Wheaton College-Wheaton Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of this school?

Kendall

Wheaton College is all about serving God. Whether it's through pursuing academics or extracurriculars, the students and faculty have God's glory in mind whatever they are doing. It's a small school so interpersonal relationships are important and easy to maintain.

Emily

I absolutely love Wheaton. Wheaton is the best community in which I have ever been involved and the best community I will probably ever find. The people truly make this school. The winters are frigid cold which I think drives people together, when spring rolls around the campus is crawling with people playing ultimate frisbee, tanning or just studying outside, but most things are done in groups, you are rarely lonely here if you are putting the effort into relationships. The Wheaton name, especially in the evangelical community is held very high. I was sitting in McDonald's once and this old man came up to me because I was wearing Wheaton apparel and told me what a great school it was. Wheaton's administration is pretty top-down, but I think this is slowly changing. Teachers are very personal and absolutely love to connect with you whether that be over a meal or office hours, they are your advocates at the school and they want you to not only do well in their class, but do well in life.

Paul

Wheaton is a small liberal-arts college in the suburbs of Chicago. The town is very dull, and the college-life is not much more exciting than the town. People get stressed about schoolwork and don't lead healthy, balanced lifestyles. If you don't have a car, you feel cut off from the real world and trapped in a "Truman Show" world of affluent suburbs and Christian morality. A professor was recently dismissed for divorcing his wife, and another was dismissed several years ago for converting to Roman Catholicism; this type of fundamentalist morality enforced on faculty makes me angry.

Allison

the best thing about wheaton is the community -- most people are very friendly, considerate and interesting. the smaller size of the campus is helpful in facilitating relationships, not only among students, but with faculty and staff as well. most students spend lots of time in the newly finished student center and the sports and rec building which is packed full of lots of options for fun activities. the sports facilities are better than any division 3 school in the country and are available to all students for intramurals and recreation when varsity teams aren't playing/practicing. most students exhibit a lot of school pride -- especially in athletics and with the many wheaton traditions. the food is amazing at wheaton and the dining service is very accommodating to students and openly accepts and carries out suggestions for improvements and additions.

Phil

Wheaton is far too Alumni-oriented. There's a lot of things we can't do because we're too afraid of what the 1960's graduates will think about it. We have a "college radio station," for example. All we play is classical and contemporary christian music-- and only the most safe and simple contemporary christian music at that. I don't know a single college student who listens. But I guess we need those Alumni donations, more than we need student satisfaction. I can't wait till we graduate-- then, maybe, the school will care about what we think.

Amy

The best thing about Wheaton is the people, hands down. This really is a community that desires to serve God, not only with their academics and theology, but also with their relationships and every other part of their lives. The only thing I'd change about Wheaton is how cold it is most of the time - my winter coat and boots become my favorite fashion statements. There are Wheaton people everywhere! It seems like everyone I know has a cousin, middle school english teacher, next door neighbor, or whatever else who went to Wheaton. Going to Wheaton places you into a huge global community of alums, professors, and more.

Alex

Wheaton is a great Christian college where the students are very bright and there is a somewhat small amount of students that attend, but it is fairly close to just about right, as far as private liberal arts colleges go. Years at Wheaton come and go in phases or cycles, as life does. There will be times when you love Wheaton, and there will be times when you want to transfer elsewhere. There is something that each student signs before going to Wheaton called the Community Covenant, this is a document that says that you will not drink, smoke, or do anything immoral and it does lay out those guidelines, while going to college at Wheaton. Most students adhere to this, but as with anything, there a few that do not.

Rebecca

Now that I am home after my first year of Wheaton, I can say that it has been a very positive and life-changing experience. I can't imagine going to college anywhere else. The best thing about Wheaton is the people you'll meet. There are a lot of real, down-to-earth students and a good number of strong Christians, but you'll also meet a lot of people who are struggling with their faith as well. When I first got to the college, I expected people to be spiritually mature and very serious about their faith, but this simply isn't true of every person. You will meet people who are, but there will still be a significant amount of people who are just there because their parents want them there, or because they grew up in a Christian family and their faith has just become something they're comfortable with. However, there are many opportunities to challenge and sharpen yourself in the faith.

