About

See what students say:

Academics

Everything at Warren Wilson College, a small liberal arts school outside Asheville, North Carolina, can be attributed to its unique approach to learning, where academics are combined with "work and service." As one student describes the College, it's "work for the hands, service for the heart, learning for the mind." Outside the classroom, students "are also required to fulfill a certain amount of community service work in coordination with one of many community partners." The "work program at Warren Wilson is one of the main reasons I chose the school," says one environmental science major, and another student adds that the "work program is [what's] truly interesting about this school. We run our own little country here basically." That doesn't mean academics take a backseat-as one history major points out, "We take as many credits as other college students and we work 8-16 hours a week." Professors at Warren Wilson earn mostly high praise from students: "They are great at both lectures and discussion, and are able to teach nuanced, complex ideas and concepts in interesting and concise ways." With the small size and strong sense of community, the faculty here is very involved and very accessible.

Student Body

"The student body at [Warren Wilson] is sustainable, eclectic, earthy, hard-working, and very community oriented." As one photography major puts it, "If you're looking for someplace different, this is it." The school's former motto was "We're not for everyone, but maybe you're not everyone," and some students find that still holds true, though others note that "limited racial diversity" "does not create a welcoming environment to racial and ethnic minorities on the campus." At the same time, vocal students stress the school's accepting nature, underscoring that Warren Wilson "has a strong LGBTQ community." As an environmental science major puts it, "The environment and proximity to Asheville attract the typical tree-hugging hippie crowd, but there's really a place for everyone at the college" and nearly everyone is "actively engaged in issues of social justice." In short, Warren Wilson students are "fantastically talented, hardworking, and willing to think outside the box."

Campus Life

With classwork, community service, and time spent on one of the numerous campus work crews, students say "days are easily filled" and "weekdays tend to be very busy." When it's time to relax, "plenty of students spend as much time outside as possible hiking, swimming, skating, exploring the city of Asheville, and partying." "It's a very outdoorsy campus environment because we are in the middle of Appalachia" and "we have miles and miles of hiking trails that are campus property." Beyond the outdoors, "creative writing and coffee culture are a big part of Warren Wilson's culture," along with live music and "contra dancing on Thursdays." Some students say that the work crews are the closest thing the school has to fraternities and some of the more popular pastimes are "activities related to the crews-like blacksmithing workshops, beekeeping workshops, fabric workshops." With the school's appreciation of music, the "cafe is usually hosting shows that are a huge draw." In one student's estimation, "Everyone at the school loves the outdoors and has a healthy appreciation for taking an afternoon off to explore the river or trails." Warren Wilson is a place where politically-, socially-, and environmentally-focused "discussions are ubiquitous in and out of the classroom."

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Monique A. Cote
Campus Visit Coordinator

Address
P.O. Box 9000
Asheville, NC 28815

Phone
800-934-3536

Email
admit@warren-wilson.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Dogwood Pasture
Owls' Next Cafe
Pew Ellison Library
Swannanoa River Trail and River
Cow Pie Cafe (Vegetarian/Vegan) and Lawn
Students frequent Bryson Gym for Climbing Wall, Contra Dance, Concerts and Circus

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Dobra Tea House
Downtown Asheville Scene- Music, Food, and Shopping
Ultimate Ice Cream
Firestorm Bookstore West Asheville
Vortex Doughnuts
World-class rock climbing, paddling and hiking right nearby! Local skatepark. Our College Bluegrass band plays at various local venues regularly!

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday - Friday
9 am - 5 pm
800-934-3536

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 2 hours

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
Varies

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Advance Notice
1 week

Contact Email Address for Visit
admit@warren-wilson.edu

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Asheville Regional Airport is 30 min from campus. There is an Asheville Trailways/Greyhound Bus Station 15 min from Campus as well. This # is (800) 858-8555.

Driving Instructions to Campus
Use 701 Warren Wilson Road, Swannanoa, NC 28778 in your GPS. Enter through the South Entrance ? not the Service Entrance ? and you?ll pass the Pew Learning Center on your right. At the stop sign, take a left and follow the signs to the Office of Admission, located in Orr Cottage.

Local Accommodations
The historic St Clair Guest House is conveniently located on central campus and offers reasonable rates. Choose from homey individual rooms or family-sized apartments with full kitchens, all with the opportunity to truly be part of the campus community while you?re here for your visit. Asheville to our west and Black Mountain to our east are prime destinations with no shortage of lodging, dining, entertainment, and outdoor adventure options. We have a partnership that provides discounted rates. If those don?t meet your needs, check ExploreAsheville.com or Airbnb for a wide variety of options. Be sure to let these hotels know that you?re a visitor of Warren Wilson College or use the links and codes available at https://www.warren-wilson.edu/admission/visit/

Admissions

Applicants: 930
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Average HS GPA: 3.65






Academics








Careers



Tuition & Aid






Student Body



Campus Life













Articles & Advice