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Summary
Washington and Lee University is a private institution that was founded in 1749. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,759, its setting is rural, and the campus size is 322 acres. It utilizes a other-based academic calendar. Washington and Lee University's ranking in the 2012 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 12. Its tuition and fees are $41,927 (2011-12).
Washington and Lee University is located in historic Lexington, Va., three hours southwest of Washington, D.C. The school fields 23 NCAA Division III sports in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Its men’s and women’s tennis teams have both won national championships. There are more than 120 student organizations, including several secret societies, such as the Mongolian Minks, the Cadaver Society, and the Sigma Society. Approximately 75 percent of students are involved in Greek life, which comprises nearly 25 fraternity and sorority chapters. Freshmen are required to live on campus in one of four residence halls.
Washington and Lee University has two undergraduate divisions: the College, and the Williams School of Commerce, Economics, and Politics. The school’s only graduate school is its highly ranked School of Law. The school was named after George Washington, who gave a generous endowment to the school, and Robert E. Lee, who was one of the college’s presidents following the Civil War. The historic tradition of the Washington and Lee Mock Convention, held every four years, has correctly predicted the presidential nominee of the party that is currently out of the White House since 1908 and has received C-SPAN coverage. Notable alumni include Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, former U.S. Senator John Warner, Christian televangelist Pat Robertson, and author and journalist Tom Wolfe.
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Washington and Lee University, the nation's ninth oldest institution of higher education, is an independent liberal arts university that develops students' capacity to think freely, critically and humanely and to conduct themselves with honor, integrity and civility. Washington and Lee prepares its graduates for a life of learning, personal achievement, responsible leadership, service to others and engaged citizenship in a global and diverse society. Washington and Lee recruits and supports students with exceptional intellectual and personal characteristics. Student self-government, including the administration of the honor system, fosters a community based on trust and permits students to develop as leaders in all areas of campus life; they then become leaders in their communities and professions. Through coursework, research, campus life and service to others, W&L students are deeply engaged in the local and global community. Washington and Lee's curriculum blends traditional liberal arts and sciences with pre-professional programs in business, journalism and law, giving students a contemporary perspective necessary to flourish in a complex world. The Shepherd Program for the Interdisciplinary Study of Poverty and Human Capability integrates sustained, rigorous academic study and focused direct service to disadvantaged communities and persons, while the Nabors Service League matches student volunteers with local needs. In recent years, the School of Law has led the charge in re-imagining legal education, especially the development of a new third-year program. Washington and Lee students are actively involved in shaping their education. Slightly more than 25 percent of the students participate in 24 varsity athletics teams. More than 120 student organizations are a key aspect of campus life. Students are committed to leadership and service and enjoy numerous opportunities to participate in both. The quadrennial Mock Convention has built a reputation as the most realistic in the nation. Students in the Williams Investment Society manage $1 million of the University's endowment, primarily in equity securities. Washington and Lee's campus is a national historic landmark and has a timeless beauty. The city of Lexington offers small-town charm, and the Allegheny and Blue Ridge Mountains provide unparalleled natural surroundings. While preserving its history, the University has expanded in recent years to offer students a modern learning environment. |
General Information
| School type | private, coed college |
| Year founded | 1749 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | other |
| Setting | rural |
| 2010 Endowment | $1,008,161,000 |
Applying
When applying to Washington and Lee University, it's important to note the application deadline is January 15, and the early decision deadline is November 15. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due February 15. The application fee at Washington and Lee University is $50. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 19.0 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | most selective |
| Fall 2010 acceptance rate | 19% |
| Application deadline | January 15 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | February 15 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at Washington and Lee University is 9:1, and the school has 72.2 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Washington and Lee University include: Business Administration and Management, General; Accounting and Business/Management; Economics, General; Political Science and Government, General; and English Language and Literature, General. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 94.2 percent.
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| Student-faculty ratio | 9:1 | ||||||||||
| 4-year graduation rate | 92% - High | ||||||||||
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Student Life
Washington and Lee University has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,759, with a gender distribution of 49.9 percent male students and 50.1 percent female students. 60.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 40.0 percent of students live off campus. Washington and Lee University is part of the NCAA III athletic conference.
See what students are saying about life at Washington and Lee University.
| Total enrollment | 2,173 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA III |
Campus Info & Services
Washington and Lee University offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, placement service, health service, and health insurance. Washington and Lee University also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at Washington and Lee University, 70 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at Washington and Lee University.
| Students who have cars on campus | 70% - Medium |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At Washington and Lee University, 36.8 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $34,315.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| Tuition and fees | $41,927 (2011-12) |
| Room and board | $10,687 (2011-12) - High |
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* Overview details based on 2010 data
