COVID-19: W&L suspends in-person classes; transitions to virtual instruction on March 30. go.wlu.edu/coronavirus
Incredible opportunity for those with incredible potential.
Washington and Lee University
Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, is a nationally ranked, small, private, liberal arts university nestled in the mountains of western Virginia. As one of the oldest schools in the nation, we believe in the education of the whole person, and value students who are intellectually curious, eager to engage with their communities, inclined to critical thinking and prepared to lead lives of consequence.
Explore Our Curriculum
Why W&L?
Spring Term
At W&L, the year is divided into two 12-week terms in the fall and winter followed by a four-week Spring Term.
These courses are designed to be transformative learning experiences with a goal for students to exclaim after taking a spring term course, "this course changed my life."
Spring Term courses are hands-on. Interdisciplinary. Intense. And anything but traditional.
Mock Convention
Since 1908, the students of Washington and Lee University have come together to create one of the most ambitious, non-partisan student political research projects in the country, the W&L Mock Convention.
Every four years, Mock Convention simulates the presidential nominating convention with the goal of predicting who the party out of power will nominate to run for President of the United States in the upcoming election.
Mock Convention encompasses 98% of the entire campus and includes faculty, staff and law students. Mock Con serves as the intersection of the W&L community, enabling students and alumni from all backgrounds and disciplines to unite while predicting the nominee.
The Outing Club
W&L was recently named one of the 10 best colleges for people who love the outdoors by Money magazine.
The Outing Club is the most popular club on campus. Students lead many activities, including backpacking, fly fishing, canoeing, kayaking, rafting, rock climbing, mountain biking, caving, skiing, and outdoor cooking.
Incoming first-year students can choose to hike the nearby Appalachian Trail during a pre-orientation trip — for many, the introduction to four years of adventure.
The Honor System
Among the many features that distinguish W&L, the Honor System has the most consequential and enduring impact on the W&L community.
The Honor System at W&L is entirely student-run. It is based on the fundamental principle that students will not lie, cheat, steal or otherwise violate the community’s trust. The result is an environment that is collaborative, not cutthroat, and where rational discourse is the norm rather than the exception.
This type of honor stays with you long after graduation, fostering a sense of personal integrity that will continue to guide your actions and distinguish you as a graduate of W&L.
Take the Next Step
At the
Heart of
W&L
We have a long tradition of educating smart, ambitious students who have the ability and the desire to make a difference in the world.
The Lived Experience
Nothing feels quite like being here—hopefully you’ve already scheduled a visit. In the meantime, explore these galleries for a glimpse of the W&L experience. See more on our Scene on Campus page.
Students relax on the Colonnade on an unseasonably warm winter day.
Students prepare to pose for photos at the SAIL Around the World event, which was part of the Multicultural Student Association's Diversity Days series.
Elle Varner ’23 (top hammock), Becket Waters ’23 (lower hammock) and Grace Williams ‘23 chat with Jonathan Gagnon ’23 on a beautiful February afternoon.
Sunset from a Village balcony on an unusually warm February evening. Photo by Emma Coleman '21
William Roberts '83, Tara McGowan, Jim Acosta, Erinn Haines and Mike Allen '86 talk politics and journalism at Mock Con's Politics and Media Panel.
Representing American Samoa, a school of tuna ride down Main Street in the back of a pickup truck, showing that it's not such a bad thing to be a fish out of water.
Maine represents with a lobster float.
Mock Con guests say hi to a couple of local ambassadors.
Mock Con 2020 General Chair Jimmy Fleck addresses the delegates.
Symone Sanders, a strategist, communications consultant and commentator, was the first guest speaker at Friday's first session.
Joe Donnelly, who served as both a U.S. Senator and a U.S. Representative for Indiana, spoke during Friday's first session,
The Mock Con team keeps an eye on things from backstage.
Nadine Strossen, first female president of the ACLU and a leading expert in constitutional law and human rights.
Patti Solis Doyle, a nationally recognized political organizer, campaign strategist and CNN political commentator.
"What's amazing about what you're doing here is that you are taking the step to go above and beyond... you are delving so much deeper into politics than most people ever will, and that will serve you for the rest of your life," Trevor Noah said.
Donna Brazile, veteran political strategist and former chair of the Democratic National Committee.
Students enjoy Mock Con 2020.
Patriotic socks at Mock Con
Trevor Noah speaks at Mock Con.
Backstage at Mock Con
Student members of the Virginia delegation are interviewed by local media at Mock Con 2020.
Andrew Gillum, the Florida Democratic Party's first African American nominee for governor, was the final speaker of Mock Con 2020.
Mock Con 2020
Lee Greenwood performs "God Bless the USA" at the conclusion of Mock Con 2020.
The Mock Con team announces that Bernie Sanders is the nominee.
The Mock Con 2020 team celebrates the conclusion of a successful convention.
The aftermath
The Shenandoah Valley is a region of the country known for its fall foliage. Few things set off the light and color of a crisp fall day better than the white columns and red brick of the historic Colonnade on W&L's Front Lawn.
