most people fit into the preppy white kid stereotype," observes a first-year student, "even the non-white students." The typical undergrad is basically "your all-American" kid. Nearly two-thirds of the students here receive some form of financial aid. Many students come from "well-to-do" families. "Pearl-wearing, North Face jacket-owning, Kate Spade-toting, Greek letter-wearing" types are quite common. Students tell us they range from "really friendly" to "exceedingly perky." They also tend to be athletic. "Everyone works out a bunch, and the few overweight students do stick out." "Politically, most kids are moderates-perhaps a bit right of center, but not drastically so," and "rightwing and leftwing groups tend to be vocal about their views." Some students suggest that Wake "could do with more diversity," and the school has been listening: last year, Wake Forest enrolled its most diverse freshman class ever.

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