Wesleyan University (Wesleyan)

Wesleyan University is committed to helping students discover their passions with an interdisciplinary, open curriculum that "allows students to explore their actual interests rather than being tied down by tedious general education requirements." Students "truly love that there are no required courses outside of our chosen majors/minors/concentrations. It really emphasizes that Wesleyan is a place to discover what we love." It also yields professors who "teach fascinating classes to medium and small groups of excited, passionate students" and facilitate "vibrant discussions on the course material." Professors are known for being "extremely creative and detailed with their course focuses, which makes for some amazing classes," like "civics classes that force you to dialogue with strangers in an effort to create connections and practice good conversation." Students also value the "many research opportunities and multiple ongoing research organizations headed by professors that include undergraduates." There are plenty of resources for students: "TA sessions, office hours, therapy, tutoring, are all readily available if you have a problem at school." One student concurs, saying, "When I have needed help navigating institutional challenges like declaring majors, transferring credits, and meeting language requirements for studying abroad, [my professors] have been enormously helpful." In all, Wesleyan is said to be "Inspiring students to expand their interests and cultivating a culture of support not competition."

While "everyone is super smart and leans artsy,...you can also find all kinds of people" with a variety of personalities and interests. As one student happily notes, "Honestly, no two people are the same in expression." Many students "are strongly committed to social justice" and "engaged in the community and in broader social issues," while others "have niche interests in subjects that would be nearly impossible to study at universities not offering an open curriculum." A student says of the school's interdisciplinary environment: "This is a great place for people who love art and sports and science and mixing all of those things together." Students frequently "double major and often they major in two pretty unrelated fields." Wesleyan students "are constantly looking to better themselves," and no matter the subject, "people commit to their interests." Students are described as "social, passionate, and highly engaged," Wesleyan is a place where "you can absolutely find your people no matter who you are or what you are into."

Students are required to live on campus for all four years, and as a result, "people rarely go off campus on weekends because there's so much going on." Weekly events include everything "from group workout classes to painting workshops" and The Wes Film Series, "a wonderful group that plays four movies every week for free at Wesleyan's theater." Wesleyan offers over 250 clubs and groups that cater to a diverse range of interests, such as the Prometheus Fire Arts Club and the crafting club Threads and Thingamabobs. There is also "a "big [arts] scene on campus (visual arts, studio arts, performing arts, theater, music, dance)," along with "a large a cappella presence." Overall, "students are very involved in the school-having on-campus jobs, being a part of a club, running a social justice campaign, etc." In addition, "a lot of people are involved in intramural sports," such as soccer, rugby, and Ultimate Frisbee which "has an active community." Students say the "food is good, meals are very social, and our dining halls are always bustling." One of the benefits of "being at a small school means knowing everyone and running into them all the time" around campus.

The Gordon Career Center has “many helpful resources for applying to summer internships and jobs after graduation,” and works individually with students to design career paths based on the overlap of interests, rather than straight trajectories from a major. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the school, students have multiple and wildly varying interests (for instance, a double major in physics and theatre), and “no one can be placed in a traditional box.” Students are truly free to make their own schedules and pursue the career they desire here, all with the support of the faculty. “Not once have I been discouraged from pursuing my interests, and the encouragement to follow these passions has caused a spark in me to bring them together,” says a theater and science in society double major.