Washington College (WC)

A Washington College education affords students unmatched opportunities to work closely with an exceptional faculty on projects they are passionate about. We believe that a diverse liberal arts education is both academically rewarding and the most effective way to prepare for a future in anything you want to do. From studying on the Chesapeake Bay to interning at The White House, there's something for everyone at Washington College.

In their first two years on campus, WC students are encouraged to explore their interests, examine different perspectives, and challenge their old ways of thinking. There is no one-size-fits-all education at Washington College: from double-majoring to internships to study abroad and semester-long interdisciplinary programs, we encourage our students to think outside the box and shape a college experience that is right for them.

Founded in 1782, Washington College was the first college chartered in the sovereign United States of America. General George Washington lent us his name, donated 50 guineas to our founding, and served on our first Board of Visitors and Governors. Our goal back then was to cultivate responsible, educated citizen-leaders who could nurture the new democracy. That founding purpose still holds true today.

Our student body draws roughly 1,400 students from 23 countries, and with a student-to-faculty ratio of 10:1 and an average class size of 12, you'll never feel lost in the crowd.

Washington College supports more than 80 clubs, from the nationally recognized Habitat for Humanity Club to wakeboarding, sailing, and entrepreneurial activism through Enactus.

As a Division III member of the NCAA, our 18 intercollegiate teams compete in the Centennial Conference, the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association, and the Mid-Atlantic Rowing Conference (MARC). Nearly a third of WC students are varsity athletes, and 60% participate in varsity, intramural, or club sports.

Our Student Events Board is always hard at work putting together amazing opportunities for students, from festivals and quiz nights to the semi-formal George Washington's Birthday Ball, which also welcomes back alumni.

At Washington College, "there is a connected feel throughout the student body," which is a product of the small campus size. "Everyone knows each other in some sort of fashion," and "it's quite the treat to walk around and only see familiar faces." Even though "everyone tends to stay in their groups," most "belong to multiple categories of social life," and "there is no animosity between any of the groups." As one undergrad notes, "By and at large, students are respectful and caring toward each other, and there's a broad friendliness to the community." Students describe their peers as "diverse, opinionated, and intelligent" people who "want to be actively involved in their institution and have their voices heard." At Washington College, "there is a wide range of intellect, ability, and personality that come together to make an interesting campus atmosphere." Although there's "a diverse political background" among its student body, "it's still a predominantly white institution." Students say "addressing racial bias on campus is an ongoing process," but that the school and community have "taken ample steps" in addressing this. "For example, in my Human Right and Social Justice class, my group and I are working within the town and the college to create a plan of racial reconciliation that includes meetings with advocacy groups and the local community as well as with those from our institution," one student says. All in all, undergrads can confidently say that there are "plenty of nice and accepting students."

Some may worry that living in a small town while attending Washington College might be difficult, but rest assured "if you make friends and get involved, it's engaging and fun." The Student Events Board "does a lot of work to give everyone options and fun things to do," and offer involvement opportunities like "varsity sports, intramurals, [and] Greek life." Intramural sports, like dodgeball and ultimate Frisbee, are fun ways "to compete and make new friends," and for those in Greek life, "there's no competition or animosity between chapters." Organized events are plentiful, where "Theatre productions are somewhat significant events," as are "poetry readings and author discussions" at the Literary House. On evenings and weekends, "There's a party culture," one student admits, but it's "pretty safe and tame."

Students trying to get off-campus enjoy visiting the boathouse on the nearby Chester River, where they can kayak and paddleboard for free, or simply "take a step back from [their] busy life around school and enjoy the scenery on the water." Nearby Chestertown "is a really lovable town and the surrounding area is also incredibly pretty." Many feel that "The town is a great place for a walk," and "going to the farmer's market on Saturday mornings is popular." Beyond Chestertown, "going to Annapolis, MD or Middletown, DE [a]re the two major outings students take."

Students here feel very prepared to enter the job market. That can certainly be attributed to the fact that “Washington College isn't just about teaching you the specific skills you think you need for one job, it's about teaching you the analytical and critical thinking skills that you KNOW you will need for any job.” Of course, credit is also due to the school's Career Development Office which has some amazing resources. For example, students can participate in mock interviews as well as sit for GMAT/LSAT/MCAT test prep courses. The office also runs programs like Washington to Wall Street which helps undergrads prepare for a career in the financial services industry. Further, there's an extensive job shadowing program which pairs students with professionals in any number of fields from the arts and education to social justice and science and tech. All in all, Washington students graduate knowing they are prepared to conquer their next steps.