West Virginia Wesleyan College (WVWC)

West Virginia Wesleyan is a private four-year residential arts and sciences college that is affiliated with The United Methodist Church. Wesleyan creates a unique learning environment enabling our students to develop the skills, values, relationships, and perspectives needed for them to obtain employment, enhance their careers, and demonstrate leadership throughout their lives. Wesleyan graduates are well prepared to be successful and respected citizens in a rapidly changing world. 91% of the graduate in the last three years obtained a job in their field or were attending graduate school within one year of graduation (with 85% of the class reporting).

The college's student to faculty ratio is 13:1 with an average class size of 19. The College offers over 40 majors and over 40 minors of study, and several additional master's programs spanning Athletic Training, Business Administration, Mental Health Counseling, English (Creative Writing), and Nursing. Recently, the College launched its first doctoral program: Doctorate Nurse Practitioner (DNP).

West Virginia Wesleyan is accredited by the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and approved by the University Senate of The United Methodist Church. It is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music and is approved by the West Virginia Department of Education and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education. The College participates in the Interstate Certification Project whereby several states certify teachers graduating from Wesleyan's Department of Education. The athletic training program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. Degree programs offered in business and economics, including the Master of Business Administration program, are accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education.

All academic programs either require or strongly encourage the completion of an internship experience. Wesleyan's academic calendar is 4-4-1 that includes an optional May Term in which students pursue unique study abroad courses or intensive study curricular offerings. The Advising and Career Center assists students with course scheduling, academic advising, internships and study abroad, resume writing, job searches, and graduate and professional school placement. The Learning Center provides tutoring services as well as comprehensive services for students with diagnosed learning disabilities.

Of the more than 1,050 students, 53 percent are from West Virginia, while the other 47 percent originate from 39 states and 19 countries. 16 percent of Wesleyan's American students are minority students. Over 90 percent of Wesleyan's new students live on-campus and the College guarantees four years of on-campus housing for all undergraduate students. Housing options include double and single rooms, suites, and apartments. Campus dining is provided and prepared by a contracted professional catering service.

"Our school runs the gamut of students," proclaims a junior. There is a "range from very poor to well-to-do" in this little "cluster of everyone." Ethnic minorities are reasonably represented given the location, and there are "a lot of international students, too." You have your "dedicated Christians." "You have your athletes, the sorority/fraternity people, the average ones, the theater group, the brainiacs, and the stuck-up people." Overall, students here are "motivated but down-to-earth" and in good physical shape. Many students play a sport or spend a lot of time outside. "The average student participates in Greek life and parties on the weekend" as well. Wesleyan is also a friendly environment. "Everyone knows everyone else," and people are "nice to nearly everyone." "Everywhere you go you feel like you're welcomed." At the same time, "there are many cliques, and people tend to stay in the same group they found freshmen year."

The idyllic campus here is "very peaceful." However, some of the dorms are "in need of serious remodeling." Also, while some students say "the food is fine," others disagree. "We have the same thing every other day, and most of it is tasteless," grumbles a famished junior. Community service is a fairly big deal, but intercollegiate athletics, theater, and frats and sororities are "the three main things around here." "The nightlife on the weekends is pretty decent," reports a senior. "The fraternity houses throw pretty great theme parties," and there is "a significant amount" of drinking and revelry. "Even if you aren't Greek, you party on the weekends at the fraternity houses." The tiny, "quaint" town of Buckhannon is "a great place to relax and de-stress" and there are a few popular bars but, otherwise, "there isn't much to do." "The geographic location of the campus lends itself to people who like to be outdoors," though. "It rains and snows a lot," but you can whitewater raft and rock climb to your heart's content, and there are "some great spots for snowboarding in the winter." Urban pursuits are considerably harder to find. "Clarksburg isn't too far away if you want a nice dinner or want to go shopping," and Morgantown—home to West Virginia University—offers the big state school vibe. That's about it, though. "People from out of state will definitely go into culture shock from the rural atmosphere," warns a senior.