Wake Forest University
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Majors: Politics and International Affairs
Minor: Economics
Student Self Identifies as: Caucasian Heterosexual Male
Summary
I’m on the Club Sailing team. I used to be on Club Boxing but I had to stop due to injury, and I’m in a fraternity.
Background
Gender Identity: Male
Race/Ethnicity: Caucasian
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
High School Experience: Public school in New Jersey with about 500 students in the graduating class.
First Generation College Student: No
Majors: Politics and International Affairs
Minor: Economics
Extracurricular Activities: I’m on the Club Sailing team. I used to be on Club Boxing but I had to stop due to injury, and I’m in a fraternity.
Academic Experience
Can you describe your weekly coursework for your major?
It was mainly readings and just keeping up with current affairs. Most of the work on a daily basis is reading and most of the assignments are papers.
Is there anything you feel your major’s department does especially well or especially poorly?
Yeah, their Foreign Affairs department is alright and the American Politics department is as well. I don’t like the Political Theory courses as much, but I don’t know if that’s reflective of the department or rather just what I like.
Can you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s competitive or collaborative?
It’s more collaborative. The teachers are pretty good about keeping the courses discussion-based. It’s always good to have an open discussion.
What has been your favorite class in your major?
One of my international politics classes. I would say it’s Transitional Justice, which was a class looking at world order, transitioning economies, and transitioning governments.
Why did you choose your major? Are you happy with your choice?
Yeah, I’m happy. I cycled through a bunch of different majors and then I landed at Political Science which is definitely my favorite, and topic that I’m most interested in.
Reasons to Attend
1) It’s academically challenging, but not overly so.
2) I enjoy the classroom setting.
3) It’s a very open and friendly campus. There are a lot of people to see and meet.
4) We have a lot of school spirit. We’re in the ACC and that’s a great thing to so see some great sports talent, especially basketball.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) The food could be a lot better on campus. That definitely is the case.
2) The parking and transportation people suck, but that’s everywhere.
3) Dealing with some of the Wake bureaucracy and getting through of that can be really frustrating.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on campus?
Freshman: South Hall with one roommate. South is by far the nicest freshman dorm at the time. The room was big, I had a sink in the room and also a fridge and microwave set up, so I was pretty happy with that.
Sophomore: I lived with a bunch of my friends is a suite in Davis. They just renovated Davis, so I wasn’t there for that but it was a fun set up. They’re much nicer now.
Junior: I was in Huffman in a double. It was a little tight but we made it work.
What was your favorite living situation?
Davis was probably the most fun because I liked living in the suite with a bunch of my friends. But in terms of the best amenities, my freshman hall I would say.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
I’ve never really worried about it, but I know that it’s a concern for some people around campus [in the Winston-Salem area].
What is your favorite off-campus restaurant?
If I’m with my parents I’ll go to Milner’s downtown, and then if I’m with my friends I’ll go to Putter’s or Foothills.
What is your favorite place to get away from campus?
Probably when I’m sailing out on the lake. It’s over by High Point.
Social Opportunities
What kind of weekend activities or nightlife do you like to participate in?
I go to fraternity parties generally Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.
What impact does Greek life have on nightlife?
I’d say it’s probably greater than most other things. Most of the social life runs through Greek life I would say. [49% of students are in Greek life after recruitment.]
What have been your favorite times at Wake Forest?
Arnold Palmer day is great. It’s not necessarily a party day but you get free Arnold Palmer on the quad so I’m a big fan of that.
How happy are you with the nightlife? Is there anything you would change if you could?
Maybe [the nightlife] not being entirely Greek-centric, but that’s really it.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
Mainly living in the same hall as them. That’s where it started and then kind of meeting a couple of others just through them and a couple of people that knew people from home.
How would you describe the overall social scene at Wake Forest?
As I mentioned, it’s very Greek-centric, but it’s still very good. [49% of students are in Greek life after recruitment.]
To what extent do you think people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
I think they mix. I don’t really know, I haven’t noticed a huge issue with it. There have been some racial incidents on campus, which hasn’t been great. But in social life, it’s not an issue.
How would you describe the student body?
It’s somewhat diverse, but I guess the school could do better with that. I would say racial diversity they could do better around, but there’s definitely a lot of different personalities there. You get a good mix of people. [71% of the Class of 2021 is White.]
Do you think people are happy with their choice of Wake Forest by the time they graduate?
I know I will. So, yeah.
Careers
Has the alumni network helped you find internships or jobs?
It has not, but that’s because I haven’t really used it. I know it’s there, so I need to start doing that more.
Have you used the career office much?
Yes, I have gotten help with resumes and interview prep and whatnot and they’ve been very helpful.
Have you learned any computer programs that will help you professionally?
I’ve touched the surface with R and R Studio, but I haven’t done much with computer programming.