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Wake's size is just right. You'll always see someone who know walking across campus but you'll always see someone new too. Wake hasn't really gotten its name fully recognized in a lot of places in the North, and I know what that's like. But it's name is really growing across the country and employers are definitely impressed by it. A lot of the time Wake is thought of as a business/pre-med only school but the liberal arts flourish on campus and we have some of the greatest professors out there. Wake could definitely use some more social spaces on campus. Winston-Salem isn't as bad as it may seem. Sure its sort of weird that basically everything in the area is funded by tobacco money but there's a great art district of town that is growing and plenty of places to eat in the area. Wake may be its weirdest in tailgates. I know some other schools do it too but seeing guys in ties and girls in dresses at a football game is just weird. I was abroad in the fall and I couldn't wait to get back. Wake really becomes a home. As much it may seem like a bubble sometimes (and it is), it's a really great place that I can't wait to get back to when I'm gone.
Jillian Junior
Best thing: Small southern school Wake: mixed reactions: "That's a wonderful school" to "I'm sorry, where?" If you don't have a car or know someone who does, it's almost impossible to get off campus. Absolutely terrible, unorganized, financial department. Recent controversy: Naked picture of Riley Skinner
Nadia Freshman
the best thing is the small classes and being in the south with frats and sororities. I would change so that it is not such a bubble, however, and make it a better college town. I dont spend much time on campus anymore except for classes. Administration could be improved to do more to cater to the students (better choice of food, frat row instead of faculty housing, bars closeby in reynolda village etc) These seem to be some common complaints.
Mary Junior
The best thing about Wake to me is that I can walk across the mag quad and I'll always be able to say hi to someone, but I know that over my four years I won't ever be able to walk across it and know everyone. There is a lot of racial tension and division, and while it is getting a lot better it is still something that proves to be frustrating. I came from a southern, all-girls high school. I thought I wanted a much bigger institution but ended up coming to Wake rather randomly, and it ended up being a perfect transition. When I tell people that I go to Wake, the reaction is usually along the lines of, "Wow, smart!" (if they've heard of it that is.) Most of my time I spend on campus is on my hall, in Benson, or in the library. The area around Wake isn't the greatest- there are a lot of muggings and break-ins, but on campus is generally pretty safe. It isn't a college town persay, but the restaurants in Winston-Salem are to die for, and there are some pretty cute areas downtown and some nice gardens near campus as well. I would say there is a decent amount of school pride. Screamin Demons is a good idea and a lot of people participate, but there is also a sort of stigma that goes along with it, especially during football season where the Greek population is usually more interested in sundresses and ties and tailgating. That being said, we have had great turnouts at our bowl games. I do know that just about everyone is proud of the institution itself as well- its hard and we know it, and that makes us feel better than the state schools and other schools around our academic level. One unusual thing about Wake is the way the Greek system is set up. With the exception of one, the fraternities and sororities have halls and lounges on campus instead of actual houses. This prompts a lot of off campus parties at satellite houses. There are also a lot of old traditions that are specific to Wake Forest as well, such as the transition from societies to sororities.
Lisa Sophomore
Choosing to go to Wake Forest was one of the easiest choices I ever made because of how much it had to offer me. What makes my life at Wake Forest the easiest for me is the size. ItÕs a big enough school that I constantly have new experiences with new people, but itÕs still small enough that if I donÕt know of someone, at least one of my friends probably will. When IÕm not in class, I do a lot on and off campus with my sorority. YouÕve probably heard that Greek life is a big deal at Wake, and it is. Overall, 42% of all students are in a fraternity or a sorority, with 13 fraternities and 9 sororities. Although itÕs a big part of my life here and my friendsÕ as well, many other students who donÕt decide to Ògo GreekÓ find that they can form similar close bonds through athletic teams, religious groups, and clubs. ThatÕs not to say that there isnÕt tension between Greeks and non-Greeks, because at times there is. Independents, or GDIs, are known to Greeks as ÒgeedsÓ or even ÒmugglesÓ, which is Harry Potter-speak for non-magical people. It sucks, but itÕs the social environment here. Other than that, IÕm proud to go to be a sorority member here; it made it easier for me to be comfortable coming from an all-girls school and it helped me find my place here at Wake. As far as school pride goes, our fan base varies. I would categorize most of us as fair-weather fans, and fans of which sport varies from year to year. We used to be known for basketball, but in more recent years itÕs been football. Members of the Greek community are less apt to throw on a black and gold tie-dye shirt and cheer at the game, instead attending the tailgates in button-downs and sundresses. Finally, the food on campus is generally considered pretty mediocre, but we really donÕt have it so bad. We have a Subway on campus, Chikfila in Benson, and pit food. While the pit has been known to cause stomach issues, there is a fair amount of variety and provides a decent social atmosphere. ItÕs tough to complain since itÕs a newer space and as they say, much improved.
Perry Junior
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