Sarae

It is the perfect size with a beautiful campus and a good community feel on campus. Also, the cafeteria food is excellent. It is not much of a college town and there are not really any stores in walking distance that are helpful to college survival. We have strong academics but also strong sports. The dating atmosphere is a little unhealthy in the opposite way to major state universities, there is too much stress revolved around finding the perfect spouse and not just getting to know one another.

Shelly

The best thing about Wheaton is getting to spend time in a community of Christians that care about thinking "Christianly" about the world in which we live.  I have been challenged in classes and discussions with peers to expand my views on what the Christian worldview ought to look like.  At the same time, Wheaton is very much committed to a Biblical stance on issues.  I personally liked the small size of the school and getting to know people with varying interests, versus just getting to know others of similiar majors as has been the experience of some of my friends at large state schools.  There's always some controversy about the Covenant and the ban on drinking, etc., but I think that for the most part the rules don't feel too stifling.

David

The community is the greatest thing at Wheaton college. Many people criticize it for one reason or another but in my opinion, it is a good thing especially in a fallen world where nothing is perfect. Many people yell at me for criticizing chapel, but I do think it could be humanly better than it is. I will not say more than that because it is also true that you can make or break chapel with your attitude towards it. I'd say I have a very high opinion of Wheaton's administration. I love how Dr. Litfin handles problems. He is not pretentious at all but takes events in stride and manages to back almost everything he says by scripture. One event that was recently blown way out of proportion by the media was the event of a professor leaving after filing a divorce with his wife. Fact #1: he resigned (ie. he was not fired). Fact #2: Yes, Wheaton has a divorce policy but they always take these things case by case. the media seemed to totally miss all this, but then again, whenever else do they get the chance to give Wheaton really bad media coverage.

Steve

I do sometimes wish the school had maybe a thousand more students, just so you don't see the same faces in the dining hall all the time. Also, the food is awesome, voted best in the country a couple of years ago. Overall, the quality of students is generally very high, and although people can get pretty high-strung, the overall demeanor of the campus seems positive and conducive for learning.

Rusty

I love Wheaton because of the community and involvement you find at the school. Whether it's Model UN or Intermural sports, it seems like everybody finds something to be involved in. The relationships you build not only from being involved in extracurriculars but also but just being involved in dorm life is amazing and I can't say enough about the great friends I made because of these things. The campus is very supportive of the groups that represent Wheaton in any form and it really is a tightknit campus community.

Amy

Area: I love the area of Wheaton for the most part. The campus is beautiful in all the seasons. It still takes my breath away on certain days. Don't be fooled however if you visit the campus in the spring or the fall. Winter is cruel cruel cruel. There really is always something to do if you want. The train into Chicago is only five dollars round trip on weekends and is right on campus. Downtown weekend is half a mile away and has nice restaurants. On campus there will often be some sort of student government event, play, improv show, etc. Find a group a friends and just do everything with them. Food: The food really is very good which sets Wheaton apart because I always heard that college food was supposed to suck. Best thing about Wheaton: If you are at all into acting TRY OUT FOR WORKOUT. it has absolutely been the highlight of my college experience.

Leslie

I will give you a positive view of Wheaton because I love it. The best things about Wheaton are the professors and the students. The professors are accessible and you can tell they truly care about you. I was over at one of my professor's house 4 times this semester, and his wife knows my name because she prays for me every week along with the rest of the class. Amazing. The professor that I TA for had me over for dinner to thank me for the work I did for him. I also love my friends. It's not a bad thing when you feel like you could be friends with almost anyone at your school, and the only thing that is holding you back is that you just don't have enough time and emotional energy to be friends with everyone.

Dave

Wheaton, first of all, is gorgeous. When people come to visit, they often either come in the fall or spring; in the fall, beautiful flowers fill the potting beds, the weather is just right, and the sun shines plenty. In the spring, tulips and violets are pushing up everywhere, just about every tree manages to bloom, and even the occasional thunderstorm make the place more wonderful. The students know the truth. The winter - six of the eight months at Wheaton - is brutally cold and not all the pretty. In many ways, that's how the time at Wheaton is. At first, it's the fall - where everything that's been planted in the past years of your life seem to fit just right. And when you leave, honestly, it seems like everything is blooming and blossoming and coming out just right. But between the coming and going lies a few years of a lot of confusion. It's taking strong, conservative Christian values and learning to live a real broken, hurt and twisted world with them. It's falling in love with God while trying to forgive your roommate for hurting you in a way. It's realizing that Wheaton, with all the beauty and perfection, is full of real people who often get in the way of the beauty. Things seem almost too good to be true - a perfect college town, really built up around the college, a beautiful campus, so very close to Chicago, Professors who seem to be the best people in the world, and students who are bright and attractive. But, like always, brokenness will get in the way and lead to disenchantment. Very, very quickly. I love Wheaton.

