Western Carolina University Reviews

Abby

from Franklinfrinklin, NC

Current student

In which ways do you feel you are learning and growing?

It pushes me to be more time efficient and organized. These are key essentials if you want to stay on top of your classes

How are you enjoying your time at this college?

It has been really stressful and I feel kind of isolated, but there has been fun times in between when I get to hangout with friends or go to the activities the school puts on.

What tips can you share with prospective students?

Make one good friend here (recommended to be in your major) so that you two can help each other out and cry over test results together

What qualities do you have that have best prepared you for success at this institution?

Begrudgingly stick with something even though I really want to quit

How would you describe the food and dining options?

It was surprisingly good sometimes even slightly better than good

In your experience, what is there to do for fun at this college?

They put on events once in a while and there are cool clubs you can join like Campus Rock, this is totally not a plug in for people to join Campus Rock.

In what clubs or organiziations have you participated and how have they impacted your overall experience?

Campus Rock has made me new friends and have fun experiences

How does this institution support campus safety or mental health and wellness programs?

With police and people you can talk to if you want

How has your college supported your career development and future goals?

It offers career help and free tutoring services

Hannah from Clemmons, NC

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	The class size average is about 30 students which is good for student-professor relationships. You are able to get to know your professor in a setting not much different from high school. Professors strive to make time for your questions and want to see you succeed.
Am enjoying being here	I love being in the mountains and Western is located in the perfect setting. Located in a valley, we get perfect weather most of the year. We have a small campus so it is easy to find your way around and you won't feel completely overwhelmed on your first day.
Bang for the buck	My favorite part of tuition cost is the book rental policy. For $107, you get ALL the books you need for a semester. And you can return them at the end, so you don't have books you don't need sitting around. If you want, you can pay a discounted price to keep a book you want. This is one of Western's most exciting offers.
Tips for prospective students	Come visit us! It isn't the same to just read a review, gain experience! Walk around campus with a tour guide that can tell you anything you want to know and some fun facts that you'll always remember.
Great for these types of students	outdoor people, education majors, people interested in marching band (number 1 in the nation! :))

Krysta from Kernersville, NC

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	The classes are small enough that the teachers give you the attention you need and make themselves available for you if you need extra help. Western also has great departments for you to choose from. Western has a special department for Entrepreneurship, which I am in. The classes there will help me one day have and run my own bookstore.
Am enjoying being here	The campus is beautiful in its setting in the mountains. The school holds many activities for you to participate in with your friends. Everyone is friendly and I have made many friends. There are many clubs and organizations for any type of interest.
Bang for the buck	The cost to attend is reasonable and the quality of the school is amazing for the low costs. The convenience of food is good and the quality. Western also provides many services to help you academically, advisors are there to help step by step. They have disability services and Student Support Services.
Tips for prospective students	Make sure you attend class everyday. Have a personal relationship with your advisor - they are there to help you. Use the library, they have great resources for you and the people who work there can help you. Use the writing center, they will help you with your papers.
Great for these types of students	Mountain lovers should attend here. Students who want a great education for low costs should attend here. Students who want to be part of great friendly and easy going environment should attend here. If you don't want to have a pay for text books, Western has a rental system.

