Life at Wake

First-year students are surrounded by academic and personal support, and year-round programming connects them with a network of RAs, community staff, academic advisors and Faculty Fellows. The Faculty Fellows are teacher-scholars who develop a rapport with students, often becoming part of their support system beyond the first year.

The popular outdoor pursuits program organizes off-campus activities like backpacking, hiking, climbing and sailing. On campus, Wake Forest’s 180,000-square-foot Wellbeing Center is a state-of-the-art facility with strength and cardio equipment, a climbing wall, indoor courts and an 8-lane aquatic center. Students also work out and compete on 10 acres of practice fields and jogging trails.

Fraternity and sorority engagement is rooted in academic excellence, leadership development and meaningful service. Like the larger Wake Forest community, fraternity and sorority members are devoted to philanthropy and volunteer service. With more than half of students joining one of the 27 chapters on campus, fraternity and sorority engagement is a popular way to add balance and perspective to the student experience.

They also generate a campus-wide sense of belonging among faculty, staff and students. Lovefeast is a cherished tradition that is especially meaningful to generations of Wake Foresters. Just before winter break, Wake Forest invites the Winston-Salem community to join us in a beautiful candle-lighting ceremony that ushers in the holidays and supports the Chaplain’s Emergency Fund.

Being involved is a student tradition, from the Deacon Dash to Tie-Die Nation to the Screamin’ Deacons. We’re good, too. Wake Forest is a Power 4 school and a charter member of the ACC. We’ve won 59 ACC Championships and 11 NCAA titles. Our student-athletes also excel in the classroom, and their 96% graduation rate is among the top in the country.

The We Are Wake initiative is a multi-tiered program that engages everyone on campus. Faculty, staff and students can volunteer for CARE101 training to recognize, assess and respond to signs of mental stress. The program also outlines preventative measures to foster self-care and alleviate stress before an individual experiences a crisis.

There’s a reason entrepreneurship is Wake Forest’s most popular minor. Our students have made careers out of ideas developed in this program, and their products have been featured on Shark Tank, the Today Show and “Oprah’s Favorite Things” list.

Each year, 10 students are awarded Leadership and Character scholarships. In addition, the Program fosters character growth through an ambassadors program, identifying student leaders who are committed to intentionally cultivating virtues. The Program for Leadership and Character is a nationally emulated model for peer institutions and uses generous grant funding to develop and grow peer programs.

Students can enroll in four college-to-career courses that offer 1.5 academic credits each and teach resume writing, interview strategies, networking and professional branding. Hundreds of top organizations actively recruit Wake Forest students through the OPCD, which fosters deep, long-term relationships with employers.

Students who want to pursue a research project select a topic and partner with a faculty mentor. The student then applies to URECA for funding. Undergraduate research culminates in URECA Day, a stunning display of scholarship that has become a highlight of Family Weekend each fall.

Wake Downtown features state-of-the-art lab and classroom space for students pursuing degrees in biochemistry and molecular biology, medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, and engineering. For non-majors, it offers popular interdisciplinary courses. Wake Downtown positions our undergraduates next to the Wake Forest School of Medicine, a proximity that fosters collaboration with medical school faculty and students.

Over five decades, the nationally recognized program has grown in scope and impact. Study abroad opportunities have expanded to 400 programs spanning six continents and typically include faculty involvement. Our 83% participation rate places Wake Forest in the Top 5 for students graduating with a for-credit global studies experience.

Recently, in “No Lights No Lycra,” faculty and students in the dance department partnered with those in biometrics (Health & Exercise Science). And “We Play Together” blended music, gaming and academic exploration. Wake the Arts cultivates the curious and imaginative problem solvers Wake Forest is known for.

For additional hands-on opportunities, students can intern with the Office of Sustainability on campus-wide climate action initiatives including food systems, transportation and waste reduction or work with Wake Forest faculty to conduct local-to-global research ranging from environmental communication to conservation biology and environmental economics.

Every Friday, students take private tours, interact with guest speakers or visit world-class museums. Each semester, 14-16 students participate in this competitive program, which earns academic credit. Wake Washington offers a deep dive into D.C. culture that has jump-started the careers of many Wake Forest graduates.

More than a motto, Pro Humanitate is the authentic purpose that drives Wake Forest’s holistic education model, and Wake Forest graduates serve as leaders of character and ethics in their professional and personal communities.

But Winston is also known as the City of Arts and Innovation, with a booming arts community and a deep tradition of entrepreneurship. Some native brands include Krispy Kreme, Hanes and Sara Lee. Our central North Carolina location means you can take a day trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains or reach the Atlantic Coast in four hours.

Yo-Yo Ma lent his priceless cello to a Wake Forest student, Peyton Manning described how a chat with Wake Forest’s Tim Duncan influenced his decision to delay going pro and George W. Bush recalled finding the right words after 911. When possible, student-led events on campus allow students to engage with speakers in one-on-one conversation.

The grounds include breathtaking gardens with a restored 1913 conservatory and two miles of wooded trails that offer escape and recreation. Many visit the 170-acre estate to shop and dine in Reynolda Village, a collection of unique shops and restaurants in buildings that once supported the Reynolds farm.

The Grounds is a pedestrian-friendly project inspired by connection and community. By August 2025, students on campus will have safe, walkable access to home football, basketball, tennis and baseball venues. Construction on living, retail, dining and office space will be completed in Fall 2026.