Jeff

Wheaton is a very unique place. It is very academically challenging. Do not come here if your primary goal for college is to party, you are here to learn first. The faculty is fantastic, top notch scholars. Despite being an academically rigorous school, I did find plenty of time to have fun with my friends. The people here are really great. My friends are great, definitely my best friends in the world. Also cool is that Chicago is very accessible. The campus is right next to a train stop that goes into the city. The school is not perfect, so don't expect it to be, but I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and would not change it for anything.

Jake

The best thing about Wheaton is twofold - the amazing people you will find on campus (students, faculty, staff) and the dialogue that is a constant on our campus. Your friends will likely be leaders in their home community, incredibly talented, intelligent people who will question your faith and make you grow. The same goes for our faculty - they truly care about the students, and are interested in tying the faith into our academics. An atheistic approach to my field no longer seems natural to me. Together, we nurture an atmosphere that is constantly engaging the issues of academics and faith here in our own communities and around the world. The school is large enough to give you space to move and find your own group, but small enough to feel like a family. If I could change one thing about Wheaton, there tends to be a tired cynicism that is prevalent in the student body. Often, this comes from tired, stressed out students who are overwhelmed by their own problems, who are confronted by the brokenness of this fallen world. In response, I would challenge the prospective Wheaton student to choose to engage yourself wholeheartedly with a small number of issues you can fully commit to. If you find yourself discouraged, always remember that the Spirit strengthens and guides you.

Rachael

Wheaton is an amazing community of very diverse students (all fifty states and a lot of countries). It is a small school, but this creates an atmosphere of fun and familiarity. We have chapel three times a week and almost all students attend. It is a great way to facilitate the bond between students. Dorm life is a great transition from home, and almost all upper-class men live in campus apartments. The big picture at Wheaton: its a fantastic place, but not for everyone. If you don't want to be intentional about community or loving Jesus Christ than its probably not for you.

Julie

Coming to Wheaton for my college career has been one of the best experiences I could have asked for. I don't know where else I could go that would give me such opportunities to grow intellectually, relationally or spiritually. We have a wonderful faculty who are so committed to seeing us grow in those areas. The relationships I've developed with these adults as well as the amazing students who join me at Wheaotn have been so fulfilling. Never have I been so blessed to walk alongside my peers in such loving and Christ-centered friendships. Here at college, our friends are our family. And I am so lucky to live with the people who surround me. Also, at Wheaton, we are given so many opportunities to grow outside of the classroom. Through extra-curriculars such as athletic teams, ensembles, committees and ministries, I have learned just as much as I've learned in the classroom. It's here that I've seen how to live in servanthood and how to apply what I've studied in my lectures. P.S. Chapel is awesome.

Stephanie

Wheaton is a small Christian liberal-arts institution, the main emphasis on the Institution part. It prides itself on a conservative tradition and is synonymous with such. Many people look at me (with my tattoos and piercings, no less) and ask, "really? You go to that school?" While several times I've been frustrated by some of the (in my opinion) outdated practices and restrictions that this school has, many other times I've been pleasantly delighted by my experience here. Due to the material taught, the focus on a lifestyle of holistic well-being (as opposed to partying), my interactions with professors and other students, and the proximity to the city of Chicago, I feel that I've learned more in two years here than I would have at any state school.

