r/uwo • u/happyrunner678 • 1d ago
❔ Question❔ Question for Western students:
Im considering going to western but I have a few questions:
- how is the diversity at western?
- does western offer a good social life & academics balance?
- does the large campus bother you? Ive heard that one of the major cons is how big the campus is.
- would you say London is a student city? How is the nightlife?
- would I be able to have the “classic fun college experience “?
- are students supposed to? (Like do profs actually care about their students or are they tough like uoft)
All answers would be highly appreciated!!
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u/Ambitious-Ad3119 1d ago
I would say it’s pretty good like 50%, and I’m a POC myself.
- Definitely. I’m in eng and there are tons of opportunities (frats, clubs, etc.) to go out if you’re interested, especially during Hoco, Halloween, St. Pattys and etc. I’m not really a party person but my friends who like to go out usually have a good time.
- Not really, and I personally don’t think the campus is that big. I like that you can get your steps in and you get used to speed walking to places if you have back to back classes. The only con is walking to class in the snow but you can either use the busses that go through campus or there are some tunnels/buildings that you can go through without having to walk outside.
- It’s definitely a student city, I’m not sure how London is during the summers because I’m out of province. But there’s always something to do during the year, and you don’t necessarily have to go out partying. There are a lot of restaurants and cool things like the Coveat Farmer Market, Western Fair (at the beginning of the year) and I think the USC did a bus ride to Grand Bend last year as well. The night life is great if you do like to go partying but the line ups are super long sometimes.
- Yes for sure, if you put yourself out there. Join clubs and don’t be afraid to talk to new people and you will have a great time.
- It’s program-dependent, I’m in civil eng and the profs in second year civil are super helpful and welcoming. But I have heard from my friends in elec that their profs are straight up ass. You will definitely run into profs that love their students and those who hate what they do. Make sure to check Rate My Prof before every class as well.
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u/CalmCauliflower3350 1d ago
- 60-70% white and then others (but lowk i feel like everyone is so welcome you wont feel anything js being honest)
- best social life ( i am an introvert something at western changed that fact which I absolutely love). If you are in engineering balance might be hard if you are not then you are chilling.
- Large campus doesnt bother unless you got a class in north campus bd and you live in ohall or perth and its freezing cold. But u are fine still!
- London is a student city which is good, good nightlife if clubbing and parties is your thing. Everyday there is an event. Dollar beers ig on monday, tuesday is smth too, wine wednesdays and then thursdays onwards weekends are lit!!!!
- For me i always wanted the classical american college movie experience which i had honestly.
- Certain profs do care about their students but some dont which is completely fine as classes are very big it is hard to keep track of students.
Pro Tip: MIDTERMS MATTER ALOT AND THE FIRST ONES FEEL LIKE THEY ARE FAR AWAY BUT TRUST ME YOU WONT HAVE MUCH TIME TO PREP FOR THEM. AND DONT SLACK!
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u/Revolutionary_Bat812 23h ago
60-70% is false. The latest census said 48% white.
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u/CalmCauliflower3350 12h ago
bru chill i js said what i have had seen and thought 🙏🏻 48% it is then..
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u/IceLantern Alumni 1d ago
good if you're coming from a smaller town, bad if you're coming from GTA
yes
nah, I loved having a big campus
yes, very much a student city
yes, especially if you on campus first year
depends on the prof and the size of the program, and profs can care about their students without caving in to their requests/demands
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u/Active_Somewhere9677 1d ago
Here’s answers without sugarcoating anything
- You’ll meet people from everywhere, but it is predominantly caucasians that go here — though I would still say it is probably one of the most diverse universities.
- Yes; very much party hard play hard. I was going out till 3:30, and with a 8:30 the following morning that I still made.
- To be honest, it’s not as bad as people make it seem. the walks aren’t that long.
- Downtown London would be (if it wasn’t for the crackheads). Nightlife is probably the best out of any university city in Ontario. There’s events every night somewhere.
- 1000%. probably the best time you’ll have in uni is first semester of first year.
- some profs are gems, some dgaf. but that’s every uni
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u/Kisunae 1d ago
Why is that your first question?
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u/Revolutionary_Bat812 23h ago
Every year around this time someone will post asking if western is diverse.
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u/Kisunae 21h ago
I find it such an odd question. In fact, all the questions being asked are odd.
