Develop Fresh Perspectives AT WASHINGTON AND LEE UNIVERSITY
Students choose W&L for reasons as unique as the individuals themselves. Some decide to attend for its small size and personal attention; others will say it’s W&L’s academic reputation, scenic location or engaged community. Whatever their reason, once here, students find a place to grow intellectually, unlock opportunities and prepare for the future. Within a community of peers and mentors, our students hold each other to the highest standard of integrity, united by the student-run Honor System. And when they graduate, they do so as critical thinkers with a network of support, lifelong friendships and a degree that opens doors.
9th
OLDEST COLLEGE IN THE U.S. Located in scenic Lexington, Virginia
100%
CLASSES TAUGHT BY FACULTY 94% of faculty hold doctorate or terminal degrees
1,857
UNDERGRADUATES 47 U.S. states 43 countries of citizenship
78
MAJORS & MINORS with programs in engineering, journalism and business
8:1
STUDENTS TO FACULTY and 96% of classes under 25 students One of the hallmarks of the W&L experience is the accessibility of faculty. Our low student-to-faculty ratio allows students to immerse themselves in coursework and receive individual support and attention from professors.
OUTING CLUB IS KIND OF A BIG DEAL Canoe, bike, hike, camp and climb with the Outing Club. No experience is required.
A W&L Education is:
SERVANT LEADERS THRIVE HERE
EXPLORATORY
Volunteer with Campus Kitchen, Nabors Service League and many other community organizations.
As a liberal arts university, flexibility and exploration are at our core. Students study what interests them across the curriculum in small class settings, pursue research in close collaboration with faculty, benefit from global learning experiences, and build connections between their major and other disciplines.
PROTECTING MOTHER EARTH Join the Compost Crew or Student Environmental League, or live in the Sustainability House.
INNOVATIVE W&L’s calendar includes a four-week Spring Term at the end of each academic year in which students take a single, immersive course, either nationally or internationally. It’s not uncommon for students to say after their experience, “This course changed my life.”
GLOBAL Most students go abroad as part of their college experience, and many go more than once. They may study in another country for a full year or a single term. Some go for summer programs and internships, to conduct research or to take part in service opportunities. Plenty of options exist, depending on interests and schedules.
EXPERIENTIAL We extend learning beyond traditional classrooms so students think critically and approach issues from new perspectives. The mock presidential convention, community-based learning and Shepherd Poverty Program are just a few examples of ways our students develop real-life experience.
DO YOU LOVE THE ARTS? Attend or participate in performances, concerts, dance and art exhibits throughout the year.
More than 170 clubs and organizations focusing on campus life and leadership, health and wellness, culture and identity, service, religious life, and arts and media.
IT’S GREEK TO ME! Choose from social, service, historically Black and academically focused fraternities and sororities.
INVESTING IN ONE ANOTHER Join students passionate about global issues, social justice and cultural heritage in clubs like Amnesty International, LIFT and SABU.
WELCOME HOME
W&L is home away from home for students from all over the nation and world who have their own unique interests and aspirations. When here, they join an engaged, welcoming community of individuals who often become friends for life.
Honoring Community Organizations and offices, such as the Office of Inclusion and Engagement, offer programs that explore, promote and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of students, faculty and staff. Students find support from their resident advisers, peer counselors, class deans, faculty advisers and peer tutors.
Our community is strengthened by our studentrun Honor System, a commitment our students make to not lie, cheat, steal or otherwise violate the trust of the community. Students enjoy a safe and open environment that enables them to focus on what matters: learning.
Merit and Need-Based Aid
NCAA Division III 28% OF OUR STUDENTS
Our student-athletes pursue their goals without sacrificing educational experience. On campus, students have access to brand new indoor and outdoor facilities and resources to support healthy lifestyles, including fitness centers, an indoor pool and group exercise programs.
ELIMINATING FINANCIAL BARRIERS
compete on one of 24 varsity teams within the ODAC Conference, not to mention those that compete through club and intramural teams.