Anna

I'll tell a story that I feel gives a pretty good impression of Wheaton, or at least Wheaton as a community, which is my favorite aspect of my school. The last day of finals week this past semester, a giant group of my friends - who have all been close since the very beginning of freshman year - went out to dinner to celebrate a couple of friends who were graduating early. Afterwards, most of the girls (all of us still living together) came back to one of the apartments to hang, and we ended up having the loudest dance party in the history of our group of friends, with a playlist of songs we've spent three years bonding over, until we were all sweating through our clothes. That's the type of thing we've been doing with each other since freshman year. I love my friends, and all of the people at Wheaton. The people are the biggest reason I'm a student at Wheaton.

kate

Basically I just want people to know that Wheaton is really what you make of it. If you want it to be an uptight experiance, it can be. If you want to make it fun, it can be fun. There are all sorts of people at the school, and you can chose to be friends with whoever you want. Don't let people tell you that everyone at Wheaton is a brainy-ack who only likes to do their homework and be "intellectual." Yes, there are people here like that, but you'll find that at any school. There are people who take all the rules to heart, but there as just as many who don't. You just need to find your niche. At the end of the day, though, Wheaton is a great place for Christians to be. I've grown so much since my first year at Wheaton, and I don't regret any second of being at this school.

Elizabeth

These are the things that haved shaped my college experience most: 1. The students: I have the best friends I have ever had at Wheaton college. My roommates are fun, smart, compassionate, hilarious, and deeply committed to the same things I am. They are some of the most amazing people I have ever met, and they aren't unusual at Wheaton. 2. The professors: The vast majority of my profs not only know my name, but talk to me on a pretty regular basis. I would be comfortable going to any one of them for help on a project. They are brilliant in their fields and genuinely care about students as individuals. They also teach classes. I have never been in a class where a TA taught more than once in a semester. 3. The location: Wheaton is a nice size town, so there are places to go within walking distance, but it is still safe to walk around at night. With a car, there are a lot more options within a pretty short distance, and there is a train station about a block off campus that goes to Chicago for really cheap. It's great to be able to get to Chicago so easily for a Friday night or Saturday. 4. The traditions: Funny traditions make Wheaton a really entertaining place to live. Two weeks ago i was "rescued" from class by three guys wearing cardboard sheilds and war paint.

Rachel

They always talk about community at Wheaton, and it's for a good reason. Wheaton isn't just about academics. It's about the bigger picture. It's about making you grow as a person, not just as a student. Wheaton's size is pretty good. If it was bigger, it couldn't accomplish the sense of community that it does, and if it were smaller, I'd go crazy. People react differently when I tell them that I go to Wheaton. Some haven't heard of it. Some, like my conservative parents, ask if they teach evolution. Most, though, say, "I hear that's a good school." The biggest recent controversy at Wheaton was Dr. Gramm's resignation, but I think the administration did its best regarding that issue. Wheaton is a weird place. I'm getting a completely different experience than my friends at state schools, but I'm kind of glad that that's how it is.

Paige

Wheaton's greatest strength--and consequently its greatest weakness--is its attempt to fully integrate faith and learning. What we have in Wheaton is something of a monastery. People are learning but fully expected--and required-- to live in faith. And there are a lot of students who come to Wheaton who don't see it that way. The faculty are both academic advisers and spiritual mentors. If you're a Christian, it's amazing and fulfilling, so long as you're pursuing a life of faith. Wheaton will help you get that in all areas, so long as you still want what it has to give, which is a focused, Christ-centered education that takes itself seriously. The campus is beautiful, and under constant maintenance, and the city of Wheaton is just what you'd expect--white, flagrantly Christian, conservative--but also very beautiful. Students who complain are those who want more freedom, more leeway with the rules, yet it is these rules that define Wheaton as an institution and keep its students in line with its core values.

Justin

A lot of people have never heard of Wheaton, but it's a quality school. It's a great blend of rigorous academics, and a commitment to Christianity that delves deep into every facet of our lives. Wheaton is a great place to go to deepen your Christian faith. Coming to Wheaton is like going to live in France after learning the language in school. Sure, you can speak French pretty well, but when you live in France and have to use it every day, you get intimate with it; you reach a whole new level of French. Similarly, being at Wheaton brings your Christianity to a whole new level of depth because you're immersed in it all the time.

Andrew

Wheaton's great if you like the conveniences of a nearby large city with the security and quaintness of a wealthy suburban neighborhood. Recently there has been a big controversy on campus that has made national news. The school has a policy that if a faculty or staff member is going through a divorce, they must talk about it with the administration. Well, a very popular professor on campus recently resigned because he didn't want to talk about a divorce he is going through. It's a difficult situation because no one wants him to leave, and no one thinks he should have to. In my opinion, the rule is in place because we are at a Christian institution and employees are expected to live up to or at least try to live up to Christ's standards. Now, I certainly don't think a divorce should cause someone to be fired, but I definitely think it isn't unreasonable to request that the employee talk about his divorce. How else would you know if a prof was just running away from his wife and children to marry some young, former student or something of the sort? At a Christian institution you have to have boundaries somewhere.