Susan from Conover, NC

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	If you are looking for a superb education, a beautiful campus, and a phenomenal college experience at a competitive price, Western Carolina University is the perfect college for you. Smack in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Western Carolina has some the best scenery around and offers some of the nation's highest-ranked academic programs. Home to less than 10,000 students, class sizes are relatively small and tuition is extremely affordable, making Western Carolina University the best in every category.
Tips for prospective students	Be prepared for cold and snowy weather! Not every winter is brutal, but it can happen! Classes are very rarely cancelled due to snow, so be sure to bring your snow boots. Once class is done for the day, grab your sled and enjoy the snow mountain-style!
Academic Rigor	WCU's entrepreneurship and project-management programs are the highest-ranked in the nation. The criminal justice and teacher education programs have won national awards, and the emergency medical care program is the first accredited four-year program in the nation. Academics at WCU are held to very high standards and students will be challenged to step above and beyond their comfort level in order to stay on top of their education. For the exceptional student, the Honors College offers an even more rigorous--but very rewarding--academic experience.
Dorm Life	Freshmen are required to live on campus. This is important because it provides you with opportunities to become involved with the university and exposes you to a greater variety of people. While living in a dorm, everything on campus is within walking distance. Each of the 13 residence halls at WCU provide their own unique experience. Amenities and rules vary from building to building. Although you are allowed to move off-campus your sophomore year, many students choose to continue living on-campus.
Food and Dining	Students living on and off-campus can participate in WCU's different meal plans. The courtyard dining hall serves homestyle meals, and two food courts provide mall-like dining with a Chikfila, Papa John's, Panda Express and several other restaurants . The campus also has a McAlister's deli, a Starbucks, Einstein Brother's Bagels, and a Java City.
What to do for fun	Even if you spend the next four years of your life at WCU, you will never run out of things to do at WCU. The campus itself has a pool, movie theater, a rock-climbing wall, and intramural sports teams. Base Camp Cullowhee is a club that provides you with the opportunity to go rafting, hiking, caving, whitewater kayaking, camping, skiing, skydiving and more. The Tuckaseigee River and Bear Lake are also close by and provide even more fun. If you're not an outdoorsy person, head downtown to enjoy shopping and nightlife!
Bang for the buck	WCU is one of the most affordable colleges in the UNC system, with approximate cost of attendance being $7000 per semester for in-state students and $12,000 per semester for out-of-state students.
Great for these types of students	WCU is great for students who appreciate the unique mountain culture of North Carolina and don't mind being an hour drive from any big city.
Greek Life	WCU is home to 14 fraternities and 9 sororities. Greek life at WCU opens doors to great networking opportunities, scholarships and lifelong friendships.
Campus Safety	Western Carolina has its own University Police Department to provide law enforcement and crime prevention, active 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The emergency siren and PA system immediately alert students in the event of a campus lockdown.

James from NC

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	Classes are great and well put together.
Am enjoying being here	I've definitely made a lot of new friends here. Lots of campus activities make it easy to meet people, even if you're a shy, introverted, or reserved person.
Bang for the buck	Tuition recently increased, but other than that, the facilities are well-maintained and the education is definitely worth it.

Giselle from Cullowhee, NC

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	Great programs, hands-on learning. Much better then just traditional lecturing. Projects, homework, etc all reflect course material and are very helpful. Many resources available to us such as tutoring, writing workshops, and math labs.
Am enjoying being here	Many organizations on campus that promote outdoor activities. We live in the mountains, so there are a lot of things for us to do. Hiking, visiting water falls, whitewater rafting, etc!
Bang for the buck	Probably THE cheapest public school in NC, with a lot to offer. Brand new dorms, a beautiful huge new gym with a rock climbing wall, many intramural sports to join, free tutoring for many many classes, writing lab for those tough papers, math lab for all math courses! All for FREE. You don't have to pay for books because that's included in tuition as well!
Tips for prospective students	You're going to need a car, town is about 10 minutes down the road and it's hard to get around without one!
Great for these types of students	Great for outdoorsy people, or people looking to experience something new. Very scenic place.

Casey from Charlotte, NC

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	Most of my classes are really small, so that leads to a better student-teacher relationship. All of my professors this semester are very knowledgeable and cool, which makes for class being more fun.
Am enjoying being here	Sure it's a small school, but you'll get over it. Seeing as it's smaller you'll be able to see and know more people around campus. There are lots of activities going on every week so there's always something to do. It's also not too far to towns nearby if you need to get out.
Bang for the buck	Probably one of the more cheaper schools in North Carolina. I certainly enjoy getting my education for not as pricey as other school.
Tips for prospective students	Definitely come visit before you decide to come here. You'll know once you're here if you'll like it.
Great for these types of students	This place is great if you like the small town feel. Also if your an outdoors person. It's really nice out here in the fall.

Panda Brah from Cullowhee, NC

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	If you like moutnain scenery, a cheap cost, and a mildly populated college this is for you.
Tips for prospective students	Don't slack off Professors and Seniors who have experienced college are your friends to success Don't do drugs or have unprotected sex and create a hell for your life
Academic Rigor	It's advanced high school. If you sucked at Highschool there is help all around campus. Talk to your senior classmates and professors as well.
Dorm Life	Roommates, fill out your preference sheets early If your not married do not dorm with your bf or gf. Make scheduled cleaning or personal times with your roommates. Don't take a dorm or apartment you cannot adequately pay for. Don't do drugs or drink alcohol.
Food and Dining	Courtyard, good breakfast and decent lunch menus. Brown Hal, decent lunch, and dinners. Vary each week and sometimes are themed. Subway and strip markets, nice but you can't use Declining balance or meal exchanges here. Court YArd and Brown Hall businesses, great options for slightly ethnic food or Americanized clihes.
What to do for fun	Clubs Outdoors Sportrs Photography Working a job