MEN’S Baseball Basketball Cross country Football Golf Lacrosse Soccer Swimming Tennis Track and field - indoor Track and field - outdoor Wrestling
We are committed to making W&L affordable, so we offer numerous forms of aid, including merit-based scholarships and need-based aid. W&L meets 100% of each student’s demonstrated financial need through grants, scholarships and campus work.
WOMEN’S Basketball Cross country Field hockey Golf Lacrosse Riding Soccer Swimming Tennis Track and field - indoor Track and field - outdoor Volleyball
Students are not required to take out loans as part of their financial aid award. The W&L Promise ensures that any admitted student with a family income below $125,000 and assets typical of their income will receive an aid award of at least full tuition. W&L partners with QuestBridge, a national nonprofit organization, to assist low-income, high-achieving students with college admissions and scholarships. The Johnson Scholarship awards full merit scholarships to talented first-year students, covering tuition, room and board for all four years of enrollment.
Forbes, Niche, Time/Money Magazine and U.S. News & World Report consider W&L among the best college values in the nation.
100%
OF NEED MET through scholarships and grants without the need for loans
44
JOHNSON SCHOLARSHIPS awarded annually to exceptional students covering tuition, room and board
Preparing for Your Future
$82,990
W&L IS ONLY THE BEGINNING
2022-23 COST OF ATTENDANCE (tuition, room, board, fees and estimated costs for books and transportation)
Our size allows us to provide students with individualized attention and personalized plans every step of the way, from early career exploration to postgrad preparation. Together with on-campus programming, off-campus career trips, our robust alumni network and crossdepartmental partnerships, we create an environment where students have the confidence, skills and tools to pursue their desired professional paths. About half of W&L graduates go on to graduate school, where they pursue a range of programs across the humanities, social sciences and STEM disciplines or to professional programs like medicine, business and law — including W&L’s neighboring law school.
$56,979
AVERAGE AID AWARD For first-year students
90%
OF PRE-MED STUDENTS WERE ADMITTED TO MEDICAL SCHOOL in the last 10 years (national average of 44% )
97%
OF GRADUATES ARE EMPLOYED OR IN GRADUATE SCHOOL six months after graduation, Class of 2021
57%
RECEIVED AID in the Cass of 2025
Areas of Study
LEXINGTON, VIRGINIA
Our Inspiring Location Nestled among mountains in the Shenandoah Valley, W&L is about one hour from Roanoke, two hours from the state capital of Richmond and three hours from Washington, D.C.
MAJORS Accounting Art (Studio) Art History Biochemistry Biology Business Administration Chemistry Classics Cognitive and Behavioral Science Computer Science East Asian Languages and Literatures Economics Engineering English Environmental Studies French Geology German History Integrated Engineering Journalism Mathematics Medieval and Renaissance Studies Music Neuroscience Philosophy Physics Politics Religion Romance Languages Russian Area Studies
Sociology and Anthropology Spanish Strategic Communication Student-Designed Major Theater
MINORS Africana Studies Animal Biology Archaeology Art (Studio) Art History Biology Chinese Classics Computer Science Creative Writing Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies Dance Data Science Data Science-Business Analytics Digital Culture and Information East Asian Studies Ecology Education Policy Education Studies Entrepreneurship Environmental Studies Film and Visual Culture French German Japanese
Visit us GO.WLU.EDU/VISIT Visiting campus is a vital part of choosing a college. If you can’t visit in person, we offer virtual options to interact and learn about W&L. 540-458-8710 admissions@wlu.edu wlu.edu/admissions
Latin American and Caribbean Studies Law, Justice, and Society Mass Communications Mathematics Medieval and Renaissance Studies Middle East and South Asia Studies Molecular/Cell Biology Music Philosophy Physiology Poverty and Human Capability Studies Quantitative Biology Religion Russian Language and Culture Teacher Certification Theater Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Additional areas of emphasis within departments not noted. Please see the complete list at wlu.edu/academics.
PROFESSONAL PROGRAMS
W&L is the only national liberal arts college where students benefit from accredited business and journalism programs, engineering programs and a law school.
FOLLOW US
Office of Admissions 204 W. Washington Street Lexington, VA 24450 2022-2023
Washington and Lee University is an equal opportunity institution. Complete statement at go.wlu.edu/eeo.