What is computer access like on campus?

All campus dorm rooms are wired to the campus network. E-mail and internet access are available campus-wide. The majority of Washington and Lee’s campus now offers wireless access as well, with over 400 wireless hot-spots across campus. The University has a number of public computers available 24 hours a day. Most students bring personal computers to campus. While laptops are encouraged, we do not specify one computer that all students should bring to campus. More extensive information may be found on the Information Technology Services site here.

Are AP and IB classes helpful in the admissions process?

The rigor of a student’s program is heavily weighted in the admissions process. In fact, 96% of students in W&L’s Class of 2011 pursued AP and/or IB classes. If students do well on these exams, they are considered for credit at Washington and Lee. Please see our Departmental AP Policy and IB Policyto find specific information on the exams we accept and credit we allot.

RELATED: See the registrars policies regarding transferring credits

What sort of off-campus/study abroad options are there?

Students may study abroad for a full year, one semester, the six-week spring term or summer. Opportunities range from faculty-led trips for the spring term to full-year independent study abroad experiences. Approximately half of our students study abroad during their four years at W&L. For more information on studying abroad, visit the Office of International Education.

What is 12-12-4?

The academic year at W&L is divided into three segments: a 12-week fall term, 12-week winter term, and 4-week spring term. Our calendar allows us to teach specialized courses which are narrowly-designed in scope during the spring term. It also enhances study-abroad and internship opportunities. Each spring, a number of our professors lead study-abroad programs. We also offer a spring politics program in Washington, D.C. and global finance program in Manhattan – in each of these programs, students intern in individual offices while meeting for weekly classes and seminars.

Is there a core curriculum?

Yes. As a liberal arts college, Washington and Lee provides students with both an in-depth understanding in the area of their major and a breadth of understanding in varied disciplines. Our Foundation and Distribution requirements in English Composition; Foreign Language; Literature; Fine Arts, History, Philosophy and Religion; Science and Mathematics; the Social Sciences; and Physical Education ensure that all W&L graduates achieve a broad-based liberal education.

What are the popular majors?

W&L offers 41 undergraduate majors. Over the last few years, Economics, History, Business Administration, Journalism, Biology, and English have been most popular. You will find that W&L, as a liberal arts college, is unique in offering a business school and a journalism program – we are the only top 20 liberal arts college with a fully-accredited business school and the only one with a fully-accredited journalism program.

Where can I find more information on transferring credits?

The University Registrar has a page of resources devoted to new students.
Among the available resources is the further information on the policies regarding:

• Credit from: Abitur
• Credit from: AP Program
• Credit from: ECTS
• Credit from: Exchange Opportunities
• Credit from: GCE/AICE
• Credit from: IB

I’ve taken dual enrollment or college courses in high school. Will I get college credit at W&L?

We do not evaluate such credit in advance of students’ matriculation. Whether to grant credit is decided by the relevant department chairs after a student enrolls at W&L. They take into consideration where the course was taken, who taught it (a high school teacher or college professor), the course description, syllabus, texts used, and whether the course was used to satisfy W&L entrance requirements.