More autumn colors on campus
Alumni Weekend 2019 - Luminaries
Colonnade in summer
Campus Garden Manager Nicole Poulin harvests greens in the garden.
The first colors of spring emerge around Gaines Hall.
A view of Woods Creek, which runs through campus, from the north side of the old footbridge
A holiday view of Lee Chapel
House Mountain and sorority residences as seen from the roof of Leyburn Library
Dogwood, the Virginia state flower, blooms in front of Simpson House.
Colonnade bricks
Students catalog work in the Reeves Center.
Print-making class in Lenfest
Arabic class in the Ruscio Center for Global Learning
Filming the Rockbridge Report in the broadcast studio
Student research in the biology labs
Studying sand at Assateague Island during a Spring Term geology class
Dancers on the Lenfest Stage
A student performs in the musical "Chicago."
Sketching in the art studio
A student explains her art in the Lykes Atrium gallery.
The Department of Theater and Dance presents Monty Python's "SPAMALOT."
University Orchestra
University Jazz Ensemble
Actor Julian Sands teaches a master class to a group of theater students in Johnson Theatre.
University Orchestra
University Singers
University Wind Ensemble
A winter performance of the W&L Repertory Dance Company.
W&L Repertory Dance Company winter performance
A student analyzes a piece of Chinese porcelain in the Reeves Center.
Students and staff perform during a Bluegrass Ensemble spring concert.
Multidisciplinary Artist Mari Hernandez discusses her photographic self-portraits with Andrea Lepage’s Art History class in Staniar Gallery.
A student performance of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream"
Students perform in "The Addams Family."
The W&L women’s lacrosse program consistently ranks among the best in Division III. The Generals have won 20 Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles and have appeared in 10 straight DIII Championships, advancing to the national semifinals in 2017.
The W&L baseball program has a rich tradition of success and competes in one of the toughest conferences and regions in Division III. The Generals appeared in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship game as recently as 2017.
Women’s Cross Country has claimed the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championship 19 times. They won the NCAA South/Southeast Region for the first time in 2019 and went on to their first-ever trip to the NCAA National Championship.
W&L first sponsored field hockey as a varsity sport in 2001 and since then, the Generals have won a pair of Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles, while hosting the NCAA Division III Final Four on three occasions.
Washington and Lee has one of the most storied programs in the history of collegiate lacrosse. The Generals competed in Division I until 1987 and appeared in the NCAA Division I and Division III Championships 21 times.
W&L produced a 19-9 overall record in 2019 and advanced to the championship game of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Tournament that season.
The W&L football program regularly ranks among the top rushing offenses in Division III and has appeared in the NCAA Championship four times since 2010. W&L boasts seven Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships, including five since 2006.
The W&L men’s swimming program has been a player on the national scene for nearly 50 years, having placed 30th or better at the National Championship meet 26 times since 1975. Individually, Generals have won seven national titles over the years.
The W&L women’s golf program began in 2011 and has produced three Old Dominion Athletic Conference Championships, while placing 11th at the 2019 NCAA Division III Championship.
The W&L women’s soccer program claims four Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles since 2002 and has appeared in the NCAA Division III Championship six times, including an Elite Eight appearance in 2006.
The Generals have recorded 14 Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles, including each of the last five. Additionally, the Generals qualified for the NCAA National Championship meet as recently as 2016.
The W&L men’s tennis program has a long and storied tradition of success. The Generals have won 38 Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles and have competed in 10 consecutive NCAA Championships. W&L won the 1988 NCAA Division III title.
W&L has a long-standing tradition of excellence in wrestling. The Generals were one of the nation’s top programs in the 1930’s and 40’s, experiencing a resurgence in recent years. The team has ranked in the Div. III Top 25 in the past two seasons.
The W&L women’s track & field program consistently ranks among the best in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. Individually, W&L athletes have qualified for the NCAA Championship on 18 occasions.
The men’s golf team holds 14 Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles and qualified for the NCAA Championship each of the last four years. They were the national runner-up in 2018, with Brian Peccie ’20 claiming the individual National Championship.
The Generals have won six Old Dominion Athletic Conference championships, claiming three titles in the last five years. Additionally, W&L has advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 twice since 2017.
The W&L women’s swimming program holds 29 Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles, with a current string of 12 in a row. Recently, they have also found great national success, placing in the Top 25 at the NCAA Championship each of the last four years.
The W&L men’s track & field program has won 15 Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles, including four total indoor and outdoor championships over the last three seasons. Zander Tallman claimed the National Championship in the 400 meters in 2014.
Washington and Lee’s volleyball program has won the Old Dominion Athletic Conference 16 times, appearing in the NCAA Division III Championship on 14 occasions. The Generals’ success peaked in 2006 when they advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16.
W&L’s women’s tennis team has won 29 Old Dominion Athletic Conference titles and competed in the NCAA Division III Championship for 26 consecutive seasons. They played in the National Championship match six times, winning the NCAA DIII title in 2007.
The W&L riding program was founded in 2000 and competes in one of the toughest regions in collegiate equestrian. The Generals have won two ODAC Championships and have had countless riders rank among the best in the region.