What is the academic atmosphere at Washington & Jefferson College like?

I'm exploring Washington & Jefferson College as a potential option for school and want to know more about the academics there. What's the classroom environment like? Are the professors accessible?

Washington & Jefferson College is a small liberal arts college, which allows for a highly engaging academic atmosphere that is often personal and hands-on. With a student-to-faculty ratio of around 11:1, classes are generally small. This means students can expect to have meaningful interactions with their professors, and discussion-based classes are more the norm than large lecture-style courses.

The professors at W&J are known for being accessible and supportive. Since classes are small, they're able to get to know their students on a personal level. Many students report that their professors are invested in their success, both academically and personally, and that they make time for office hours and one-on-one consultations.

W&J also emphasizes engaged learning. This might mean experiential learning projects in the local community, internships, and study abroad opportunities. There is also the "Magellan Project," a unique feature of W&J's academic program, where students can apply for grant money to design their own summer learning experiences, which can range from research projects to internships to travel experiences.

In terms of workload, like any college, it can be rigorous and the expectations are high, but most students say it is manageable and worth the effort. The emphasis at W&J isn't about competition amongst students, but rather collaboration and a mutually supportive learning environment. Overall, students tend to find the academic atmosphere at Washington & Jefferson College to be challenging, but in a rewarding and supportive way.