Josh

right size. when i tell people i go to wheaton most people ask "where's that?" the people who do know what and where wheaton is are impressed. i spend most of my time on campus. everything closes really early in wheaton - like 6 o'clock, so off campus activities are limited. chicago is really easy to get to, though so when i'm not too busy it is a great option.

Shane

Wheaton is a small (2500) private Christian school. It is rigorously academic, enough so to be deemed "The Harvard of Christian Schools". In my opinion that is bull crap. the only real advantage we have anymore over other major Christian schools is our prestiege, meaning we get the best commencement speakers and all that kinda stuff. I love being at Wheaton. I can't imagine a better place for me to go. I know that Wheaton has its faults (and believe me, there are many of those) but for all of its downsides it definitely is worth it. The people here are absolutely amazing, if a little uptight at times. The quality time i spend here with people is mind-boggling, whether that is just talking over coffee or going paintballing, or working with the homeless in the city (Chicago). The school is amazing and i wouldn't transfer for the world.

Summer

I love that Wheaton is so close to downtown Chicago. I love going into the city and it is so wonderful to have the resources available that come with large cities (symphony orchestras, many parks and people, diversity, a place to escape campus when needed). I love the professors at Wheaton. They are all generally incredibly smart and know what they are talking about. The administration has, at times, faced controversy due to the retiring or firing of professors, yet I respect their decisions in difficult situations. The college is what it is because of the high standards expected of both students and professors.

Alex

It's really tough academically, and everyone needs some way to de-stress, and there are a fair amount of opportunities for having for, though there could definitely be more dances, and other such events. It's a good place despite being located in the midwest.

Carson

The best thing about wheaton is the that it can be a very comfortable place to grow and be nurtured by challenging courses and professors.

Will

Wheaton is a relatively small school, about 2,500 undergrads, and the thing that I love about campus is the fact that with a student body that size you have a lot of small, close knit groups that you become a part of, but they're not clique-ish. Your floor has roughly 50 people on it, and those people become some of your best friends, and your classes are generally smaller than 30 people, and you get to know the professors and other students in the class incredibly well. The professors actually do get to know you, both inside of class and outside, like my music professor, who I spent an hour talking to after class because we had a shared love of classical music. After speaking with him a few times, we invited me and a group of friends to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra because he had free seats due to his pre-concert lecture. My friends have repeatedly eaten dinner at their professors houses, and the professors take a genuine interest in you as a person, and act as mentors to us.

Emily

Now I love Wheaton but that wasn't always true. My freshman year I struggled alot. I wasn't happy there and I wanted to transfer. In the end, most of that was my own fault. I'm a shy person and I didn't reach out to make friends. I had never moved far away and had to make new friends before so I didn't know what I was doing. I basically shut down and didn't let people in and just focused on getting good grades. That, ultimately, is not a fulfilling lifestyle. This year was so much better. I changed what activities I was involved in, not because my old ones were bad, just because I needed a change somewhere and that was all I could think to do. Because of this, I had more time for people and I spent this year making some great friends and really investing in them. The people at Wheaton are amazing! If you take the time to get to know them and really go deep in your conversations, you'll find incredible friends. My friends are like my family now and saying goodbye to them for the summer was really hard. We sit up late almost every night talking about life and about what we want to do. When the weather is nice we play outside. When it's not nice (sadly, most of the time), we stay inside and talk, eat, play music, or play games together. Our little group is like a little community and we really rely on each other on a daily basis. This is the kind of community I was looking for when I came to Wheaton. It took me awhile to find it but once I did it was so worth it and I wouldn't transfer for anything!

Alex

wheaton is a great college. It is sometimes too small but that it was makes it feel like a huge family. The focus on the Lord is great and im blessed to have. Sometimes people and the school are too tradtional and strict but that is also a blessing and what makes wheaton elite. There is still stuff that goes on at other colleges that happens at wheaton just in smaller numbers. Race is a tough topic to talk about at wheaton because the majority is white. There is alot of school pride especially in football! I will always remember the crazy football guys at the basketball game!

