Washington College
Responses from the Student Interview
From a student who identifies as Major: Undeclared, but I plan to declare a double major in Sociology and Political Science
Minor: None
Student Self Identifies as: African-American Heterosexual Female
Summary
Black Student Union, WACapella, and Cleopatra’s Sisters.
Background
Gender Identity: Female
Race/Ethnicity: African-American
Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual
High School Experience: Public school outside of Charleston, SC. We started with 432 students and graduated with 32.
First-Generation College Student: Yes
Major: Undeclared, but I plan to declare a double major in Sociology and Political Science
Minor: None
Extracurricular Activities: Black Student Union, WACapella, and Cleopatra’s Sisters.
Have any of your extracurricular activities had a particularly big impact on your experience?
WACapella has because I’ve been singing since I was three and it has been a shift in my singing career because I was not used to singing in organizations. it was an impact because it made me meet upperclassmen and get more involved. Also, the Black Student Union has an impact because it’s a place where minorities can come together, make an impact, and help students to make this college successful.
Academic Experience
What is your favorite class you’ve taken so far?
Sociology
What is a class you did not like?
American Government, even though Political Science is going to be my major. That is just because I can’t grasp some of the concepts so I have to study harder.
Is there anything you feel Washington College has done especially well or poorly academically so far?
I love how the professors are engaged with us. Whenever I’m struggling with something I can email them and they get back to me quickly. There hasn’t been anything they have done poorly.
How would you describe the learning environment? Do you think it’s particularly competitive or collaborative?
I think it’s competitive, but competitive in a good way in that it makes you want to do more because you see the students around you and they make you try harder. I love how the classrooms are small and you can be engaged with your peers and your teacher.
Do you feel that students are open to multiple schools of thought in the classroom?
Yes, I do.
How was transitioning academically as a first-generation student from a low-income high school to Washington College? Were there systems in place to help you adapt?
It was hard because you’re transitioning to a private school with small classes and be more engaged with your professors. I was still in my high school mindset coming here, but when I got here I knew I had to switch it up because I was in a new environment. It was difficult, but I’m getting through it.
What’s a successful way you’ve gotten through it?
I’ve been just taking it one day at a time and am starting to get more active in school by talking more to my professors. In high school, I didn’t talk to any of my professors, but here they help you and tell you what you need to work on.
Reasons to Attend
1) Because the school is very small you can engage with your professors.
2) There are good opportunities for internships and scholarships.
3) I feel like these professors genuinely care about how you’re doing.
Reasons Not to Attend
1) If you want a bunch of entertainment around the town. It’s a small town with not a lot happening.
2) If you don’t like small classes and want big classes.
Around Campus
Where have you lived on and around campus?
Freshman: Minta Martin in a double. It’s a good-sized double, it’s nice.
How was transitioning from outside of Charleston, SC to Chestertown, MD?
It’s really hard, I’m still settling in and I’ve been here for three months. Chestertown is small and Charleston is more of a city. Here everyone knows everyone and it’s really small. It’s hard, but I’m getting used to it.
Can you describe the level of safety you’ve experienced on and around campus?
I haven’t had any issues. It’s safe and everything’s close.
Social Opportunities
What kind of nightlife or weekend activities do you like to participate in?
Whenever we have activities at the school through the events board. We’ve had a bonfire and a picnic with the whole school. They do stuff so the underclassmen feel welcome with the upperclassmen and we all feel as one.
What have been some of your favorite times at school so far?
When the Black Student Union has parties because I like to dance and have fun. When they have those and I can get away from the schoolwork, it’s fun.
How happy are you with the weekend activity options? Is there anything you would change if you could?
I’m happy with it. There’s nothing I would change. There isn’t too much going on where I will not be able to do the schoolwork and stuff I’m actually here for. It’s just right, it’s not too small where we’re bored, but there’s enough that lets me get away from schoolwork and still have time to do it. So, I’m happy.
Campus Culture
How did you meet your closest friends?
When we first got here we did Orientation Explore. They told us how when we do this that the people you meet during those three days will be some of your [close friends]. I did one called “Harriet,” which was about the Underground Railroad. There were 10 of us in the group and we’re still close to this day. The ones I have now from outside of that are from my classes.
How would you describe the social scene?
It’s very social here. You meet people from different groups, but it’s not like there are cliques. Everyone is very nice.
To what extent do you feel people of different races and sexual orientations mix socially?
One thing that I have seen here is they make people [of different sexual orientations] very comfortable. During the first week of school, I saw professors ask people what kind of pronouns we use and some students said “they and them.” I think that’s really nice. No one discriminates and everyone is comfortable here.
How was blending in socially as a first-generation college student?
It was different because most people have their parents to lean back on and their parents have stories to tell them about when they were in college. Being a first-generation student has been difficult, but I’m starting to settle in because I can always go back and tell my parents what college is like and give them encouragement for them to go to school.
How was transitioning from a big high school to a small college?
I’m comfortable. I was already used to the size, but it’s different because the class sizes are much smaller. In high school, we had classes of 40-45, but here the most I’ve had is 20. I like it because you can engage with the professors and become close with your classmates and talk with them if you don’t understand a lecture.