Krysta from Hickory, NC

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	Western Carolina University is a fantastic school. It offers great academics while still being a beautiful campus. It is small, and so the class sizes are even smaller than at my high school.
Tips for prospective students	The only thing close is a Wal-mart so WCU may not be the school for you if you are used to having large shopping centers. The school is located in Cullowhee, NC that is a neighboring city to the slightly larger Sylva, NC but if you are used to big cities, it would not be the place for you. Western is the perfect school for people that come from small towns because you will feel like you are back home. At WCU professors and students are able to have great relationships because of the small class sizes. The campus is small and so there is no need for lots of walking. The most important thing to remember is to always carry an umbrella because the weather is temperamental. WCU = WE CARRY UMBRELLAS.
Academic Rigor	Compared to some colleges the classes at Western are definitely easier, but you cannot slack off. Although the classes can be classified as easier they are still quite difficult. Studying is recommended if you want to make A's.
Dorm Life	The dorms at Western vary for each one. The Honors College dorm, Balsam, and Blueridge are neighboring buildings both dorms include air condition and a private bathroom. Scott is considered the freshman dorm and does not contain air condition or wireless internet, the bathrooms are also community/hall baths, there are two to each floor. Walker another freshman dorm is suite-style in that you would share a bathroom with 7 other people.
Food and Dining	The food and dining here on campus is of good quality but it tends to get routine. It is best to get the meal plan with the largest amount of declining balance so you can eat at Mcalisters, because it is the best on campus. If you eat off campus every once in a while, you should be fine.
What to do for fun	For fun one could join many campus activities or travel to Franklin, about 30 minutes away, for roller skating or bowling. Also there are different hiking trails in the local area for outdoorsy people. Asheville is about 45 minutes away and is the closest big city.
Bang for the buck	Western in one of the cheaper colleges in North Carolina, and yet it's academics can still compete with other colleges.
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus	One unusual tradition that WCU holds is the battle of the jug with App State. This battle deals with our football rivalry with App State. This tradition is taken very seriously.
Great for these types of students	Western Carolina is great for students who come from small towns.
Campus Safety	Western is a very safe campus. I never have had problems with my safety here on campus.

Samantha from Clayton, NC

a current student here

Categories	Comments
In three sentences	The environment is amazing and not only the teachers but everyone is very helpful. Western will your home away from home and you will be proud to call yourself a Catamount. At Western, there is so much to do academically and recreationally so you will never get bored.
Tips for prospective students	The best advice I received when I first came to Western is to get involved with activities on and around campus. You are able to meet so many more people that will impact your life and will help you with your academics and when you apply for jobs after graduation. Get involved!
Academic Rigor	If you go to class and pay attention you will succeed.
Dorm Life	I recommend living on campus for your first year. You get to be with everyone, be very close to your classes, and you will be more involved with activities on campus by living on campus. Living on campus will help you so much in your transition from high school to college.
Food and Dining	The food is amazing! There is a wide variety of options for you every day all day.
What to do for fun	There are a lot of activities in and around campus. There are many hiking tails and rivers to kayak/whitewater down right here by the campus. There are many waterfalls you can hike to or you can go to a concert or sporting event on campus. Trust me, you will not get bored.
Bang for the buck	The money is worth it!
Clubs and Activities	There is a wide variety of organizations you can get involved in.

kanika from Charlotte, NC

a current student here

Categories	Comments
Am learning a lot	Western Carolina University is an institution with well developed professors. They work with the class and also the individual student to ensure the best for your education. I have had only positive interactions with the faculty and staff of the university. I plan on attending this university until my graduation date because I feel they do their best to ensure a good education.
Am enjoying being here	I enjoy being apart of Western Carolina University's campus life. It is very lively and gives you options. From the new recreation center to the new dining hall establishment, you will feel at home on this campus. The people are nice and the views are amazing.
Bang for the buck	Who could ask for more. You get a great education, fine dining and living conditions, and most exciting of all, you get the wonderful experience of the mountains. From the many colors during the fall to the white winter, everything is beautiful. You get to experience the mountains like never before when you participate in the many outdoor and indoor activities that WCU has to offer. The most fun you will have at an college.
Tips for prospective students	If you choose Western Carolina University, do not let your college experience go to waste. WCU has so much to offer. WCU can learn from you as much as you can learn from the institution. So don't jump be on campus, become apart of it and be a CATAMOUNT!!!
Great for these types of students	IF you are an outdoor adventurer, WCU is the school for you. WCU offers amazing outdoor activities, such as rock climbing, white water rafting, etc. Also for students who love music, WCU has an awesome music program. We have the number one band in the nation, who has recently performed at the Rose Bowl. They put on great shows that not only brings the current students to the game but people who live in the surronding areas.