The University of the South

The University of the South (known as Sewanee) emphasizes the “practical applications of learning instead of traditional final exams,” offering “ample group projects which give [students] a chance to work collaboratively with classmates while learning to innovate and think critically.” Through the Sewanee Pledge, all students receive funding for a summer internship or research fellowship, along with a semester-long study abroad experience at no additional cost. In the natural sciences, Sewanee “puts a huge emphasis on experiential learning, made possible through our access to the [Domain]”—13,000 acres of forests, bluffs, meadows, lakes, and caves. Courses also “prioritize engaging with members of organizations outside of the school in the surrounding counties,” and many assignments “challenge what you have learned and allow for creative expression.” This ability “to interact thoroughly with the content of the courses” is a highlight for many students. Faculty serve as the “biggest support pillars,” and all “have a strong desire to connect with their students and aid in their overall academic journey,” fostering an environment where discussion is encouraged both in traditional classrooms and in outdoor settings where many classes are held. One student recalls a course where “it felt as if the professors were our peers and wanted to learn from us and our perspectives in the same way we learn from them.” Long-standing traditions such as the Honor Code “help create a strong sense of identity and community” and shape “a culture of trust, integrity, and mutual respect,” leading one to say, “I love knowing everyone loves Sewanee as much as I do.”

Many students here “have extremely specific interests,” with the groups “that stand out as Sewanee-specific [being] nature lovers and civic service lovers,” and the university supports this by providing “so many opportunities for students to find their place and try new things.” A strong sense of camaraderie connects people across campus: “Everyone who goes to Sewanee or went to Sewanee swears by the university as a fundamental part of their lives.” There is “abundant Southern charm,” and “you can walk up to anybody on campus and strike up a conversation.” One student describes their peers as “extremely smart and extremely nice,” noting that students “value good grades and spend a lot of their nights focusing on schoolwork or even broadening their horizons themselves.” Students also say that everyone “treats each other with an immense amount of respect.” As one student says, “We are a collective, small enough for us to have friendships wherever we go, and big enough to still have the joy of meeting new people.”

Sewanee’s campus, known as the Domain, is widely celebrated for its natural surroundings, with students noting that “the beauty…is unmatched.” One student adds, “It takes about two minutes to step into the woods and immerse yourself in the wilderness.” The school “encourages students to lead an active, outdoors lifestyle and to engage with the surrounding community,” and does so in part through the Sewanee Outing Program (SOP), which “leads a lot of hiking, caving, [and] canoeing…trips.” The campus fosters a close-knit environment where everyone “is somehow connected to everyone else because it is a smaller campus,” and nearly all students live on campus. Housing options include theme houses that group together students with similar identities and interests. Because “the school IS the town, on weekends the whole campus parties together,” Greek life “is inclusive and social events include all members and non-members.” Campus traditions such as the Order of the Gown are important to the Sewanee experience, reinforcing a strong sense of community. Another student adds, “The unique aspect of being on our own little mountain facilitates such a wonderful environment for everyone to thrive in.”

The University of the South creates “a unique education that cultivates leaders and scholarly community members.” The emphasis here “is not on competition, getting the high-paying job, or destroying the grading curve: it's on learning and personal growth.” The Career Readiness office is there to assist all students in achieving this, offering individual coaching, peer advisors, and identity-based resources. Real-world experience is prized, so all Sewanee students are guaranteed funding for a summer internship or research fellowship. Students are eligible for grant money from the Career Opportunity Fund to assist with the costs of career exploration, graduate school applications, and interviews. Students also “have several opportunities to participate in research (as a participant or investigator), and there is constant participation on both sides.” Post-graduation, the school enjoys a “great reputation around the South, which allows for higher job placement with better benefits,” and there is “an extensive alumni network which will support you after college,” available through the Sewanee Gateway online platform. The first-year program, Finding Your Place, introduces students to campus, course work, and professors and pairs them with classmate mentors. This leads to an interdisciplinary immersion that “allows students to learn outside of a specific discipline, and often reveals connections in areas that students would otherwise not know.” The focus on personal growth is evident: for those Sewanee alumni visiting Payscale.com, 62 percent say they find a great deal of meaning in their work. The median starting salary for Sewanee graduates is $62,800, as reported to PayScale.com.