Illinois Wesleyan University

Statistics

Students Say - Academics
Illinois Wesleyan, a "small school...with the prestige and academic diversity of a larger institution," is "extremely intense academically," students warn. Some- especially those in the sciences-go so far as to bemoan the "unreasonably hard classes," but most "love that at the end of the day you always have dozens of peers to support you and remind you that you'll get through it." Supportive professors "genuinely care about each student's success," which also helps, as do the "almost limitless resources" that allow undergraduates "to do anything and everything that interests them, both in and out of the classroom." Because "there are no graduate students" here, undergraduates are "given many opportunities that wouldn't exist at a larger university." One student reports, "As a sophomore psychology major, I'm gaining valuable lab experience that will prepare me for a career in research. Academic and leadership opportunities are abundant here." The school's relatively small size doesn't hamper its ability to excel in numerous disciplines. Students lavish praise on the "very competitive and very reputable biology program," the "great science program," the "prestigious" accounting program, a "reputable" nursing program, a "stellar music program," and a "highly acclaimed" theater department. Smaller academic departments utilize "adjunct professors from Illinois State" to deliver program requirements. "The anthropology department, for example, has only two full-time professors, but it is still able to tailor classes to specific student requests via ISU adjuncts."

Students Say - Campus Life
Life at IWU is workload-driven. Students with good time-management skills (or less challenging majors) "involve themselves in extracurricular activities while developing a strong academic background both inside and out[side] of their major's subject area," but others immerse themselves in academics and "only see the light of day when walking between classes. Studying is like breathing to [some] students here, they can't even imagine what it would be like to be able to stop for more than a few minutes." Many here tell us that "Greek life is very strong at this school," as are athletics. "Sports events are big here," one student writes. "This town is literally full of...people that live for Wesleyan athletics, which gives it a good homegrown feel when you are there." Hometown Bloomington, which IWU shares with Illinois State University, "is not exactly a hot spot" but it does have "a lot of bars that are popular with the upperclassmen." On campus, "Music and theater productions are extremely popular...and for a good reason: They're really good!" When all else fails, "Conversation is never lacking, and even on the nights when people can't find entertainment, late night discussions about anything-the Cold War, hypothetical zombie apocalypse, what matters most in life, or simply favorite meals-can be some of the most memorable moments of your college experience."

Students Say - Student Body
It's hard to describe a typical Wesleyan student, students tell us, observing "we are all so different. I suppose we are all dedicated to academic success, but you really have everything from bookworms to typical sorority girls to artsy people and athletes. Everyone fits in well together, however, regardless of being so different from one another." Undergraduates "tend to stereotype [their fellow] students by major, "but you really have everything from bookworms, to typical sorority girls, to artsy people and athletes." If there is a prevailing demographic, it is "an impressive student from . . . the Chicago suburbs." The number of international students here "is increasing almost exponentially," one undergraduate tells us, "and these students manage to fit in very well, although sometimes [they form a] cohort with fellow international students (which happens everywhere, it seems)."

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