Marie

Wheaton is a gorgeous campus, and we have great facilities. There are tons of places to hang out on campus, and people are usually everywhere. We have GREAT live music, and there is usually intense conversation to jump in on. Many students at Wheaton are cynical about a lot of the school's policies. The most common complaints you will hear are about the Covenant and open floor policies. The food is great, and our profs rock, so you tend to hear not as much about that. Most people that go to Wheaton have grown up in Christian homes and in the church, and their cynicism stems from this. Having just recently become a Christian, it is sometimes difficult for me to understand the very strong "Christian society" that is present here. But, overall, it's a great school, and just like everything else in life, it's totally what you make it.

Becky

The best thing about Wheaton is the social life and residence halls! Fischer Dorm is the best (that's the hall I'm on!) and there's so much to do on your dorm floor! My favorite thing ever is planning and experiencing a "Raid". These are themed parties the borther/sister floor thow for each other? What's so great about them? Well, they're totally top secret and you wake up your borther/sister floor at 12 am and it goes until 2 am! There's a loud raid (when you throw the party) every semester and a silent raid (when you decorate the hall at 3-4ish in the morning!!!!) every semester. All-in-all, you have a loud raid you throw, a silent raid you throw, and a loud raid for your floor, and a slient raid for your floor every single semester! They're GREAT!!!! Plus, there's a train station right outside of campus (a 5 minute walk!) that'll take you right into the city of Chicago for only $6 on weekends! It's a nice opportunity so you can get off campus and enjoy all the city has to offer!

Chris

The best thing about Wheaton is the people, who are wonderful, thoughtful Christian folks. And, for the most part, they are intelligent and interesting to talk to - even some the football players.

Dave

With most "normal" college activities limited by the "Community Covenant" (which basically says you can't do anything that happens in Animal House or American Pie), people get very creative about ways to make their own fun. My floor has had its share of midnight naked dance parties. Another great thing about Wheaton is the accessibility of Chicago. There is a Metra stop right on campus that will take you to "The Loop" of downtown Chicago in about 45 minutes. I personally think that Wheaton, at approximately 2,400 undergrads, is just about exactly the right size for what it is. You can still have community at that size and not get lost in the crowd. When I tell people I go to Wheaton they either think I'm talking about Wheaton College in Massachusetts or suddenly look as though they think I'm about to try to convert them. To be fair, most people have never heard of Wheaton.

Laura

Wheaton is a pretty good school, overall. It's a wonderful size - just big enough not to feel claustrophobic and small enough to know a lot of people and feel part of the campus at large. The city of Wheaton is a bit small, but Chicago is nearby so that helps a bit. The reaction I get when I tell people I go to Wheaton is anything from "Where's that?" to "Oh, nice, that's a good school!" Wheaton is a Christian school. Sometimes, it does a great job embodying that. Other times, it doesn't. Other times, I'd really have no clue how to handle the issue myself, so I don't see the point in getting mad at Wheaton for doing something wrong. Overall, Wheaton's administration is human - for better or for worse. I'd speak in more detail about it, but the recent policies of the Wheaton administration and their consequences have been sensationalized enough. Out of respect to everyone involved, this is the furthest I will speak.

Erik

Wheaton is mostly recognized for two things. The first is our cafeteria food, the second is the community covenant. Yes, the food at Wheaton is phenomenal...just don't eat too much! Yes, the community covenant is a student signed agreement to abstain from the practices that most kids go to college to do. The community covenant is a promise to live at a higher standard, and although it may not be so "fun," it really demonstrates how the youthful cravings we all have are really cheap and pathetic. There is no drinking, drugs, sex, or pornography, so if that is what you want to do in college than you should look elsewhere. Actually, you don't even have to go to college for that stuff, why not just stay in your basement for the next four years?

Harper

School size is good, but I wouldn't mind it being larger. The best thing about Wheaton is the Christian atomesphere that enables students to really grow over their 4 years here. If you're not serious about your faith and Christianity is just a habit or a joke to you, then Wheaton probably isn't the place for you, but if you are questioning or looking to grow spiritually it is a great place to be. The type of person I'm talking to determines how they react when I tell them I go to Wheaton. It's usually one of three reactions: 1) Christian- Wheaton! Awesome, what a great school! 2) Non-Christian from midwest- Oh yea, thats a good school. 3) Non-Christian anywhere else- Wheaton? the one in Massachusetts? There is a lot of school pride and energy on campus. There are good traditions and dorm/team rivalries and whatnot that are a lot of fun, but no one is forced into doing something they are not comfortable with.

