First-Year Experience

First-year programming at W&L allows first-year students to bond before they ever step into the classroom. Through this programming, they are able to participate in memorable and meaningful experiences like community service, outdoor exploration and experiential trips. Then, when classes begin, students have access to class deans, peer tutors and counselors, faculty advisors and others to ensure success inside and outside of the classroom.

Campus Life

Leading Edge

Leading Edge is at the beginning of First-Year student orientation. Leading Edge provides students the opportunity to begin their college career with friends, a sense of community, sharpened teamwork skills and a memorable, meaningful and challenging experience. Choose one of the themed tracks that include: Appalachian Adventure, Volunteer Venture, Archaeology, Sustainability, Freedom Ride, Making Meaning, Beyond LEADership, Around the World in Five Days, Home is Where the Art Is, Wellness Adventure, and From Queer to There. More exciting trips are in the works. Students often say Leading Edge week is one of their best college memories.

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Orientation Week

Before classes start, Orientation Week introduces new students to W&L traditions, the undergraduate curriculum, student organizations, and educational and social events. And it’s a great way to meet new friends.

Student Support

Students have access to class deans, peer tutors and counselors, faculty advisors, and others to ensure success inside and outside of the classroom.

Faculty Connection

Academic Advising

Each first-year student is matched with a faculty adviser to assist with course scheduling and degree requirements. After declaring their major, students may select a major adviser for more specialized academic, career and graduate school advice.

Student Collaboration

Peer Tutors

The Peer Tutoring Program provides academic assistance for students through their peers. This program is available to all students, free of charge. Upper-division students are available to all students in most entry-level courses. The program is designed to help students who may be struggling in their class, and also those looking for an extra boost of academic success.

Student Affairs

Class Deans

Each class is assigned a class dean who provides advice and counsel as students develop intellectually, socially and emotionally throughout their college careers. Class deans provide programming and support tailored to the unique opportunities and challenges that students face during each step of their W&L education.

Community

The Office of Inclusion and Engagement

OIE fosters a culture at W&L in which all members of the community feel welcome and able to participate in everything W&L has to offer. OIE develops programs that explore, promote and celebrate the diverse backgrounds of our students, faculty and staff.

The First-Year Experience

First-year programming at W&L allows first-year students to bond before they ever step into the classroom.

Appalachian Adventure, which takes students on a four-night hike of the Appalachian Trail, is the most popular pre-orientation trip at W&L.

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“First-Year Orientation Committee is a group of students who work year-round to plan and prepare for incoming students. With over 100 members, FYOC organizes everything from the First-Year Olympics to carnival night, and everything in between.”

Laura Beth Lavette

Major: Biochemistry • Minor: Poverty Studies