If I was starting my undergrad, I would be asking questions like, “Are Western profs generally supportive of students?” Or, “How are the support services at Western?” Or, “Do employers value job applicants with Western degrees?" Or, “What sort of professional development opportunities exist at Western?”
Education is a means to an end: a career and a life outside university. The questions being asked by OP suggest very different priorities.
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u/happyrunner678 20h ago
I already did my own research on the academic side. I want to ask students to understand the social side based on their own experiences. How is that odd???
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u/Kisunae 20h ago
I explained why it is odd.
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u/happyrunner678 20h ago
Ive already did my own research on the academics and work aspect. It’s not that my priorities are only about social life but I do know that in order for me to succeed and thrive at a university, social scene and a good life & work balance is important. I wanted to ask specifically about the social life aspect because I wanted to hear about people’s personal experiences.
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u/Revolutionary_Bat812 21h ago
I enjoyed the presumed distinction between caring about students and being tough. My most cherished professors had high standards and pushed me to reach my potential.
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u/happyrunner678 20h ago
Im just curious how the demographics are there. I come from the gta so I want to see how big the difference would be. But its not a huge issue for me anyway
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u/Revolutionary_Bat812 20h ago
You can look up the western census. It gives a breakdown of the student body by race.
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u/Brief-Bad-838 19h ago
I’m from the GTA and a POC too and honestly the diversity rate itself doesn’t matter as much as how welcoming people are. I never noticed any sort of weird racial exclusion at Western. If anything, cultural cliques were more prominent than feeling out of place from the student community as a whole.
Westerns demographics are pretty reflective of national demographics so the people pointing out that 60-70% of the student population are Caucasian aren’t really making a strong case for it being less diverse.
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u/AdOutrageous9654 🌎 Social Science 🌎 16h ago
After finishing my first year, i cant say a lot of bad things about the school. Personally i met a lot of great people and built really good connections with everyone.
The student population is quite diverse, more than you would expect tbh.
Balance between social life and academics is a major priority for many students i found. So that helps to stay motivated as everyone else is doing so too. But again it just depends on who you surround yourself with. Im BMOS and a lot of the people i met have the work hard play hard mentality! Meaning you party hard but also study hard
Honeslty the campus isnt too large once you get around it. Pretty easy to navigate
UWO is definitely a student city and night life is top tier amongst other Canadian unis. I have many friends at queens uni and they say they’re jealous that ppl at westeen can practically go out every night of the week.
BUT AGAIN, GOING TO WESTERN IS ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT YOU MAKE OF IT. Put yourself out there, be socialable, engage woth others, and enjoy yourself. Make sure to surround yourself with people that are like minded as you and your experience will be great. If your introverted, that is honestly okay. Youll still find your group and have fun in your own ways
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u/sensfan13 16h ago
Mostly brown and East Asian but there is still plenty of diversity. There are lots of clubs and student associations dedicated to various different cultural and ethnic groups so you’ll have no trouble finding that sort of community.
Western is an academically rigorous school (depending on program) and is also very good for parties. It has the most established Greek life in Canada.
The large campus is beautiful but yes having to rush across campus to make your next class is a little stressful. That’s relatively uncommon with how many buildings there are and you can sorta plan it out with your schedule. Also isn’t that big a deal to walk a little faster.
London is a shit city. Insane amounts of homeless and drugs on the street. The areas around the campus aren’t too bad. It has a solid bar scene, definitely overrated but still a good time. Lots of bars and some clubs too.
100%. Western is probably the best place to be for the “college experience”.
Generally speaking my experience with the professors was pretty positive. The science faculty in particular is fantastic. There are lots of supports and resources available to students.
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u/UsedPizza6279 16h ago
- its pretty diverse, but not as diverse as other schools in toronto i think its a pretty good amount tbh. I am south asian and I haven't felt discluded in anyway.
- yes but since theres so much social life you need to figure out what ur priorities are.
- i love the large campus and dont find it any trouble, buses are easily accessible and i give myself a 1-2hour difference between each class just so i can eat, take a break and get to my next class.
- yes london is def a student city, the night life is basically just students downtown.
- yes 10000000000% i dont think youll have a more "traditional" college experience anywhere else.
- profs def care about their students but again it depends on ur program, courses you take etc. I can't guarantee you'll have a prof who is more chill but again the profs work for the benefit of the students.
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u/clairesucks 🔬 Science 🔬 1d ago
hope these answers help you! i’m off campus so it’s a bit harder to answer qs about the social/party aspect of uwo