Aaron

It is easy to get wrapped up in Wheaton worship. Its high reputation in the Christian community and elite academics are impressive but is important for any incoming freshmen to remember that its not about Wheaton it is about God and the blessings he has poured out on you. Though it is easy to want to compete for noteriaty, true friendships are built on genuineness and true worship of God requires humility. That is the biggest complaint. FInding things to do at Wheaton is not at all difficult. My first few weeks i found myself to busy with fun and distracted from acedemics. Wheaton's close proximatey to Chicago and othe large towns makes finding entertainment easy, and there are always people around who want to go have fun. The problem is learning balancel. Students must understand you can't do it all.

Grace

I think one of the best things about Wheaton is the location. It's near Chicago, which makes it very easy to go into the city for things like concerts, awesome restaurants, sports, the symphony, etc. but it is far enough away so that it really does seem like a normal college campus. I usually go into the city at least once a week- my top number this year is probably about 5 out of 7 days. The campus is absolutely BEAUTIFUL. All the buildings are well kept and the landscaping is nice. However, it is the Chicagoland area, and things get pretty snowy in the winter. That's probably the one thing I'd change. I guess I'll get used to it once I've been there a few years.

Steven

I would say Wheaton is worth the arm and a leg that it costs. the people the school attracts are simply some of the greatest people a student could meet. Most of my professors have been better than I could have asked for, caring for me as a person rather than just being concerned with the material (yet excelling in content as well). It also seems like the administration has thought of everything to make it the best experience possible. Other strengths include great school spirit, the nicest campus and facilities I have ever seen, and (really) great food. On a day to day basis though it is sometimes hard to connect with others. Though three are many people like oneself to connect with, it can be easy to be lost in the shuffle or not really find anyone who wants to hear what's really going on. I think my biggest concern is that there can be a lack of strong spiritual community, with students just shooting the breeze in their spare time. At the root of this is that as a committed Christian, I would say that Wheaton offers a solid spiritual atmosphere to the observers eyes, yet very little that will radically touch the heart of a young adult to change significantly. There are many on campus fighting hard to usher in an atmosphere that doesn't only sustain students and faculty spiritually, but sets them ablaze.

Mike

Wheaton is certainly a very unique school. It is different because while Wheaton is a rigorous academic institution, its main objective is to glorify Jesus Christ. Upon arriving at Wheaton, you see a large concrete monument reading "For Christ and His kingdom". And that is what Wheaton is about. I play football here at Wheaton and I can honestly say this program is different from every other program in the country. I get to play with 100 guys who love football, but also love God. I got recruited to play a lot of other schools. However, Wheaton is committed to much more than just wins on the football field, or academic excellence. It is committed to God, and furthering His kingdom. I love the football team because its much more than just a football team. Its a brotherhood. Guys on this team are so close, not just on the field, but in life. We have small groups on the team where we pray and read the Bible with each other, we have team worship, we eat meals together, live together. And its much more than just football. It's awesome to know, that the guy I'm lining up to every snap, I'm gonna see in eternity in Heaven. Its awesome to be part of program that is committed to winning, which we do, and is committed to its players become men of God, who will go out into the world and stand for something more, who will stand for the Lord Jesus Christ.

Hannah

The best thing about Wheaton is definitely the friendships and relationships formed with the people here. From sports teams (varsity or IM) to floors to ministries to classes, for the most part the people are pretty amazing.

Michael

So basically, Wheaton's a huge hive of overachieving crazy Christian students with type A personalities. They're mostly geniuses, but oddly, not that competitive. They're all trying to be the best person in the world, and there is a lot of stress here. Nevertheless, everyone's friendly and junk.

Jenny

The biggest recent controversy on campus was the whole circus surrounding Dr. Graham leaving the department for withholding information about his divorce. All of Wheaton's professors sign a covenant (similar to what students have to sign), and one of the things included is maintaining the marriage covenant within the bounds that the bible describes (it's allowed if there is unfaithfulness from the spouse, or if abuse has occurred). Dr. Graham signed this like all of the other professors and when he decided to get a divorce knew that he was basically ending his career at Wheaton. He is an amazing writing prof, and we're all sad to see him go.